the official program & ride guide of the 2015 td five boro bike tour
DESCRIPTION
Learn more at www.bike.nycTRANSCRIPT
NEW YORK/MAY 3, 2015
Official Program & Ride Guide
Title Sponsor Presented by Benefiting Certified Sustainable
It’s time to grab life by the handlebars.Have fun. Be safe. Enjoy the ride.
TD Bank is proud to sponsor the 2015 TD Five Boro Bike Tour. It’s a wonderful way to see and support the great neighborhoods of New York.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Follow the Tour live on Twitter and Instagram: @BikeNewYork #TDFBBT #BikeNYC
05 MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO
07 BIKE NEW YORK'S PRESIDENT& CEO, KEN PODZIBA
11 NYC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER POLLY TROTTENBERG
16 BIKE NEW YORKERS Last year, we taught bike riding and bike safety skills to more than 16,000 New Yorkers. Here are 16 of them.
RIDE GUIDE21 START SCHEDULE & MAP
22 GETTING TO THE START
24GETTING TO THE FERRY
25NEED HELP?
26SERVICES ALONG THE ROUTE
28FINISH FESTIVAL & RIDER IDENTIFICATION KIT
29TIPS & FAQ
30ROUTE MAP
32–43VOLUNTEER PROFILESBike education volunteers from each of the five boroughs on what volunteering with Bike New York means to them.
44 COMMUNITY BIKE EDUCATION CENTERS & CLASSES
46FREEDOM ON TWO WHEELSWe hear from activist Shannon Galpin, producer of Afghan Cycles, an upcoming documentary about the Afghan National Women's Cycling Team.
50CHARITY PARTNERS
54HOW TO PROPERLY PREP FOR THE TOURAdvice from Bicycling magazine's Neil Bezdek
BIKE NEW YORK STAFF
Ken PodzibaPresident & CEO
Andy GouldCOO
Mia Borrelli Finish Festival Manager
Christopher Brandt Events Volunteer Manager
Zoë CheswickDirector of Education Operations
Rich ConroyDirector of Education
Steve CourageAssistant Events Manager
Jamie De Four Associate Mgr./Charity Programs Mgr.
Becky GoldsteinEvents Manager
Caitlin GoodspeedOutreach Manager
Jessica HallExpo Volunteer Coordinator
Tim Haney Education Volunteer Manager
Beth HeydeSenior Events Manager
Jared LauridsenBike Fleet Manager
Laura LingDirector of Events
Mark Plaut Public Programs Manager
Sam PolcerCommunications Manager
Sharon Pope Outreach Manager
Anne Shaw Customer Service Assistant
Samuel Slaton Director of Communications
Jewels Smith Customer Service Assistant
Kathy Stout Customer Relations Manager
Herschel Uchitelle Marshal Coordinator
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Leonard DiamondChairman of the Board
Ed PinoVice Chairman
Cyndi SteinerVice Chairwoman
Henry ChinTreasurer
Stuart KrohnengoldSecretary
Dan DavisBoard Member
Kim LeitnerBoard Member
Grace LichtensteinBoard Member
William MastroBoard Member
William D. PetitBoard Member
Jennifer PowellBoard Member
Howard RobbinsBoard Member
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Steve Bauman
Leonard Diamond
Fred Jones
Ed Pino
Wentworth Price
Steve Sakson
Ed Sobin
All the satisfaction without all the emissions.
Have fun. Be safe. Enjoy the ride.
At TD Bank, we strive to be as green as our logo any way we can. We’re happy to support environmentally-friendly events like the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.
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A LETTER FROM THE MAYOR
May 3, 2015
Dear Friends:
Welcome to the 38th Annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour!
New York is at the forefront of making streets safe and accessible for all pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists, and a critical part of our Vision Zero program is to educate and encourage one another to make smarter choices on our roads. More and more New Yorkers are utilizing bikes for transportation and recreation, and Bike New York has been an important ally in teaching cyclists of all ages and skill levels the fundamentals of biking in urban environments and how to ride with confidence and greater regard for street safety.
The annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour brings together more than 32,000 cyclists from around the world to contribute to Bike New York’s mission, offering a 40-mile route that guides riders through some of our most iconic neighborhoods. Our city has worked hard to make all five boroughs even better for cyclists by building a system of designated routes and lanes that are not only connecting our communities, but are also paving the way to a greener, more sustainable future. This event is a wonderful opportunity to introduce even more people to the many benefits of cycling, and I applaud its organizers and participants for empowering both experienced cyclists and new riders to hit the streets in support of free bike education.
I hope you enjoy taking in all the beauty and diversity of our city as you set out on this terrific bike tour. On behalf of the City of New York, best wishes for a safe and memorable ride!
Bill de BlasioMayor
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NEW Y ORK, NY 10007
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A LETTER FROM KEN PODZIBABike New York's President & CEO
Dear Bike New Yorkers,
I always encourage riders to take a moment during the Tour to remember that their participation will make it possible for thousands of others to one day experience what they’re feeling at that moment. If you ask cyclists what that feeling is called, you’ll get myriad answers—elation, freedom, joy—and they’ll all be true.
For Lebogang, a resident of Queens by way of South Africa who took our Learn to Ride class last fall, that feeling is called empowerment. “Taking a Bike New York class reminded me that we should never allow ourselves to plateau,” she says. “Learning some-thing new shifts our expectations of ourselves and what we are capable of.” That kind of personal change is profound, but it’s nothing compared to the effect it can have on others. Bike New York and the TD Five Boro Bike Tour exist because individuals whose lives have been changed by the bicycle want to share their passion with others. Lebogang is just one of 16,000 people we taught last year, and she’s already thinking about how she can share her love of biking—“How awesome would a Bike Johannesburg be?”
Or how about a Bike Kabul? Shannon Galpin, another woman who’s head over cleats for cycling, is working with the Afghan National Women’s Cycling Team to elevate biking as a catalyst for social justice. (Read more about her inspiring work on page 46.) Susan B. Anthony said in the 1800s that the bicycle “has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world.” That was true then, and it’s true now—but it’s not just true for women.
And you don't have to go far afield to feel it: Doug, who went through our entire core curriculum, wrote to us about his experience during a Street Skills Ride, when he and his fellow cyclists first ventured onto New York City streets. For Doug, that experience signaled his arrival as a Bike New Yorker—a cyclist at home on greenways and tarmac alike, confident in his place on the road, firmly embedded in a community dedicated to a healthier, happier, more sustainable world.
The Tour is a celebration of our collec-tive passion and the community that that passion creates, and our free bike education classes are where we pass the torch to those who will celebrate with us in years to come. When you
ride with Bike New York, you’re directly supporting these programs, so on behalf of Doug, Lebogang, and thousands of others: thank you.
