These were rides in July - August 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

For more information, please see:

• Ride locations - where do we meet?
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• More about day rides - what to bring on rides, what's that smiley thing, participants under age 18, bike access on trains

Saturday, July 2nd

PIZZA AND OTHER GOODIES RIDE
10:30AM, City Hall, 40 miles

WE RIDE TO EAT as we tour into Brooklyn and Manhattan at selected pizzerias, a spumoni garden and a Village bakery, all in one non-fattening day! Bring $$ for all the wonderful muchies, water and a spare tube. Urban terrain, easy paced. Rain or locusts will cancel. Leaders: Lee Ann Van Wyck and Danny Lieberman.

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. Remember to bring a camera! Leaders Jim Zisfein and Lee Ann Van Wyck.

OVER AND UNDER 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, approx 50 miles

Let’s stretch our legs and visit an interesting locations or three in one of those outer boroughs. We’ll keep to a moderate pace and seek out some pleasant neighborhoods while we enjoy the holiday. Final destination will be determined the morning of the ride. Bring a lock, lunch or $ for it, and plenty of water. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Jesse Brown. Co-listed with NYCC.

Saturday, July 9th

LONG FOR LONG BEACH
9AM, Kew Gardens, 40-45 miles

Life's a beach, and the lure of sand, sun, ocean water, bikinis, the boardwalk, and a lovely bike route beckons. Plus, the obligatory but a delicious ice cream stop on the way home. Hopefully, the Crafts Fair will make its appearance as well for all you tourists and bargain hunters. Bring $6 for beach access plus the usual lunch money, bike locks and sun tan lotion. Heavy rain cancels. Leaders: Ted Kushner and others

STAINED GLASS RESTORATION RIDE
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles

That ball is going, going, going CRASH!...right through the stained glass window of the Oh Lord I'm In Trouble Church. Have no fear Bat Boy! Jack and Renata of Ridgewood, Queens will show you how they restore priceless stained glass windows to their original state (for a price of course). At any rate our tour of their shop is free! Bring a lock and money for lunch in a local restaurant. Flat terrain; leisurely pace. Rain cancels. Leaders Richard Sanford and Ken Williams.

Sunday, July 10th

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS
10AM, Prospect Park, 30 miles

See description under July 3rd. Leaders Ed Ravin and Brian Hoberman

QUEENS PERIMETER REVISED (and expanded)
9AM, Bridgemarket (1st Ave & E 60th St), 60 miles

The new and improved Queens perimeter ride! This perimeter ride has been streamlined and enlarged. The ride still includes the 2 airports, 2 racetracks and more languages than you can count. We’ve made this one greater by visiting Great Neck! Lunch stop in Floral Park. The pace will be steady but not too frantic. Terrain: mostly flat but there are some noticable hills. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday July 16th

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

Is it cooler up North? Let’s follow the western shore of the Hudson and find out. Challenge yourself by biking up Perkins Drive to the summit (about 1300 feet above sea level). The view at the top is worth the climb! We’ll return to NYC via Metro-North from the Garrison station. Bring MTA rail-pass and $10 trainfare. Terrain: HILLY with some very steep climbs. Moderate pace. Leaders Ira Najowitz and Mark Trainor

SANDY HOOK: MARMOTA MONAX
10:30AM, World Financial Center, 23 miles

Another fun getaway to this former military installation, now a Gateway National Recreation Area park. We’ll ride a little on the outskirts beyond. Encounter a Woodchuck (discovered by our own John Chiarella) looking around at the Twin Lighthouse during our lunch break. Then North Beach before returning. Bring $30 for 11:20AM cruise fare (get there early or visit nywaterway.com), lunch $, sunscreen, beach gear and a lock. Co-listed with NYCC. Wet weather at the start cancels. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia (646) 312-1677 and others.

