These were rides in May - June 2005. Click here for current rides.

June 27, 2004: Bicycling the way it oughta be. A car-free ride on the Bronx River Parkway. Cranberry Lake Bike Hike. Photo by Jim Zisfein.

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Indicates relaxed pace, easy ride

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Saturday, April 16th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #11 – STONY POINT
8:30AM, Columbus Circle, 82 miles

This is a highly technical ride as well as long distance, so please be prepared for the hills. You must be able to follow the cue sheet on your own. You must bring snacks and enough water or you could easily bonk along the way. There won’t be any drops and the pace will be fast. This ride is not for beginners. RIDERS ARE ADVISED THAT THEY MUST MAINTAIN A MINIMUM 12MPH PACE ON EACH OF THESE TRAINING RIDES. PLEASE ARRIVE PREPARED WITH ENOUGH WATER AND DRESS APPROPRIATELY. Leaders: Steve Taylor and Jesse Brown and Susan Rodetis.

Sunday, April 17th

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #2 – ENGLEWOOD
9AM, Plaza Hotel, 30 miles

Englewood is our second stop in the Metric progression. One big climb and a fine diner make this the perfect short trip. Also be sure to bring your lock, a spare, and pump. Leaders: Eileen Kapp and Ted Kushner and Brian Hoberman.

Saturday, April 23rd

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #12 – LLOYD NECK
8:30AM, Cunningham Park, 85 miles

The series is reaching that crescendo of long distance rides - and Lloyd Neck is certainly one of the favorites. Once again this is for experienced riders. Be sure to pack enough fuel and water for your engine. No point-drop-sweep! RIDERS ARE ADVISED THAT THEY MUST MAINTAIN A MINIMUM 12MPH PACE ON EACH OF THESE TRAINING RIDES. PLEASE ARRIVE PREPARED WITH ENOUGH WATER AND DRESS APPROPRIATELY. PLEASE ALSO BRING AN MTA-RAIL PASS IN CASE YOU NEED TO BAIL OUT AND TAKE THE RAILROAD BACK TO QUEENS. THE LONG ISLAND RAILROAD WILL NOT LET YOU RIDE WITHOUT AN MTA-RAIL PASS. Leaders: Steve Sakson and Dave Schlicting.

Saturday, April 30th

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #3 – CITY ISLAND
9AM, AYH, 40 miles

City Island is one of my all-time favorite destinations, and it just so happens to make a great medium distance urban training ride. Enjoy lunch right on the sound! We want to get back early because tomorrow we have to get up really early. Brisk pace. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Manny Sanudo and Brian Hoberman.

Saturday, May 7th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #13 – EATON’S NECK
8:00AM, Cunningham Park, 90 miles
Note time change: was incorrectly listed in March-April Bicycletter for 8:30AM start.

This is it – the finale. All that hard work will finally pay off and you’ll be able to tackle the hills of the eastern North shore. Warning: cue sheet only ride, so you better be able to read and follow directions closely! No point-drop-sweep today. You must be able to keep up with the leaders in order to complete it on time. RIDERS ARE ADVISED THAT THEY MUST MAINTAIN A MINIMUM 12MPH PACE ON EACH OF THESE TRAINING RIDES. PLEASE ARRIVE PREPARED WITH ENOUGH WATER AND DRESS APPROPRIATELY. PLEASE ALSO BRING AN MTA-RAIL PASS IN CASE YOU NEED TO BAIL OUT AND TAKE THE RAILROAD BACK TO QUEENS. THE LONG ISLAND RAILROAD WILL NOT LET YOU RIDE WITHOUT AN MTA-RAIL PASS. Leaders: Ira Najowitz and Manny Sanudo.

BROOKLYN’S WORKING WATERFRONT
9AM, Bridgemarket, 35 miles

This is an easy paced and relaxed tour of the nearby Queens and Brooklyn industrial waterfronts. Some of these neighborhoods are undergoing rapid transformation and rebuilding and very soon the northern Brooklyn waterfront will be unrecognizable. Presently much of the old waterfront remains but it’s just a matter of time. Formerly the “other side of the tracks ride” this is becoming the “dissapearing industrial waterfront” ride. Bring or buy lunch. Terrain, flat. Pace, easy. Ride ends at Owl’s Head Park. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Bob Castro.

