These were rides in November - December 2004. Click here for current rides.

Here we list only a selection of 5BBC day rides. All 5BBC rides are described in Bicycletter, our bimonthly newsletter-magazine, which Club members can read here. If you are not a 5BBC member, you can join - or rejoin - by printing and mailing in the membership application. Prospective members can obtain a sample issue of Bicycletter by leaving their names and addresses on our voicemail at (212) 932-2300 x115.

Please note that helmets are required on all 5BBC rides.

Indicates relaxed pace, easy ride

For more information, please see:

Ride locations - where do we meet?

Ride Update Center - is my ride cancelled?

DayTripper Column - periodic yammerings from the Day Trips Coordinator

More about day rides - what to bring on rides, what's that smiley thing, participants under age 18, bike access on trains

Saturday, October 30th

WHEN YOU SEE A FORK IN THE ROAD, PICK IT UP
8:45AM, AYH, 35 miles... or is it 50?

Was it 35 miles or was it 50? We never could quite figure out the mileage on this trip to the Yogi Berra Museum, so by popular demand (at least of our esteemed club president), we're gonna reset the odometers, and head to nearby Montclair to peruse some nifty baseball history, courtesy of retired Number 8, N.Y. Yankees. Well, it sure looks nearby on the map, doesn't it? Just remember: this ride ain't over til it's over. Bring $6 for museum admission, lunch money, bike locks. See www.yogiberramuseum.org for updates on programs. Moderate pace, fairly hilly. Heavy rain cancels. Leaders: Ted M. Kushner, Ed Pino and Liz Baum.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY TRAILWAYS
9AM, Van Cortlandt Park, W242nd & Broadway, 50 miles

Paved. Level. Car-free. What's not to like? We ride Westchester's North and South County Trailways, a.k.a. the "Old Put", from Yonkers to Yorktown Heights, then back to Eastview and west to Tarrytown for a Metro-North ride home (or easy return to the start point). Bring water, snacks, Metro-North pass, $ for train fare and lunch, and an appetite for a good workout. See zisfein.com/yorktown for additional information and ride updates. This ride will be led at a 14 mph pace. Leaders: Jim Zisfein and Ed Ravin

Sunday, October 31st

CEMETERY RIDE
9AM, Bridgemarket, 40 miles

By request, this quiet and relaxed ride around southern Queens neighborhoods returns for Halloween. We’ll pass through the "cemetery belt" and see the turning colors of Forest Park. If it’s warm enough we’ll eat lunch in the park. Come and enjoy the fall weather. Bring or buy lunch. Take a lock just in case. Costumes optional. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Brian Hoberman

FOUR BOROUGH BIKE RIDE
9AM, City Hall, 35 miles

Sorry S.I. We promise to dedicate an entire ride to you. We want have enough time give justice to Arthur Avenue, deep in the heart of The Bronx. On our way, we'll pass through Brooklyn and Queens and cross the Triborough Bridge into The Bronx. Lunch along Arthur Ave., an Italian enclave. Belmont Ave. is the origin of the "Dion & The Belmonts" name. Look around for others. Then, back to Manhattan along the East River to City Hall. Bring a lock & $ for lunch. Mostly flat. Moderate pace. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

Saturday, November 6

PALISADES BIKE HIKE: GREENBROOK SANCTUARY
9AM, PROMPT, GW Bridge Bus Terminal, 15 miles (4 mile hike)

From the Greenbrook website (njpalisades.org/greenbrook.htm): "Greenbrook Sanctuary is 165 acres of woodland on top of New Jersey's magnificent Palisades. 4.7 miles north of the George Washington Bridge, off U.S. Route 9W, the sanctuary is an oasis of solitude and natural beauty, minutes away from one of the noisiest, most densely populated areas in the world." Escape from the city to this nearby and truly natural wonder, and learn about its history on a professionally-guided hike by a park historian. Bring a bike lock, comfortable walking shoes, water, and $ for lunch at the nearby Royal Cliffs Diner. See zisfein.com/palisades for additional information and ride updates. Ride leaders: Jim Zisfein & Marina Bekkerman.

BIKE TO ART (PART OF THE “WE LAUGH AT HILLS” SERIES)
730AM, Grand Central Terminal, 30 hilly miles (Rain date: Sunday, Nov 7th)

Enjoy a 25 to 30 mile ride through the hills of the Hudson Valley and then tour the Dia: Beacon Museum. The 300,000 square-foot former factory, which opened last year, displays art from the 1960's to the present, including works by Richard Serra, Andy Warhol and Don Flavin. Bring a lock and money for MetroNorth (& pass), museum ($10) and lunch. If rain is forecast, call Stephen at (917) 301-0707 to find out if ride is rescheduled to Sunday, Nov 7th. Leaders: Stephen Jackel and Brian Hoberman

Sunday, November 7th

ROCK AROUND THE ROCK
8:45AM, City Hall, 40 miles

What would be if the Revolutionary War never happened? Well, on Staten Island, that almost happened. And, we're going to that spot. We'll enjoy some flats and hills. Bring lunch or money for it. Mostly flat with one !@#$%^&* hill. Moderate pace. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

UN PASEO POR EL BARRIO (Spanish Language Immersion Ride)
9:30 AM, Prospect Park (Grand Army Plaza),25 miles
NOTE - CHANGE IN RIDE COURSE!

