The Cycling Thread

[dill99]

I'm a bit surprised that an in the spotlight celeb like Lance Armstrong hasn't weighed in in support of a rider friendly cause like CRITICAL MASS. If the event were able to draw more endorsements from some big name riders, then this event, whose only real motivation is to promote rider safety and respect, would have the opportunity to get its message out in a bigger way. In the meantime, here's a few more useful links, product and CRITICAL MASS related.

http://critical-mass.info/

http://critical-mass.info/origin.html

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...10052_10551_-1

http://mikesbikes.com/

[qwerty007]

Nice peloton!!!

[Rick Danger]

[dill99]

Too bad this doesn't come in a 29 inch size.

[Rick Danger]

If you are ever along the New Brunswick to Trenton corridor in Central New Jersey, here's a great ride on a MTB or cyclocross bike.



Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail
Location: New Brunswick (near Landing Lane Bridge) to Trenton, NJ with a break at the Route 1 crossing. Mercer and Somerset Counties in New Jersey

Total D&R Canal Trail Length: 65.3 miles
Main D&R Canal: 34 miles
Feeder D&R Canal: 31.4 miles
Trail Surface: Natural surface of crushed stone, gravel
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Trail Use: hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross country ski

Caution: Shared use. No motorized vehicles permitted. Be careful at road crossings. Muddy in sections. Weekend use is very high, arrive early to park.

History
The Delaware & Raritan Canal was built in the early 1830s as a transportation route between Philadelphia and New York. During its peak years in the 1860s and 1870s coal was transported to New York along the canal. By the end of the 19th century canal use declined in favor of the railroad.

Most of the canal remains intact today. In 1973, the D&R Canal and the numerous structures along the canal were put on the National Register of Historic Places. Bridges, bridgetender houses, locks, cobblestone spillways, stone-arched culverts and mills are seen all along the trail. 19th century mill and lock complexes can be visited at Prallsville Mills, Kingston, Griggstown and Blackwell Mills. The historic towns of Frenchtown, Stockton, Lambertville and Princeton are nearby.

Trail Description
The Delaware Raritan Canal Trail, part of the National Recreation Trail System, is one of the most popular long distance multi-use paths in New Jersey. Whether you are fascinated by history, seeking the perfect family excursion, a weekend bike tour with the added attraction of a scenic river environment, then the D&R Canal State Park Trail is a must do bike ride for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

The 70-mile linear Delaware & Raritan Canal Trail is also one of central New Jersey's most valuable recreational and wildlife corridors spanning three New Jersey counties (Hunterdon, Mercer and Somerset). It connects fields, forests and wetlands. The Cook Natural Area, Bull’s Island Natural Area and Six Mile Run Reservoir site highlight the river, freshwater marsh and lowland floodplain habitats.

The Y-shaped D&R Trail System is comprised of basically two distinct sections, the 34 mile long main D&R Canal State Park Trail and the D&R Canal State Park Feeder Trail, which runs for 31.4 miles along the Delaware River on the New Jersey / Pennsylvania border.

The main D&R Canal State Park Trail stretches from Trenton, NJ northeast passing the Port Mercer bridgetenders house, traveling through the charming villages of Kingston and Griggstown to Blackwell Mills and the Raritan River before bending southeast at South Bound Brook Lock finally ending up in New Brunswick, NJ.

Running on the dirt towpath once used by mules to pull the barges along the canal, the natural surface of either crushed stone or gravel accommodates equestrians as well as bicyclists (hybrid or mountain bikes), and hikers. It's a beautiful, ever so scenic, relatively level mountain bike ride with just a few uphill sections approaching the locks. There will be narrow sections that wind along high embankments above the canal and rocky spillways where caution is required. Since this section of the canal, unlike the feeder canal segment, was never converted for rail use, it is a rougher ride than the feeder canal path. There may overgrown sections and rough and muddy stretches with a few roots and rocks.

Because there are two canals covering many miles you can come back again and again to ride different trail sections. There are plenty of places to stop and eat, shop, or sight-see along the way. Bring snacks, lunch and water and take a break in any of the picnic areas or benches along the trail. The stretch from Blackwell Mills to Kingston or Princeton to New Brunswick (shown above) is a good first ride, with much to see and do.

