Five Borough Bicycle Club - New York

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

These were rides in July-August 2009. Click here for upcoming rides.

These are upcoming rides. Click here for rides archive.

April 19, 2009: Montauk Training Ride : Sunken Meadow

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?
MTA bridge and tunnel advisories - can I go 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

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Friday, July 3, 2009

GARDEN CITY

8:30 AM sharp!, Doughnut Plant , 60 miles

This is a fun, flat trip that visits one of the first planned communities in the U.S. Quiet streets and scenery all the way around, lunch at a bicycle friendly spot. Paced at 16mph with limited stops. Leaders Danny Lieberman and Andrea Mercado.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

AROUND AND OVER THE HUDSON

9:00 AM, City Hall , 45 miles with an optional return via PATH at halfway point. 12-15 MPH, mostly moderate with one big hill

We'll start by going through the first seat of our nations government, take a ride across Upper New York Bay to Staten Island, ride the west coast and cross the Bayonne Bridge. While in Bayonne, Ed will reveal a secret to all before we visit Liberty State Park where we will be close enough to "The Lady in The Harbor" to feel we can touch her hem. Next, we'll take in the view of the harbor while on our way to the restored Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal. At Hoboken, we'll lunch at Frank's Place. After which, we'll take a stretch along the Hudson and cross the GWB to Manhattan, pass Seinfeld's, St. John's and maybe stop for a snack at a Russian tea place. Then, it's back to the start and where our nation began. On this day of our nation's birth, God Bless America and the men and women who are keeping us safe. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas and TBA

Sunday, July 5, 2009

BEACH BUM RIDE #1

10:00 AM, Prospect Pk, Grand Army Plaza , 30 miles

Combine your two favorite activities - bicycling and visiting the beach! This leisurely paced ride will mosey from Brooklyn to a quiet beach in the Rockaways, mostly along quiet streets or bike paths. Bring or buy lunch, bring beach stuff (sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, sheet, pail, shovel, Frisbee, flip-flops, etc), and a lightweight lock. Leaders: Ed Ravin & Cesar Vasquez.

HOT DOG RIDE TO NATHAN'S

9:00 AM, Picnic House, Prospect Park, (2 blocks from 3rd St. entrance) , 25 miles

Ride through Brooklyn to Coney Island. Bring money for lunch at Nathan's. Leaders: Terry Chin and Ed Defreitas.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

I'll TAKE MANHATTAN RIDE

10:00 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza , approximately 20 leisurely miles

It's been four hundred years since Henry found a good parking spot right on the Hudson River. What? No skyscrapers? No subways? No windmills? No attitude? What did this explorer find when he arrived, and what was he doing snooping around here in the first place? We'll go back in time at the Museum of the City of New York to the actual "Island of the Hills...Manahatta" and feel the way Henry felt on his voyage of discovery back in 1609. We'll see what was going on, whom he met and what happened next. Bring $9.00 admission fee, a lock, and money for lunch at a local eatery (Dutch treat, of course!). Rain at start cancels. Leaders: Richard Sanford and TBA.

MONMOUTH COUNTY SHORELINE RIDE

8:45 AM, Penn Station (31 St & 8 Av) , 40 level miles, pace 12-14 mph

Yiz wanna guh donnashore? That's how they say it in Fluffya. Oh! You're not from Philadelphia? Okay, would you like to visit the New Jersey Shore? We'll pedal the lightly traveled roads and lovely greenways of the Monmouth County shoreline between Asbury Park and Matawan, and visit the beach at Sandy Hook. Bring swimsuit, towel, sun block, bike lock, and $ for train fare ($20.50) and lunch ($10-$15). Leaders: Jim Zisfein and Rhonda Wittorf.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

BEACH BUM RIDE #2

10:00 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza , 30 miles

If it's Sunday then this must be the ride to the beach. Which beach? Well, we usually keep the route short so we can sit by the waves for an hour or two before riding back. Our favorite spot is still Neponsit Beach in the Rockaways, an easy jaunt from Prospect Park, and we head out every Sunday until the end of August. Pack your towel and beach garb if you like along with the usual stuff: lock, sunblock, water and lunch, or you can buy it along the way. Leaders: Andrea Casertano & Bob Castro.