You promised your friends you would "ace" the interpreter's exam on Monday. Trouble is, you've got less than 24 hours to learn 3,000 words and you don't even know whether you eat "sopa" or sponge your face with it. Have no fear, Don Quixote! We'll get you through this even if it does sound like an "impossible dream." Simply join us for an intensive Spanish language bike ride through "El Barrio", often referred to as "Spanish Harlem". Instead of a rose you'll get to cheer on the runners of the marathon with shouts of Viva...(you name the country). The ride will be geared to all levels of Spanish. Except for road hazards, this ride is in Spanish, so, if you show up expecting to hear the King's English, you've signed up with the wrong King. Bring lock, $10-15 lunch money. Dictionary optional. Pace - easy with frequent stops for language practice along the way. Leaders Richard Sanford and Victor Sanchez-Valado.

Saturday November 13th

THE GREATEST TURKEY RIDE: CHARLIE’S TURKEY
10AM, AYH, 30 miles

Join Ed and Liz as we eat Charlie’s turkey, the best turkey in Queens. I can say that I have been eating it for years. This is an easy 30 mile mostly flat ride. Usual weather conditions apply. Bring lock and $$ for lunch. Leaders Ed Pino and Liz Baum.

Sunday November 14th

QUADRUPLE CROSSING
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles

Q: What's better (or worse) than a double cross? A: A triple cross. And, as long as we're on a roll, how about a quadruple cross? Yessiree, Bob, we start at City Hall, cross the East River on the Brooklyn Bridge, then back over the Manhattan Bridge. Next, we go for a triple with the Willy B. And finally, you find out if quarduple means bridge or bypass with the Queensboro. After that, we go downtown to Caruso's for bike friendly pizza. Leaders Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

Saturday November 20th

WANDERING TO WAVE HILL
9:15AM, Columbus Circle, 25 miles

Enjoy a visit to a treasure in the Riverdale section of the Bronx: Wave Hill. Once a private estate, it is an oasis that overlooks the Hudson and the Palisades (See www.wavehill.org). To and fro, we'll enjoy riding through a few picturesque parks in Manhattan and the Bronx. If the weather makes the ride questionable, call Brian at (917) 868-0013. Bring a lock and lunch money. Leaders Brian Hoberman & TBA.

HEADING NORTH A/K/A BEAR MOUNTAIN METRIC CENTURY
8AM, Plaza Hotel, 65 miles

Is it cooler up north? Let's follow the west shore of the Hudson, uphill and down, to Bear Mountain and find out. Challenge yourself by biking to the summit (about 1,300 feet above sea level). The view at the top is worth the climb! The route is one-way, so bring a Metro North bike permit and $9.50 train fare for the trip home. Moderate pace. Hilly terrain, with some very steep climbs. Leaders Ira Najowitz and TBA.

Sunday November 21st

SADDLE UP AND RIDE THE HUTCH
10AM, Dyre Ave (last stop on the 5 train), 25 OFF-ROAD miles

This is an off road ride for Mountain bikes only. There are ruts, roots and rocks on a narrow, twisting up & down horse path. We eat lunch along a lake. NO GONZOS. Bring a Metro-North pass just in case you need to bail in Westchester. Leaders Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

LET'S GO TO TRADER JOES (Quick Spin), Hewlett
9:30AM, Prospect Park, 40-50 miles

A quick spin out to Long Island to get the blood pumping and you'll be back before the end of the game. 15mph with minimal stops. 40-50 mostly flat miles. Hope to be back to Grand Army Plaza (Brooklyn) by 1-2PM. Bring what you need to keep rolling and maybe a back for shopping but remember this will be a quick trip. Rain cancels. Leaders Wentworth Price and Neile Weissman.

Saturday, November 27th

TURKEY JAM
10AM, Bridgemarket, 25 miles

Still full from that turkey dinner two nights ago? Well let’s work some of it off with a relaxed ride around town. No fixed destination except less traffic and maybe a hot meal someplace nearby, most likely in Queens. Bring a lock and $$ for lunch. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Jesse Brown. Co-listed with NYCC.

Sunday November 28th

NEAR BROOKLYN
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles

The twin cities of New York & Brooklyn danced with each other for fifty years before the wedding. We'll get some snapshots of that time & others. Then, maybe, end up at a bike friendly pizzaria near Bowling Greene. Leaders Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

ROOSEVELT ISLAND Quick Spin
10AM, Prospect Park, 25-35 miles

Come out for a short and quick spin through Brooklyn, Queens, and Roosevelt Island to work off the holiday means. Bring what you need to keep rolling. We will keep stops to a minimum and the destination stop will be short. No point-drop-sweep. Rain cancels. Leaders Wentworth Price and TBA.

