TD Five Boro Bike Tour 2026: Complete Rider Guide

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour is the largest charitable bike ride in the United States 32,000 cyclists, 40 car-free miles, all five boroughs of New York City in a single day. I have ridden it three times (2019, 2022, and 2024), and each time it has been one of the most memorable cycling days of the year. Not because it is hard it is not but because riding across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge with thousands of people while the city stretches out beneath you is a genuinely extraordinary thing to experience.

This guide covers everything a first-timer needs to know: the full route broken down by borough, what the two bridge climbs actually feel like, how to register and what it costs, how to get to the start, and the logistics that most guides overlook.

Quick Facts: Everything at a Glance

Full Route Breakdown: All Five Boroughs

The route covers approximately 40 miles and takes most riders between four and six hours to complete, including rest stop time. Here is a borough-by-borough breakdown of what to expect at each stage.

Manhattan: The Start and the Mood

The ride begins near Bowling Green in the Financial District, typically staged in corrals along Broadway and nearby streets. The first miles north along Sixth Avenue through Midtown are electric, the streets are completely clear of cars, and the scale of the city feels entirely different from a bike saddle than from a cab window.

Entering Central Park around mile six brings the first real crowd relief. The park section is beautiful and the grade is gentle. From there, riders continue through Harlem toward the Madison Avenue Bridge, which marks the crossing into the Bronx.

The Bronx: Short but Memorable

The Bronx section is the shortest of the five, roughly six miles, but it is geographically significant as the only mainland borough on the tour. The streets here feel quieter than the earlier Manhattan miles, and local residents often line the route with music and encouragement. Click here to learn more about it and make sure not to rush through this section, it is one of the more human moments on the course.

FDR Drive: Fast and Flat

After returning to Manhattan, riders drop down to the FDR Drive along the East River. This is the fastest section of the ride a long, mostly flat stretch with no traffic lights and river views to the left. By this point you are around the halfway mark. Legs feel good for most riders here, and the temptation is to push the pace. Save something for the bridges.

Queens: The Queensboro Bridge Climb

Crossing the Queensboro Bridge into Queens is the first of the two significant climbs. The grade is moderate and the approach ramp is long, so you can find a gear and settle into a rhythm. The payoff at the top is one of the best views on the course: the Manhattan skyline from the 59th Street Bridge, essentially the opposite angle from the famous Simon and Garfunkel photograph.

From the bridge, the route winds through Long Island City and western Queens neighborhoods before reaching the Pulaski Bridge crossing into Brooklyn.

Brooklyn: The Long Approach to the Verrazzano

Brooklyn is the longest borough section in terms of riding time. The route passes through Greenpoint and heads south through Bay Ridge. By mile 32 or so, most first-timers are starting to feel the accumulated distance. The streets are well-supported with rest stops and crowds, but if you have not eaten and hydrated consistently, this is where the fatigue hits.

Staten Island: The Verrazzano and the Finish

The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is the hardest climb of the day, and it comes at the worst possible moment mile 38, when your legs are already spent. The approach ramp is steep and exposed to the wind. In 2024, I counted approximately 90 seconds of genuinely difficult effort before the grade eased. It feels long. It is not actually that long.

The descent on the Staten Island side is the reward: a long, sweeping downhill with the Lower Bay spread out ahead of you. From there it is a short flat roll to the finish at Empire Outlets.

Pro tip: Shift to an easy gear before the Verrazzano approach begins. Many riders burn their legs attacking the first ramp and have nothing left for the sustained mid-section. Settle in, spin, breathe.

How Hard Is the TD Five Boro Bike Tour? An Honest Assessment

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour is genuinely accessible to most people with a modest base of cycling fitness. The route is predominantly flat, the pace is self-directed, and there is no time cut-off. That said, 40 miles is 40 miles, and a few things are worth understanding before you sign up.

•      Total distance: 40 miles is a real commitment for riders who rarely cycle more than 10–15 miles at a time. It is absolutely doable with preparation, but it will feel longer than expected if you have not built up your base.