CENTRE ISLAND SWIM-N-CYCLE

8:00 AM Bridgemarket, Approx 9:45 AM Cunningham Park Cunningham Park, Bridgemarket , 66 miles from Bridgemarket / 53 miles from Cunningham

Mostly rolling hills. 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. We will ride at an easy pace on somewhat hilly terrain. Approx Finish: 6 pm at Cunningham Park (NO group return to Bridgemarket) Don't forget your bathing suit and towel. Leaders: Brian Hoberman & TBA

Saturday, July 18, 2009

THE NYC/GREENPORT LI EXPRESS

7:00 AM, Kew Gardens , 105 miles Quick Spin, 17-18 mph moving average speed

An early start will enable us to get out to (the end of) the North Fork of Long Island early enough to fully enjoy our visit. The route is the safest and most scenic one to start in NYC and extend the length of LI. We return via the LIRR and must limit our group to 12 riders. Alternative return via Hampton Jitney may be available Please reserve and confirm your place by e mailing Dennis G nyc2dag@yahoo.com prior to ride date. Bring MTA Bike Permit, 2 water bottles, sunscreen, and money for lunch & return transportation and most importantly a great attitude. Further details will be provided in advance of the ride to those who make reservations. Bailouts are available for a good portion of the route. Though we aim to ride as a cohesive group there will be no Point/Drop/Sweep. Please take notice of pace. Co-listed with NYCC. Leaders: Susan Rodetis, Dennis Griffin

THE REAL QUEENS PERIMETER (Quick Spin only)

8:00 AM, Bridgemarket , 75+ miles

Beware of imitations. Take the early trip out and see many of the neighborhoods and surrounding burbs that make Queens the most diverse of all the boroughs. Faster paced 17mph and fun with limited stops. Leaders Danny Lieberman and Dan Finton.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

TA/5BBC Training Ride # 1 - BRONX PERIMETER

9:00 AM, Yankee Stadium (East 161st St & River Ave) , 35 miles

Our tour of Da Bronx starts and ends at Yankee Stadium (Both of them?). This is the only borough that is entirely on the mainland USA. The rest are all islands. We'll conquer the wilds of Riverdale, touch on Westchester, pass Co-Op City, a fort tucked under a bridge with an astrological observatory, pass near the isle of the unclaimed dead and more. Mostly flat with some hills. Leaders: Ed DeFreitas & Jesse Brown.

BEACH BUM "BEACH AND THEATER" RIDE

9:00 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza , 30 miles round trip (or 15 miles one-way, with Water Taxi returns to Bay Ridge and lower Manhattan)

Join us for the premiere of a new option to a traditional club ride (see related Bicycletter article). We'll head out to the beach an hour earlier than the regular Beach Bum group, and enjoy a beautiful mornin' of sunning and swimming before riding to the 2:00 p.m. matinee performance of the Rockaway Theatre Company's production of Oklahoma! If you're someone who just cain't say no to the beach, but don't care for the theater, not to worry - it's not an all er nothin' deal. You can always return to Brooklyn with the regular ride group, and skip the play. Tickets for Oklahoma! are $20 each. To make a reservation, contact leader Susan Levine by July 17th at susanrlevine@earthlink.net or (347) 598-8625. Leaders: Susan Levine and Caryn Greenberg

BEACH BUM RIDE #3

10:00 AM, Prospect Park Grand Army Plaza , 30 miles

See July 5. Leaders Bob Castro & others

Saturday, July 25, 2009

SANDY HOOK

7:45 AM, Pier 11 , 23 miles

Go on a one-day vacation cycling Monmouth County, through four bridges, one steep hill to a nice overlook and another to a historic lighthouse for lunch. We'll spend our remaining time on North Beach before returning. Round trip ticket is $50, which includes bike charge. Bring lock, $ for lunch, sunscreen, sunglasses and water. Co-listed with NYCC. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia & others

Sunday, July 26, 2009

BEACH BUM RIDE #4

10:00 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza , 30 miles

Join us every Sunday through the end of August when we ride out to the delightful beaches of the Rockaways. The trip is pancake flat and the water's warm. Bring a bathing suit, bike lock, sunscreen, and bring or buy lunch along the way. This is a moderate paced ride suitable for everyone! Leaders Ed Ravin and Purnell Lancaster

