By Mike Vidafar

A tweedster during a winter jaunt.

Ted Young-Ing was just an ordinary British cyclist in 2009, when he became the new owner of a pair of plus fours (pants that extend four inches beyond the knee). He had no idea that by the end of that year, he would have changed the landscape of “period cycling” faster than he managed to change into his new threads.

The recipe, Young-Ing discovered, was that he found a way to merge his two loves: turn-of-the-century British garments and bicycles. His brainchild is called Tweed Run, and the enthusiasm surrounding it is hard to deny. To onlookers, it’s the equivalent of a social time capsule, each event expelling a generation hardened (or lost) to two world wars onto a modern landscape for an afternoon reprieve.

While it does stand as tribute to England’s past, Tweed Run’s success is also a product of the personal atmosphere event organizer Jacqui Shannon has instituted in the three years since that inaugural circuit.

With a 500-person limit (any more would make tea-time impractical), Tweed Run maintains a measure of exclusivity traditionally reserved for a turn-of-the-century golf clubhouse. Events have the feel of a members-only gathering, with like-minded cyclists chosen at random via lottery. There’s also an understood adherence to the now-famous line first addressed to the original 2009 participants:

“Now look here: proper attire is expected, bowties, cravats, vintage race jerseys and plus fours!”

Supplementing their fashionable joyrides, Tweed Runners are catered to with afternoon tea and a soiree at the end of the circuit. Adding to the festivities are good-humored awards and enthusiastic onlookers.

As for their adventures across the pond, on Oct. 15, 2011, Young-Ing and Shannon gave New Yorkers their first opportunity to take a trip back in time. The tweedsters, who regularly garnish their passports and take to riding abroad, were met by hundreds of participants eager to take a refined ride through Lower Manhattan, with afternoon tea to be served in Foley Square. However, the inaugural NYC event (sponsored by Rugby Ralph Lauren) was forced to amend its cycling circuit, as circumstance had its way.

“It was a very unfortunate coincidence that the protests on Wall Street [Occupy Wall Street] were occurring and that the city had given us Foley Square for the tea stop. We really wanted to do the full ride, but with everything going on, we were advised not to,” said Shannon. “We ended up doing a shorter version…but we’d like the chance to come back and show New Yorkers how London does Tweed Run.”

With authentic British resolve, New Yorkers didn’t let the circumstantial abbreviation put a damper on their day. Instead, Tweed Run transformed into a day-long outdoor festival in the area surrounding the Ralph Lauren Rugby Store at 99 University Place in Noho. With featured events and prizes, (including awards for Best Dressed and Best Moustache) Young-Ing and Shannon managed to hold a strikingly memorable first go in the Big Apple.

“New York City has a strong bike scene and I’m lucky enough to know Brendt Barbur, the founder of The Bicycle Film Festival. [Barbur] and his team were super helpful at every step of our planning for New York,” said Shannon. Looking ahead, Young-Ing has revealed plans for another New York City Tweed Run, tentatively scheduled for spring 2013. As usual, they hope to rally nearly 500 participants to take to the streets, decked in tweed—just in time for the Big Apple’s annual ripening.

For now, Young-Ing and Shannon have returned to London. Their impending cruise, scheduled for May 6, 2012, continues to draw the attention of a wide cross-section; history buffs, vintage cycling enthusiasts and Britophiles all vie for a chance to ride.

And for Tweed Run, there’s no international bias—Americans are welcome to put their names in the hat in the hope of joining the tweedsters wherever they ride. Indeed, Shannon notes on Tweed Run’s website that lottery spots are chosen well in advance to give international participants ample time to plan ahead.

For the cycling community, it’s time to take notice: where there’s tea, vintage one-speeders and hundreds of cyclists who look like they’ve pedaled straight out of a Sherlock Holmes story, there cannot be any doubt as to who’s behind it. It’s Tweed Run—those dapper dames and proper gents who have perfected the art of cycling transposition.

For more information on Tweed Run, visit tweedrun.com or follow them on twitter
@tweedrun. 

By Angela Barbuti

Warner Wolf

For over 50 years, Warner Wolf has been eyewitness to the world’s greatest athletes and seen some sporting events that have gone down in the annals of human history. His line, “Let’s go to the videotape,” which began as a practical cue to roll a clip, is one of the most recognized catchphrases in sports history. Wolf still entertains and educates audiences on Imus in the Morning, one of the most popular daytime broadcasts in New York City.

When he’s not giving play-by-plays, he’s at home on the Upper West Side, watching highlights on ESPN.com or his game of choice, pro football.

Did you always want to work in sports?

I knew when I was 7 years old, believe it or not. There was no question in my mind. My father used to buy me Ring, a boxing magazine. There was no television, so we used to hear Friday night fights on the radio. I used to listen to every sporting event.

What qualities do you need to be a sportscaster?

This sound obvious, but you have to know sports. Not just the rules, but the history, so you can relate the importance of what has happened. Otherwise, you might think, “This is the greatest play of all time,” when it has been done five times before. You also have to be fair and can’t have an objective before you go in.

What was your big break?

