We got a taste for gigantic group bike rides back in 2022 at Go Bike Montreal where we rode in Tour La Nuit and Tour de l’Île. So when a friend suggested we come to New York to ride the Five Boro Bike Tour, we did!
NOTE: This was last year, May 2024. Currently, we’re not traveling to the U.S.
In this post…
FAQs – Everything you need to know about the Five Boro Bike Tour!
Maps & Videos
Cycling from LaGuardia Airport to DUMBO
Biking around Manhattan & picking up our 5 Boro kits
Five Boro Bike Tour!
Wave 3 approaching the start line!
FAQs
How many people participate? — Over 32,000 people biked the Five Boros in 2024!
What does it cost? — $150 (if you register early) to $400 (for a VIP pass).
What’s the route? — We recorded the ride on Komoot; link is at the end of this blog post!
What’s the distance? — 40 miles / 65 kms
How long does it take to cycle? — Our Time in Motion was 3hr 45m to the “Finish” line, though we still had to ride another half hour to get to the ferry. Our Total Time (including 3 breaks at rest stops) was 5 hours to the “Finish”, but add another 1h 30m to get to the ferry, wait in line for the ferry, and ride the ferry back to Manhattan. So it’s a whole day adventure!
What’s in the rider kit? — A helmet cover, a numbered bib, and a bike plate. You must have everything in place to start the ride.
What should I wear? — Depends on the weather, but do plan for anything! We wore layers we could remove as the day warmed up, but also packed sunglasses and rain gear. TIP: wear wool socks so your feet don’t feel cold if they get wet.
What can I bring? — There is a strict bag-size limit of 420 cubic inches (6.9 litres). That is small and an uncommon size. For instance, the Brompton tote bags are 9L, and the next size down (Metro pouch) is just 1L. I actually bought a 4L handlebar bag from Arkel for this trip because I didn’t want to risk getting my 9L tote confiscated. However, Pier brought our old tote bag and when we picked up our ride kits, he asked if he could bring that tote on the ride. Because it’s open (i.e. there’s no zipper to close the bag), this slightly bigger bag was allowed because it could be considered a “basket”. However, you can get a bag size exception if you have food allergies, for example, and need a larger bag to carry your necessities. That’s what our friend did.
Are there rest stops on the route? — Yes! There’s a huge rest stop about halfway at Astoria Park, but there are many smaller stops with snacks and porta-potties. Keep an eye out for the signs. Porta-potties were well-maintained and clean.
What snacks are included? — Bananas, apples, bagels and granola bars, mainly. Oh, and lots of energy drinks (sponsors of the ride).
We’re ready to ride!
Maps & Videos
1. Cycling from LaGuardia Airport to DUMBO
2. Biking around Manhattan & picking up our 5 Boro kits