Saturday, August 1, 2009

CT Ramblings--Housatonic River Valley & HILLS

6:50 AM, Grand Central Station, (for 7:07 AM train to Milford) (OR 8:33 AM train at Bridgeport OR meet at Milford at 8:44 AM , 60 miles QUICK SPIN (18 MPH or a tad speedier on the flats)

Enjoy this very lovely and definitely invigorating ride. We'll have miles of pretty back roads, 2 historic colonial river towns, a new Naugatuck River bike path, the pretty Housatonic River Valley, plus lots of hills to climb, ridgelines to skim, and rivers/lakes/reservoirs to skirt. All guided by awesome detailed, accurate cue sheets. We'll cycle as a group (limited bail options/shortcuts) This is a hard ride with some serious climbs - - all worth it, of course!. Return 3:51 or 4:51 PM Bridgeport (bike) trains. Some shortcuts possible, but not a lot of local stores or support. Bring PLENTY of hydration & snacks (although we can buy lunch), lights, bungee cord for train, MTA Bike Permit. Pls. email srodetis@earthlink.net to request confirmation from leader and where you will be joining them as well as parking info. Check Bulletin Board for late breaking posts and if weather iffy; also for confirmation of train times (schedule wasn't finalized when this ride was filed). Co-listed w/NYCC. Leaders: Susan Rodetis, TBD.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Cancelled

TA/5BBC Training Ride #2 NORTHVALE

8:00 AM, Chelsea Piers, 22nd St at West St. , 45 miles

Northvale! Even the name leaves you breathless. This ride is as scenic as it is challenging. Bring lock, money for lunch and plenty of water. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia & Andrea Casertano

Cancelled

CARMEL EXPRESS

8:30 AM, Grand Central Station, for 8:48 AM train (1st three cars) to Brewster OR 8:58 AM at 125th St 10:08 AM Brewster RR station, Grand Central, Brewster RR station , 55 miles, mostly flat with a few steep hills

A nearly traffic-free B16 (Quick Spin) pace from Carmel, NY back to the NYC, via the Putnam Line rail-trail (aka North & South County Trailways) for a total of 55 miles. You'll need your MTA Bike Permit and $10.25 to purchase your tickets at the station, or 9.74 (web ticket) via mta.info, NOTE: 70% of this ride is traffic free and often in remote areas. Thus, please bring lunch, snacks, 2 tubes, plenty of water, and sunscreen. There will be a brief lunch / rest stop. The ride is canceled if there is a 50% chance of rain or thunderstorms predicted. Check 5BBC bulletin board or call for updates. (212) 828-3732. Leaders: Ken Williams and Wentworth Price.

Cancelled

BEACH BUM RIDE #5

10:00 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza , 30 miles

Combine your two favorite activities - bicycling and visiting the beach! This leisurely paced ride will mosey from Brooklyn to a quiet beach in the Rockaways, mostly along quiet streets or bike paths. Bring or buy lunch, bring beach stuff (sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, sheet, pail, shovel, Frisbee, flip-flops, etc), and a lightweight lock. You'll have a spot to change into the swimsuit, so you don't need to wear it while riding Leaders: Rhonda Wittorf & others

Saturday, August. 8, 2009

CYCLING SUMMER STREETS

6:30 AM, 72nd St. 5th Ave., Central Park ,7-15+ miles

Let's take advantage of the Mayor's closure of Park Ave. on Summer Streets. We'll ride early at a leisurely pace to take advantage of empty roads before the pedestrians fill it up. Short ride ends at the finish, which is near City Hall. Optional return back to Central Park before the streets open to traffic by 1PM. Co-listed with NYCC. Leaders Alfredo Garcia & others.

CYCLING LINCOLN TUNNEL AGAIN?

