Five Borough Bicycle Club - New York

[5BBC - New York's Five Borough Bicycle Club]

These were rides in March-April 2007. Click here for current rides.

April 14, 2007: Rockland rollers. Montauk training ride to Rockland Lake State Park. Photo by Danny Lieberman.

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?
Subway service advisories - can I get there?
Bulletin board - 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
Rides archive - what we did last month, and last year

Your membership keeps our day rides free. If you are a 5BBC member, thank you! If you are not a 5BBC member and enjoy our day rides, please give us your support. For only $20 per year, enjoy the benefits of membership in New York's friendliest bike club.

Get the 5BBC Weekly Update! All members are eligible to receive this weekly newsletter that summarizes the upcoming weekend's 5BBC rides and other Club-related or bicycling events. If you are a Club member and would like to subscribe, drop a note to communications@5bbc.org.

Saturday March 3rd

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #1: SANDS POINT

9:30AM, Cunningham Park, 30 miles

Our Montauk Century Training Series has kicked off. This is our first trip out along the North Shore of Long Island. Expect hills, chills, and no spills. Scenic Port Washington makes this trip worth braving the cold. A hearty lunch stop completes this short, fun ride. Come prepared and start the series off right. Leaders Andrea Mercado and Ira Najowitz.

Sunday March 4th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #2: ENGLEWOOD

9:30AM, Columbus Circle, 30 miles

Our Training Series continues with rides alternating from mid-Manhattan. Cross the George Washington Bridge and enjoy the hills of Bergen County. You’ll enjoy lunch at the Royal Cliffs. Ride officially ends on the NY side of the GWB. Remember to pack the usual essentials needed for all the training rides (see the daytripper column for the details.) Leaders John Chiarella and Danny Lieberman.

UNDER AND OVER THE HUDSON

9:30AM, City Hall, 30 miles

Stretch your legs along a long shoreline stretch from Hoboken to the GW Bridge. Bridge the Hudson back to NYC. Pass Seinfeld's (who?) old haunt and choose your lunch cuisine from italian, asian and eastern europe. It's all on one block of Amsterdam between 110th & 11th Streets. Then we'll follow the Hudson River (really, ask Ed why.) back down to City Hall. Bring a lock & $ for lunch. Moderate pace and mostly flat with one big hill. Leaders Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday March 10th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #3: ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS / TEANECK

9:30AM, Columbus Circle, 40 miles

We’ll travel a little farther than our last venture and climb a few more hills before our obligatory diner stop. You’ll see how easy it is to progress through the training ride series. Don’t forget to bring a few tools, hydration and a lock. Leaders Jim Zisfein and William Batista.

GETTING FRAMED RIDE

11:15AM, Plaza Hotel, 25 miles

Jerry never complains about getting framed especially when he’s doing the framing. Join us for this ride to his amazing picture frame factory in Brooklyn. You won’t believe what the right frame means to a work of art. Need to frame eighty thousand pieces of art for your next museum exhibit? Just ask Jerry, he’s done it! See his newest process of lifting paint from a photo and transferring it directly to canvas, Bring lock and $ for lunch at a local ethnic restaurant. Rain, snow, or icy conditions at start time cancels. Leaders: Richard Sanford and Ed Ravin.

Sunday March 11th (Daylight Time begins)

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #4: HICKSVILLE

9:30AM, Cunningham Park, 30 miles

While this is not strictly a North Shore ride, Hicksville still makes a great destination. Join Ed and Liz for a moderately paced trip. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hour in advance so you don’t miss the ride! If only all the training rides were this easy! Leaders Ed Pino and Liz Baum.

WOODLAWN CEMETERY TOUR

9AM, AYH, 30 miles

Come join the celebration of living history, at New York's second oldest cemetery.We visit not only the pass but an outstanding venue for reflection, peace, and beauty. We may get a guided tour. Leaders Ed DeFreitas and Jesse Brown.

