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About the Century TourWhat is the NYC Century Bike Tour? | What’s new in 2012? | The Routes What is the NYC Century? When T.A. inaugurated the New York City Century Bike Tour, in 1990, New York City streets had few greenways and even fewer bike lanes. Over the course of the last twenty years, the NYC greenway system has expanded tenfold and each year, the NYC Century showcases a growing bike network. The NYC Century Tour is an integral starting point for year-round cycling. The first NYC Century Bike Tour attracted about 200 dedicated New York City bicyclists, many of whom were daily bicycle commuters, already fighting hard for better bicycling conditions in the city. Today the ride draws over 6,000 bicyclists. Of course, most riders are still New Yorkers, but many come from Texas, California, Maryland and as far away as Germany, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Many return year after year, because they know the NYC Century is the best way to see all of New York City on two-wheels. The NYC Century Bike Tour is unlike any other bike tour you can find. That’s because the routes of the NYC Century are designed to show riders the diversity of New York neighborhoods and how to navigate them safely. To illustrate bicyclists' right to the streets, there are no street closings on the NYC Century -- bicyclists ride with traffic and obey all traffic laws. Rain or Shine Note This year we will offer a totally new component to the NYC Century Bike Tour, called NY Eats. You already know that the NYC Century is the best way to explore and experience the vast array of neighborhoods in New York City, and NY Eats will add to that. We will be partnering with local food businesses along the route that serve foods that represent the ethnic diversity of NYC and other iconic NY eats. Small and quick bites will be available for nominal purchase. Of course, we will still offer the great energy foods we have always offered at our rest stops as part of your registration, but this is a new way for participants to really connect with the neighborhoods they are travelling through. The 75- and 100-mile routes will now have a rest stop in Forest Park, Queens. There will no longer be a rest stop in Kissena Park (though you will still ride through). We will continue to offer the start and finish site in Prospect Park due its great popularity over the past two years. While we can’t offer the same festivities we will have at the Central Park finish, we will have staff on hand to applaud you, and to give you your t-shirt and water bottle. In 2011, the NYC Century was a held a week later than normal, out of respect for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. This year, we return to our regularly scheduled date, the first Sunday after Labor Day -- September 9th. We will be continuing our partnerships with the following companies, to help heighten the participant experience. Brightroom Event Photography will be present at dozens of sites throughout the tour taking action photos of you riding through some of NYC’s most scenic locations. Pictures from 2011 are still available here. Bike and Roll will be offering deals on bike rentals with on-site pick-up and drop-off available. This is a great opportunity for those who either don’t own a bike or want to upgrade to a more long distance friendly ride for the day. Champion Systems continues to be the official bicycling apparel manufacturer for the NYC Century Bike Tour. We will be offering a 2012 limited edition NYC Century Bike Tour gear through them. The 2011 edition is still available now, but not for long! 15-Mile -- Park to Park 35-Mile -- East River Loop This route is ideal for riders looking for more than a Sunday stroll. The route travels through historic downtown Brooklyn, around idyllic Prospect Park and continues through the artistic enclave of Williamsburg, all the way to Astoria Park in Queens. Route begins in Central Park at 7:30 am or in Prospect Park at 8 am. Finish between 11 am and 3 pm. 55-Mile -- The Waterfront 75-Mile -- The Rockaways 100-Mile – The NYC Century |