Trail Highlights
Historical wonders such as 19th century mills, hand-chiseled stone-arched culverts, locktender houses and charming Victorian era towns along the main Delaware & Raritan State Park Canal Trail include but are not limited to 5 mile, 10 mile, South Bound Brook and Kingston Locks, Griggstown Mills and Blackwell Mills historic sites, Cook Natural Area and Princeton Battlefield State Park.

We arrived at the D&R Canal Blackwell Mills Trailhead in Franklin Townshp, NJ on a gorgeous, early Spring day in April 2008. Both Griggstown and Blackwells Mills are located between the Millstone River and the D&R Canal and can be reached off Route 533, Millstone River Road in Hillsborough or from Canal Road in Franklin Township. Both historic sites provide access to the Millstone River as well as the canal and towpath.

Late spring makes for a great time to ride, as the wildflowers are beginning to bloom. Bursts of bright yellow forsythia and flowering dogwoods are a treat for sore eyes along the route. Now, because of a little less mowing along certain areas of the route, wildflowers in the fields and along the canal are adding even more of an exclamation point to the ride. Wildlife is plentiful. Over 90 species of birds nest in the park. Look for signs of beaver activity and painted turtles basking on logs along the edge of the canal towpath.

Because we arrived later than we expected, instead of cycling all the way to Princeton, we turned around at Kingston Lock for a 17 mile round-trip bike ride. We took the time to enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch at the Blackwell Mills Trailhead picnic area located just to the right of the parking area, before beginning our ride.

Blackwell Mills
The Bridgetender's Canal House (circa 1830), wooden bridge and mill site are reminders of an era gone by. The Park Office, also located here, is just a short walk south on Canal Road from Blackwells Mills. Near the office you can access the trailhead for Six Mile Run Reservoir. Picnic tables and grills offer idyllic lunch spots with with views of the river. Horse trailer parking is also available.

Annual events including crafts and antique shows, concerts, art exhibits and holiday festivities are held at the Canal House.

Blackwell's Mills Canal House Association Phone: 732.257.4557

Griggstown Mill & Lock
The wooden canal bridge, the Muletender's Barracks building, the Bridgetender's House and Station and the site of the Griggstown Mill are situated here. Canoes rentals are available from a private concession on the canal. The Griggstown Lock is less than a mile south along the towpath. Picnic tables and grills are available.

Kingston Lock
This is one of the most popular areas along the canal trail. Lock #8, the locktender's house and station, and an historic mill site are located along Route 27 in South Brunswick Township. Two miles of the towpath along Carnegie Lake can be accessed from this site.

Cook Natural Area
The Preserve consists of two sections. The 22 acre natural area is comprised of deciduous lowland hardwood forest adjacent to Heathcote and Carter Brook just to the east of Kingston. A picturesque, old stone bridge crosses Heathcote Brook in the middle of the Natural Area and provides access to the D & R Canal Trail. A variety of nature trails (no bikes) leads visitors around fields and ponds. The Agricultural section, about 30 acres is mainly open fields currently being farmed for hay.

Princeton Battlefield State Park
Open year round, the 85 acre park, situated on the Site of the Battle of Princeton that took place in 1777, is a National Historic Landmark. Park features include the Princeton Battlefield, the Clarke House Museum, Offspring, Mercer Oak, the Ionic Colonnade designed by Thomas U. Walter (architect of the US Capitol Building), and a stone patio marking the grave of 21 British and 15 American soldiers killed in the battle.

500 Mercer Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540 Phone: 609.921.0074




Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park
145 Mapleton Road
Princeton, NJ 08540

http://www.dandrcanal.com/
Phone: 609-924-5705

Feel free to post the GREAT RIDES in your neck of the woods !

[dbailey]

[QUOTE=Rick Danger;1372685


IN MY OPINION, if I saw a fellow cyclist smoking ANYTHING while riding, I'd probably knock them to the ground myself ! And what's the point of getting high while riding ? I don't know of any city that allows you to WALK down the street smoking a joint, so why should a cyclist think they are somehow immune ?