I’d also like to thank our generous friends and sponsors who help make the Tour possible, including TD Bank, our title sponsor, and REI, our pre-senting sponsor. In addition, numerous City officials and agencies have been instrumental in helping us grow the Tour into what it is today and achieve silver-level sustainability certification from the Council for Responsible Sport for the Tour and Expo: Mayor de Blasio and his staff, the NYC DOT, the NYC Parks Department, NYPD, FDNY, NYC Compost Project, and NYC & Co.
And to our thousands of volunteers—thank you for sharing your passion with us, our riders, and our students.
Get ready to grab life by the handlebars.
Ken PodzibaPresident & CEOBike New York
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11
A LETTER FROM POLLY TROTTENBERGNew York City Transportation Commissioner
Every day, more and more New Yorkers are choosing to get around by bike. Cycling is a mode of transportation which is inexpensive, burns no fuel, emits no carbon, helps tackle obesity, connects people to their communities, and let’s face it, brings joy. New Yorkers love to cycle and they bring an energy and passion that is unique to this city.
In recent years, we have seen a tremendous growth in cycling in New York City —our bicycling commuter count has increased from about 5,600 in 2002 to over 20,000 in 2013. New Yorkers today can use 960 miles of bike lanes, 655 of which are on-street and over 50 of which are protected lanes. But we’re not stopping there.
Mayor de Blasio has set an ambitious goal of doubling cycling trips in New York City by 2020. To do this, DOT has worked to expand the bicycle network well beyond the central business district and has worked closely with communities to develop networks that work at the neighborhood level. In 2014, DOT installed over 46 miles of bike facilities. We’ve installed over 22,300 bike racks (or 44,600 bike parking spaces) and continue to expand our bike corral program, installing our 45th corral last fall.
New Yorkers have also embraced bike share with over 90,000 annual Citi Bike members taking over 14 million trips since May of 2013. Bike share has become an integral part of the city’s transportation network and is slated to double in size. By the end of 2017, the Citi Bike will have expanded from 330 stations and 6,000 bikes to 700 stations and 12,000 bikes. Bike Share in 2017 will cover neighbor-hoods ranging from Harlem in Manhattan, to Red Hook in Brooklyn and Long Island City and Astoria in Queens.
Even as we expand cycling in the city, DOT remains focused on the Mayor’s Vision Zero goals of reducing traffic injuries and fatalities to zero. In February, alongside NYPD we released our Vision Zero Borough Pedestrian Safety Plans, establishing a comprehensive set of actions for DOT, NYPD and other agencies. The Borough Plans are one of 63 Vision Zero initiatives announced last year. The plans were developed by integrating detailed crash analysis with input from 28 Vision Zero town halls and public workshops, including over 10,000 comments submitted by New Yorkers. Our engineering designs and cooperation with NYPD continue to enhance bicycling safety for everyone in our city.
From bike lanes to bike racks, to bike share, New York has never been a better place to cycle. So let’s go! Have a fantastic day on the TD Five Boro Bike Tour!
Polly TrottenbergNew York City Transportation Commissioner
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BIKE NEW YORKERS
Thanks to proceeds from the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, the world’s biggest charitable bike ride, we’ve given the gift of biking to tens of thousands of people—for free. From all of us at Bike New York, thank you for riding with us. While you cruise 40 miles of car-free New York City streets, we hope you’ll remember that by doing so, you’re helping to make New York City a safer place to ride and empowering New Yorkers to grab life by the handlebars. Last year alone, we taught bike riding and bike safety skills to more than 16,000 New Yorkers. Here are 16 of them.
“You taught an old dog a new trick. Now I can ride with my boyfriend!”
“Riding a bike is an influential part of my life—it will help me continue my life’s journey!”
“Riding a bike for the first time made my life better than ever! I love it.”
Flanzig and Flanzig is a New York Injury Law Firm representing the rights of seriously injured cyclists and their families. We are avid cyclists, bike advocates and trial lawyers with a combined 50 years of experience litigating on behalf of crash victims in New York. Flanzig and Flanzig is proud to be a continuing sponsor of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.
Daniel Flanzig serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Bicycle Coalition, New York’s only statewide advocacy group. He has authored numerous articles and frequently lectures on “bike law” in New York as well as nationwide. In addition to representing New York cyclists, Flanzig and Flanzig has obtained some of the top settlements in the State of New York for victims of pedestrian and motorcycle crashes.
To learn more about our practice or to schedule a free consultation, call or visit us at www.newyorkbikelawyers.com
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EVENT DAY RIDE GUIDEMAY 3, 2015Get ready to grab life by the handlebars.
Title Sponsor Presented by Benefiting
START SCHEDULE & MAP
The start corridor (shown in gold on the map to the right) runs along Greenwich / Trinity / Church. Start waves correspond to the color of your bib and bike plate. See below to find out where to go and when. Course Marshals in yellow vests will be onsite to direct riders to appropriate entry streets. In the event that members of your group are assigned to different start waves, please ride together in a later start wave.
START 1 (7:30AM) Recommended arrival time: 6:30-7:15AMAccess start corridor via Reade or Warren.
START 2 (8:10AM) Recommended arrival time: 7:10-7:55AMAccess start corridor via Barclay or Vesey.
START 3 (8:45AM) Recommended arrival time: 7:45-8:30AMAccess start corridor via Liberty or Rector.
START 4 (9:20AM) Recommended arrival time: 8:20-9:05AMAccess start corridor via Battery Place or Bowling Green.
The route closes to vehicular traffic at 7:15AM; be sure to take this into account when planning your arrival. We do not recommend driving to the Start Area.
BikeObviously, we’re quite partial to this option. From anywhere in Manhattan or downtown Brooklyn, the best way to get to the Start Area is by bike. The Hudson River Greenway and Broadway both lead directly to Bowling Green. For detailed directions, we recommend using Google Maps to plan your route (be sure to click the bicycle icon).
SubwayMany subway stations do not accom-modate bikes. See below for the best way to take a train to the Start Area.
From Train ToManhattan, Chambers St. The Bronx, Chambers St. Queens Brooklyn Bridge World Trade Ctr.
Brooklyn Chambers St. Chambers St. Bowling Green (Bdwy exit only)
These trains/stations do not accommodate bikes:
City Hall, Canal St., Whitehall St.
Park Place, Fulton St./ Nassau St., Wall St.
Wall St., Bowling Green South Ferry
Tour Day Service ChangesNo trains run between Utica Ave. and New Lots Ave. in Brooklyn.
trains run between 148th St. in Harlem and Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn.
trains run between 205th St. in The Bronx and Utica Ave. in Brooklyn.
Visit www.mta.info for customized travel directions using TripPlanner, or call the MTA for more information by dialing 511.
