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Join 30,000 of your closest friends for a traffic free ride around New York City. The 5 Boro Bike Tour is a 42 mile car-free bicycle ride around NYC. The ride starts in Lower Manhattan and winds through Central Park, Harlem, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn before ending with an outdoor festival on Staten Island.
Our trip will leave from Station Square on Saturday morning to allow for free time that evening, giving you the chance to explore NYC on your own. Check-in at Station Square will be in the East Lot from 7:30am-8:30am.
Sunday we'll join the thousands of other riders for the 5 Boro Bike Tour. On Monday we'll leave NYC at noon and return to Pittsburgh around 7:00 PM.
price
- Registration: (paid to Venture Outdoors)
One person: Sign up early and save!
$385 - Now through March 25th
Group Pricing:
Two people - $580 ($290 each)
Three people - $840 ($280 each)
Four people - $1080 ($270 each)
To sign up a group of people, please contact the ride coordinator, Seth Gernot, at biketour@ventureoutdoors.org or 412.255.0564 ext 235.
- Hotel:
$250 per person for double occupancy room for two nights (1-4 ppl per room)
- Parking:
$15 for parking in Pittsburgh
- Total:
Total trip cost is $600 - $650 plus misc costs (food, libations and souvenirs)
we provide
- Transportation for you and your gear (bike included) to and from NYC.
We'll take care of the traffic, gas and tolls.
- Registration to the event. The ride usually sells out 30-60 days in advance, so sign up early!
- We have reserved a block of rooms in NYC at a discount. Riders must call the hotel to book a room. Breakfast provided early Sunday morning just for us!
- Overnight bike storage (some hotels charge $20 for this).
- Like all our trips, we'll provide the venue for you to meet new friends and see new places. We'll organize a group dinner on Saturday and Sunday nights for those who wish to join, but sorry we aren't footing the bill.
frequently asked questions
Q: How does the ride work?
A: This is directly from the NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour website:
Sunday, May 1, 2010 - Rain or shine
6:30-7:45 am: All cyclists enter the start lineup through Battery Park
7:45 am: Opening ceremonies with city officials and others at the start stage.
8:00-9:00 am: The ride starts! Starts go off in waves. The front of the Tour travels at 15 mph and the tail at 6 mph. Cyclists who fall behind are 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. Upon reaching Astoria Park, Queens, all cyclists near the head of the Tour are held for about 45 minutes while the NYPD closes oncoming roads to traffic. Cyclists arriving later are not affected, and those near the tail of the Tour are directed to a mandatory shortcut that bypasses Astoria Park and leads to the next rest area.
11:00 am-5:00 pm: Festival at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, followed by 3-mile ride to finish at the Staten Island Ferry.
Q: What should I pack for the trip?
A: Check out our suggested packing list.
Q: How many bags may I bring?
A: One bag for gear and a small personal bag.
Q: Where do I put my bike in NYC?
A: You may put your bike in your room.
Q: What type of bike do I need?
A: The riding is all done on NYC roads, so a road, touring, or hybrid bike is recommended. Mountain bikes with knobby tires are not recommended.
Q: What if I need to leave the route?
A: This is directly from the NYC website:
If you need to leave the Tour for any reason, we recommend the following locations. Note that if you leave the Tour, you will be riding in motorized traffic and will have to watch for cars and road hazards.
Mile 14, York Avenue and 63rd Street, Manhattan: This is your last chance to exit the Tour in Manhattan. If you don't want to go to Queens, travel straight on 63rd Street after the Tour exits the FDR Drive. Do not take the left-hand turn onto the ramp of the Queensboro (59th Street) Bridge.
Mile 27, Brooklyn Bridge: Just before the Tour enters the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), you can leave the Tour and take the Brooklyn Bridge bike path into downtown Manhattan. Marshals on the Brooklyn side will direct you to the bridge, and volunteers on the Manhattan side can help you find your way from there.
Subway: The Tour route is near many subway stations; click here for the subway map. Bikes are allowed on the subway, but some unstaffed subway stations have turnstiles that do not accommodate bikes. Ask at any rest area's Information/Reunion Center for details.
Hitching a ride with SAG: If you are running out of steam or fall too far behind the Tour, pull off to the side of the road and wait for the SAG (support and gear) buses and trucks. They will take you and your bike to the Festival.