Sunday, May 8th

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #4 – PIERMONT
9AM, Columbus Circle (new starting location!), 50 miles

I can’t think of a better destination to cap off the metric series than the charming town of Piermont, NY. Leaders: Susan Rodetis and Bob Castro and Brian Hoberman.

PALISADES BIKE HIKE - WOMEN’S FEDERATION MONUMENT
9AM, GW Bridge bus terminal, 178 St & Ft. Washington Av, 20 mile ride, 3 mile hike

It's Mother's Day, and for the occasion, we ride to the Park Headquarters in Alpine, then go on a history hike to a monument honoring the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs. Without the efforts of these women, we might not have a Palisades Interstate Park today. The bike portion of the bike-hike will take hilly Henry Hudson Drive ("River Road"). Bring a bike lock, comfortable walking shoes, bag lunch, and water. Pace: ride, moderate; hike, slow. Leaders: Jim Zisfein and Lee Ann Van Wyck.

OFF-ROAD VISTAS: THE OLD PUT AND THE OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT
9AM, Van Cortlandt Park (Broadway and W 242nd St), 35 off-road miles

Ride up the Old Putnam Railroad trail to Tarrytown and then back along the Old Croton Aqueduct. This is an off-road trip – mountain and hybrids only! The terrain is rough but not terribly hilly. Bring or buy lunch. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and others.

Wednesday, May 11th

MANHATTAN EVENING RIDE (Rain Date Wed, May 18th)
6:45PM, Plaza Hotel, 18 miles

In celebration of Bike Month NYC, join us for the annual fun leisurely evening ride on Manhattan's Greenways/Pathways. We plan to go through Central Park, down the West Side Pathway to Battery Park, through South Street Seaport and up the East side and back to the Plaza. Bring pocket food, water, spare inner tube, and you must wear a helmet. Co-listed with The Weekday Cyclists in NYC and the NYCC. Leaders: Trudy Hutter and Catherine Marion

Saturday, May 14th

WANDERING TO WAVE HILL
9AM, Columbus Circle, 30 miles

Enjoy an extended spring 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. Terrain is mostly flat with some hills. Bring a lock and lunch money. If the weather makes the ride questionable, call Brian at (917) 868-0013. Leaders: Brian Hoberman & others.

Sunday, May 15th

SPECIAL EVENT: THE MONTAUK CENTURY 2005
65, 100, or 140 miles on Long Island's South Shore

Pedal the back roads from the city through the Hamptons to the ocean. Registration required.

STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES
10AM, Columbus Circle, 30 miles with a few steep hills

Take a leisurely-paced jaunt to the Bronx Botanical Gardens and stroll through its verdant grounds. Bring footwear suitable for walking. Bring or buy lunch. Leaders: Ed Ravin and Brian Hoberman.

Friday, May 20th

WORKSMAN CYCLES FACTORY TOUR
9:30AM City Hall, 25 miles

Morris Worksman knew he had a good thing over the horse and wagon when he established Worksman Cycles in Ozone Park, Queens back in 1898. Join us for this weekday ride to the plant that builds All-American working bikes used by Boeing, NASA and food vendors galore. The factory also manufactures bikes for recreation, physical therapy and special needs. Check out trip related website worksman.com. Lunch at a local restaurant. If it rains the tour is still on and we'll hop on the subway (an option not available back then!). Bring lock, and lunch money. (Possible after ride trip to the New York City Bike Show.) Co-listed with Transportation Alternative's Bike Month and New York Cycle Club. Leaders: Richard Sanford and Alfredo Garcia.

Saturday, May 21st

PALISADES BIKE HIKE: MILLIONAIRE’S ROW (Closter Landing Loop)
8:30AM (Sharp), GWB Bus Term (Ft Washington Ave & W178th St), 20 mile ride, 5 mile hike

We ride to Kearney House at Alpine Marina, then hike with a park historian. This "history hike" explores the ruins of estates that dotted the Palisades cliff before they were demolished to make way for the park and parkway. See www.njpalisades.org/alp-hike.htm#Loop for hike details. Bring a bike lock, comfortable walking shoes, bag lunch, and water. Pace: ride, moderate; hike, slow. Ride leaders: Jim Zisfein (jzisfein@yahoo.com) and Ed Ravin. Hike leader: Eric Nelsen (enelsen@njpalisades.org), Historical Interpreter, Palisades Interstate Park Commission

ROCKAWAY/GATEWAY GREENWAY (Quick Spin)
9AM, Brooklyn Boro Hall, 45 miles

Take a new faster route to Jamaica Bay and cirlce the bay using the newer greenways and bike paths. Lunch stop on Broad Channel Island and a possible ice cream stop later on. This ride is windy and fast because it’s so close to the water. Quick spin pace. Terrain - flat. Bring or buy lunch. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Mark Trainor.