GETTING TO THE START
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Train
PATH Trains (from New Jersey)PATH Trains bound for the 33rd Street station leave frequently from Newark, Journal Square (JSQ), and Hoboken. Disembark at the World Trade Center station. The fare is $2.75, payable by MetroCard. Bikes are not permitted on the first car of the train. Note that you may need to use stairs and/or escalators to get to street level, so be prepared to schlep your bike if necessary. For up-to-date schedule information, system map, station locations, and parking information, visit www.panynj.gov or dial 1-800-234-PATH.
Long Island Railroad (LIRR)The New York City stop for the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is Penn Station, at 34th St. and 7th Ave. At Penn Station, cyclists can transfer to downtown subway service or cycle downtown toward Bowling Green. On Tour Day, off-peak fares apply and bike permit rules are suspended. Cyclists should attempt to distribute themselves evenly throughout the train to facilitate the flow of people boarding and disembarking at stations. Cyclists are asked to bring a bungee cord to secure their bikes to the train. For more information on departure times and station locations, visit www.mta.info/lirr.
Metro-North RailroadOn Tour Day, bikes are allowed on all trains on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven Lines; bike permit rules are suspended; restrictions on the number of bikes per train are lifted; and off-peak fares apply. Check schedules for local service on all lines. To get to the Start Area via subway from Grand Central Terminal, take the 4, 5, or 6 to the Brooklyn Bridge- City Hall station. For more information on departure times and locations, visit www.mta.info/mnr.
Ferry
Staten Island FerryExpanded morning service on Tour Day is provided to ensure that cyclists get to the Start Area in time to get rolling. A one-way trip takes 30 minutes, and is free. Riders are advised to take the following ferries for their respective start times:
START 1 5:30AM, 6:00AM, 6:30AM
START 2 6:30AM, 7:00AM, 7:15AM
START 3 7:15AM, 7:30AM
START 4 8:00AM, 8:15AM
Ferries are first-come, first-served.
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GETTING TO THE FERRY
Car Participants driving in from the south are encouraged to carpool and take the Staten Island Ferry to the Start Area. Please park only in designated areas, e.g., the South Beach lot (see right; we highly recommend this option), near Staten Island Railway stations, or in ferry lots. (Due to construction, ferry parking spaces will be limited.) Cars parked along the Tour Route will be towed. Visit www.bike.nyc for detailed driving directions.
MTA Staten Island Railway Park on local streets or in a Staten Is-land Railway Park-and-Ride at Dongan Hills, Great Kills, Annadale, Prince’s Bay, or Huguenot stations, then hop on a train to the ferry. Bicycles will be allowed on the trains, and you can board at any Staten Island Railway station. MetroCard fares are collected as you enter and exit at the St. George and Tompkinsville stations. Visit www.mta.info or dial 511 for more information.
South Beach Park-and-Ride Participants parking at the South Beach Park-and-Ride (located off Capodanno Blvd. between Seaview Ave. and Sand Ln.) can ride their bikes to the Staten Island Ferry in order to make their way to the Start Area. At the end of the day, cyclists can return to their vehicles via the bike path running from the Finish Festival at Fort Wadsworth to the South Beach Park-and-Ride.
Staten Island Ferry Parking One municipal and several private paid-parking lots are located on the north side of the ferry terminal, off Richmond Terrace near the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George (Staten Island Yankee Stadium). Please enter the parking lots via Wall St. and Bay Ave. Look for “Bike Tour Parking” signs. Bring at least $7 in cash to cover parking, and use the Muni-Meters as necessary. Note: parking and towing regulations for Richmond Terrace and Bay Street are strictly enforced. Note: Due to construction, ferry parking spaces will be limited.
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NEED HELP?
We work hard to ensure that you have a great time on the Tour. But just in case you aren't able to complete the ride, or if you should need assistance for any reason, read on to find out what to do, who to contact, and where to go.
Note that once the Tour starts, the front of the pack will travel at approximately 17mph, the tail at about 6mph. Cyclists who fall behind will be given the option of either boarding SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles traveling at the tail of the Tour, or leaving the Tour as the route permits.
ShortcutRiders at the back of the pack may be directed to take a shortcut that bypasses the Astoria Park Rest Area and leads directly to the Con Ed Learning Center Rest Area, trimming 4 miles off the route.
Due to the street closure schedule, all riders must be on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) by 2:00PM; otherwise, your Tour will end in Brooklyn at mile 28. Please be mindful of the time you spend at the Rest Areas. If you do not make it to the BQE in time, see "Leaving the Tour" in the column to the right.
Hitching a Ride with SAG (Support and Gear) SAG vehicles will be stationed at each Rest Area and will trail the back of the pack. If you are running out of steam en route or fall too far behind, signal and then pull off to the side of the road to wait for SAG. They will take you and your bike to the Finish Festival.
Medical ConcernsIf you feel that you need medical attention, speak to a Tour Marshal or NYPD officer immediately, or visit a medical station located at each of the Rest Areas along the course. Do not wait for SAG. If you have an emergency, call 911 and say that you are with the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.
Leaving the TourIf you need to leave the Tour for any reason, we recommend doing so at the following locations. If you leave the Tour, you will be riding with motorized traffic and will have to watch for cars and road hazards.
Mile 14: York Ave. and 63rd St. (Manhattan) This is your last chance to exit the Tour in Manhattan. If you don’t want to continue, travel straight on 63rd St. after the Tour exits the FDR Drive. Do not take the left-hand turn onto the ramp of the Queensboro (59th St.) Bridge.
Mile 27: Brooklyn Bridge Just before the Tour enters the Brook-lyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), you can leave the Tour at Old Fulton St. and Cadman Plaza West and take the Brooklyn Bridge bike path into downtown Manhattan. Marshals on the Brooklyn side will direct you. (This exit point is recommended for those traveling with children.)
Subway The Tour passes near many subway stations. Bikes are allowed on the subway, but some unstaffed subway stations have turnstiles that do not accommodate bikes. Information Tents at all Rest Areas can provide more details. Visit www.mta.info for up-to-date info.
Marshals and PoliceVolunteer marshals and NYPD officers will be riding with you and will be stationed along the route to provide assistance and keep the Tour rolling safely and smoothly along. Here’s who to look for:
Rider Assist Marshals will be riding alongside you in orange vests to help keep the Tour moving. They can also help out with flat tires and minor repairs.
Course Marshals will be stationed along the route in yellow vests. They can give route directions and alert you to road conditions ahead.
NYPD officers will also be on the route to manage car traffic.
Please follow all instructions given by marshals and police officers.
25
Rest Areas Complimentary refreshments at Rest Areas along the route include New York City water, Del Monte bananas, apples courtesy of the New York Apple Asso-ciation, Utz pretzels, KIND bars, active hydration drinks from nuun, and tacos from Chipotle. Signs and Marshals along the route will direct you to Rest Areas or to bypass lanes. Toilets, bike repair, and first aid stations are located at all Rest Areas.