Sunday July 17th

BIG ART, BIG HILLS
7:30AM, Grand Central Terminal, 35-40 hilly miles

Join us for a nice but hilly ride to the beautiful Storm King Arts Center (www.stormking.org) , an outdoor museum featuring sculptures by Calder and others, on acres of parkland overlooking the Hudson River. Bring your MTA rail pass, money for train ($20 round trip), museum ($10) and lunch, and a lock. Hilly terrain; pace 12-14mph. If the weather is threatening call Brian at (917) 868-0013 the morning of the ride. Leaders Stephen Jackel and Brian Hoberman

BROOKLYN PERIMETER
9AM, City Hall, 45 miles

The Brooklyn Perimeter is back and still a wonderful ride. Lots of greenway action and beautiful shore paths as well as quiet streets here. Lunch at sunny Canarsie Pier. Will we have ice cream at the end? Only one way to find out! Flat terrain (mostly), moderately paced. Please bring water, sun screen, and $ for lunch. Leaders Danny Lieberman, Ed DeFreitas and others.

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS
10AM, Prospect Park, 30 miles

See description under July 3rd. Leaders Jim Zisfein and Marina Bekkerman.

Saturday July 23rd

CAVORTING ON CENTRE ISLAND
8AM, Bridgemarket, 70 miles
9:30AM, Cunningham Park, 55 miles

Join us for this ride to Centre Island Beach in Bayville on the North Shore of Long Island. We’ll stay at the beach for a couple of hours which will leave enough time for those of you who want to do an optional 6 mile loop around scenic Centre Island. Approx. finish 6 pm at Cunningham Park (no group return to Bridgemarket/Manhattan). We will ride at an easy pace on somewhat hilly terrain. Don’t forget your bathing suit and towel. If the weather is threatening call Brian at (917) 868-0013 on the morning of the ride. Terrain: rolling hills; Pace: approx 12-14mph. Leaders: Brian Hoberman, Alfredo Garcia, and Jim Zisfein.

REVENGE OF THE CHOCOLATE RIDE
10AM, City Hall, 30 miles

This is the shortened, Manhattan-centric version of the cycling quest for the finest chocolates in the 5 boroughs. The mileage is shorter but the chocolate will still be plentiful. The reason for the shorter distance is that we will have a seperate (and much longer) Ice Cream ride in a couple of weeks. Bring your palate and some $$ for the exquisite chocolates we willl share. Terrain, sweet (flat) and pace bitter (easy). Leaders Danny Lieberman and Lee Ann VanWyck and others.

Sunday July 24th

CONNECTICUT RAMBLINGS (Quick Spin)
6:40AM, Grand Central Terminal (7:07AM train), 60 miles (some hilly)
(or meet at Greens Farms railroad station, 8:19AM)

Enjoy back roads and shorelines of very pretty, verdant, and certainly "tony", parts of the Nutmeg State (Fairfield County). We'll ramble along picturesque beaches - - then split north from Southport to scenic back roads and hamlets, reservoirs/streams/waterfalls. Picnic along the way. Optional beach dip at the end. All in all, a wonderful day in the country. No point-drop-sweep, but yes cue sheet, and mostly riding as a group. Pace will be brisk; 16 mph/flats & rollers, target 13 mph/average including hills (definitely some, but none unreasonable). Distance may vary according to temperature/weather, but expect 45-65 miles. Turnaround/shorter options once trip starts. Bring Metro North rail pass, plenty of water, lunch & snacks (& bathing suit, or be wettable in bike clothes for swim option). Rain, or strong probability of, at start cancels (check ride board that morning). Co-listed with NYCC. Leaders Susan Rodetis & Dan Finton. Pre-register srodetis@earthlink.net for day-of cell phone contact & if MTA changes schedule.

OFF-ROAD VISTAS: THE OLD PUT AND THE O.C.A.
9AM, Van Cortlandt Park, 40 miles – OFF ROAD

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.

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS
10AM, Prospect Park, 30 miles

See description under July 3rd. Leaders Danny Lieberman and others

Saturday July 30th

DAM AND DOUBLE DAM
9AM, Van Cortlandt Park, 60 hilly miles

The Kensico and Croton Dams are not just critical parts of NYC’s water supply infrastructure, they’re also great bicycling destinations, with spectacular views from the car-free roadways that traverse them. Additional car-free mileage on the Bronx River and Putnam Line trails. Since this is Westchester County, we’ll also have some nice steep hills to contend with. Bring or buy lunch. Bring a Metro North railroad permit for emergencies or early return. Pace - somewhat fast. Terrain: many steep hills. Leaders Ed Ravin and Jim Zisfein.