BRONX TERMINAL MARKET
9:30AM, 69th Regiment Armory (Lexington Ave & East 25th St), 23 urban miles

Just off the 145th St. Bridge, see faded yet dignified remnants of grocery stores & warehouses under the Major Deegan Exwy, within view of Yankee Stadium. Created in 1935, the Market is the largest seller of international produce & delicacies, mainly from tropicial & equatorial regions of the world, on this side of America. Generations of immigrant families have shopped here. Sadly, this place will close and make way for a modern shopping mall and possibly an Olympic velodrome. Bring food, be polite, watch your bike and pay your last respects. Wet weather at the start cancels. Co-listed with NYCC. Terrain: mostly flat with some greenways, some busy traffic and some hills. This short trip enable us to take in the Bike Show afterwards. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia (646) 312-1677 and others.

Sunday, May 22nd

CRANBERRY LAKE AND BRONX RIVER PARKWAY (Bike-Hike)
9AM, Woodlawn (Jerome and Bainbridge Aves, last stop on the #4), 40 rolling miles

40 miles of scenic Westchester County roads, bike paths and a stop at a nature preserve where we’ll take a walk around a swampy lake in a quiet, forested area. Optional return via Metro-North after 25 miles (permit required). Since we’ll be using the Bronx River Parkway during the usual Bicycle Sunday closings as well as neighboring bike paths, the ride is 44% car free. All paths are paved paths, suitable for road bikes. Bring appropriate walking footwear. Terrain: rolling with a few steep hills. Leaders: Ed Ravin and Jim Zisfein.

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

What would it be if the Revolutionary War never happened? Well, on Staten Island, that almost happened. And, we're going to that spot and Walk the same earth that a personal hero, BenjaminFranklin, trod. We'll enjoy some flats and hills. Bring lunch or money for it. Terrain is mostly flat with one !@#$%^&* hill. Pace 12-15mph. Leaders Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday, May 28th

RETURN OF THE LOTTERY RIDE (Quick Spin)
9AM, AYH, 70 miles

This is the Tri-State ride! Join Jesse and friends for a fast spin that hits both Jersey and Connecticut in search of winning lottery tickets in all 3 states! Action paced and plenty of climbing. Bring or buy lunch along the way. Leaders: Jesse Brown and others.

Sunday, May 29th

RIDE TO THE HUDSON RIVER MUSEUM
9AM, Plaza Hotel, 30 miles

We'll ride through Central Park and up the center spine of Manhattan. We'll cross the Harlem river into The Bronx, follow Broadway through Yonkers and spend a little time on the Old Croton Aqueduct till we reach the Hudson River Museum (www.hrm.org). This is not just a museum. It's also a Mansion and a planetarium. So, bring your inquisitiveness, $6.00 for admission, lunch or money to buy it, lock and Metro-North pass in case you have to bag-it. Some hills, road bikes OK. Maybe a bonus additional museum. Varied terrain. Pace 12-15mph. Leaders Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday, June 4th

3500 FEET HIGH AND RISING
7:25AM Grand Central Terminal
8:45AM Croton-Harmon Station, 45 hilly miles

Join us for this beautiful, but very hilly ride through northern Westchester. We ride through the Teatown Preserve, Chappaqua, Bedford Hills and other pleasant communities. While spinning on the hills (with cumulative climbing of 3,500 feet), we can look forward to homemade ice cream near the end. We’ll also take a break in Mount Kisco at the abode of long-time 5BBCers the Fellmans. N.B.: Triples are highly recommended, bring a MTA bike permit and note that there's a couple miles of riding on a hard-packed dirt road. If the weather makes the ride questionable, call Brian at (917)868-0013. Terrain: hills, hills, and more hills. Expected completion time 6PM (Croton) or 7PM (Grand Central). Leaders Brian Hoberman and Eileen Kapp.

SANUDO BEAR MT CENTURY
7:30AM, GW Bridge Bus Term (Ft Washington Ave & W178th), 100 hilly miles
CANCELLED. Sorry.