Mile Location11 FDR Drive at 116th St. (Manhattan)
18 Astoria Park (Queens)*
20 Con Ed Learning Center (Queens)
27.5 Brooklyn Bridge Park**
*All cyclists near the front of the pack will be held here for about 20 minutes while the NYPD closes subsequent portions of the route to traffic. Cyclists near the tail of the Tour will be directed to a mandatory shortcut that by passes this stop and leads to the next one.
**This is the last Rest Area before the Finish Festival in Staten Island, nine miles later. Be sure to refuel and hydrate here!
Water StationsWe recommend bringing two water bottles so you can stay hydrated while you ride. Water is available at all Rest Areas, as well as the following locations:
Mile Location9 The Bronx
33 Brooklyn
37 Finish Festival (Staten Island)
40 Staten Island Ferry
ToiletsToilets are available at all Rest Areas, Water Stations, the Finish Festival, and the following locations:
Mile Location0 Start Area – Battery Place, just north of Battery Park, and along Church St.*
3 6th Ave., at approximately 56th St., before entering Central Park**
8 135th St. between 5th Ave. and Madison Ave.
*Handicap-accessible toilets available**There are no toilets in Central Park.
Waste StationsIn 2014, our goal was to divert at least 60% of Tour and Expo waste from land-fills. With your help and that of Grow NYC and the NYC Compost Project, we diverted over 83% of waste from land-fills! As a result of our efforts, the Tour and Expo were awarded silver-level sustainability certification by the Council for Responsible Sport. Help us go even greener by properly disposing of items at Waste Stations. Compost crews will be there to help you.
Lost and Found Check at Information Tents at Rest Areas for items lost along the way. No luck? After May 4, call 212-870-2080 or email [email protected] to see if your lost item was returned to our office.
Bike RepairIf your bike needs attention, flag a Rider Assist Marshal or stop at a repair tent. Labor for basic repairs is free, but there is a charge for parts. Flat tires are very common, and Marshals can help you better if you have a spare tube. Many of our bike repair partners will have tubes for sale (cash only).
Repair services can be found at these locations:All Rest Areas and water stations
Start Area at Bowling Green Plaza and on the corner of Church St. and Reade St.
20th St. and 6th Ave., in front of the TD Bank (Manhattan)
110th St. and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., just north of Central Park (Manhattan)
North 7th St. and Kent Ave. (Brooklyn)
Finish Festival, Fort Wadsworth (Staten Island)
Free bike repair labor generously provided by:Toga Bike Shop
NYC Velo
Treads Bike Shop
Tony’s Bicycles
Chelsea Bicycles
Ride Brooklyn
Recycle-A-Bicycle
Spokesman
Danny's Cycles (formerly Metro Cycles)
Talent Cycles
Red Lantern Bicycles
Sid's Bike Shop
N.Y.C. Bicycles
SERVICES ALONG THE ROUTE
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Medical HelpEmergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics from the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Bike Unit are available to attend to medical needs, as are ambulances from the NYC Fire Department Emergency Medical Service. Ask any Marshal or NYPD officer to get medical assistance if you need it. There are also EMTs at each Rest Area and at the Finish Festival. If you have an emergency, dial 911 and say you are with the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.
Tour PhotosPhotographers from MarathonFoto will be stationed along the route to take your photo as you ride. For identification purposes, make sure your bike plate and bib number are clearly visible. After the Tour, MarathonFoto will contact you via email so you can view and purchase your photos.
Information Tents Information Tents at the Start Area (at Bowling Green Plaza), Rest Areas, and the Finish Festival are your go-to resources for all questions and concerns; they also make for great rendezvous spots in the event that you get separated from family and friends. (Do not stop in Central Park, on any of the bridges, or in the middle of the road to wait for friends. If you must stop, please signal and pull off to the right side of the road.)
Staten Island Ferry Service to ManhattanAt the end of the Tour, ferries will return riders to Manhattan on a first-come, first-served basis. Four ferries will run per hour, but lines may be long. Please take the time to enjoy free snacks and entertainment while you wait. Toilets and water will also be available. If you choose to drive, consider parking in Staten Island (see page 16) and taking the morning ferry to Manhattan before the start, thus avoiding return ferry lines in the afternoon.
SAG Vehicles (Support and Gear)SAG vehicles provide transportation to the Finish Festival for cyclists (and their bikes) who require assistance. SAG buses and trucks will be stationed at each Rest Area and will trail the end of the Tour. If you are running out of steam or fall too far behind, signal and then pull off to the right side of the road to wait for SAG. Make sure your bike plate is attached to your handlebars so that we can reunite you with your bike at the Finish Festival; your bib will serve as your bike retrieval ticket.
If you do not retrieve your bicycle on Staten Island, you may claim it by contacting Bike New York at 212-870-2080. After May 7, unclaimed bicycles will be donated to Recycle-A-Bicycle.
EntertainmentTD Bank Entertainment Zones will be located all along the Tour to keep the party rolling from start to finish. Visit www.bike.nyc for more details, including Entertainment Zone locations and artist websites.
SERVICES ALONG THE ROUTE
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The RIK comprises a reusable helmet cover, recyclable Tyvek bib, and bike plate made from an environmentally friendly material called Ultra Green. In order to ride in the Tour, your bib must be affixed to the front of your shirt or jacket, your bike plate must be attached to your handlebars, and you must wear the helmet cover over your helmet. Be sure to hang on to your helmet cover to take advantage of Chipotle’s “buy one, get one” offer! (See page 31.)
RIDER IDENTIFICATION KIT (RIK)
Music & EntertainmentListen to local bands and stop by exhibitors’ booths for great giveaways! Bike schwag is the best schwag.
Food & DrinksWe’re bringing some of the best local food vendors to the Finish Festival. After putting in that many miles, you’re gonna be hungry. Bring cash so you can chow down.
Official MerchandiseGet decked out in official Bike New York and TD Five Boro Bike Tour gear—we’ll have shirts, jerseys, water bottles, and much, much more. All proceeds go directly to funding our free bike education programs, so shop away!
Photo OpsGet your photo taken with that beast of a bridge—the Verrazano, that is—in the background at the TD Bank Photo Booth.
Bike RepairLabor for basic repairs is free, but there’s a charge for parts. Be sure to bring some spare tubes with you.
First AidCourtesy of the New York City Fire Department Emergency Medical Service and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
Reunion AreaPlan to reunite here at the end of the ride in case you get separated from your group.
FINISH FESTIVAL
The ferry back to Manhattan is still three miles away, but by the time you reach the Finish Festival at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, you will have conquered five boroughs and as many bridges—including the longest bridge span in the Americas. Kick back and relax. You earned it. Fort Wadsworth is not open to the public on Tour day.