In 1976, I got an offer from ABC to come to New York and do the local news, Wide World of Sports and Monday Night Baseball. That was huge. The funny thing is, my dad showed me an article that said it takes 15 years from wherever you’re working to get to New York. I always carried that around with me. I started April Fool’s Day 1961 in Pikeville, Ky. The amazing part is it was 1976 [when I got the offer], exactly 15 years later.

How did you make the transition from radio to television?

I had been on the radio eight years before I was ever on television. In 1965, I was hired by WTOP, a huge radio station in Washington, D.C. They also owned a TV station, and the TV guy left. The president of the station said—it’s going to sound funny now—“Do you think you could talk to people about sports?” At that time, I think we were the second station to do this, aside from one in New York.

What’s the most significant thing you ever reported on?

9/11. My wife and I lived in Tribeca and the World Trade Center was 10 blocks south of our bedroom window. I saw it all, so I called in to Imus to tell him what was happening and he kept me on the air.

What is one major change you’ve seen in the sports industry?

Before 1975, a player belonged to a team forever. Ninety-eight percent of players did not have multiyear guaranteed contracts, which they all have today, so the incentive to play well was huge. They had a good concept, better than today. But the owners took advantage of it and didn’t pay what they should have. Mickey Mantle, the highest-paid player, made $100,000 once. The minimum today is almost $500,000. Mantle would have been a $30 million-a-year ballplayer today.

Who do you consider the greatest athletes of all time? 

Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Jim Thorpe, Jim Brown. They were great because they played more than one sport well. I always thought the most domineering player in basketball was Wilt Chamberlain.

What was your most memorable interview with a player?

Joe DiMaggio. It was a real thrill, because I had grown up watching him play. He was a great interview. But just before it, he had a PR man come over to me and say, “If you talk about Marilyn Monroe, the interview is over.” I wasn’t going to talk about Marilyn Monroe.

Do you root for certain teams?

No, because I want to be able to report objectively. That’s why I think it’s advisable for young fellows to avoid strong friendships with ballplayers, because there comes a time when you have to say something unfavorable about them. If you hesitate, your listeners or viewers are going to realize it. You absolutely have to be honest with your audience, because they’ll know if you’re not.

What’s it like to work with Imus?

Oh, it’s fun. You never know what’s going to happen. Each day is different.

How did you come up with your catchphrase? 

I was working in Washington and videotape had just started out. Before that, we used film or still pictures. We had some videotape of a basketball game. I would give the director a normal cue. Like, “In the third quarter, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored,” and they’re supposed to roll the tape. He didn’t roll the tape. So I said it again, and he still didn’t. Then, right on the air, I finally said to the director, “Hey Ernie, let’s go to the videotape!” And the play came up. Later, he said to me, “Do that again tomorrow, because I’m very busy in the control room.”

Do you recite the phrase for your fans?

Sure I do. I’m glad they remember. You can’t say it on the radio.

Listen to Wolf on Imus in the Morning, Monday-Friday from 6-10 a.m. on 77WABC.  The show is simulcast on Fox Business Network.

Photos & Text by Veronica Hoglund

As the weather continues to get warmer, there is no question that most of us will be spending our free time outdoors soon. With that in mind, now might be the perfect time to invest in the bicycle you know you’ve been wanting. I decided to check out the wares at Recycle-A-Bike (75 Ave. C, betw. 5th & 6th Sts.), located in the East Village. The cycle technicians at the shop take old, worn bicycles and give them a facelift, providing you with a beautiful, fully functional refurbished bike while creating no new waste in the process—a process that takes only four hours to complete.

The bike first comes to the shop as a donation, usually bikes that have been sitting in basements or have been left behind by former building tenants. “The bikes just need a little love,” manager Patrick Tomeny told me. Recycle-A-Bike has been providing a vast variety of New Yorkers with recycled bicycles since 1994, in addition to facilitating youth programs in and around New York City.

From the moment you walk into the shop, it is clear how meticulous the process of refurbishing a bicycle can be. The tiny shop is packed with tools, parts and various pieces of equipment. As the Recycle-A-Bicycle team prepares to tackle their latest project, a vintage Schwinn World Tourist, they begin by taking apart the bicycle and wiping down the various parts. As staff member Brendon Brogan explains, the team does an “overhaul” of the bike, completely disassembling it to “guarantee the quality of the bike.” Bear in mind though, about 85 percent of the refurbishing process is simply cleaning, which mainly consists of wiping it down with a concentrate of water and Simple Green.

Though much more complicated than the guys make it appear, the bike is pulled apart piece by piece, screw by screw. In what seems like an instant, all that is remaining is the bicycle frame.

Once everything has been disassembled, it’s time to rebuild the bike. First, each part is given all the way from the bicycle chain to the handlebars—is given a good clean. When able, parts used are taken from the original bicycle and are replaced only when necessary. Then, the many parts are reassembled, using fresh grease to get the bicycle moving the way it should.

After a long four hours, a once-exhausted bike has been transformed into one ready for the streets. A set of refurbished Recycle-A-Bike wheels will set you back $250-$350 dollars, but considering the care and love put into these pieces, it is well worth the price.

