First Tour de Bronx? Safety Tips and Landmarks Near the Routes: What to Know
Cyclists gather with their bicycles behind barricades at the 2017 Tour de Bronx. Photo courtesy of the Office of former Bronx Borough President Ruben Díaz Jr. via Flickr
Before choosing what to see during the Tour de Bronx, give your bicycle a check. With the free ride returning Oct. 4, a little preparation can help first-time participants get ready for a day traveling through the borough.
Anna Berlanga, Bronx and Uptown organizer for Transportation Alternatives, shared advice with TalkTeaV covering what to check before leaving home and how to ride around other cyclists.
Start a few days beforehand with the tires, brakes, chain, and crank. Berlanga recommends checking the tire pressure against the recommendation printed on the tire’s side and making sure the brakes stop the bicycle when it rolls forward and backward.
Lift the back wheel and turn the pedals to check that everything moves smoothly. Check the pedals for wobbling, too.
“If anything feels off, take your bike to a local bike shop,” Berlanga said.
Check the bicycle again on ride morning, especially the tires, which naturally lose pressure. Pack water, snacks, and electrolytes.
Once riding, follow traffic rules and maintain a straight line near other cyclists. Call out potholes, glass, and other obstacles, along with upcoming turns, to help the people behind you. Berlanga also reminds riders to drink plenty of water and enjoy the experience.
The event’s streets remain open to vehicle traffic, according to organizers. Riders should stay aware of their surroundings and use caution.
There is also plenty nearby to notice along the way. Organizers’ new points-of-interest list places Joyce Kilmer Park and the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture near the 10-mile route. The 25-mile list includes Starlight Park, the Bronx River Greenway and Soundview Park. City Island, Van Cortlandt Park and Lloyd’s Carrot Cake appear on the 40-mile list.
These are nearby points of interest, not designated stops. Full routes are expected around 6 a.m. on ride morning.
All three distances start at 161st Street and Grand Concourse and finish at the New York Botanical Garden. Registration and additional details are available on the official Tour de Bronx website.
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