10:30 PM, leaves exactly at 11 PM, Chelsea Piers , 23 miles

We may have a chance to do this ride. Basic requirements: no backpacks or panniers, must have front and rear lights and cooperate with the Tunnel authorities. Some steep hills and steep dark downhills. MAKE SURE YOUR BIKE IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. Since the George Washington Bridge closes at 12 Midnight, we can't stop for flats or any mechanicals. Please be at start point and signed in 30 minutes before we ride at 11 PM. Check Bulletin Board for important updates. Co-listed with NYCC. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia and others

Sunday, August 9. 2009

THE PHILS BIRTHDAY RIDE

10:00 AM, , Cunningham Park , 25-30 miles, nonexistent pace

The mutual celebration ride will go through northwest Queens, especially to the spot where Phil O' got his first hickey (and we don't mean the body spot). Signups are limited to the first 100. Bring presents for Phil O' and orange Gatorade for Phil G., and bring presents to receive the correct Q-sheet. Late lunch in Elmhurst, with secured and safe bike parking. Bring lots of $. Warning: Phil O's wife and dog are near. Birthday Leaders: Phil O' and others

BEACH BUM RIDE #6

10:00 AM, , Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza, 30 miles

Even more beach! Join us every Sunday through the end of August when we ride out to the delightful beaches of the Rockaways. The trip is pancake flat and the water's warm. Bring a bathing suit, bike lock, sunscreen, and bring or buy lunch along the way. This is a moderate paced ride suitable for everyone! Leaders: Randy Horowitz & others

Saturday, August 15, 2009

VAMOS AL BRONX - SPANISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION RIDE

9:15 AM, , Plaza Hotel 20 leisurely miles

We're heading to the only borough that is attached to the US mainland, only to find that many of its residents have another attachment...Puerto Rico. It's another Spanish Language Immersion ride, but this time we're searching for the Puerto Rican Classic Schwinn Bicycle Club, (the guys who go to bed dreaming "chrome"). This ride is perfect for you if you want to practice your Spanish for your next trip to San Juan or to crash your professor's daughter's quinceaÒera. Your only pledge is to speak the most Spanish you can, even if it's only two words. (We'll help you be creative.) Bring lock and money for lunch at a local Latino restaurant, Rain at start cancels. Leaders: Richard Sanford and Bob Castro

TA/5BBC Training Ride #3 BRIDGES OF NEW YORK

7:00 AM, , Central Park 72nd St/5th Ave Entrance, 60-80 miles, varied terrain, traffic and greenways

Not for beginning or casual riders, only the intrepid: Survey at least 23+ cyclist-accessible bridges, from the classic Brooklyn to the soaring Bayonne. All 5 boroughs, including New Jersey (Bergen & Hudson Counties) covered. Ride leaves 7:23 AM, ready or not. RIDE PREPARED, FOCUSED & SAFE, WITH YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN at 12-15mph on flat roads. PLUS SAVVY cycling some busy roads, chaos and uncertainty. Must be able to ride 30+ miles before lunch @ Mitsuwa Marketplace in Edgewater, NJ. Bring 2 water bottles or Camelbak and pocket food. Finishers receive award of merit. Rain cancels. Leaders: Co-listed with NYCC. Leaders: Alfredo Garcia cyclistxxiii@yahoo.com& Jesse Brown

Sunday, August 16, 2009

RIDE TO THE FIVE TOWNS

9:30 AM, Doughnut Plant, 50 miles

The Five Towns is a very quiet and picturesque corner of the south shore. We'll take the scenic route out, lunch in Cedarhurst and return via the Rockaways. Moderate pace and flat terrain. Bring lunch money and lock. Leaders Danny Lieberman and Brian Hoberman

BEACH BUM RIDE #7

10:00 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza, 30 miles

Let's get some suntan, sandtan and shoretan! Join us every Sunday through the end of August when we ride out to the delightful beaches of the Rockaways. The trip is pancake flat and the water's warm. Bring a bathing suit, bike lock, sunscreen, and bring or buy lunch along the way. This is a moderate paced ride suitable for everyone Leaders: Randy Horowitz & Ed Ravin

Saturday, August 22, 2009

QUEENS TREASURES

10:00 AM, Cunningham Park, 30 miles

More a tour than a ride through Queens, hitting some of the boroughs unusual or forgotten places. Many stops. Bring money for lunch. We plan to visit the botanical gardens, a 2,000 year-old Roman column, a Kung Fu temple, the Lemon Ice King of Corona and more. Back around 4 PM. Leaders: Randy Horowitz and others.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

