Century Bike Tour in Astoria Park
cycling through the park
This Sunday September 13th marks the annual NYC Century Bike Tour- that’s 100 miles of cycling through the five boroughs. Can’t push the pedal quite that far? Don’t worry you can still participate, there are truncated versions of the tour with earlier finish points of 15, 35, 55, & 75 miles. Register September 11th or the day of the race for an extra $5.
Cyclists will be riding through our very own Astoria Park. Here is an excerpt of the rundown with the bike schedule, distance and location (for map click here) (and to watch my personal bike tour of Flushing Meadows Park on vimeo- click here )
“15 mile: Park to Park Escorted by T.A. Marshal, this ride is meant for first-time riders and families. Riders travel down NYC’s first ever protected bike lane on 9th Avenue in Chelsea and then proceed over to the East River. The tour rolls onto Manhattan’s east side greenway and towards Chinatown. Riders have the option of staying in Manhattan or continuing along onto the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Leave 8 am. Finish 10 am-2 pm. 35 mile: East River Loop This ride is for those looking for more than a Sunday stroll. Riders are taken through downtown Brooklyn, around Prospect Park and continue through hip and trendy Williamsburg and up to Astoria Park, Queens, finishing in Central Park. Leave 7:30 am. Finish 11 am-3 pm. 55 mile: The Waterfront This route is more miles but since NYC is relatively flat terrain it makes for a manageable ride for someone who is looking to challenge him or herself. This route takes riders along the Brooklyn greenway with views of the Verrazano Bridge and Coney Island and connecting to with 35-mile finish. Leave 7 am. Finish 11 am-4pm. 75 mile: The Velodrome This is not for amateurs. From Canarsie Pier, riders split and continue on the greenway and head north to Queens. The journey takes riders to Kissena Park where riders can take a loop around the Velodrome. Leave 6:30 am. Finish 12-4 pm. 100 mile: Experienced Riders Only. Riders travel out to Far Rockaway and beautiful Fort Tilden after Marine Park. Cyclists head north to Astoria Park and then progress into the Bronx. This part of the ride is the most challenging because we saved the hills for the end. Riders enter northern Manhattan and take to the east side to get a view of Yankee Stadium and travel through historic Harlem. Leave 6 am. Finish 12-6 pm.”
