NYC Life: Five Boros Ride
I’d heard about the “Five Boros Ride”, and then I saw it advertised on the subway this year. So I signed up.
Every year, Bike New York hosts an organized ride through all five boroughs of the city, closing the streets so that 10s of thousands of cyclists of all types can ride roughly 40 miles without car traffic.
What better way to explore my new home? So I signed up.
The ride was fantastic. I visited Brooklyn and Staten Island for the first time ever. I learned new ways through Queens. I saw the city by bike in ways I never could have otherwise. I had a total blast flying through the crowds in the slipstream of a dreadlocked cyclist playing loud rap to clear the way through Brooklyn. I met a 70+ year-old veteran riding the Five Boros for his 30th time - this time on a flat pedal beach-style bike. I aspire to be like him at that age.
On the other hand, it was also somewhat insane. Probably the most dangerous ride I’ll have all year, because it was so crowded. We actually had to walk our bikes up the Ed Koch bridge due to the crowds. You had to be constantly vigilant for people who might veer into you.
Not sure I’ll do it again, but it was a great one-time experience.