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These were rides in November-December 2007. Click here for upcoming rides.
These are upcoming rides. Click here for rides archive.
October 8, 2007: Terry at the Pulaski Bridge. Queens Brooklyn Mosaic. Photo by Arabelle Taggart. Please note that helmets are required on all 5BBC rides.
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Indicates relaxed pace, easy ride
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Saturday, November 3rd
Greenbrook Sanctuary PALISADES BIKE HIKE: GREENBROOK SANCTUARY
8:30AM, GWB Bus Terminal (178th St. & Ft. Washington Ave.), 15 mile ride, 3 mile hike
From their website: “Greenbrook Sanctuary is 165 acres of woodland on top of New Jersey’s magnificent Palisades. 4.7 miles north of the GW Bridge, off of US Route 9W, the sanctuary is an oasis of solitude and natural beauty, minutes away from one of the noisiest, most densely populated areas in the world.” Escape from the city to this nearby and truly natural wonder and learn about its history on a professionally-guided hike with a park historian. Bring a bike lock, comfortable walking shoes, and $ for lunch at the nearby Royal Cliffs Diner. Leaders Jim Zisfein and Rhonda Wittorf.
Sunday, November 4th (Standard Time Begins)
UTOPIA PARKWAY
10AM, Kew Gardens, 45 miles
We’ll sing along with our favorite songs by Fountains of Wayne (who brought us such suburban classics as “Utopia Parkway”, “Sink to the Bottom”, “Mexican Wine” and “Denise”) as we ride through northeastern Queens and nearby Nassau county. Some steep and rolling hills. Lunch stop at a friendly diner. Bring a lunch and $ for lunch. Leaders Danny Lieberman and Ira Najowitz.
OFF-ROAD VISTAS: SADDLE UP AND RIDE THE HUTCH
10AM, Eastchester (Dyre Ave), 20 miles
MOUNTAIN OR HYBRID BIKES REQUIRED!
What this ride lacks in distance it makes up in fun. This is a trail ride, we ride over ruts, rocks and water. Bring lunch or $ for it; there’s a lake to enjoy it by. Bug spray optional. No gonzos. This is a fun ride with safety as the requirement. Leaders Ed Defreitas and Jim Zisfein.
Saturday, November 10th
FILIPINO LUNCH RIDE
9:30AM, South Ferry (for 10AM boat), 30 miles
Mabuhay! Eat a tasty "Turo Turo" lunch at Kabalen.Route goes to scenic Liberty State Park. Ride ends at a Jersey PATH station or NY Waterway terminal. Bring lock, $ for meal & return fare (PATH or NY Waterway). Some busy, bumpy, hilly roads with a bridge. Co-listed with NYCC. Alfredo Garcia and Susan Levine.
THE GREATEST TURKEY RIDE: CHARLIE’S TURKEY
10AM, Kew Gardens, 30 miles
Join Ed and Liz as we travel around Queens and eat Charlie’s turkey, the best you can find in Queens. I can say that I have been eating it for years. This is an easy 30 mile ride, mostly flat terrain. Bring $5-7 for lunch. Please call 718-487-4992 before November 9th to reserve your turkey. In the case of rain the ride will be cancelled but there will still be turkey to be had. Check the message board if the weather is iffy. Leaders Ed Pino and Liz Baum. N.B.: If you are not planning to do our turkey ride, you still are invited to our house (68-20 Burns St A4 Forest Hills N.Y.) for an open house Saturday November 10th, 2PM - until?
RIDE WITH A MAGIC TOUCH
10:30AM, Prospect Park, 15 miles
Let’s face it. Stretching money these days is like pulling rabbits out of your hat. But if Henry the magician of Abracadabra in Manhattan had his way you’d be doing both! Watch him perform some of his magic tricks just for our group. Then, if you’re so inclined you can stock up on magician supplies that the store sells should you decide you need an instant career change Bring $2 so we can tip Henry (Creating dough is one trick he doesn’t do!) along with money for lunch at a local eatery. Rain at start cancels. Leaders: Richard Sanford and Jim Mallard.
QUADRUPLE BYPASS (Note this is a Night Ride, bring lights!)
6:30PM, City Hall, 25 miles
East and west, back and forth, zig and zag as we head up north. The name of the game as we see-saw for no fame, is to cross the East River without any tire sliver. Starting from the Brooklyn as we weave our way uptown, towards the Fifty-niner as we cycle our way back ‘round. Enjoy an evening ride to proves, that what goes up must come down. With dinner we’ll finish the aerial exercise, and your humble leaders are two great guys! Ted made up the time and the rhyme, and Ed made up the route that’s a real beaut. Front and rear lights are required. We’re going to the Moonstruck Diner afterwards, so bring a lock and $ for dinner. Easy to moderate pace, and hills on the bridges. Heavy rain cancels. Leaders Ted Kushner and Ed Defreitas.