•      The Queensboro Bridge: A moderate climb with a long approach ramp. Most fit riders handle it without stopping. Beginners may want to pace themselves on the way up.

•      The Verrazzano Bridge: Harder than the Queensboro and comes at mile 38. In my experience this is where unprepared riders struggle most — not because it is extreme, but because of cumulative fatigue. Train for it specifically.

•      Weather: Early May in New York can be cold, windy, or warm. The Verrazzano is particularly exposed to wind. Check the forecast and dress in layers.

If you can comfortably ride 20 miles on a flat route before event day, you will finish the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. If you cannot yet do that, the training plan below will get you there.

Training Plan: How to Prepare in 8 Weeks

You do not need a dedicated athletic program to finish the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, but eight weeks of consistent riding makes a meaningful difference in how the day feels. Here is a practical approach for riders starting from a base of occasional cycling.

Weeks 1–3: Build the habit

•      Ride 2–3 times per week, 8–15 miles per session

•      Focus on consistency over intensity getting on the bike regularly matters more than going hard

•      One longer ride per week: aim to increase this by 2–3 miles each week

Weeks 4–6: Extend the long ride

•      Long ride target: 20–25 miles by the end of week 6

•      Add one session specifically on hills or bridge approaches if possible — the Queensboro ramp can be simulated on any sustained incline

•      Practice fuelling: eat something every 45–60 minutes on longer rides, don’t wait until you are hungry

Weeks 7–8: Taper and prepare

•      Reduce mileage slightly but keep the frequency you want fresh legs on race day, not a fitness peak

•      Do one 25–30 mile ride in week 7 to confirm you can cover the distance

•      Final week: two or three easy 10-mile rides, bike tune-up, and gear check

Key benchmark: If you can ride 20 miles comfortably without stopping, you are ready. The rest stops every 5–6 miles on the actual course provide recovery time that most training rides do not.

Essential Gear and Bike Preparation

What to bring

•      Helmet — mandatory; a non-negotiable requirement enforced at the start

•      Padded cycling shorts – critical for comfort over 40 miles

•      Layered clothing — mornings in early May can be 45–55°F at Bowling Green; it will warm up significantly by Brooklyn

•      Water bottles (two if your bike can carry them) — multiple water stations on the route but queues form at busy stops

•      Light snacks — energy bars, bananas, or gels for between rest stops

•      Sunscreen — if the day is clear you will be exposed for 4–6 hours

•      A small backpack or frame bag for your phone, ID, and transit MetroCard

Bike preparation

•      Professional tune-up 1–2 weeks before the event not the day before; you want time to catch any issues

•      Spare inner tube (the correct size for your wheels) and a pump or CO2 inflator

•      Tyre pressure check morning-of: slightly lower than maximum makes for a more comfortable ride on city streets

•      Avoid clip-in pedals unless you are experienced — the frequent stops and mass-start environment make clipping in and out constantly throughout the day

Bike rental: Unlimited Biking offers hybrid, road, and e-bike rentals specifically for Five Boro participants. Book well in advance rental bikes sell out. E-bikes are a popular option for riders concerned about bridge climbs.

Registration: How to Sign Up and What It Costs

Standard registration (~$120)

Standard registration includes the official Rider Kit (helmet cover, bib number, and bike plate all required on ride day), access to all eight rest stops, free bike repair support along the route, and entry to the Finish Festival on Staten Island.

Registration typically opens in October or November and sells out by January. If you are planning to ride, set a reminder as soon as registration opens — the event has sold out within hours in recent years.

Charity rider entry

Charity riders register through one of Bike New York’s partner organisations and commit to raising a fundraising minimum (typically $250–$500 depending on the charity). In exchange, charity riders receive the earliest start wave assignment, which means significantly less congestion on the road and a more spacious riding experience throughout the course.

If you prefer to ride at a relaxed pace without navigating dense crowds, charity entry is worth considering for the wave placement alone.

How wave starts work

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour uses a rolling wave start system. Riders are assigned to waves that depart at intervals throughout the morning, with the earliest waves going first. Charity riders are placed in Wave 1. Standard registrants are assigned to later waves based on self-reported cycling experience at registration.