Sunday July 31st

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS
10AM, Prospect Park, 30 miles

See description under July 3rd. Leaders Andrea Mercado and others.

Saturday August 6th

WESTCHESTER COUNTY TRAILWAYS
9AM, Van Cortlandt Park, 55 miles

Paved. Level. Car-free. What’s not to like? We’ll ride Westchester’s North and South County Trailways and the Putnam Trail a/k/a “the Old Put” from Yonkers to Carmel. On-road sections are short: Bronx to Yonkers and Carmel to Brewster for the train home. Bring water, snacks, Metro-North rail pass, $ for train fare and lunch and an appetite for a good workout. Pace: 15mph. Terrain: mostly level. Leaders: Jim Zisfein, Ed Ravin, and John Chiarella

ATTACK OF THE ICE CREAM RIDE
9AM, Columbus Circle, 50+ miles

In this reincarnation of the lengendary 5BBC Ice Cream ride we have researched some of the finest frozen confections in the area. Of course this includes the heavenly Lemon Ice King of Corona and the historic Hinsch’s in Brooklyn as well as a few others. Yes, we will also have a real lunch stop along the way. We’ll do our best to burn off those Bring water, sun screen, and some $ for the edibles, both frozen and otherwise. Leaders Danny Lieberman and Mark Trainor and others. Co-listed with NYCC.

Sunday August 7th

STATEN ISLAND PERIMETER
9AM, South Ferry, 40 flat miles
7:15AM, South Ferry, 40 flat miles (quick spin “Let’s Get It Over With”)

Quick Spin information: Taking the 7:30AM boat and 40+ mostly flat miles with conditions mentioned below. Emphasis: C-Y-C-L-I-N-G, not scenery. We’ll go not too fast and definitely not slow. If you can do the first 35 miles behind the leader, nearly nonstop 13-15mph pace (on flat terrain), sans cuesheets, sans point-drop-sweep, handle some busy traffic & potholes, this is for you. Lunch at Carriage House, Ft. Wadsworth, with views of New York Harbor. Then 5 miles to the ferry. Bring your own map(s) if needed. Wet weather @ start cancels. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia (646) 312-1677 and others.

Note: The Staten Island Perimeter regular, point-drop-sweep ride will follow Alfredo's classic route but at 12 to 15 MPH. We meet 9:00 A.M. @ the Manhattan end Staten Island Ferry Terminal. For our S.I.'ers, please meet the ferry at 10:00. This component of the ride will go unless the weather gives us no hope and hope springs eternal. Leaders Ed DeFreitas and others.

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS
10AM, Prospect Park, 30 miles

See description under July 3rd. Leaders Andrea Mercado and others.

Saturday August 13th

JEWS OF EARLY NEW YORK (1654-1825)
10AM, Prospect Park, 25 miles

Guess who was coming for a kosher dinner! That didn't make Peter Stuyvesant too happy until the Dutch West India Company told him "Let 'em in or you're out on your tuchus!" See the original documents (a bit more politically correct) in the Museum of the City of New York and trace the routes of the first groups of Jews to the "Groisser Apple." Other exhibits include Life in El Barrio, Rooms From John D. Rockefeller's Mansion, and New York Glamour. Bring lock, $5.00 -$7.00 suggested museum fee and money for lunch in the neighborhood. Pace: Leisurely. Leaders Richard Sanford and Sharon Behnke.

SANDY HOOK
10:30AM, World Financial Center. 10-12 miles (99.9% flat, some busy traffic)

We will spend our time exclusively WITHIN. Emphasis on various attractions, have lunch at Sea Gull’s Nest and frolic on North Beach. Optional relaxed beach hike. Riding will be secondary, as we’ll sparsely go on roads & greenways. Bring $30 for 11:20am cruise fare (get there early or visit nywaterway.com), lunch $, sunscreen, beach gear and a lock. Co-listed with NYCC. Wet weather @ start cancels. 10:30am, World Financial Center. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia (646) 312-1677 and others.