I still bear the results of being run down by a cyclist while walking in the park with my Mother as a four year old. CYCLING WHILE IMPARED IS STUPID. PERIOD.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, whoever heard of mixing drugs and cycling

Make mine a shot of clembuterol and stanazolol with a hit of EPO and recombinent growth hormone on the side

Thanks Rick for the D&R canal State park. This is the kinda stuff that I can do these days. I would love to do this ride. On a canal I can just about do 30 miles in a day before my muscles give out.

[Rick Danger]

BikeRadar.com
News

Campaign targets $1 billion boost to US cycling
By Kirsten Frattini
Thu 2 Dec 2010, 2:00 pm UTC

The League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking and Walking are working hard to double federal funding spent on bicycling and walking projects to more than $2 billion in the USA by 2013.

The Advocacy Advance Initiative is a three-year campaign driven by the two cycling advocacy organisations that is designed to target the amount of federal funding that is put toward cycling and walking infrastructure annually.

According to the Federal Highway Administration's Financial Management Information System (FMIS), US states spent more $1 billion in federal funding on bicycling and pedestrian projects in the 2010 fiscal year.

"Our goal to double that amount over the next three years," said Meghan Cahill of the League of American Bicyclists. "This initiative has been in place for more than a year and we do a lot of research on important issues that could help with state and local advocacy groups to apply for funding. The funding we get allows us to give grants to local organisations."

Gaining an additional $1 billion in funding will not be easy especially with the recent loss of Chairman of the House Transportation Infrastructure committee, James Oberstar, who lost his seat in the US Congress after serving 18 terms. He was a big supporter of bicycling and paved the way for an active transportation movement stating, "We're going to convert America from the hydrocarbon economy to the carbohydrate economy."

"It will be difficult, especially because there is a whole new congress going in place next year," Cahill said. "Chairman Oberstar was a leading proponent for bicycling and pedestrian initiatives along with other great transportation projects. He is no longer going to be with the transportation committee."

SRAM will support the campaign with $1.2 million spread over the three-year term. The funds will go toward giving advocacy groups tools and resources to secure increased funding from the existing federal transportation programs for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

"SRAM has been apart of the Advocacy Advance Initiative since the beginning," Cahill said. "Getting more people on bikes is something that a lot of people from the bike industry are passionate about. Not only is it good for business but also for the country as a whole to get people moving. Getting them out of their cars and on bikes is great for the environment, congestion and traffic issues and gets people healthier. There are a copious amount of reasons why a company like SRAM would want to back an initiative like this."

The Alliance of Biking and Walking recently awarded $103,000 in Advocacy Advance Initiative Grants to four local organisations that implemented strategic plans to increase biking and walking in their own region which could also be used in other regions across the nation. The four organisations were the Missouri Foundation for Bicycling and Walking, Livable Memphis Program, Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the California Bicycle Coalition Education Fund.

[Rick Danger]

Unsafe cyclists spark action in London
By BikeRadar UK

Kingston Cycling Campaign members
John Dunn and Derek Underwood
are helping to spread the safe
cycling message

Campaigners in the London borough of Kingston upon Thames got so fed up with seeing cyclists riding at night without lights that they decided to hand some out for free. They hope to inspire other groups around the UK to do the same.

Members of the Kingston Cycling Campaign (KCC) came up with the idea three years ago. So far this year, they've given away free front and rear LEDs following the switch-on of the town centre's Christmas lights last month and will be in Kingston Market Place on Thursday doing the same.

Campaigner Jon Fray told BikeRadar: "Cyclists not having lights can be a safety problem but it also annoys motorists inordinately and a lot of cyclists, too. We read about police starting to fine people for not having lights and thought that, rather than giving out leaflets warning people, we'd give out lights. It's been very well received."

Mr Fray said the Richmond Cycling Campaign had expressed interest in doing the same thing, and the Kingston group hoped to inspire people in other areas of the country to take action.