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TIPS & FAQS
Bag Restrictions • No bags with shoulder straps
(including backpacks, messenger bags, hydration packs, and drawstring bags)*
• No panniers or bags that hang on the side of your bike
• No covered baskets
• No bags over 420 cubic inches (6.9 liters)
*Note that in accordance with this criterion, the Manhattan Portage bag that is included in the VIP package will not be allowed on the Tour.
What to Bring• Cash for spare parts, parking, food,
and merchandise at the Finish Festival.
• Photo identification—you may be asked to show it.
• Cell phone*
• Water bottles (You can refill them at Rest Areas and Water Stations along the route.)**
• Weather-appropriate clothing (Be sure to check the forecast.)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• An extra bike tube; make sure it's the correct size with the correct valve—either Presta or Schrader.
• Patch kit in case of a flat
*If you are riding with a child who does not have a phone, please make sure to write your cell phone number and name on the back of your child's bib.
**Water bottles will not be provided.
Rules of the Road• Wear your helmet. No ifs, ands, or buts
about it.
• Have your RIK visible at all times: attach the bike plate to your handlebars, affix the bib to your chest, and wear your helmet cover. You will be asked to leave the Tour if any element of your RIK is missing.
• Respect other cyclists.
• Human-powered bikes only
• Ride in a straight line. If changing paths, check over your shoulder before doing so, and then signal to indicate which way you're planning to go.
• Use hand signals to indicate that you are slowing down, stopping, turning, or changing lanes.
• Keep to the right; pass left. (Call out “On your left” when passing a cyclist.)
• Move completely to the right side of the road if stopping for any reason.
• Do not ride against the flow of the Tour.
• Do not use your cell phone while riding.
• Maintain adequate distance between yourself and other cyclists—especially on downhills.
• Control your speed and be prepared to slow down for congestion or road hazards.
• Keep at least one hand on the handle-bars at all times.
• Do not wear earbuds or any other form of headphones.
• Slow down when approaching a security checkpoint and make sure your complete RIK is visible.
• No photos on bridges or their access points. Your camera may be confiscated.
Riding with Youths• A youth is anyone under the age
of 18 on the day of the Tour.
• Every youth must be registered with and on the same team as a parent or guardian riding in the Tour.
• Adult to youth ratio must be 1:1. No exceptions.
• Children under the age of 3 are not allowed on the Tour.
• Youths ages 3 to 9 must ride with an adult on a tandem bike, in a child’s seat, on a tag-along bike, or in a bike trailer.
• Youths ages 10 to 17 may ride their own bikes, but must remain in close proximity to the adult with whom they are registered.
• Plan ahead in case you get separated from your youth. Instruct him/her to seek out a marshal wearing either an orange or yellow vest. The marshal will guide him/her to an information tent where staff can communicate with Tour Command to reunite you.
Riding in a Team• Make sure you and others in your
team have stored important numbers and contact info, including that of someone not riding in the Tour, your hotel, your team members’ home and cell numbers, etc. in your phones.
• If you get separated from your team, continue to the next Rest Area and seek them out there. Do not pull over to the side of the road to wait for them.
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ROUTE MAP
Fold this page out for a larger map to take with you on the ride!
LEGEND
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VOLUNTEER PROFILES
We asked bike education volunteers from each of the 5 boroughs about what volunteering with Bike New York means to them. Here’s what they had to say.
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MANHATTANCORINNE & DEVAN ZARENBERG
“I’ve always loved biking, and I found myself with some extra time on my hands, so I thought, ‘Why not volunteer doing some-thing that I love?’” —CORINNE
C: First, I volunteered as a Course Marshal at the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. It was so gratifying to be a part of a big event like that. And then I started volunteering at Learn to Ride classes. It was magical. I think it’s important to give back. It’s a part of our culture, our life now, helping other people who may not have had the same opportunities that we've been given.
D: Volunteering doesn't just look good on your resume, it makes you feel good as a person. It’s so amazing to see people after two hours, sometimes even less, gain the ability to ride their bike. The smiles on their faces... They’re so happy. It’s really cool.
C: It’s just so heartwarming. One woman, she had tried many years before, and she was like 50-something years old; she was in tears at the end, thanking us. “I finally learned how to ride!” she said.
D: The city can be very noisy, and there’s always something happening, so it’s really cool to have a new, meditative perspective when you’re riding a bike. The feeling of viewing the world while you’re moving—it’s hard to explain. It’s really important to me, as a New Yorker, to ride a bike.
C: You’re one with the bike. And I feel like I’m free. I’m not relying on the buses or the subway or the taxi, so I don't have to be on anybody’s schedule. I go when I want. Plus, if you take the same route every day, you see the same bikers—you start saying hi to them, and you become a part of something greater than yourself.
STAFF RIDES:
Beth Heyde, Bike New York's Senior Events Manager, recommends this Manhattan ride:
“When I ride, I don’t like to stop, which can be tough in New York. The West Side Greenway is awesome because it’s a straight shot without too many lights, and it’s picturesque the whole way to the Cloisters—with the Hudson River to your left and the changing cityscape to your right. As you get further uptown, you feel less and less like you’re in the city, and you’ll find beautiful views, architecture, and history along the way. Pier I Café at 70th St. is a great refueling option, and the New Leaf Restaurant and Bar is a great reward once you’ve arrived.”
A map of this ride can be found at www.bike.nyc/blog
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THE BRONXYANCY COBY
“When you’re volunteer-ing and you’re right next to them, encouraging them, telling them that they can do this, and then they do it… it’s really satisfying.” To see the reactions on their faces is like, Wow. I had one situation where the girl started crying. She was so close. She just felt like she was not going to get it, so I encouraged her to come back to another class. I told her, “The worst thing you can do is to stop trying. If you keep doing it and keep doing it, you will learn; I promise you that.” And she did.
I get the opportunity to meet people I wouldn’t normally meet. In New York, you can’t just approach strangers. Everybody’s on the go, on their phones, with their headphones plugged in. They’ve got this invisible barrier. Volunteering gives you that chance to meet people and help them out.
I've noticed that a lot of our kids come from families that wouldn't be able to afford services like this. It’s just a huge burden off the parents. It gives the child something positive to do, and they don't have to worry about paying anything. We provide everything, so they can just come in, be excited, and enjoy it.
To everyone who’s riding in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, I just want to say, thank you for coming out! What Bike New York is doing with their free bike education program is a really great thing. It’s not just about biking. The way I see it, it’s about empowerment. We all have our insecurities—we want to do something but we don't think we can. When some of these kids are in school and struggling with a subject, hopefully they’ll think back to times when they thought they couldn't do something, and they overcame it. Like, “I’m struggling with math, but if I learned how to ride a bike, I can do this math problem.” In addition, they’re learning a skill that they can use for the rest of their lives, and that they’ll be able to teach to other people. It’s really exciting.