Earlier waves offer less congestion but require an earlier arrival time at the staging area. Later waves start later in the morning and can feel more crowded at pinch points like bridge ramps.

Getting to the Start: Logistics Most Guides Miss

Getting yourself and your bike to Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan on event morning is the part that first-timers most frequently underestimate. Here is what works.

Option 1: Subway (recommended for most riders)

The New York City subway allows bikes on weekends without restriction. Take the 4, 5, or R train to Bowling Green or Whitehall Street. Arrive at least 60–90 minutes before your wave’s scheduled start time — the corrals fill up, and navigating through them with a bike takes longer than expected.

Important: Avoid rush hour subway etiquette rules: bikes should travel in the first or last car, and you should avoid blocking doors. On event mornings the system is generally accommodating to riders.

Option 2: Park on Staten Island, ferry to the start

This is my personal preferred approach and one of the best-kept logistics secrets of the event. Drive to Staten Island early, park near the St. George Ferry Terminal (free street parking is usually available a few blocks away), take the Staten Island Ferry to Lower Manhattan with your bike, and ride directly to the start. After the finish, you are already at the ferry terminal for a quick return — no lines, no waiting.

The Staten Island Ferry is free, runs 24 hours, and has no bike restrictions. On event day it runs frequently. This approach eliminates the stress of Manhattan parking and the long return ferry queues that build in the afternoon.

Option 3: Ride to the start

If you live in Brooklyn, Queens, or downtown Manhattan, riding to Bowling Green is a viable option. Plan a route along quieter streets and give yourself extra time. Arriving slightly tired from a few miles of warm-up riding is not ideal, but it is manageable.

Rest Stops: Where They Are and What to Expect

There are eight official rest stops spaced approximately every five to six miles along the route. Each stop offers water, sports drinks, food (typically fruit, energy bars, and sometimes pizza in later stops), portable toilets, and mechanical support from volunteer bike mechanics.

Rest stop queues can be long, particularly at stops 3 through 6. If you are not hungry and your water is fine, it is often faster to skip a stop and catch the next one. The biggest queues tend to be at the toilets.

•      Stop 1: Manhattan (around Central Park)

•      Stop 2: Harlem / approach to the Bronx

•      Stop 3: Bronx

•      Stop 4: Queens (post-Queensboro Bridge)

•      Stop 5: Queens (mid-borough)

•      Stop 6: Brooklyn (Greenpoint area)

•      Stop 7: Brooklyn (Bay Ridge)

•      Stop 8: Staten Island (near the finish)

The Finish Festival and Getting Home

Finish Festival at Empire Outlets

The Finish Festival at Empire Outlets on the Staten Island waterfront is a genuine celebration food vendors, live music, sponsor activations, and tens of thousands of cyclists in various states of exhaustion and elation. Take the time to enjoy it. You have earned it.

The festival also has medical support if you need it, and plenty of seating. It tends to wind down in the early afternoon as later wave finishers trickle in.

Getting back to Manhattan

The Staten Island Ferry from St. George Terminal runs every 15–30 minutes on event day and is free. Bikes are allowed. Lines build significantly between noon and 2pm as the bulk of finishers try to leave at the same time. To avoid the worst queues, either leave the festival early (before noon) or stay late and let the crowds clear.

If you parked on Staten Island, the walk from Empire Outlets to your car is typically 10–20 minutes depending on where you parked.

Weather, Cancellation, and What Happens If It Rains

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour takes place rain or shine in most conditions. Light to moderate rain does not cancel the event. The ride has taken place in cold, wet, and windy conditions in various years, and most riders who show up complete it.

In the case of severe weather, high winds, electrical storms, or other hazardous conditions Bike New York may delay start times, shorten the route, or in extreme cases cancel the event. Official communications go out via the event app, email, and BikeNewYork.org.

Refund policy: Standard registration is non-refundable but deferrable to the following year in most circumstances. Check the current terms on BikeNewYork.org at registration, as this policy has varied slightly year to year.