The lights being given away are kidney-shaped LEDs sold under the name Sprint – although KCC say identical-looking lights are sold under the names Torch, Smart, Wilko and Oxford for as little as £7 – which were chosen after extensive testing of budget bike lights by the group.

In an hour-and-a-half after the lights switch-on last month, they handed out 19 front or rear lights, which were bought at a reduced cost from local bike shop Walden's Cycles using money raised via bike maintenance sessions. Mr Fray said: "We were pleased to find that the majority of cyclists – particularly people commuting by bike – already had lights and didn't need our help."

[Rick Danger]

Cycling News.com

Powers packs the punch in Portland
By: Laura Weislo
December 6, 02:25



Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com)
sweeps the weekend in Portland
and wins the USGP Championship

The showdown between Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld teammates Tim Johnson and Jeremy Powers lived up to every prediction for a knock-down, drag-out battle for the US Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross title in the series finale in Portland.

In a nail-biting performance, the pair threw everything they had at each other before Powers was able to prevail in the two-man sprint.

Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA) locked horns with Specialized's Todd Wells for the final podium spot and narrowly beat Wells for the final podium place.

It was the first USGP overall win for Powers, who has ridden an impressively consistent season, claiming both wins in Portland in addition to one in Madison and a second in Louisville as well as the NACT series title.

"I was really glad it could be an exciting race," said Powers. "We both brought our A-game and people were able to see that. It doesn't happen a lot. Everyone always has something - an illness or mechanical or something that keeps it from being even.

"I've done a couple races like that this year with Ryan, but to do this with Tim here at the final, with both of us tied on points for the jersey, it was really special."

Johnson, the winner of the 2008 USGP, showed excellent sportsmanship and took the loss in his stride, embracing Powers after the line and expressing genuine happiness for his teammate's victory.

"I gave everything I had today," Johnson said. "I just couldn't get faster - every time I caught up to him he had at least the same speed if not even faster, and it kept me in the red the whole time.

"It's a tough thing to deal with, but that's what you ask for. All season long we were just passing the jersey back and forth - it's tough for me because I'm not wearing the jersey, but I can't ask for someone better to be wearing it than Jeremy right now."

The win was by no means an easy one for Powers, who admitted that he struggled during the first few laps with legs that were heavy from the previous day's effort.

"I didn't have great legs. I went really hard yesterday. I used up a lot of matches, and I definitely felt that in my legs last night. I was tired today. That first lap was super hard, and I was trying to stay in my zone and not go above that."

Trebon, clearly out for revenge after the previous day's mechanical, claimed the hole shot and led for the first half lap. However, he lacked the kind of speed necessary to challenge Johnson and Powers on the tight corners which riddled the second half and was passed by Johnson before the end of the opening lap.

Johnson's attack on Trebon came as Powers was back in fourth position, forcing his younger teammate to put in a big effort to chase.

Seeing his USGP title going up the course, Powers quickly edged past first Wells and then slipped around Trebon by the end of lap two before finally reaching the wheel of his teammate at the end of the third lap. "When Tim came to the front, I was impressed," Powers said. "I thought 'Wow, this is going to be a really hard race'.

"I had to close about a four or five second gap on Tim and it took me the whole lap to do it."

From there on out, the race was, as Johnson described it, "full throttle the entire time".

"Today was all about trying to nail the laps as fast and smooth as possible," Johnson said. "It's tough to be smooth when you're going 110% and you have to follow Jeremy through all that stuff. The last 25 minutes were just lightning fast. It was all we could do to get around the course without crashing into trees and stakes."

Powers agreed, saying there was no lull where anyone could relax and regroup. "Tim and I were both sliding out and dabbing on different things because we were going so hard. There was no blood in the arms because we were going absolutely as hard as we could."

The tables were turned on Johnson as Powers rocketed to the lead on lap four, but his advantage never went out more than a few seconds, and Johnson, using his vast experience and never-say-die mentality made his way up to his younger teammate's wheel just before the barriers on the final lap.

Heading into the planks side-by-side, Powers bunny hopped while Johnson flew over on foot but failed to get an advantage heading onto the pavement.