TA/5BBC Training Ride #4 QUEENS PERIMETER

8:00 AM, Bridgemarket, 70 miles

If size matters, this borough is at the top of the list. It's huge! It's eclectic and ethnic. And talk about diverse places. At one end one you got the Rockaway surf. Tucked in another corner is a place you'd swear was a Connecticut cove. A fort. JFK Airport. Yes, we'll see Citi-Field. Bring lunch or money for it, water (lots of water), MTA Bike Permit, spare tubes and patch kit. In general, make sure your bike is in good shape. Leaders: Ed Defreitas, Jesse Brown and Rodney Millard.

ICE CREAM ADVENTURE RIDE

10:00 AM, Doughnut Plant, 50+ miles

Come on: what works better on a hot day than ice cream? From years of research comes this ride that combines quality ice creams and delicious riding that will help you burn off the calories. We'll zip around town for some of the very best frozen desserts while riding on greenways and quiet backroads. Smooth pace, sweet terrain. Leaders: Danny Lieberman and Andrea Mercado.

GEARS & BRAKES BIKE CLASS

9:30 AM, Bridgemarket, 15 miles

Rain or shine. Have a hands-on experience learning to adjust your derailleurs and brakes in a full-equipped bicycle workshop. We'll have a short ride first, and a short ride after the class to test your adjustments. The class is limited to 10 people. Your $5 check mailed and payable to Stephen Jackel, 277 Broadway, Suite 1010, New York, NY 10007, will get you a spot, first come, first served and no refunds. All proceeds will go to Recycle-A- Bicycle. Leaders: Stephen Jackel, Dan Finton

BEACH BUM "BEACH AND THEATER" RIDE

9:00 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza, 30 miles round trip (or 15 miles one-way, with Water Taxi returns to Bay Ridge and lower Manhattan)

Join us for the second "Beach and Theater" ride of the season (see related Bicycletter article and July 19th trip description). Playing is Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, about a James Dean fan club in a small Texas town, is the Rockaway Theatre Company's August offering. The matinee for this production is at 3 PM. Tickets for the play are $15 each. To make a reservation, contact leader Susan Levine by August 21st at susanrlevine@earthlink.net or (347) 598-8625. Leaders: Susan Levine and Phil O'Reilly

BEACH BUM RIDE #8

10:00 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza, 30 miles

Late Summer fun and sun and sand and shore! Join us every Sunday through the end of August when we ride out to the delightful beaches of the Rockaways. The trip is pancake flat and the water's warm. Bring a bathing suit, bike lock, sunscreen, and bring or buy lunch along the way. This is a moderate paced ride suitable for everyone! Leaders: Randy Horowitz and Sharon Behnke

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Cancelled

BIG ART, BIG HILLS

7.25 AM, Grand Central Terminal, 35-40 very hilly miles

Join us for a nice but very hilly ride to the beautiful Storm King Arts Center http://www.stormking.org, an outdoor museum currently featuring a new exhibit by Maya Lin, on 500 acres of parkland overlooking the Hudson. Meet at the GCT 7:25 AM. Bring your MTA rail pass, money for train ($24 round trip), museum ($10) and lunch, and a lock. VERY HILLY terrain; pace 12-14mph. Leaders: Stephen Jackel and Brian Hoberman.

Cancelled

BATHE IN BAYVILLE XXII

9:30 AM, Cunningham Park, 55 miles

Join Alfredo and Ira on this perennial 5BBC summer favorite (now in its 22nd year) to Long Island's North Shore. Our destination is Centre Island Beach, where we'll take time out for sunbathing and a swim in Oyster Bay Harbor. Bring $ for lunch or a bag lunch, bathing suit, towel, lock, and MTA Bike Permit. Rolling terrain and some steep climbs. Leaders: Ira Najowitz and Alfredo Garcia.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

BEACH BUM RIDE #9

10:00 AM, Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza, 30 miles

This is our last ride of the season. Don't miss out on this wonderful day at the beach! This ride is flat and suitable for everyone! Bring a bathing suit, towel, lock and money for lunch. Leaders: Jim Zisfein, Marina Bekkerman