NYC Century Bike Tour: September 12th 2010

The NYC Century offers five route options (ranging from 15 to 100 miles) to provide all cyclists a great way to see New York City and explore some of the City’s best greenways and parks. This year the NYC Century Bike Tour will take place rain or shine on Sunday, September 12th, 2010 and for the first time offers the choice of starting in Central Park or Prospect Park.

Event Information

The New York City Century Bike Tour is a ride to be proud of. You’ll be part of a select group of cyclists who are ready for the adventure of riding in New York City. Proceeds from the tour benefit the bicycling advocacy of Transportation Alternatives. By riding in the New York City Century Bike Tour you’re helping make the streets safer for cycling all year-round.

During the first years of the tour New York had few greenways and bike lanes. Over the course of the last twenty years, the NYC greenway system has expanded, and each year the ride showcases this growing bike network, encouraging riders to use the NYC Century as a starting point for year-round cycling.

The first NYC Century in 1990 attracted about 200 dedicated NYC cyclists, most of whom were daily bicycle commuters, fighting hard for better conditions for cycling in NYC. Today the ride draws over 6,000 cyclists. Of course, most still come from NYC but many come from Texas, California, Maryland and as far away as Germany, the UK and Mexico. Many return year after year.

NYC Century Bike Tour is unlike other rides. The NYC Century works as a means to show riders how they can connect to different neighborhoods and boroughs of the city safely. To illustrate cyclists’ rights to the streets, there are no street closings; cyclists ride with traffic along New York City Streets and must obey all traffic laws.

Rain or Shine Note: all rides end in Central Park or Prospect Park. The 15 mile riders must start in Central Park. Rest stops will provide food, water, first aid and mechanics. There is one flight of stairs along the route on the RFK (aka Triborough) Bridge.

What’s New for the 2010 NYC Century Bike Tour

Due to the overwhelming demand from the borough of Brooklyn, we are testing an additional start location in Prospect Park. Not to worry – we will still have a start location in Central Park; but now you have a choice. Click here to find out more about start times.

There is a special return ride to Central Park for the 15-mile riders, because you asked for it! We are giving you the option to return over the Queensboro Bridge to return to Manhattan and join us for the Finish Festival.

The last opportunity for pre-event registration will be on Saturday, September 11 at the T.A. office from 10 am – 2 pm during packet pick-up. Please remember that these times are firm; we have so much to do before ride day and cannot accommodate anyone after we lock the door.

Choose your distance, Ride your Pace

15 mile: Park to Park: Escorted by T.A. Marshals, this ride is meant for first-time riders and families. Riders travel around historic Washington Park, roll through SoHo, then proceed over to the Brooklyn Bridge. The tour officially finishes in Prospect Park where riders can collect their t-shirts and water bottles or choose to use the Return Ride to Central Park. Leave 8 am. Finish 11 am-2 pm. Central Park Start option only.

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 in Queens. Riders leave Central Park at 7:30 am or Prospect Park at 8 am. The approximate finish time is between 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 with 35-mile finish. Riders leave Central Park at 7 am or Prospect Park at 7:30 am. Riders finish approximately between 11 am-4 pm.

75 mile: The Velodrome: This is not for amateurs. Riders travel out to Far Rockaway and beautiful Fort Tilden after Marine Park. The journey takes riders out to serene Forest Park and up to Kissena Park for a spin at the Velodrome. Riders leave Central Park at 6:30 am or Prospect Park at 7 am. Riders finish approximately between 12-4 pm.

100 mile: Experienced Riders Only. Cyclists head north to Astoria Park along the 75-mile route 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 travel through historic Harlem. Riders leave Central Park at 6 am or Prospect Park at 6:30 am. Riders finish approximately between 12-6 pm.