STAFF RIDES:
Rich Conroy, Bike New York's Director of Education, recommends this Bronx ride:
“Start at The Van Cortlandt Mansion and Museum and follow the Bronx Greenway past the nation’s oldest public golf course and Van Cortlandt Lake (this ride’s only difficult climb), toward the New York Botanical Garden. Head south toward Pelham Parkway, hang a left, and ride to Pelham Bay Park. You’ll pass the towering Bronx Victory Memorial and cross a drawbridge. At the end of the drawbridge, follow the greenway along City Island Road for a tasty seafood lunch on City Island. If you’ve still got energy to burn, there’s plenty of hiking to be had nearby at the north end of Orchard Beach. “
A map of this ride can be found at www.bike.nyc/blog
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QUEENSRAHIMA RAHI
“I wanted to be a part of a community, where I could bike with other people.” When I first got my bike about four years ago, I wasn’t a very experienced urban biker. I was a little nervous getting on the road, so I found Bike New York, and started taking classes. I rode with other people, learned a little bit about bike maintenance—and then I wanted to be more involved.
When I help other people learn how to ride a bike, I can relate to them, because I know how they feel. I was nervous in the beginning, but I got on the road and ultimately became a confident biker.
I volunteer at a lot of Learn to Ride classes. It’s amazing to see 5- or 6-year-old kids learn how to ride a bike in two hours! The sense of accomplishment they feel is so amazing. To be a part of that, to help them get that feeling, is great. They just have so much fun—when they start riding, they don't want to stop! Kids will come and give me a hug and say, “Thank you! I can go and ride now!” And if they don’t get it at first, kids almost never give up. They keep trying.
New York City has the potential to demonstrate how a crowded city can thrive when a large segment of its population gets around by bike. I think that a lot of people look to New York City—it’s important that we do it right so people will point at us and say, “If they can do it, we can do it.”
Activism and volunteering aren’t so much things I’m interested in as much as they are a way of life. It means being active in your community, being active in political or social justice issues that are very closely tied to our everyday lives, with our happiness, what we want—everything. I can’t imagine living life without being involved in my community.
STAFF RIDES:
Sharon Pope, Bike New York's Outreach Manager, recommends this Queens ride:
“I love experiencing the many varieties of New York City's urban landscapes and the intimacy and rhythms of people and com-munities. When I bike, I ride slow and give myself plenty of time; the destination is less important than the journey itself. One of my favorite rides is to bike from Socrates Sculpture Park down Vernon Blvd. to the new Queens West neighborhood. Vernon has a flat bike lane, single family homes, large residential public housing developments, parks, block-long industrial utilities reminiscent of science fiction movies, and I love Queens West with its luxury buildings, restaurants, new parkland, and gorgeous waterfront.”
A map of this ride can be found at www.bike.nyc/blog
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BROOKLYNMATTHEW BUDD
“Volunteering is a necessary piece of society: to give back when you can.” There’ll be times when I need something and I hope that somebody’s there to help me out. It’s my idea of a symbiosis, with everybody working together. I like to volunteer in general. I work with children— I’m a schoolteacher. And to be able to work in the summer, doing something different and to be outside—it's what I had always searched for. When I found out that I could do it on a bike, it was the perfect answer. So when I learned about the education program, I was hooked. I couldn’t believe it was real!
I usually volunteer for classes with kids, because that’s where my passion is, but it’s also so rewarding to teach adults how to ride a bike. Somebody who’s gone 20, 30, 40 years of their lives not knowing how to ride a bike—I think their understanding of just how amazing it is is so much more powerful than a kid’s. It’s really rewarding to walk away after having taught somebody something that special.
I spend as much time as I can on my bike, whether I’m commuting places, or if it’s just for my enjoyment. When I go out on longer rides—and I’ve tried to explain this to people who don’t ride—it’s my form of meditation. Yeah, I might be on my bike for a couple of hours, or going really fast or riding some really difficult routes, but I can still somehow stop focusing on everything else and just be in the moment. I think that’s really im-portant.
When I think of the future of New York City, I hope that there’s a stronger balance between modes of transportation, with bikes, pedestrians, cars, and public transit. I think it’s going to take some time for people to re-alize that whether you’re a driver, a cyclist, or a pedestrian, you always have to be aware of other people. Going across the street and texting while you’re walking is as dangerous as somebody pushing through that yellow light. I think the situation is improving.
I try to convince everybody to ride bikes, to the point where I might be “that guy” who’s a little annoying sometimes. I just think it’s a great way to have a healthy lifestyle, to be able to have some time for yourself, and to see things. To be able to see everything that you can on a bike in New York City is unlike anything else.
STAFF RIDES:
Jewels Smith, Bike New York's Customer Service Assistant, recommends this Brooklyn ride:
“Start at Grow NYC's Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza and pick up some fresh snacks for the ride, and head east on Eastern Parkway. Make a left on Washington Ave., and zig-zag your way to Weeksville Heritage Center, Brooklyn’s largest African-American cultural institution and one of America’s first free black communities. From there, make your way to Dekalb Ave., and cruise toward Fort Greene Park for a daytime dance party. Still want to move? Head toward Brooklyn Bridge Park and find the outdoor roller rink. There: a perfect summer day. You can thank me later.”
A map of this ride can be found at www.bike.nyc/blog
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STATEN ISLANDGAIL MERCURI
“When I volunteered at my first adult Learn to Ride class last summer, I had to hold back the tears.” As much as it’s enjoyable watching the kids, I know they’ll get it. The adults, they don't think they’re going to get it. They’re very concerned that they’re not going to get it or that they’re going to get hurt, and that they’re going to have to forget it. To see them get it, or come back again and really get it—it’s amazing. It’s the best feeling.
It’s almost like therapy for me to be on a bicycle. It makes me feel calm and relaxed—yet at the same time I completely have my wits about me. It’s not something that should be taken lightly and casually; you could hurt others and you could hurt yourself. When I’m on my bike I’m completely aware of my surroundings. You have to know what’s in front of you, what’s behind you—pedestrians, the whole nine yards.
Cycling in New York City is big now, but it should be bigger. When there are fewer cars, you fly all over the city. To get to the Tour start area, I have to leave my house at 5:00AM—there’s no traffic, so I can go at lightning speed. If more people were on bikes, I’d have that privilege every day. There’d be less traffic, everyone would go faster, people would get exercise, it’s better for the environment; so the point of my volunteering is basically to get more people to enjoy what I like, and in the future, get more cars off the road.
Before I started volunteering, I’d start talking about biking with my friends, and they’d wonder if I’d ever start talking about something else. With the Bike New York volunteer community, we all feel the same. We all love to ride. We love the feeling. Some of us are into the commute, some of us like riding on the boardwalk; we have different reasons for riding, but we all love it. So I can talk to them about new bike accesso-ries, the bridge I went across, or the new bike lane, and they absolutely understand what I’m talking about. It’s a great feeling. It’s a community that I want to help grow.
