BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I want to, but I'd rather not pay the premium VO price for a ride out to NY. If anyone wants to carpool that would be great.

that is another option. i can MAYBE get two bikes in my car, possibly more if the wheels have a quick release and bikes can be broken down. at any rate, i want to go, and i think that now is the time to book a hotel room somewhere, since they expect about 32,000 people to participate. I am open to anything. I just want to come up with a plan and find people who will go with me.

I'm seriously considering this. I'll probably compare the VO price with the cost of driving + hotel + parking. Might come out the same...I wonder if they've lined up a hotel that accommodates bike parking/storage?

VO usually stays in Jersey - Newark or Hoboken. And I think the bikes stay with the van.

OK, I figured out how to get it down to ~$410/ea including everything ( 2 nights hotel, parking, tolls, gas, ride registration, food) for a carpool of 2.

Pseudacris, I am willing to participate in a carpool with however many people want to go for sure. I am looking into hotels as well and found a few that would be about $62/night/person for 4 people, but not transportation and all of that other stuff.

Hi Stefb, I'll PM you.

Hey I'd be in for this too...was planning to plan, but this month is a little nuts for me... and I will be away when registration opens on Feb. 1st!

I am going but my girlfriend and I are going to stay the rest of the week after the ride.

When it gets closer and we know who all is going we will have to pick a spot to meet.

I'm thinking of going. I had some advice from a regular participant, he suggested I stay on Staten Island, ride (via the Ferry) the route of the last 2 miles and get to the start in Manhattan, and then when the ride returns to SI consider yourself finished. Cheaper lodging and you avoid the insanity of a 32K crowded finish in lower Manhattan.

we stayed in Chinatown last year and had no problems getting on the ferry (no wait) and there was no mayhem at the end....got off, road back to the hotel. I found it beneficial to be in Manhattan so I could enjoy being a tourist Saturday and explore by bike, and have my hotel within a short jaunt by bike when I needed to change, eat, whatever. Just my opinion. We are planning on trying out a place in Chelsea / WEst Village area this year. There are some great deals available for hotels in all areas of Manhattan. Staying on the west side gives you quick access to the greenway along the hudson.

Amtrack'd be another way to do this.

Amtrak would be OK, I guess, if you don't mind boxing your bike. Just recall what I said in this post:

...every time you even think about taking a train ride with your bike, drop 'em a line and let them know they're not going to get your business until and unless they allow [roll-on] bikes on the train.

This ride looks like it would be a really cool experience. Has anyone here done it - can anyone offer a perspective? Is it cool, or a cluster-f*%k in disguise?

I did the 5 Boro tour last year, and quite frankly, I was very disappointed in it. Don't get me wrong, there were some really high points such as the bridges and riding down the middle of some car-only freeways, but I thought it was a giant cluster F. My biggest problem was bicycle traffic flow. Getting started was a cluster.... and WALKING MY BIKE through central park was even worse - it took over 40 min to get through a 1/4 mile section because it was so crowded.

I don't want to be a downer here, but I think I'd just go up there for a long weekend and ride on the bike lanes. The bike system is truly amazing.

Let me know if any of you have specific questions.

I organize the ride for VO. We stay at the Best Western Seaport Inn. They allow bikes in the room and their rates are pretty good considering we're just six blocks from the start of the ride. We take a charter bus to and from NYC and load the bikes into a truck. Since you can keep them in your room, you have access to your bike all weekend long.

As there are some starts/stops along the way, the ride is definitely not for everyone, but I love it. Just seeing 30,000 people transformed into little kids on the streets of NYC is enough to keep me coming back. If you'd like to know more about the ride or the VO trip - just email me seth@ventureoutdoors.org

The bike ride was great.

Some suggestions:

Don't start at Battery Park with the masses...go up the street a couple blocks and join there.

Central Park issues? There were a lot of bikes, but I didn't see the need to walk, just pedal slowly and track stand once or twice.

Given all the planning involved, I think VO's price for the trip is pretty reasonable for those who can afford it.

If we(my girlfriend & I) had not already planned on staying the rest of the week etc.. I would have gone the VO route.

I would agree with Pratt on skipping the formal battery park line up.

I was probably in the first half of the crowd, and I'm not exaggerating at all about central park. Before entering into the park, the group splits in two and meets back up.... I went to the right, and when we tried to merge again, everyone got off of their bikes and either stood still or walked slowly. This lasted a solid 30 min.

So, I guess based on the timing, your experience may vary.

Pratt is right about not starting at Battery Park. The front of the line is about a mile away up Church St. If you head for the intersection of Church and Thomas you'll be in the right place.

Also, people start lining up at 6am for the 8am start. If you show up at 7am you'll be behind thousands of people and it takes a long time for people to get on their bikes and start rolling.

Shawn - last year Central Park was a mess and I understand that there was an accident and someone was taken away in an ambulance. There usually is a slowdown in Central Park, but nothing like the long one last year.

I'm more into doing the new york century in fall. Any plans for going to that?

Oh i had no idea there was one. May be interested depending upon how things are going this fall.

the new york century and the shorter rides related to it are in traffic though--it isnt supported and blocked off like this one, from what i understand.

http://www.nyccentury.org/

Onsite Chris, Tricia, and I are going to sign up this afternoon. Anyone wanna be a 4th?

@StefB..... it sounds like fun, but perhaps next year

@Caitlin.... That NYC century sounds tempting... plus is on my birthday=could be a lot of fun! Keep me posted on it

I can't leave til Friday. Currently, I'm thinking of signing up w/ Venture Outdoors so I can get me & my bike there & back & finding some NYC friends to crash with for a few nights.

Hyla, VO leaves saturday and returns Monday evening. If you want to be our 4th it would be cool. It will make the group rate a little cheaper and the hotel cheaper. I called today and they are going to get back to me about letting us do a $100 deposit now and a then the rest by he end of march.

@stefb: I just sent you a PM.

Just signed up, not through VO. I am soooooooo EXCITED!!!

i just signed up on a whim. i have a friend in nyc that i've never visited, and another friend just signed up, and it looks too exciting to miss.