The 5 Boro Bike Tour is coming up!! Sunday 4 May 2008!!

Seems like yesterday I just did it. That was last year, also in May, and that was the second one I did. That last time around I did it with a group of people and had a great time. I was part of a group of about five (me included) and my ex and I broke away from the other three and tore it up. I was on Jake (my cyclocross), and he served me very well. I was able to handle all the hills, dips and potholes much better than on my old road racer (which I rode the first time a few years before that). I felt like Superwoman. My ex, who rides not anywhere nearly as much as I do, had his new Bianchi cyclocross and he actually did very well too. Besides, he’s a man and just a tad stronger than me, so we stayed with each other during the ride. And our paces were kind of in line with each other, which worked out perfectly for the both of us.

I strongly suggest riding any tour with as many friends that you can wrangle up, but make sure at least one other person is at your same pace, just to keep away the boredom and keep you jazzed about the ride.

Oh, and just to throw this in (just to show you HOW hardcore I really am), the first time I rode, I was with a then boyfriend. I rode the entire course having an asthma attack!! One of the reasons why I broke up with that guy was the fact that he didn’t seem to care that I was having an asthma attack and he kept leaving me alone to ride on long stretches of the course. But I digress. I just wanted to let the world know that I finished a 40 mile bike ride unable to properly breathe the entire time!! Oh yes, I AM a bicyclist!!!!!!! I cannot be stopped….

I have to say the course they have for the ride is pretty challenging for anyone at any level. It is also very interesting how they cordon off sections of the BQE and FDR for us to ride. Albeit awesome to ride on a road that only cars have the priveledge to roll over, it is also insane in that you don’t realise until you are on a bike on these two roads just how messed up they are with the potholes. Unbelieveable. I’d like to have Bloomberg ride on a tandem attached to Jake and me, ride over the BQE and FDR and THEN have him tell me how effective 311 is at fixing reported potholes…

Also, the tour is just that: a tour. If you want it to be. There are always the Supermen and Superwomen who blow through it in like 20 minutes just for practice. OK, you know I jest about the 20 minutes, but I am always impressed to see the racers sharpen their teeth on this course. I am a fan of the gear they wear–you know, the jerseys with all the logos of their sponsors (some are jerseys you can buy in a bike shop with logos on them), the crazy shorts and toe clips, the odometers, the space-alien helmets and sunglasses…. truly a spectacle, even for a seasoned rider like me. I used to race (road) years ago, and wore all the gear, but decided it wasn’t for me. It took a few years to find my niche, but found that I liked city riding more than road racing. And tours such as the 5 Boro offer not only a cross between the racers and the casual tour-monsters, but for me, riding in my own city at my own pace….it brings a tear to my eye just writing about it!!

I haven’t decided yet if I will ride this year. I need to make a few calls–and soon–to see if anyone I know is game. As cool as I am with getting around the city by myself, I don’t really want to do the 5 Boro by myself. It really is better shared with friends. Although, don’t get me wrong, you can MAKE new friends there too!! Everyone is an enthusiast and it’s very comforting to be around your own bretheren. But I guess this year being that I am still single (BOO!!) and kind of not wanting to make an appearance out by myself like that (yes I know, stupid, STUPID), I may just let this one go by.

But it’s OK though. Spring, then Summer are on the horizon. There is plenty more to get involved with….

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