LINCOLN TUNNEL - A DAY INTO THE NIGHT
9:23PM (yes, 9:23pm), Chelsea Piers,West 22nd St. & 12th Ave

23 nightly miles with conditions mentioned below. Join this annual ride to get some timely yelling and screaming out of your system. Guidelines: riders must have appropriate lights front and back. All lights, which will be inspected, should be steady and non-flashing. Bikes should be in good working order, so we can get to the George Washington Bridge before 12 midnight. Wearing reflective clothing or vests recommended. No backpacks or panniers. Remember: Lack of adequate lights + faulty bike = zero ride. You must be able to deal with occasional blinding headlights, as well as a steep DARK downhill & climbs. Bring valid ID, just in case. Then we can feel good and really enjoy life. Post-ride brunch at the Moonstruck Diner. Co-listed with NYCC. Wet weather @ start cancels. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia (646) 312-1677; Ed Pino & Liz Baum.

Sunday August 14th

THE ANNUAL BILL SCHWARZ PATCH RIDE WITHOUT BILL SCHWARZ
9AM, Columbus Circle, 50 very hilly miles or more

Baby it may be hot out there, but what’s a better way to cool off than to dunk after a long bike ride? This ride honors the now legendary summer trips to that long departed water park in Peekskill, as created by Mr S, now residing in the wilds of Upstate NY. More recent editions have visited Croton Point Park, but this year we may seek out a new locale, including a possible visit up the aptly named Payne Road. Guarantee: whoever makes it up the steepest hill of the day without stopping earns a free ice cream (but don’t injure yourself trying!) NOTE: no points or drops on this ride, only a sweep, a cue sheet, maybe a map, and thou. Finish the ride in 5 hours or less and earn a club patch. Return trip to NYC is via Metro North, so bring your permit plus $20-25 to cover train fare and possible watering hole. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Ted M. Kushner.

A LONGER RIDE TO A SHORTER PIER
9AM, Plaza Hotel, 50 hilly miles

Yeah! Yeah! Everybody goes to Piermont! Big deal! But, do know why the place exists? Who cares! Just as long as it's there for cyclists knock themselves out getting there. So come, enjoy. Have a doughnut on the way back, maybe. You worked hard. You deserve it. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and others.

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS
10AM, Prospect Park, 30 miles

See description under July 3rd. Leaders Jim Zisfein and Marina Bekkerman.

Saturday August 20th

BRIDGES OF NEW YORK, 3RD ED
7AM, Chelsea Piers, West 22nd St. & 12th Ave, 60-80 miles

Not for beginner or casual riders: Survey 14 bridges suitable for bicycles, from the Brooklyn to the Bayonne. We'll hit all 5 boroughs, including New Jersey (Bergen & Hudson Counties.) Ride will leave at 7:23AM, ready or not (get there early). Riders must be able to ride at least 40 miles before lunch. Possible extended Ft. Wadsworth stretch to see the Verrazano Bridge. You must be savvy dealing with some busy traffic, chaos, pedestrians and ride 12-15mph pace on flat roads. Bring adequate drinking water (e.g. bottles or Camelbak) and pocket food. RIDE PREPARED & FOCUSED. Lunch @ Hoboken, possible ice cream @ Bayonne. Those who finish get an award. Varied terrain, traffic and greenways. Co-listed with NYCC. Wet weather @ start cancels. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia (646) 312-1677 and others

PALISADES BIKE HIKE: PEANUT LEAP CASCADE
9AM, GW Bridge Bus Terminal, 25 mile ride, 4 mile hike

No history spiel today, just a pleasant ride to State Line Lookout Inn on the Palisades cliffs, 532 feet above the water, then hike down to water level. The ride takes River Road and the infamous “Alpine d’Huez” hill at the north end. The hike involves climbing the equivalent of a 50-story building down, then up, but is not technically difficult. Bring bike lock, water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, and lunch or $ for it. Moderate pace. Hilly terrain. Leaders: Jim Zisfein and Marina Bekkerman.