Created by our own Manny Sanudo, this is one of the toughest variations of cycling through this beautiful New York State Park. You will be challenged by hills all day--River Rd., Rt. 9W, Seven Lakes Dr., the infamous Arden Valley Dr. and more. You must be self-sufficient, a strong cyclist, make your own rest stops, tend to mechanicals and get back to NYC under your own power. REQUIRED: MTA Bike Permit. No point drop sweep. No safety nets. Cuesheets provided. Ride on your own or with others. Not for the faint of heart. Wet weather at start cancels. You will be riding 100 hilly miles, at your own pace. This ride will START at 8am sharp. GET THERE EARLY. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia (646) 312-1677 and others.

Sunday, June 5th

FLAT ROCK NATURE PRESERVE (Bike/Hike)
9AM, City Hall, 30 miles

This is a bike to hike ride to a not well known but beautiful nature preserve. It's privately run, includes a nature center and you can lunch aside a pond and take an unsupervised nature hike. Commune with nature but, not Au Naturale!! Bring lock, lunch or money for it. Moderate pace. Terrain: mostly flat with one !@#$%^&* Hill. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday, June 11th

QUEENS BORDER SCOUT (Quick Spin)
8:30AM, Bridgemarket, 60 miles

We’re scouting out a new route for the perimeter ride to be offered later on, so consider this a preview of what’s coming up later on. This one is a quick spin pace and still has those marvelous climbs to make the ride interesting. Bring or buy lunch in the Far East of Queens (Floral Park). Leaders: Danny Lieberman and John Chiarella.

EVOLUTION OF SOUND RIDE
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles

Music boxes, gramophones, steel records, old clay cylinders, a nickelodeon, and they all work! Where? At the Enrico Caruso Museum of America in Brooklyn. Aldo, the founder and curator, does a demonstration of sound devices from the 1850s to the early 1900s that will make you wish you came on your high wheeler. We’ll also get a down home introduction to Enrico Caruso. Then its off to a local ethnic restaurant. Bring $8 museum fee, lock, and lunch money. Leaders: Richard Sanford and Sharon Behnke.

SANDY HOOK
Note new time, ride location, itinerary, and boat fare.
10:30am at Pier 11, south of Wall St. & South Street Seaport. 20+ miles.

We'll take the 11am boat to Highlands, NJ. Though different spot from Sandy Hook, I will take a group on my 20+ mile ride around the area. Buy lunch at Rt. 36 deli and then go to Twin Lighthouse of Navesink to eat it. Then Sandy Hook to North Beach for beach time. Then get back to Highlands for the 6:40 pm boat back to Manhattan. Bring boat fare ($35), sunscreen, lock, water, maybe beachwear. Wet weather at start cancels. Co-listed with NYCC. Terrain: mostly flat, with greenways, busy traffic and hills. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia & David Seto. Call the leader at (646) 312-1677 for questions & concerns.

Sunday, June 12th

SHEEPSHEAD BAY AND BEYOND
9AM, City Hall, 30 miles

Yet another excursion into the Borough of Churches. We'll check out the Bay Shore Parkway greenway, a path frequented on Bicycle Bum Beach rides, with a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean. Bring a lock, $ for lunch and a camera. You can look but you better not touch (bike) a pedestrian bridge in the area. Moderate pace. Flat terrain. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and others.

PHIL GOLDBERG’S CRADLE OF AVIATION
9:30AM, Cunningham Park, 30+ miles

Saw "The Aviator?" Ever sang "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and don't know if you'll be back again? Curious about that Airbus A380 and Boeing 7E7? Let's cycle into the wild blue yonder, to an air museum and find out. Ride inspired / created by our own Phil Goldberg. See astonishing history of flying from small beginnings to the amazing present. Bring $9 admission, food & a lock. Related website: cradleofaviation.org. Wet weather cancels at start. Co-listed with NYCC. Terrain: mostly Nassau County flat, some busy traffic. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia (646)312-1677 and John Chiarella.