Sunday, November 11th
CHOCO-LOCO: THE CHOCOLATE RIDE
9:30AM, Doughnut Plant, 40+ miles
It’s time again for chocolate, and what better place to start than the home of the chocolate blackout doughnut! This ride will visit a number of chocolatiers and shops in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Don’t be surprised if we pass a cemetery or two along the way. Terrain, bitter. Pace, sweet. Bring a lock and $ for lunch and all that chocolate. Leaders Danny Lieberman and John Chiarella.
RIDE TO GREENWOOD CEMETERY WALKING TOUR
12:45PM, City Hall, 20 miles
You know how famous people lived. Now get a look at how they spend eternity. This is a ride to the cemetery, where we will take a walking tour. Leonard Bernstein, Boss Tweed, Tiffany, Greeley, Ebbets, Eubie Blake, Joe Gallo. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a camera. Leaders Terry Chin and Ed DeFreitas.
Wednesday, November 14th
THE COMMISSIONERS' PLAN OF 1811 (Note this is a Night Ride, bring lights!)
7PM, Plaza Hotel, 25 miles
In 1807 New York City set up a special commission to survey the island of Manhattan and charged them to design the future layout of the City. It took them 4 years, measuring every rock and stream and hill and brook. When their labours were completed in1811, they presented their plans in the form of the giant grid upon which we live and work today. The New York City Grid was to become a model for cities around the world. The "Commissioners' Plan" stretched from the northern boundary of Houston St, to West 155th St, which was for all practical purposes, the North pole. We will discuss and explore the City’s grid plan from a historical and urban perspective. Bring front and rear lights and we’ll cover the grid. Guest speaker Manhattan Borough historian Michael Miscione will join us and offer commentary. Leaders Danny Lieberman and Liz Baum.
Saturday, November 17th
UPPER MANHATTAN HISTORIC RIDE
10AM, Columbus Circle, 20 miles
Upper Manhattan has a handful of small house museums. We will visit the Morris-Jumel mansion, the oldest standing house on the island. We’ll also swing by the Dyckman Farmhouse and some other notable spots. Leaders Ken Williams and Jim Zisfein.
Sunday, November 18th
FROSTBITE RIDE #0: BROADWAY IN SUMMIT
9AM, World Trade Center, 40 miles
Want the full scoop on the upcoming annualized Frostbite Ride Series, which starts in a few short weeks, with the very trad and always captivating Frostbite Ride No 1 to the Broadway Diner in Bayonne, NJ? This preview ride will visit it’s sister location in Summit, NJ, via the PATH train to/from Newark, where you can enjoy pre-Thanksgiving pancakes served with all the trimmings or other menu goodies. Note the route here is longer and hiller than the usual Frostbite rides. Bring lunch money, $3.00 train fare, bike locks. Moderate pace and rolling terrain and one big hill. Heavy rain cancels. Leaders Ted Kushner and Ed Defreitas.
Thursday, November 22nd (Thanksgiving Day)
PALISADES AMUSEMENT PARK AND SO ON!
10AM, City Hall, 23 miles
Ya gotta love Jersey! It's got some really great stuff, including a fabulous view of the harbor. We'll enjoy the Hudson Fiord at the waterline, then from the GWB and finally from the majestic heights of the Palisades. We'll cruise through Hoboken, maybe imbibe after our ride. Cross the Hudson one more time and watch the sun go down on the most magnificant city that God ever allowed humans to create. Happy Thanksgiving. Led by Ed DeFreitas and others.
Saturday, November 24th
POST TURKEY RIDE
9AM, Doughnut Plant, 40 miles
Still full from all the turkey leftovers, sides and pies from the other night? Let’s ride around to work off the bird. There aren’t many hills but we’ll climb whichever ones we can find before we get to lunch. Lunch just happens to be at one of the best diners in all of Brooklyn. Be sure to bring a lock and lunch lucre. Leaders Danny Lieberman and Brian Hoberman.
Sunday, November 25th
NEAR BROOKLYN
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles
The twin cities of New York and Brooklyn danced with each other for fifty years before the wedding. We'll get some snapshots of that time & others. Then, maybe, end up at a bike friendly pizzaria near Bowling Greene. Led by Ed DeFreitas and others.
Saturday, December 1st
FREEZER BERN #1 : RED HOOK AND THE WATERFRONT
10AM, Doughnut Plant, 30 miles
The Brooklyn waterfront has changed enormously in the last couple years, so there is plenty to explore all around. We’ll take lunch at the Fairway right on the water, in Red Hook. Leaders Danny Lieberman and Maria Cummings.
Sunday, December 2nd
CANCELLED : FROSTBITE RIDE #1 : RIDE TO THE WORLD’S GREATEST PANCAKES
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles
This is one of the club’s great rides. You get a ride on the ferry, and some of the finest views anywhere in the Tri-State area from the Bayonne Bridge. And of course the Broadway Diner does serve up some fine pancakes, not to be missed! Bring a lock and $ for those tasty flapjacks. Leaders Ed Defreitas and Alfredo Garcia.
