TD Five Boro Bike Tour
May 19, 2015
There is nothing quite like mashing down a traffic free highway in a hoard of twenty-three thousand cyclists. The TD Five Boro Bike Tour began in 1977, as the Five Boro Challenge, with about 250 participants and has grown to be the largest charity ride in the world. Produced by Bike New York this annual event brings cyclists of all skill levels from all over the world together in an effort to raise money in support bicycle education programs. The 40-mile traffic free route takes riders though the five boroughs of New York and is the most epic and intimate way to experience this massive city.
As a former resident turned tourist I had the pleasure of rediscovering New York alongside thousands of cyclists like Genvieve, a Brooklyn resident and creative, who had this to say of her experience...
"As a cycling commuter, stress and hyper-vigilance are how I would describe my daily rides from BK-Manhattan. Embarking on this 40-mile journey through our 5 boroughs proved to be one of the most exhilarating experiences my Peugeot and I have had in years! The mass gathering was vibrant and heartwarming. Also - we got to take over the BQE!"
I'm still not sure which part I enjoyed most. Perhaps it was the palpable freedom I experienced glancing over the median at a sea of drivers stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Or maybe it was the cathartic ferry crossing back to Manhattan packed with blissed-out cyclists. Either way the whole experience was bananas.
Post and Photos by guest blogger Whitney Ford-Terry|
ON THE ROAD is written by the tours team — Lydia, Mandy, and Arlen — tours specialists and intrepid bicyclists, covering all things related to the Adventure Cycling tours department. Check out our 2015 Guided Tours today!
Comments
i remember when I was a kid that I use to do the Five Boro bike tour and it was one of the most memorable times of my childhood. What better way to make friends with people who share the same passion as you. I loved it. NYC is a fantastic city and what better way to see it then by bike. I also got to meet a lot of people on the route who kept their shops open. Very cool!!!!
Forgot Password?
Enter your email address and we'll send you an email that will allow you to reset it. If you no longer have access to the email address call our memberships department at (800) 755-2453 or email us at memberships@adventurecycling.org.
Not Registered? Create Account Now.