Saturday March 17th

CANCELLED : MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #5: NORTHVALE

9AM, Columbus Circle, 45 miles

8:30AM, Quick Spin

Northvale marks the start of our quick spin series. Those who leave earlier get back earlier. You’ll climb a few more hills getting back from Northvale, but the trip will be worth it. Leaders Andrea Mercado and Steve Sakson. Quick Spin leaders Jim Zisfein and Dennis Griffin.

Sunday March 18th

RE-ROUTED : FROSTBITE RIDE # 00 (double-zero) BROADWAY IN SUMMIT BAYONNE

9AM, World Trade Center, 40 20 miles

Due to the weather and road conditions, the ride will be re-routed to the Broadway Diner in Bayonne via the PATH train to Jersey City. Enjoy encore pancakes or brunch items, maybe some with green toppings left over from St Paddy’s Day. Bring $3 for PATH fare, lunch money and bike locks. Leaders Ted Kushner and Ed DeFreitas.

Saturday March 24th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #6: LOCUST VALLEY

9AM, Cunningham Park, 50 miles

8:30AM, Quick Spin

Locust Valley is a new destination for an older ride, spiced up just a little. This is a quaint town along the “gold coast”. Visit www.locustvalley.com for more information. Leaders Ed Pino and Liz Baum, Quick Spin leaders Dennis Griffin and Steve Taylor.

WESTCHESTER TRAILS RIDE

10AM, Van Cortlandt Park, 30 miles

Two long-distance, off-road trails meet in the Bronx - try them both! Take the Putnam Line Trail's nice flat route of a former railroad into Westchester County, and the Croton Aqueduct Trail's nice flat route of NYC's first water supply system back home. There will be a few steep hills in between so that we don't get too tired of the nice flats. Hybrid or fat-tire bikes recommended, but not strictly necessary if you have at least 28c tires and don't mind a few bumps, rocks, and tree roots. Bring or buy lunch. Leaders Ed Ravin and William Batista.

Sunday March 25th

ROSSVILLE, STATEN ISLAND

9:15AM, Doughnut Plant, 40 miles

10AM, South Ferry

Ride to the dead pool, one of the eeriest places in the five boroughs, according to some. Our destination is Rossville, Staten Island, home to the Sleigh family cemetery, Rossville African Methodist Church, Clay Pit Ponds State Park, and of course the dead pool. Leaders Josh Gosciak and Alfredo Garcia.

WILD THINGS IN DA BRONX

9:30AM, City Hall, 35 miles

The New York Zoological Society resides in The Bronx. This is truely one of the jewels of NYC. Come do a Bike Safari to a World Class zoological institute. Here, they are doing the work that is literally saving endangered species, educating the public by showing the animal world in it's most natural settings. So, come, children of all ages and enjoy Da Wild Things in Da Bronx. Moderate pace, mostly flat terrain. Leaders Ed DeFreitas and Jesse Brown.

Saturday March 31st

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #1 HICKSVILLE

9AM, Cunningham Park, 30 miles

We’re reprising the trip to Hicksville again for the debut of our Montauk Metric series. Once again we’re visiting the Empire Diner, made famous in the Billy Joel song “Great Wall of China”. The same prep and advice applies: pack the necessary tools, water and a lock. Leaders Ira Najowitz and John Chiarella.

Sunday April 1st

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #7: WESTWOOD

9AM, Columbus Circle, 55 miles

Note: The 8:30 "quick-spin" is cancelled.

We’re not fooling around today because we’re taking one of the most scenic trips in our series. Westwood is tucked into a hilly corner of Bergen county and the farther you go, the prettier it gets. Leaders Brian Hoberman and Danny Lieberman. Quick Spin leaders Steve Taylor and Wentworth Price.

FOUR BORO BIKE TOUR

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. Moderate pace, mostly flat terrain. Leaders Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday April 7th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #8: CENTRE ISLAND

9AM, Cunningham Park, 65 miles

8:30AM, Quick Spin

Centre Island, one of our favorite destinations, is an essential marker in our training series. Get out along the breathtaking shore and you’ll find the hills are not as daunting as they were last time. Leaders Ed Pino and Liz Baum. Quick Spin leaders Dan Finton and Natalia Lincoln.

