The 5-Boro Bike Tour

Today goes down in history as my first lengthy pedaling endeavor via pavement. A few months ago when I saw a subway ad for the Five Boro Bike Tour, I thought to myself: self, this might indeed be an interesting way to get to know your neighbors. All 8 million of them. So, The Little Mule(that's what I call my two wheeled commuting compadre) & I signed up.
This morning at 8 am, 31,000 of my closest friends and I were cut loose on the streets, highways and byways of NYC to complete a 42 mile bike tour of Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Staten Island. See map & Info Link below.
http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/fbbt/

As riders rode past the starting gate, they were asked to shout where they were from, while the event chair announced them over the loudspeaker: "India, Greece, Australia, Italy, China, and Reno," to name but a few worldly locales...Now the event participants ranged from groups of friends employing silly themes (the sombrero wearers were my favorite, although the group dressed as flamingos was a close second), families with kids, team riders/racers, and of course, the rest of us who fall somewhere in between.

Anyway, the tour was great and I had a blast. It was fun to roll The Little Mule for such a long journey, and she did not disappoint (though my leg power did about mile 35). I had fun, avoided being in the midst of the many frightening collisions I was unfortunately privy to witness, and even kept up nicely with Team Saucy-Neon-Pink-N-Green-Spandex on my single speed. All kinds of people lined the streets and front yards encouraging us on, kids handed out candy and water, cheerleaders were, well, cheering, as well as the occasional street corner music group doing their thing.

Also, I have to commend The City for putting on a well organized and safe event. They had all the roads blocked off and NYPD on every corner. There were ample rest stops with free food and water, live music & a festival at the end. Not too shabby! I will do it again next year, though I have decided to recruit some willing friends to come with. Pony up folks. I have also decided to acquire a real road bike (since there seems to be a striking absence of mountains out here) and shoot for a century race this fall.

I have some great race shots on my camera phone, but haven't worked out how to download them as of yet. I will post an addendum once I figure it out. But now, as my weary bones are ready to drift off to sleep, I will leave you with some highlights from my own personal winner's podium:

Little g's congratulating Big G


Ready for a slice & a Pabst


Eye of the Tiger (like the Survivor song, you know?)