Saturday, December 8th
WANDERING TO WAVE HILL
9AM, Columbus Circle, 30 miles
Enjoy a late autumn visit to a treasure in the Riverdale section of the Bronx: Wave Hill Park (wavehill.org). Once a private estate, it is an oasis that overlooks the Hudson and the Palisades. To and fro, we’ll enjoy riding through a few picturesque parks in Manhattan and the Bronx. Terrain is mostly flat with a few hills. Bring a lock. Leaders Brian Hoberman and Danny Lieberman.
Sunday, December 9th
Frostbite Ride Series
FROSTBITE RIDE #2 : FLAT ROCK NATURE PRESERVE
10AM, City Hall, 30 miles
Aah Naturale in Joisey! This privately owned natural preserve lets us bike to their Nature Center but, only hike their trails. Lunch at a pond. Clothing is not optional. Led by Ed DeFreitas and others.
Saturday, December 15th
FILLMORE’S RIDE
10AM, Kew Gardens, 30 miles
Join Ed and Liz for a pleasant ride around Queens. We will have lunch at a bike-friendly pub near the end of the ride. Bring a bicycle lock and $ for lunch. Leaders Ed Pino and Liz Baum.
Sunday, December 16th
FROSTBITE RIDE #3 : XMAS AT THE CLOISTERS
10AM, City Hall, 25 miles
You don't have to be rich as Rockefeller to enjoy the medieval art in a monastary setting atop Ft. Tryon Park. Bring lunch for Al Fresco or dine indoors (the cafe is a little pricey but good). Led by Ed DeFreitas and others.
Saturday, December 22nd
FILIPINO PASTRY - AMERICAN CHOCOLATE TOUR
9:30AM, South Ferry (take 10AM boat), 35 miles
Mabuhay! 12mph paced ride to eat and bring back something trip. Buy Staten Island chocolates and lunch at a Jersey diner. Go further to buy delicious Filipino pastries. Note: be prepared to ride continuously and back to Staten Island. Bring $ for food, lock and panniers. Terrain: some hills, busy traffic, bumpy roads, one bridge. Co-listed with NYCC. Leaders Alfredo Garcia and Jim Mallard.
Sunday, December 23rd
FROSTBITE RIDE #4 : XMAS LIGHTS IN DYKER HEIGHTS (AND DIM SUM)
12:45PM, City Hall, 20 miles
Brooklyn's Chinatown is no longer a secret, but, it's still a great destination when dim sum is desired. We'll check out the holiday lights in the Dyker Heights neighborhood, and then swing around back to Sixth Ave for our dim sum lunch. On the way back, we'll take in the breathtaking Manhattan skyline from Sunset Park. Leaders Ed Defreitas and others.
Saturday, December 29th
THAT CAN’T BE PAPER RIDE
9AM, Prospect Park, 15 miles
Touch it, knock it, or simply admire it. You won’t believe it’s made of paper! Meet Jim Seffens in his midtown studio. Jim was voted a true American craftsman by a group of museum experts. His hand made creations made from paper mache are incredibly beautiful (and costly). He’ll show you how he does them. But, you may want to think twice before taking credit for your next piñata. Bring a lock and money for lunch a local eatery. Rain, snow or icy streets cancel. Leaders: Richard Sanford and Jim Mallard.
Sunday, December 30th
FROSTBITE RIDE #5 : NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN
10AM, Plaza Hotel, 30 miles
Elly Spangenberg's annual New Year’s ride. Smell the fresh roses at one of the foremost american public gardens. Take a look at the Holiday Train Show. Go to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory for "A World of Plants" in a warm environment. More details available at www.nybg.org. Bring a digital camera, a lock, and $ for lunch plus $13 admission. Leaders Ed Defreitas and others.
Saturday, January 5th
FREEZER BURN TO ARTHUR AVE
10AM, Bridgemarket, 25 miles
The Bronx is really very close by, and so is the Belmont neighborhood, known affectionately as the Bronx’ own Little Italy. If the weather is warm we can make a detour to one of the new parks along the way. Bring a lock and lunch money. Leaders Danny Lieberman and John Chiarella.
Sunday, January 6th
MEMORIAL RIDE
10AM, City Hall, 20 miles
We will meet at the traditional Frostbite start point. From there, we'll proceed across the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn neighborhoods to a sad place where one of our fellow cyclists met with a fatal accident at the intersection of Fulton St. and Utica Ave. We will pay our respects to our fallen compatriot. After which, we will join up with other cyclists coming from other, similar locations. We'll combine forces and form a procession to City Hall for a ceremony honoring all the cyclists who lost their lives in 2007. Leaders Ed Defreitas and others.