Sunday, April 8th (Easter Sunday)

FIVE TOWNS QUICK SPIN

9AM, Doughnut Plant, 55 miles

Let’s go back to the Five Towns at a B16 pace. We’ll cut across Queens, then sail by the exclusive sections before we break for lunch in Cedarhurst. A very fun and flat trip. Bring a lock, a camera, and lunch lucre. Leaders Danny Lieberman and Rhonda Wittorf.

LONGER RIDE TO A SHORT PIER

9AM, Plaza Hotel, 50 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. Moderate pace, hilly terrain. Leaders Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday April 14th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #9: ROCKLAND LAKE

9AM, Columbus Circle, 70 miles

8:30AM, Quick Spin

This ride will take you north into the hillier terrain of Rockland county.and the town of Congers. If you’ve been following our progression you’ll be ready for the slopes and valleys along the way to Rockland Lake State Park. Leaders Steve Sakson and Brian Hoberman. Quick Spin leaders Dennis Griffin and Neile Weissman.

PALISADES BIKE HIKE: PEANUT LEAP CASCADE

9AM, GW Bridge Bus Terminal, W178th & Ft Washington Ave., 30 mile ride, 4 mile hike.

Just north of the state line in Palisades Interstate Park you can find the ruins of a 19th century estate on the Hudson River next to a lovely waterfall. To see these gems, you have to leave your bike at the top of the cliff and hike down 532 feet to water level, the equivalent of a 53-story building. Then, of course, you have to hike back up. You will get good exercise, beautiful views, and a history lesson - we'll be accompanied by a historian who will tell us more than we needed to know. See njpalisades.org/slo-hike.htm#Peanut for details. Bring a bike lock, water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, and lunch or $ for it. Relaxed pace for ride and hike. Hilly terrain. Leaders Jim Zisfein and Rhonda Wittorf.

CENTRE ISLAND

9:30AM, Cunningham Park, 65 miles

The weather looks good for Saturday. Since we did not go to Centre Island on Saturday last week, because of cold, Liz and I are going to do it this Saturday, April 14th. If you would like to join us, be at Cunningham Park at 9:30. Bring money for lunch, a good working bike, and a good attitude. This is an unscheduled ride but we will use the 5BBC system. Leaders Ed Pino and Liz Baum.

STEP BACK IN TIME

11AM, Prospect Park, 15 miles

This ride was canceled last time due to rain. Great! Now, we can step back in time even further. Grab your whale oil lamp again, ring your servant's call bells and tell him to hitch up the buggy. We’re going to New York City’s only family home, preserved intact, both inside and out since the early 19th century. Located in the East Village, this elegant row house, now the Merchant’s House Museum, was home to the prosperous merchant, Seabury Tredwell and his family for over 100 years. Bring a lock, $8 for the guided tour and $ for lunch at a local eatery. Rain at start time cancels. Leaders: Richard Sanford and William Batista.

Sunday April 15th

CANCELLED : MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #2: ENGLEWOOD

9AM, Columbus Circle, 30 miles

Our Metric training series continues with a medium-paced trip across the GW Bridge and the hills of Bergen County. See March 4th for more details. Leaders Rhonda Wittorf and Julia Cohen.

CANCELLED : 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. Moderate pace, mostly flat terrain. Leaders Ed DeFreitas and others.

Saturday April 21st

MONTAUK METIC TRAINING RIDE #3: CITY ISLAND

9AM, Columbus Circle, 40 miles

City Island is not just a little fishing village off of the coast of the Bronx. The coastline in this area is tremendous and filled with greenways. This training ride is mostly flat with a few noticable hills and wonderful scenery. Lunch stop on the island and return via Pelham Manor, Mount Vernon and Yonkers. Leaders Brian Hoberman, Danny Lieberman, and Susan Levine.