Medical concerns: If you feel that you need medical attention, speak to a marshal or police officer immediately. Do not wait for SAG.
Q: How long do I have to finish the tour?
A: In 2009 I was in line for the tour at 6:15am. I rode at a moderate pace, approximately 10mph, and stopped for 45 minutes at one rest stop. I did not stop at other rest stops and was done with the ride at 1:30pm.
Another answer from the NYC website: Riders in the rear third of the Tour will be directed to take a route that bypasses the Astoria Park rest area and leads directly to the Con Ed Learning Center rest area, shortening the Tour by 4 miles.
Q: How hilly is the route?
A: The route is relatively flat with the bridges acting as the hills. Check out the elevation profile at: http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/fbbt/images/route_profile_large.jpg.
Q: Are there any groups that I can ride with to get in shape?
A: Yes, you can ride with Venture Outdoors, the Western Pa Wheelmen, or the Major Taylor Cycling Club.
Q: I’d like to ride, but don’t have the money now. Can I put a deposit down and pay the rest later?
A: Yes, send a check for $100 to Venture Outdoors, Attn: NYC Tour, 33 Terminal Way, Suite 537 East, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Then send in the balance of your payment by March 25, 2011. With your deposit send all of your contact information.
Q: Do you offer group discounts?
A: Yes. Contact me, Seth Gernot, at biketour@ventureoutdoors.org or 412.255.0564 ext 235.
Q: What if I’m late to Station Square?
A: As we cannot have the entire group people wait on one person, if you miss the vehicle departure at 9am, you will need to find your own transportation to NYC.
Q: Do we ride as a big group?
A: No. Everyone rides at their own pace. Some people will be early birds, while others leave later in the morning. We suggest you leave early as it takes a long time for 30,000 to mount their bikes. Last year I was in line at 6:15 AM and I was still behind 700 people. Anyone who wants to follow a VO guide from the hotel to the start of the ride must be in front of the hotel, ready to ride at 6:15 AM on Sunday.
Q: Do I need to carry water with me?
A. YES! Make sure you have at least two water bottles with you and fill up whenever you have the chance.
Q: Should I carry snacks with me?
A: Yes, make sure to have something with you.
Q: Is there a refund policy?
A: Yes. If you cancel prior to one month before the event you’ll receive a full refund minus $100. If you cancel between a month and two weeks before the event you’ll receive a 50% refund. If you cancel within two weeks of the event you will receive no refund. But, you can have another person take your spot. If this happens, contact biketour@ventureoutdoors.org or 412.255.0564 ext 35 asap to alert the staff.
Q: How do I register for the ride?
A: Just click on this link and fill in the needed information.
Q: I’d like to join the ride but I don’t have anyone to go with, are other people social on the ride?
A: Touring cyclists are often social creatures and are usually having a great time when on their bikes. Feel free to chat with other riders along the way.
Q: Has Venture Outdoors ever organized a group ride?
A: Yes, VO offers organized public and private tours along the Great Allegheny Passage and C & O Canal Towpath between Pittsburgh and Washington DC. We also offer rides on the Pine Creek Trail and Greenbrier River Trail in West Virginia. Additionally, each year we take a group of cyclists to New York City for the 5 Boro Bike Tour. In 2008 we led a group of 90 cyclists from DC to Pittsburgh while organizing 150 cyclists to relay ride the same trail in less than 24 hours. To make it a real challenge, we held both events simultaneously.
Q: Why does Venture Outdoors offer this tour?
A: Our mission is to encourage everyone to participate in outdoor recreational activities. We promote Pittsburgh’s unique natural amenities, highlight the region’s excellent quality of life, foster a greater appreciation for the environment, inspire an active lifestyle and create a shared sense of community.
Q: Why should I join this tour?
A: Because it’s a great time and a great way to see New York City.
Q: Can you tell me more about the tour?
A: Sure, NYC has a great website with tons of info about the tour, the history, and what to expect. Plus there are great pictures from past tours. Just go to www.bikenewyork.org/rides/fbbt/index.html
Q: I have more questions. Who should I ask?
A: Ask our Bike Tour Coordinator, Seth Gernot, at biketour@ventureoutdoors.org or 412.255.0564 ext 235.