Sunday August 21st

BROOKLYN SOJOURN
9AM, City Hall, 40 miles

Electric cars aren't new. Beautiful brownstones not the expected neighborhoods (smell a bargain). Nothing weak about Weeksville. And, oh yeah, a piece of Brooklyn Dodger history. And, maybe more are the points in a Brooklyn sojourn. Bring a lock & $ for lunch. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and others.

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS
10AM, Prospect Park, 30 miles

See description under July 3rd. Leaders Jesse Brown and others.

Saturday August 27th

BATHE IN BAYVILLE XVIII
9:30AM Cunningham Park, 55 miles

Join us on this perennial 5BBC beach ride to Long Island’s North Shore. Our destination is Centre Island Beach, where we’ll take time out for a swim in Oyster Bay Harbor and some sunbathing. Bring money for lunch or a bag lunch, bathing suit, towel, lock, and an MTA rail pass. Terrain rolling with some steeep climbs. Moderate pace. Leaders: Ira Najowitz and others.

TEMPERATURE REGULATORS (Quick Spin)
9:30AM, White Plains Road & Pelham Parkway, 45 miles

This is the summer edition of the great all-seasonal quick spin to Rye, NY and Byram, CT. Meet Jesse up in the Bronx and take a fast paced spin out to Rye, NY and Byram, CT. There might even be a stop for a bite at the Austrian pastry place. Min pace 15mph. Bring a lock and $ for lunch. To get to the start by subway take the #2 to Pelham Parkway. Leaders: Jesse Brown and others. Co-listed with NYCC.

Sunday August 28th

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 and others.

BICYCLE BEACH BUMS - FINAL RIDE AND BLOWOUT
10AM, Prospect Park, 30 miles

See description under July 3rd. Leaders Brian Hoberman and others. This final ride will conclude with a special party. Details will be posted on 5bbc.org and in the weekly email in August.

Saturday September 3rd

TEMPERATURE REGULATORS (Quick Spin)
9:30AM, White Plains Road & Pelham Parkway, 45 miles

This is the summer edition of the great all-seasonal quick spin to Rye, NY and Byram, CT. Meet Jesse up in the Bronx and take a fast paced spin out to Rye, NY and Byram, CT. There might even be a stop for a bite at the Austrian pastry place. Min pace 15mph. Bring a lock and $ for lunch. To get to the start by subway take the #2 to Pelham Parkway. Leaders: Jesse Brown and others. Co-listed with NYCC.

Sunday September 4th

MANHATTAN PERIMETER RIDE AND PERIMETER SERIES BLOWOUT
9AM, City Hall, 30 flat miles

Free Pizza. Do we have your attention? Yes, this is the final of the "Perimeter Series" rides and we will circle the island where it all started with $24 of baubles and beads paid to the natives. Today, it wouldn't even pay the brokers fee for your condo parking space. We'll zoom up the bikers version of a west side I-95. Lunch at a Harlem River back water spot shared with the Columbia sculling team, trace the uneven shore of the Harlem and East Rivers all the way down to South Ferry and the afore mentioned FREE PIZZA at the "Perimeter Series" Blow Out. Flat terrain. Moderate pace. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and others.

SANDY HOOK
10:30AM, World Financial Center, 23 miles

If you’re planning to do the Twin Lights bike event, a small preview. We’ll roam through Monmouth County towns of Sea Bright, Rumson, Middletown, Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. We’ll climb Mt. Mitchill Overlook to see a 9/11 monument. Climb and enjoy lunch at the Twin Lights of Navesink. Upon descent, grab some beach time before returning. Bring $30 for the 11:20am cruise (get there early or visit nywaterway.com), $ for food, a lock, sunscreen, beach gear. Co-listed with NYCC. Wet weather @ start cancels. Mostly flat with some busy traffic and hills. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia (646) 312-1677 and others.

Monday September 5th (Labor Day)

NEAR BROOKLYN
9:30AM, 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 and others.