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Big City Adventure Ride

    Phil C.'s picture
    Date and Time of ride: 
    Sun, 10/20/2019 - 8:30am
    Status: 
    CHANGED
    Ride Level
    Note: guests welcome for 1 ride, $40 Annual SBRA Membership required thereafter.
    Distance: 
    35mi
    Class: 
    B+
    Terrain: 
    flat/hilly
    Grp: 
    S
    Type: 
    Road Bike
    Details (RL read field instructions carefully): 

    6:15am UPDATE:  Despite the pending rain...  which looks like it may be scattered by as early as 12-1pm...  I'm not cancelling the ride... but I am shortiening the route.  Today's ride will be more like a Tour of Queens... maybe 35 miles.  The section from RFK Bridge to Manhattan to Brooklyn will most likely be cut out...  which will reduce the ride to about 35 miles.  A little dissappointing, but we'll make the best of it.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    It's that time of year again.... 

    This ride features ... (subject to change):

    Cross Islnd Bike Path
    Flushing Prominade
    Astoria Waterfront
    RFK Bridge
    Wards Island Pedestrian Bridge
    East River Bike Path 
    NYC Ferry down East River (90th St to Wall St)
    East River Bike Path to South Street Seaport
    Williamsburg Bridge to Brooklyn
    The New Domino Sugar Park
    Gantry Park
    Flushing Meadows Park - Worlds Fair Unisphere
    Kissena Velodrome

    I took a trial run of the route - see here:  https://www.strava.com/activities/2765490088

    It's about 47 miles and Stava shows 1900ft of elevation (which might not be correct - it did feel less).  Strava also shows 53 miles... because 7 of those miles will be spent on a scenic NYC Ferry Boat from 90th Street down to Wall Street.  That ferry ride is about midway in the ride.  You should plan to bring food and eat on the ferry, but there's no problem stopping at South Street Seaport to grab some dirty-water hot dogs.

    DOWNLOAD the NYC Ferry app and register with your credit card.  Do this before the ride... please.  The ferry costs $2.75 + $1.00 for your bike.  I was the only cyclist on my trial-run ferry ride.  Ferry's have hooks for 6 bikes and some side space for a few more.  This could be a little bit of a complication if the ride or ferry is unexpectedly crowded....  but I have in mind an alternative route, if the ferry doesn't work out.  Just be flexible... and agreeable to changes on the fly.

    Bring snacks and gels.  Bathroom are easily found.  I'm expecting to be back at the cars between 2:30-3pm.

    This is an RSVP ride. Contact me in advance.  This ride will be a "go" even if only one other rider is interested.  My cell number is 631-889-0559.  Email is ... mailboxone(at)aol.com

    This is not your typical "club ride".  You'll clip in and out more times on a city ride than a month of daily rides to Manorville. If that’s a source of irritation, then this type of ride might not be good for you. Look at this ride as a rare opportunity to experience a big-city siteseeing cycling adventure.  

    I'm very selective about the roads/paths I choose.  Most of them will have a designated bike lane. A few will not. If you have a fear of heights, the RFK Bridge will be your only challenge. You can walk.  We'll wait.  The other bridges are not scarey at all. 

    The route of this bike ride relies heavily on bike paths... and although paved, they can be a little bumpy in spots. They can also be a little crowded with distracted pedestrians. Patience is a must.  You will also need to carry your bike up and down two different flights of stairs.  
      
    The city is full of cyclists on regular road bikes with standard tires.  The roads are probably in better condition than you might imagine. I would suggest bringing your comfortable bike... not your fast bike. 

    And finally, this is a B+ ride ... not so much for the speed, but for the hills (bridges) and general confident bike handling skills required to navigate a variety of advanced cycling situations.  And it's worth mentioning... contrary to what you might expect, most city drivers are very familiar and respectful to street cyclists. 

    So.... who's up for a big city adventure ride?

    Cell Phone Number: 
    631-889-0559
    Ride Participants (arrive 20 minutes before ride start time)
    Sign-In Sheet (Admin Use Only - after ride): 
    Sign-In Sheet submitted INCOMPLETE (if red envelope shown): 
    Ride Statistics
    Ride Leaders: 
    Actual Miles: 
    41

    SBRA is a member of bicyclelongisland.org.


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