Saturday December 4th

TEMPERATURE REGULATORS (quick spin)
9:30am, White Plains Road & Pelham Parkway, 40 miles

Get up early and meet Jesse for a fast ride up north. Guaranteed to be quick. Have a bite at that awesome Austrian pastry shop. Destination might be Rye, White Plains or Byram, CT. Minimum pace 15mph. Bring a lock and $ for lunch. Leaders Jesse Brown and company. Co-listed with NYCC.

LATE NIGHT CHINESE BAO ZHI RIDE
9:15PM, Prospect Park (Grand Army Plaza), 12 miles. Note: Front and Rear Lights required!

The Chinese invented paper and the process of printing on it too. Unfortunately, nobody ever got word to the folks of the Tang Dynasty that people would end up reading their morning papers… in the morning. The result? Late night hours for the printers! Meet the Williamsburg crew as they scramble to get out the next edition of the Sino-American Times, (in Chinese, of course). Then, take your hot off the press “Bao Zhi” to Chinatown and read it as you sip on tea while waiting for dinner to arrive. You’ll probably get home between 1:00-2:00 A.M. but have no fear. You can finish your paper in the morning over a hot bowl of congee or Special K if you wish. Bring lock and about $10.00 for late night Chinatown dinner. Pace – easy, with some Chinese language fun along the way. Leaders: Richard Sanford and Alfredo Garcia.

Sunday December 5th

FROSTBITE RIDE #1: THE WORLD’S GREATEST PANCAKES
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles

This is the traditional start to our clubs answer to the pending winter blahs. The "Frost Bites" series asks the question, if winter is too cold to bike, how come it's not too cold for skiing? We start at City Hall, take the ferry to S.I., follow the west coast, cross the Bayonne Bridge for those deelicious pancakes. We'll give our respects to the Lady in the Harbor and end up in Hoboken for the trip across the Hudson and home. NOTE: We have an alternate plan if the weather is bad! Leaders Ed DeFreitas & others.

Saturday December 11th

RIDE TO FILLMORE’S
9:30AM, AYH, 30 miles

A pre club Party ride! Join Ed & Liz on our Ride to Fillmore’s for lunch. This will be an easy flat ride of 30 miles through the borough of Queens. We will circle the globe and eat in a pub like atmosphere. Join us on this warm winter journey for a trip around the world and a great lunch. Bring $10.00, for a real lunch- Bring bike lock, restaurant is bike friendly, and a good attitude. Leaders: Ed Pino and Liz Baum.

Sunday December 12th

FROSTBITE RIDE #2: FLAT ROCK NATURE PRESERVE
10AM, City Hall, 30 miles

Aah Naturale in Joisey! This privately owned natural preserve lets us bike to their Nature Center but, only hike their trails. Lunch at a pond. Clothing is not optional. Leaders Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

Saturday, December 18th

TEMPERATURE REGULATORS (quick spin)
9:30am, White Plains Road & Pelham Parkway, 40 miles

Get up early and meet Jesse for a fast ride up north. Guaranteed to be quick. Have a bite at that awesome Austrian pastry shop. Destination might be Rye, White Plains or Byram, CT. Minimum pace 15mph. Bring a lock and $ for lunch. Leaders: Jesse Brown and company. Co-listed with NYCC.

Sunday December 19th

FROSTBITE RIDE #3: XMAS IN THE CLOISTERS
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles

You don't have to be rich as Rockefeller to enjoy medieval art in a monastary setting atop Fort Tryon Park. Bring lunch for Al Fresco or dine indoors (little pricey but good). Leaders Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

Sunday December 26th

FROSTBITE RIDE #4: XMAS LIGHTS IN DYKER HEIGHTS AND DIM SUM
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles

Brooklyn's Chinatown is no longer a secret. But, it's still a great destination when Dim Sum is desired. We'll check out the Xmas lights atop Dyker Hts. Then swing around back to Sixth Ave. for lunch. On the way back, we'll take in the Manhattan skyline from Sunset Park. Led by Ed DeFreitas & TBA.

Sunday January 2nd

FROSTBITE RIDE #5: NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS
10AM, PLAZA HOTEL (59th St. & 5th Ave.), 30 miles

Note: start point incorrectly printed in Bicycletter.
Elly Spangenberg's perennial ride. Smell fresh roses at one of the foremost American public gardens. Take a look at the Holiday Train Show. Go to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory for "A World of Plants" in a warm environment. See www.nybg.org for internet info. Bring a digital camera, lock, $ for lunch and $3 admission. Leaders Ed DeFreitas & TBA.