Saturday, June 18th

CLEARWATER HUDSON RIVER REVIVAL
7:30 AM Sharp!, Grand Central Terminal, 25 miles

Our annual day-long sojourn at the dawn of summer's light to this classic folk festival returns with new vigor! The Sloop Clearwater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in May 2004 for its role in environmental awareness, and there's no better way to celebrate this achievement than with 5 stages of folk music, crafts, activism, juggling, song circles, non-stop dancing, souvenirs, and of course, food. We'll hop on Metro-North for a jump start to White Plains, then cycle to Croton Point Park for festivities. Who will be announced as this year's ride dedication recipient(s)? Scheduled performers include The Bacon Brothers, Modern Man, Christine Lavin, Jay & Molly and more! There's also FREE valet bike parking courtesy of our friends at Times Up! Admission discounts ($25) for early arrivals will be available. Fest is rain or shine! Return to NY via train recommended but optional. Bring sunscreen, $14 for train fare, bike permit, and your fave river songs. Leaders: Ted M. Kushner and Brian Hoberman.

Sunday, June 19th

ED AND LIZ’ ANNUAL FATHERS DAY RIDE OR “CONEY ISLAND OR BUST”
10AM, City Hall, 30 miles

Join us for a fun ride through Brooklyn to the world famous cyclone for the ride of your life. Come to the Fun House, Walk on the Boardwalk. Return to your childhood or your new adulthood for a fun time. Lunch will be at Nathan’s hotdog stand the original hot dog. Bring bike lock and approximately $15 for lunch and admission. Leaders: Ed Pino and Liz Baum.

OFF-ROAD VISTAS: KENSICO DAM
9AM, East 233rd and White Plains Road, 35 miles

An "Off Road Vista" bike journey for a regular bikes. Follow the Bronx River Parkway bike path up to the dam and back. 35 miles, paved path with some riding in traffic as well, hilly in places. Please bring your Metro North bike pass, just in case. Varied terrain. Pace will be 10-15mph. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday, June 25th

THE LOTTERY RIDE STRIKES BACK (Quick Spin)
9AM, AYH, 70 miles

Jesse and friends are back in search of more lottery tickets. Travel across the tri-state region, fast and fun. Quick Spin pace (15+mph) and plenty of climbing. Leaders: Jesse Brown and others.

Sunday, June 26th

PERIMETER SERIES KICKOFF RIDE: THE BRONX
9AM, Yankee Stadium (East 161st St & River Ave), 35 miles Quick Spin group (15-18mph) meets at 8:30AM

This year the perimeter series will begin with the one borough on the mainland (The Bronx), and it begins and ends at Yankee Stadium. We’ll conquer the wilds of Riverdale, touch on Westchester, pass by Coop City and Fort Schuyler and the isle of the unclaimed dead. Come Circumcycle The Bronx and get the first peg towards the series patch. Some hills. Leaders: Jesse Brown and Rodney Millard (quick spin) and Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday, July 2nd

PIZZA AND OTHER GOODIES RIDE
10AM, City Hall, 40 miles

This new quest for the finest pizza will take you through many exotic neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Manhattan. More details to be posted in the July-August edition! Bring $$ for all the wonderful muchies. Leaders: Lee Ann Van Wyck and Danny Lieberman and others.

Sunday, July 3rd

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS SERIES KICKOFF
10AM, Prospect Park (Main entrance at Grand Army Plaza), 30 miles

Welcome back to the 5BBC’s classic summer beach series! We usually ride to Neponsit Beach in the Rockaways, taking mostly deserted streets. Bring a lock and all your usual beach gear. We’ll stop to pick up lunch and then eat it on the beach. Leaders to be named later.

AROUND AND OVER THE HUDSON
8:30AM, City Hall, 43 miles

See NYC from a ferry, the Liberty State Park & Hoboken. Then stretch your legs along a long shoreline stretch from Hoboken to the G.W. Bridge(with the one big hill). Bridge the Hudson back to N.Y.C. Pass Seinfeld's (who?) old haunt and choose your lunch cuisine from italian, asian and eastern Europe. It's all on one Amsterdam Ave. block between 110th & 11th Streets. Then, we'll follow the Hudson River line (really, ask Ed why.) back down to City Hall. Bring a lock & $ for lunch. Pace 12-15mph. Terrain: Mostly Flat with one !@#$%^&* Hill. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and others.

Monday, July 4th

INDEPENDENCE JAM!
9:30AM, City Hall, 50+ miles

Let’s stretch our legs and visit some historical locations and maybe stop for some good food too somewhere out there in an outer borough. More details will be posted in the July-August Bicycletter. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Jesse Brown.