"I was thinking to myself, 'please god, let me get over this clean and get to the pavement first'," Powers said, and he managed to do just that.

Johnson said he had to choose whether to take the inside or the outside line heading over the barriers. "I chose to go on the outside hoping I could get in my pedals quickly and get going, but the course turns right onto the pavement and I didn't have any speed to get around him."

"I definitely had confidence in the sprint," Powers said. "This was definitely a very special win, to have my name on the list of people who have won the USGP is really special and I'm super psyched to bring it back home."

Behind, Trebon and Wells were having an equally thrilling battle for the podium - the lanky Kona man bided his time, using Wells as a shelter from the wind, and as Wells began to fade he managed to get to the front in the final half lap and hold his advantage to the line.

"I knew I had to have a couple bike lengths before the barriers because [Wells] was hopping them," Trebon said.

Wells could be consoled by taking third overall in the series behind Powers and Johnson.

"It's nice, but I didn't get on the podium in one race this year, I'd have rather have got one in an individual race, but I'll take it," Wells said.

The fifth spot was filled out by Fort Collins winner Geoff Kabush, while Saturday's podium finisher Chris Jones (Rapha Focus) took sixth.

The day's under-23 winner was Danny Summerhill (Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin), who got the better of Saturday's winner Zach McDonald (Rapha Focus), while Luke Keough (Champion Systems) claimed the overall series despite having poor finishes in Portland after being sick.

Results
# Rider Name (Country) Team Result
1 Jeremy Powers (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld. 0:57:46
2 Timothy Johnson (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld. 0:00:01
3 Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona 0:00:28
4 Todd Wells (USA) Specialized 0:00:33
5 Geoff Kabush (Can) Team Maxxis / Rocky Mount 0:01:21
6 Christopher Jones (USA) Rapha / Focus 0:01:43
7 James Driscoll (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld. 0:02:03
8 Jesse Anthony (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies Pro Cycling 0:02:14
9 Tristan Schouten (USA) Cyclocrossracing.Com/Blue/Rolf 0:02:16
10 Daniel Summerhill (USA) Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin 0:02:17
11 Zach Mcdonald (USA) Rapha / Focus 0:02:18
12 Alex Candelario (USA) World Bicycle Relief 0:02:58
13 Barry Wicks (USA) Kona 0:03:17
14 Troy Wells (USA) Team Clif Bar 0:03:55
15 Brian Matter (USA) Gear Grinder 0:03:56
16 Adam Mcgrath (USA) Thule/Van Dessel Cyclocross 0:04:12
17 Mitch Hoke (USA) Clif Bar Development Cyclo-Cross
18 Adam Craig (USA) Giant 0:04:20
19 Jeremy Ferguson (USA) California Giant/Specialized 0:04:32
20 Aaron Schooler (Can) Team H&R Block 0:04:35
21 Matt Pacocha (USA) Hudz-Subaru 0:04:55
22 Allen Krughoff (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport 0:05:04
23 Erik Tonkin (USA) Kona 0:05:06
24 Justin Robinson (USA) California Giant/Specialized 0:05:08
25 Ryan Knapp (USA) Bikereg.Com 0:05:31
26 Scott Chapin (USA) Bay101/Hrs/Rocklobster 0:05:37
27 Spencer Paxson (USA) Team S&M 0:05:42
28 Ryan Iddings (USA) Team Redline 0:05:51
29 Sean Babcock (USA) Kona Fsa 0:05:54
30 Cody Kaiser (USA) California Giant/Specialized 0:06:01
31 Kevin Noiles (Can) La Bicicletta Pro Shop 0:06:03
32 Eric Emsky (USA) Cyclocrossracing.Com Pb Blue
33 Joshua Snead (USA) Bay 101/Rhs/Rock Lobster 0:06:42
34 Molly Cameron (USA) 0:07:37
35 -1 lap Brady Kappius (USA) Team Clif Bar
36 -1 lap Luke Keough (USA) Champion System Pb Keough
37 -1 lap Brett Nichols (USA) Scott Usa
38 -1 lap Frank Spiteri (USA) Peninsula Velo/Pomodoro
39 -1 lap Tim Allen (USA) Feedback Sports
40 -1 lap Andre Sutton (Can) Hardcore Cycling Club
41 -1 lap Brad Cole (USA) Kccx/Verge P/B Challenge Tires
42 -2 laps Damian Schmitt (USA) Sunnyside Sports
43 -2 laps Dylan Tremblay (Can) Oak Bay Bicycles/Nanaimo
44 -2 laps Brennan Wodtli (USA)
45 -2 laps Clayton Omer (USA) Papa Johns' Racing Team
46 -3 laps Patrick Jackson (USA) Buy Local
47 -3 laps Will Ross (USA) Kaladi Bro'S/Subway
48 -3 laps Derek Yarra (USA) Box Dog Bikes
49 -3 laps Matthew Fox (USA) Sunnyside Sports
50 -3 laps Matt Russell (USA) Evanplews.Com/Kenda
51 -3 laps John Frey (USA) All Access Productions / Hutch'sS
52 -3 laps Eric Colton (USA) The Team
53 -3 laps Kyle Mcgilvray (USA) Old Town Bicycle
54 -3 laps Chris Fisher (USA) Velorochester
55 -3 laps Aaron Mickels (USA) Stanwood Velo Sport
56 -3 laps Andrew Bennett (USA) Team Redline
57 -3 laps Connor Mccutcheon (USA) Rebound Spl / Bear Valley Bikes
58 -4 laps Eric Sheagley (USA) Rocky Mountain Bicycles
59 -4 laps Alan Adams (USA) Hagens Berman Llp
60 -4 laps John-Christian Flack (USA) Olympia Orthopaedic Associates
DNF Joseph Schmalz (USA) Kccx/Verge Presented By Challenge
DNF Ryan Weaver (USA) River City Bicycles/ Backdoor Banditos
DNF Davy Yeater (USA) River City Bicycles/Cannondale
DNF Brue Syvertsen (USA) De La Paz Coffee
DNF Benjamin Kubas (USA) Tai Cycling Team/Genr8/Smith
DNF Travis Livermon (USA) Mock Orange Racing
DNF Mike Sherer (USA) The Pony Shop
DNF Chris Sheppard (Can) Rocky Mountain/Shimano/Giro