STAFF RIDES:
Samuel Slaton, Bike New York's Director of Communications, recommends this Staten Island ride:
“When my commute starts to get monotonous, and the Arkansan in me yearns for woods a little wilder than those in Prospect Park, I head out to Wolfe’s Pond Park on Staten Island’s South Shore for some mountain biking. From the Staten Island Ferry, weave your way for 13 miles through suburbia before finally slipping in among the sweetgum, hickory, and oak trees of the park. Once you’ve made it to the trails, the only thing left to do is decide whether you’ll take it easy on a green, up the ante on a blue, or go all-out on a black trail. No matter your skill level, you’ll find what you came for—a blast and a much-needed breath of fresh air.”
A map of this ride can be found at www.bike.nyc/blog
Find out how you can join Bike New York's volunteer family at www.bike.nyc43
COMMUNITY BIKE EDUCATION CENTERS
MANHATTANJackie Robinson ParkEast River Park
BROOKLYNBrooklyn Bridge Park50 Kent Ave.Linden Park
QUEENSFlushing Meadows-Corona Park
THE BRONXCrotona ParkVan Cortlandt Park
ROOSEVELT ISLANDRoosevelt Island Sportspark (indoors)Capobianco Field
RANDALL'S ISLANDRandall’s Island
STATEN ISLANDFort Wadsworth
MANHATTAN
THE BRONX
BROOKLYN
QUEENS
STATENISLAND
CLASSES & PROGRAMS
Proceeds from the TD Five Boro Bike Tour and Bike Expo New York fund our free bike education programs. No matter your skill level, we've got a class for you.
These classes take place year-round at partnering bike shops and at a dozen Community Bike Education Centers spread across the five boroughs. We also offer bike safety assemblies and after-school programming during the academic year, as well as summer camp programming for youth enrolled in organized camp groups. To learn more, visit www.bike.nyc/education.
CORE CLASSES
Learn to Ride —Kids
Learn to Ride —Adults
Bicycling Basics
Bike Path Cruise Ride
Street Skills Class
Street Skills Ride
101 SKILL CLASSESBike Commuting 101
Winter Riding 101
Bike Maintenance 101
MISCCiti Bike Street Skills Class
How to Buy a Bike
Winter Bike Maintenance
PROGRAMSAfter School
Summer Camp
Bike Safety Assembly
Bike New York classes are free and open to the public. Programs are also free, but these are only open to schools and organized summer camp groups.
In Classroom On Bike
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FREEDOM ON TWO WHEELS Activist Shannon Galpin is the author of Mountain to Mountain, and the producer of Afghan Cycles, an upcoming documentary about the Afghan National Women's Cycling Team. Galpin’s film explores what it means—and what it takes—to empower communities to grab life by the handlebars. Here, she tells us how cycling can mean so much more than simply riding a bike, not only to the cyclist herself, but to those she inspires.
"It's time to stop referring to Afghan women as weak, as helpless. It's time to refer to Afghan women as strong, as catalysts for change. How can we expect Afghan women to fight if we continue to label them as victims?" I spoke these words at my first TEDx talk two years ago—nine months before I first met the women who ride on the Af-ghan National Women's Cycling Team. I had been working in Afghanistan and was enraged by the way we continue to look at Afghan women as helpless victims. These are not victims, although they may be victimized. These are women of strength and resiliency who need resources, en-couragement, and outlets to use their voice. Two and a half years later, the young women I work with in Afghanistan show me every day that they are not helpless—they are brave, strong, and fearless. They simply need tools. Or, in this case, bikes.
The young women of the Afghan National Cycling Team, and the women around Afghanistan who are learning to ride bikes for the first time in their country's history, did not grow up under a burqa. They matured in the post-Taliban decade under a constitution that included a role for women in the government. They have taken advantage of opportunities in education, art, sport, and politics. Many were refugees in Iran and Pakistan and returned here in 2002 and 2003 with their families. Some stayed here and endured the Taliban's regime. Most are in their final years of high school or early years of university. A couple are married. All are embracing the feeling of freedom that comes on two wheels.
These women are the generation of Afghan women that are embracing new experiences and opportunities, without specifically intending to be revolutionary. They know that what they are doing is controversial, but they believe it is their right—that they deserve the same access and opportunities as men, and that riding a bike should not be forbidden because of their gender. I believe sport is a natural gateway to social change. As these women race and bring national pride to themselves, their families, and to Afghanistan, they are opening the door that will allow girls to ride bikes socially and as transportation, thereby increasing access to school and work, making them safer, and improving their health. They are creating social justice and gender equality.
For more than two years I have been riding with, training, and supporting these women. Liv Cycling donated bikes and equipment for racing and training, and this past spring I went one step further. I spent a morning at the old bazaar to buy bikes for each of the girls to keep at home. Their first-ever bikes. Do you remember your first bike? The joy and the freedom you felt riding it? Young women are now teaching other young women to ride, and several ride their bikes as transportation in Kabul. They’re the first Afghan women ever to do so, to cross the bridge from sport to social independence.
I worry about these women every day. They are on the front lines of a gender and culture war. And if they are willing to ride, to go to school, and to believe in a brighter future, I will do everything I can to support them, on and off the bike.
It's time to support women like these who are changing the future of their country, using the bike to literally take back the streets and their rights. Social change can occur one pedal stroke at a time; these women, and women like them, are the future—and their fearlessness needs our support.
Learn more about Afghan Cycles at www.afghancycles.com.
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A 40-mile ride along the Brooklyn and Queens waterfront, from Greenpoint to rockaway Beach
sAturdAy. July 25. 2015register now at ePiCride.nyC
BeneFitinG
A Kids' Brain Tumor Cure Foundation
AID FOR AIDS International
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
ALS Association, Greater New York Chapter
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter
American Jewish World Service
ASPCA – Team ASPCA
Asphalt Green
The Blue Card
Boomer Esiason Foundation
Boy Scouts of America
Broadway Green Alliance
BronxWorks
C/I
Camfed USA
Cancer Research Institute
CancerCare
Center Against Domestic Violence
Coalition for Healthy School Food
Community Access
Covenant House Home Team
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières
The DOME Project
ECPAT-USA (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking)
Epilepsy Foundation
First Descents
Gilda's Club NYC
God's Love We Deliver
Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation
iMentor
Innocence Project
Keep a Child Alive
Kids of Courage
Korean American Community Foundation
The Legal Aid Society
The Life is Priceless Foundation
Lighthouse Guild
LIVESTRONG Foundation
Marty Lyons Foundation, Inc.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation—TEAM FOX
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
The Nature Conservancy
New Heights Youth, Inc.
New York Cares, Inc.