SLAVES OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

10AM, Van Cortlandt Park, 35 miles

Follow the scenic Hudson River up to Philipsburg Manor, an 18th century grist mill powered with slave labor. Now a museum, visitors will get an unvarnished appreciation of life on a colonial farm. We'll also see a special sheep-herding and wool-making exhibition on the museum grounds. Return route will use the car-free South County Trailway. Bring $10 for admission, bring or buy lunch. Terrain: moderately hilly with a few steep hills. Leaders Ed Ravin and Jim Mallard.

Sunday April 22nd

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #10: SUNKEN MEADOW

8:30AM, Cunningham Park, 75 miles

8AM, Quick Spin

It’s Earth Day! Let’s celebrate with one of the fun, longer training rides, this time to Sunken Meadow State Park near King’s Park. 75 miles never felt so good. Leaders Ed Pino and Liz Baum. Quick spin leaders Dennis Griffin and Natalia Lincoln.

HAWTREE BASIN RIDE

10AM, Doughnut Plant, 40 miles

We’ll head over the Williamsburg through industrial areas and via scenic Myrtle Ave to Forest Park, Hawtree Basin, Broad Channel island and circle around Jamaica Bay. Return via greenway and Bedford Ave, and back over the Willy B. B pace out and more relaxed on the way back Leaders Josh Gosciak and Alfredo Garcia.

Saturday April 28th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #11: STONY POINT

8AM, Columbus Circle, 82 miles, (One group)

For the longest training rides we just have one group going out. Stony Point, just south of Bear Mountain, is one of our most technical and challenging trips. This ride is very hilly, so don’t attempt this unless you are ready. Leaders Dennis Griffin and Dan Finton.

Sunday April 29th

PALISADES BIKE HIKE: CLOSTER LANDING LOOP

8:30AM sharp, GW Bridge Bus Term, W178th St & Ft Wash Ave, 25 mile ride, 5 mile hike

Here at the 5BBC, we don't just talk the talk. We will lock our bikes and go walking with a Palisades Interstate Park historian (he will do the talking, believe me) and explore the ruins of estates that dotted the Palisades cliff before they were demolished to make way for the park and parkway. See njpalisades.org/alp-hike.htm#Loop for more info. Bring a bike lock, water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, and a bag lunch. Relaxed pace for ride and hike. Hilly terrain. Leaders: Jim Zisfein and Marina Bekkerman.

Saturday May 5th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #12: LLOYD NECK

8AM, Cunningham Park, 85 miles, (One Group)

The big bike tour is tomorrow so what better way to warm up than with a long roller coaster trip like Lloyd Neck? Because it’s such a long distance ride one group will do just fine. Pack some snacks for the trip, in case you need the extra energy, and plenty of water so you dont get leg cramps. Warning, not for beginners. Leaders Dennis Griffin and Ira Najowitz.

Sunday May 6th

NO RIDES TODAY - BIKE NEW YORK!

Saturday, May 12th

MONTAUK CENTURY TRAINING RIDE #13: EATON’S NECK

8AM, Cunningham Park, 90 miles (One Group), Cue sheet only.

OK, you’ve done the rest - now finish the job! The scenery of the North Shore expands on this beautiful trip and the main century event is just one week away. If you’re ready for this 90 miler you’ll have no problem with the full century coming up. No point-drop-sweep on this final training ride. Leaders Dennis Griffin and Natalia Lincoln.

Sunday, May 13th

MONTAUK METRIC TRAINING RIDE #4: PIERMONT

9AM, Columbus Circle, 50 miles

Our metric series concludes with an old standard - Piermont, NY. Enjoy the hills, green pastures and river views. We’ll visit the pier that extends nearly a mile into the mighty Hudson. Bring lunch dough and a camera. Leaders Brian Hoberman and others.

Sunday, May 20th

Special Event
THE MONTAUK CENTURY 2007

Penn Station and Babylon LIRR Station. 65, 100, or 145 miles. Registration required.

It doesn't get any more special than this.