[Rick Danger]

[Post #100.... thank you one and all !]



The next TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2011. Mark your calendars for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, to sign up, as we expect the event to fill up quickly. Registration will be available online only.

Some 32,000 cyclists saw for themselves on May 2, 2010 that bicycling car-free through the Big Apple is the best way to see the town. Summer-like weather and entertainment all along the route made the 2010 TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour even better.

The Tour
Taking place the first Sunday in May each year, the adventure starts in Lower Manhattan. The ride heads north through the heart of Manhattan to Central Park and continues on to historic Harlem and the Bronx, returning south along the East River on the FDR Drive.

From there it crosses into Queens and then Brooklyn, where cyclists take over the highway before making the thrilling climb up--and down--the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Staten Island. The route is 42 miles, mostly flat except for the bridges.

The ride lands on Staten Island at a fun outdoor Festival, including bike demos, giveaways, games, a wonderful food concession, product samples, stretching, massage, a photo booth, and official merchandise on sale. Leave plenty of time to check out the exhibitors and activities and then visit the Fort Wadsworth Overlook for a scenic photo before continuing the final three miles to the ferry.

2011 Pricing
Adults $75
Youth (14 and under) $40
VIP $300 ($125 is tax deductible)
All entries are non-refundable. The Tour takes place rain or shine.

VIP Package
Treat yourself to great perks as a VIP! You'll get:
A spot at the front of the Tour start
Light breakfast before the start
Lunch in a special hospitality area at the Festival
Souvenir apparel
The satisfaction of (and $125 tax deduction for) supporting Bike New York's educational programs.

Charity Entries
Special entries for fund-raisers will be available through approximate 30 Charity Partners. Please consider riding and fund-raising with them for an even more meaningful Tour experience. The list of participating charities will be posted by January 2011.