OHEL Children's Home & Family Services
Only Make Believe
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy
Partnership with Children
Planned Parenthood of New York City
Ronald McDonald House New York
Rotary Club of Metro New York City
Sanctuary for Families
Save the Children
Serious Fun Children's Network
Tuesday's Children
Uniting Against Lung Cancer
WITNESS
Worldwide Orphans Foundation
2015 CHARITY PARTNERSEach year, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour Presented by REI raises more than $2,000,000 for our free bike education programs and the noble goals of our charity partners. Together, we’re changing the world—one pedal stroke at a time.
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COME BY AND SEE US AT BOOTH 410
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Breathe deep.Pedal hard.
Environmental Defense Fund and Moms Clean Air Force are proud to have worked with Mayors Bloomberg and de Blasio to give New Yorkers the cleanest air in 50 years
YOU BOUGHT YOUR BIKE FOR $2K, THE GUY NEXT TO YOU RENTED HIS FOR $60.For your next ride or race use promo code 5BORO to get a Free Bicycle Rental Day.Search for a bike, request it, then have the ride of your life.
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HOW TO PROPERLY PREP FOR THE TOUR
On the Day Before the TourHydrate, hydrate, hydrate.Dehydration can set in quickly if you don’t have plenty of fluids in your system. Unlike eating, where popping something sugary will give you an immediate boost if you’re low on fuel, fluids can take much longer to saturate your system and correct a deficiency. No need to go overboard, but make sure you get plenty of fluids starting at least a day before the event. Eat well, but don’t go crazy.
“Carb loading” the night before exercise is an antiquated approach—extra food simply turns into fat overnight and won’t do you much good the next day. Instead, make sure you don’t deprive yourself of a normal amount of food, and refrain from experimenting with anything new that won’t sit well in your gut.
Check the weather and get prepared.If the forecast is bad, don’t pull the plug just yet. Riding in wet conditions always sounds worse than it really is, which means that getting out the door is usually the hardest part. Mom was on to something when she told you to lay out your clothes the night before each
school day. You probably don’t need someone to tell you to set out your stuff, but the real advantage here is that getting everything ready beforehand means that there’s one less thing to keep you from showing up the next day if you have second thoughts. (This is a good trick for sticking with any exercise regimen.)
On Tour DayEat often.During aerobic exercise, sugar that’s stored in your muscles gets burned first, but most people have only about 90 minutes of fuel readily available. If you try to go longer than that without filling your tank, you’ll soon run out of gas (a.k.a. “bonking”) and find yourself catching your breath on the side of the road while the Tour passes you by. Combat bonking by consuming about 250 calories, or about one energy bar, per hour. Exercise food is sweet for a reason: sugar equals energy. This is one time when sugary food is not only permissible, but preferable if you’re exercising hard—especially near the end of the Tour. There will be ener-gizing snacks at each of the four Rest
Areas along the route, but it’s always a good idea to bring a few extras in case you start to slow down. Be alert.One of the reasons that rides like the TD Five Boro Bike Tour are so exhilarating is their sheer size: 32,000 cyclists in any setting is impressive, but it’s really incredible when set against the backdrop of the Big Apple. But despite the excitement—or perhaps because of the excitement—things can get messy in a crowd that big. As you ride, remember that swerving, stopping, or any sudden, unexpected movements can pose a serious hazard to riders beside and behind you. And keep in mind that being cautious is a two-way street: be aware of your actions and the actions of your fellow cyclists, and everyone will arrive safe and sound—and happy—at Fort Wad-sworth for the Finish Festival.
Neil Bezdek is a former pro road racer who’s won several Red Hook Crits. He works for the Bike Share Program of the New York City Department of Transportation and is a contributor to Bicycling magazine.
Advice from Neil Bezdek
TASMAGO
RICWeekend May 29 to 31, 2015
PHANTAANTA
TOUR LA NUITTOUR DE L’ÎLE DE MONTRÉAL
INFO ON ALL OUR PACKAGES MONTREALBIKEFEST.COM
WIN A WEEKEND AT THE GO BIKE MONTRÉAL FESTIVAL!Come and meet the Vélo Québec team at Bike Expo New York. You could win a weekend at the Go Bike Montréal Festival, from May 29 to 31, and take part in the popular Tour la Nuit and Tour de l’Île de Montréal events.
TSHIRTSJERSEYSJACKETSGLOVESSOCKSHATSBOTTLES
+OFFICIAL TD FIVE BOROBIKE TOUR MERCH Find us just outside the Packet Pickup area
at Bike Expo New York and online at bike.nyc.
Bike New York thanks the following agencies, officials, organizations, bike shops, and sponsors for their support of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour Presented by REI.
Bike New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to facilitate and promote cycling as a safe and sustainable means of recreation and transportation through free bike education classes, public events, and collaboration with community organizations and municipal agencies. All proceeds from Bike New York events—including Bike Expo New York, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour Presented by REI, and our regional rides—go directly to funding our free bike education programs. Last year alone, we taught bike riding and bike safety skills to more than 16,000 people. Grab life by the handlebars.
Visit www.bike.nyc for more information.
City Government OfficialsThe City of New York Bill de Blasio, Mayor
NYC Department of Transportation Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner
NYC Police Department William J. Bratton, Commissioner
NYC Fire Department Daniel Nigro, Commissioner
NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Mitchell J. Silver, Commissioner
Central Park Conservancy Douglas Blonsky, President & CEO
NYC Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit Marco A. Carrión, Commissioner
NYC Department of Sanitation Kathryn Garcia, Commissioner
NYC Office of Emergency Management Joseph Esposito, Commissioner
NYC & Company Fred Dixon, President & CEO
Federal Government AgenciesNational Park Service
United States Coast Guard
U.S. Army Reserve, 77th Regional Command
U.S. Park Police
Participating Bike ShopsToga Bike Shop
NYC Velo
Treads Bike Shop
Tony’s Bicycles
Chelsea Bicycles
Ride Brooklyn
Recycle-A-Bicycle
Spokesman
Danny's Cycles (formerly Metro Cycles)
Talent Cycles
Red Lantern Bicycles
Sid's Bike Shop
N.Y.C. Bicycles
Transportation AgenciesMetropolitan Transportation Authority
MTA New York City Transit
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
Metro-North Railroad
NY State Department of Transportation
Long Island Railroad
PATH
New Jersey Transit
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
TBTA
Design byPentagram
Supporting SponsorsBloomberg
Chipotle
Bike and Roll NYC
Del Monte
Manhattan Portage
Primal Wear
KIND Snacks
Flanzig and Flanzig
conEdison
Spinlister
nuun
Bicycling magazine
The New York Times
NYC & Co.
New York Apple Association
Triple Eight
Crain's 5 Boros
MarathonFoto
rb
16 Handles
Environmental Defense Fund
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Utz
Title Sponsor
Presented by
Benefiting
On behalf of the 16,000 kids and adults we taught last year, thank you. Your support makes it possible for us to provide free bike education classes year-round throughout the five boroughs of New York City. www.bike.nyc
Grab life by the handlebars.