2015-10-25 - 2015 Tour de Bronx
The Tour de Bronx is possibly the largest cycling event in New York State, and certainly the largest free one. In recent years, around 6000 cyclists sign up for the 25 and 40 mile versions that showcase some of the best of what Bronx has to offer. Having immensely enjoyed partaking in the previous two years, I was excited to do so again, especially after not cycling much at all since the end of my cross-country bike ride. I didn't fully read the ride description and thought it started earlier so I ended up standing in the rain waiting among thousands of others. I was glad to see Tim again, who wonderfully led the excellent NYCC B-SIG 17 cycling program I joined earlier in the year. The rain stopped, the road markers were set up, the road marshals got ready and we took off!
As is typical, the start of the ride is extremely congested and I usually ride carefully until the people thin out a bit. The good thing is the first part is usually totally escorted by the police and closed off to drivers and hence, you encounter little traffic. Tiny hills woke my legs up and the portion of greenery along a trail was pleasing. However, I was just behind the second group of bike marshals and they wanted us to wait for police escort before continuing. This is done to let some traffic through between the large bicycling waves but made many cyclists extremely angry. So many bikers rode off on their own, some badmouthing while doing so, that the marshals eventually had no choice but to continue. Ah, the typical spoiled New York anger and impatience, we had met again.
As is typical, the start of the ride is extremely congested and I usually ride carefully until the people thin out a bit. The good thing is the first part is usually totally escorted by the police and closed off to drivers and hence, you encounter little traffic. Tiny hills woke my legs up and the portion of greenery along a trail was pleasing. However, I was just behind the second group of bike marshals and they wanted us to wait for police escort before continuing. This is done to let some traffic through between the large bicycling waves but made many cyclists extremely angry. So many bikers rode off on their own, some badmouthing while doing so, that the marshals eventually had no choice but to continue. Ah, the typical spoiled New York anger and impatience, we had met again.
More riding in the borough led us to our first rest stop at around mile 15. I was not tired yet but hungry, so the bagels with cream cheese were much welcomed. This time, like most of the other riders, I chose not to wait for the bike marshals and took off on my own. You just have to watch out for traffic yourself which clearly some other riders did not do. I saw way too much riding on the wrong side of the street. Eventually, we reached some of my favorite portions of the ride including City Island and Pelham Bay Park, the largest park in New York. Our second rest stop was at the beach. Were they building up trenches as possible defense against flooding? Honestly, it's so strange to travel from drought warnings in the west to flood warnings in the east.
The ride continued back from the coastal regions and one memorable portion each year is the climb through the Woodlawn Cemetery. As is my luck, I always get stuck behind the red light right before this climb but made it up without much issue, nice and steady. The color of the leaves here were particularly special. Tim rode quickly to the top and then waited for another cyclist. We wished each other well before I continued to the next rest stop.
After a break to eat a granola bar, use the facilities, and stretch, I decided to stop waiting for Tim (who to be clear was being friendly by waiting on a cyclist he started the ride with) and continued on. It was a short but hilly last portion that did not have much excitement beside a dimly marked turn that many cyclists missed. The ride ended at the Bronx Botanic Garden, which I had never went inside but will be sure to do so someday. We were rewarded with a free T-shirt and a small slice of Domino's Pizza. It's really more than you could ask for from a free ride. Thanks sponsors! I left and found a sandwich to eat while contemplating how to get back home.
I decided to bike back to WTC to take the PATH train there. It would add almost 20 miles, which is good as the 40-mile ride felt really short. I guess most rides will feel short after cycling 4300 miles. I rode a few extra miles to take the newly-opened High Bridge to Manhattan. Sadly, this bridge was not yet open when I led my Old Croton Aqueduct Walks but I really enjoyed seeing it finished for my first time. They did a really good job. I also passed by the house that Alexander Hamilton built and the new Guggenheim Building on my way. I'm really glad I rode back the whole way. The small but significant ways the physical form of New York had changed reminded me that there was and will always be new things to discover in this great city (which thankfully you don't need a car to get around).
I decided to bike back to WTC to take the PATH train there. It would add almost 20 miles, which is good as the 40-mile ride felt really short. I guess most rides will feel short after cycling 4300 miles. I rode a few extra miles to take the newly-opened High Bridge to Manhattan. Sadly, this bridge was not yet open when I led my Old Croton Aqueduct Walks but I really enjoyed seeing it finished for my first time. They did a really good job. I also passed by the house that Alexander Hamilton built and the new Guggenheim Building on my way. I'm really glad I rode back the whole way. The small but significant ways the physical form of New York had changed reminded me that there was and will always be new things to discover in this great city (which thankfully you don't need a car to get around).