What's included in the ride entry fee?
The ride entry fee includes a fun day of riding! We provided breakfast, rest areas, on-call "SAG" (support and gear) pick-up, route markings and cue sheets, ride marshals, the option to ride with a group, a finish festival, and a souvenir T-shirt. We also make arrangements for food vendors to be at the finish, although lunch is not included in the price of the ride. Bike New York is a non-profit, and any surplus funds support our mission of promoting cycling and bicycle safety.

Where does the money from the ride go?
Bike New York is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote and encourage bicycling and bicycle safety through education, public events, and collaboration with community and government organizations. Proceeds from Bike New York events support its educational work, primarily its in-house Bicycle Education Program, which offers free classes and bike safety trainings for schools, companies, educators, and the public. Bike New York also supports organizations working toward similar goals.

I can't make it to the ride. Can I give or sell my registration to someone else?
Sorry but we do not allow entries to be transferred. This is partly due to insurance/liability reasons. Please know that any surplus funds support our Bicycle Education Program.

I am sick/injured/busy and can't make it to a ride I signed up for. Can I get a refund for my ride entry?
Bike New York does not offer refunds. Any surplus funds support our Bicycle Education Program. However, under some circumstances and with advance notice, we may be able to transfer your entry to a different event the same season for no additional charge. Please e-mail us at least two weeks in advance of the ride you are entered to ask about this.

(We can't offer free transfers any closer to the ride dates because by then we have already finalized orders for supplies, food, giveaways, etc.) If we can't offer you a transfer and you can't make it to the ride, we will send you your T-shirt if requested in advance of ride day.

When will I receive materials for my ride?
Look for an e-mail with full details at the end of the week before ride weekend. If you signed up for bus or ferry transportation, we will send your ticket in the mail approximately 1-2 weeks in advance.

My child will be with me in a trailer or child seat. Does she have to be registered?
Yes, each person participating in the event has to be registered. Youth entries are available at a lower price.

What time is the ride? What is the earliest/latest I can get there?
These rides do not have a single, mass start. Rather, start times depend on your ride distance--the longer the ride, the earlier the start, with cue sheets distributed starting 10 minutes beforehand for each respective distance. Check the Event Info page "Schedule" section for full details. While you are welcome to check in and enjoy breakfast any time after 7:00 a.m. on ride day, you will have to begin your ride during the designated time period. (Why do we do this? To keep the ride flowing smoothly, spread out the riders, and minimize our impact on the roads and local communities.)

Is the route closed to cars?
The only mostly car-free option among our regional rides is the shortest route of the Harlem Valley Rail Ride, which takes place largely on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Otherwise, Bike New York's regional rides use open roads, unlike the TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour. In fact, they offer a vastly different experience than the Five Boro, with varied routes for cyclists of all levels of experience and even the chance at some solitude. We provide cue sheets and maps and mark all turns with pink arrows, so you know where to go.

How long does the ride take?
That's up to you! You can ride at your own pace, stopping at rest areas for however long you prefer, as long as you stay ahead of the SAG vehicles. Check the minimum average speed recommendation for the pace you'll have to maintain in order to complete the ride; it includes 15-minute stops at rest areas. This information can be found on the "Event Info" page for each ride.

Can I get the route cue sheet ahead of time?
We give out cue sheets on ride day only. This allows us to make any necessary last-minute adjustments to the route, and it also helps to ensure that people start the ride at the right time, when we will have full support available.

Is there a place to drop off my bag?
At the rides where we provide bus or ferry transportation, there is an area where you can drop off a bag for safekeeping during the ride. We recommend that you bring an inexpensive bag and leave your valuables at home or keep them with you. Bike New York is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Is lunch included at the end?
Our regional rides offer breakfast and a multitude of rest areas, as well as fluids and light snacks at the finish. We do not provide a free lunch. We do arrange for vendors or nearby restaurants to have food available for purchase, so you'll be able to fuel up after the ride. Not serving lunch helps us keep the price down and allows us to devote resources to food early in the day and on the course of the ride, when it's most important. Engaging a variety of local businesses also helps maintain good relations with the host communities.


http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/fbbt/index.html