Rain gear tip: A lightweight packable rain jacket weighs almost nothing and solves most weather problems. Early May mornings in New York can feel much colder than the forecast suggests when you are wet and moving at 12 mph.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the TD Five Boro Bike Tour take to complete?

Most riders finish in 4 to 6 hours including rest stop time. Faster recreational riders complete it closer to 3.5 hours; leisurely riders who stop often may take 7 hours or more. There is no official time cut-off, so riding at whatever pace feels comfortable.

What is the exact route for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour?

The route starts near Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan, heads north along Sixth Avenue through Midtown and Central Park, continues through Harlem into the Bronx via the Madison Avenue Bridge, returns to Manhattan along the FDR Drive, crosses the Queensboro Bridge into Queens, crosses the Pulaski Bridge into Brooklyn, and finishes by crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to Staten Island. The official route map is published each year on BikeNewYork.org.

How much does the TD Five Boro Bike Tour cost?

Standard registration is approximately $120 (prices vary slightly by year and early-bird timing). This includes the official Rider Kit, rest stop access, mechanical support, and Finish Festival entry. Charity rider entry requires meeting a fundraising minimum, typically $250–$500 depending on the partner organisation.

Is the TD Five Boro Bike Tour difficult for beginners?

It is accessible to beginners who prepare appropriately. The course is mostly flat, and the two bridge climbs are challenging but not extreme. The main difficulty for beginners is the total distance — 40 miles is a significant ride if you are not used to it. With 6–8 weeks of consistent training and the ability to comfortably ride 20 miles before the event, most beginners finish without major difficulty.

Can I rent a bike for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour?

Yes. Unlimited Biking is the official rental partner for the event and offers hybrid, road, and e-bike rentals specifically for Five Boro participants. E-bikes have become popular for riders concerned about bridge climbs. Book well in advance rental inventory sells out, typically by March or April.

What happens if the TD Five Boro Bike Tour is cancelled due to weather?

The event proceeds in most weather conditions including light rain. Severe weather may cause delays or route modifications. In rare cases of full cancellation, Bike New York typically offers deferral to the following year rather than refunds. Check BikeNewYork.org for the current policy.

What is the best strategy for the Verrazzano Bridge?

Arrive at the Verrazzano approach in a low gear and resist the urge to attack the bottom of the ramp. The climb is sustained — roughly half a mile of consistent uphill — and burning your legs at the start leaves nothing for the middle section. Spin a comfortable gear, keep your cadence up, and focus on the view when you reach the top. The descent on the Staten Island side makes it all worthwhile.

Do I need to carry an ID and a MetroCard?

Carrying your ID is always advisable for any event involving medical support. A MetroCard (or contactless payment card) is useful for getting to the start via subway. If you plan to take public transit home from Staten Island beyond the ferry, you will need it for buses or transfers on the Manhattan side.

How do I find out my wave assignment?

Wave assignments are confirmed in your official Rider Kit, which arrives by mail in the weeks before the event. You can also check your wave assignment in the Bike New York event app. Charity riders are automatically placed in Wave 1. Standard registrants are assigned based on their stated cycling experience at registration.

Is the Staten Island Ferry free on event day?

Yes. The Staten Island Ferry is always free and operates 24 hours a day. On Five Boro event day it runs frequent service and accommodates bikes without restriction. The main variable is queuing time lines at the ferry terminal on Staten Island can be 30–45 minutes long during peak post-finish hours between noon and 2pm.

Final Thoughts from Someone Who Has Ridden It Three Times

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour is one of those events that sounds great in principle and turns out to be better in practice. The combination of scale, route variety, and crowd energy is unlike any other cycling event I have experienced. The streets of New York City feel completely different when 32,000 cyclists have them to themselves.

A few things I have learned across three rides: eat more than you think you need in the first half, the Bronx section deserves more appreciation than it gets, and the Verrazzano is always harder than you remember. Park on Staten Island, take the ferry over, and save yourself the Manhattan morning chaos.

If you have any questions beyond what is covered here, BikeNewYork.org is the definitive source for current registration details, official route maps, and event-day logistics. Registration for the following year’s ride typically opens in October.