By Mike Vidafar

A tweedster during a winter jaunt. Photo by Ben Broomfield

Ted Young-Ing was just an ordinary British cyclist in 2009, when he became the new owner of a pair of plus fours (pants that extend four inches beyond the knee). He had no idea that by the end of that year, he would have changed the landscape of “period cycling” faster than he managed to change into his new threads.

The recipe, Young-Ing discovered, was that he found a way to merge his two loves: turn-of-the-century British garments and bicycles. His brainchild is called Tweed Run, and the enthusiasm surrounding it is hard to deny. To onlookers, it’s the equivalent of a social time capsule, each event expelling a generation hardened (or lost) to two world wars onto a modern landscape for an afternoon reprieve.

While it does stand as tribute to England’s past, Tweed Run’s success is also a product of the personal atmosphere event organizer Jacqui Shannon has instituted in the three years since that inaugural circuit.

With a 500-person limit (any more would make tea-time impractical), Tweed Run maintains a measure of exclusivity traditionally reserved for a turn-of-the-century golf clubhouse. Events have the feel of a members-only gathering, with like-minded cyclists chosen at random via lottery. There’s also an understood adherence to the now-famous line first addressed to the original 2009 participants:

“Now look here: proper attire is expected, bowties, cravats, vintage race jerseys and plus fours!”

Supplementing their fashionable joyrides, Tweed Runners are catered to with afternoon tea and a soiree at the end of the circuit. Adding to the festivities are good-humored awards and enthusiastic onlookers.

As for their adventures across the pond, on Oct. 15, 2011, Young-Ing and Shannon gave New Yorkers their first opportunity to take a trip back in time. The tweedsters, who regularly garnish their passports and take to riding abroad, were met by hundreds of participants eager to take a refined ride through Lower Manhattan, with afternoon tea to be served in Foley Square. However, the inaugural NYC event (sponsored by Rugby Ralph Lauren) was forced to amend its cycling circuit, as circumstance had its way.

“It was a very unfortunate coincidence that the protests on Wall Street [Occupy Wall Street] were occurring and that the city had given us Foley Square for the tea stop. We really wanted to do the full ride, but with everything going on, we were advised not to,” said Shannon. “We ended up doing a shorter version…but we’d like the chance to come back and show New Yorkers how London does Tweed Run.”

With authentic British resolve, New Yorkers didn’t let the circumstantial abbreviation put a damper on their day. Instead, Tweed Run transformed into a day-long outdoor festival in the area surrounding the Ralph Lauren Rugby Store at 99 University Place in Noho. With featured events and prizes, (including awards for Best Dressed and Best Moustache) Young-Ing and Shannon managed to hold a strikingly memorable first go in the Big Apple.

“New York City has a strong bike scene and I’m lucky enough to know Brendt Barbur, the founder of The Bicycle Film Festival. [Barbur] and his team were super helpful at every step of our planning for New York,” said Shannon. Looking ahead, Young-Ing has revealed plans for another New York City Tweed Run, tentatively scheduled for spring 2013. As usual, they hope to rally nearly 500 participants to take to the streets, decked in tweed—just in time for the Big Apple’s annual ripening.

For now, Young-Ing and Shannon have returned to London. Their impending cruise, scheduled for May 6, 2012, continues to draw the attention of a wide cross-section; history buffs, vintage cycling enthusiasts and Britophiles all vie for a chance to ride.

And for Tweed Run, there’s no international bias—Americans are welcome to put their names in the hat in the hope of joining the tweedsters wherever they ride. Indeed, Shannon notes on Tweed Run’s website that lottery spots are chosen well in advance to give international participants ample time to plan ahead.

For the cycling community, it’s time to take notice: where there’s tea, vintage one-speeders and hundreds of cyclists who look like they’ve pedaled straight out of a Sherlock Holmes story, there cannot be any doubt as to who’s behind it. It’s Tweed Run—those dapper dames and proper gents who have perfected the art of cycling transposition.

For more information on Tweed Run, visit tweedrun.com or follow them on twitter
@tweedrun. 

By Grace Lichtenstein

A SIG Graduation ride 2011 at Bear Mountain Park. Photo by Bob Cowin.

The most significant contribution made by the 75-year-old New York Cycle Club (NYCC) to local bike riding and to thousands of riders is our annual spring series, called the SIGs. Each one consists of a series of weekly progressive training rides that increase in speed and distance. An acronym for special interest groups, the SIGs are perhaps the most valuable free benefit available to club members.

They are led by experienced volunteers, who teach their peers the skills they need to ride well in groups. Conducted from March through May, the SIGs offers cyclists an ideal way to build speed and endurance and to jumpstart their season. The first SIG, back in the 1980s, was the brainchild of Christy Guzzetta, an A-level rider and club activist, and it was truly an act of love.

At the time, hardcore male club riders—the ones with shaved legs, tight wool shorts, bikes with snazzy Camponolo components and shoes with cleats nailed to their soles—would zoom out of Central Park on A rides and those who could not keep up with the pack were dropped.

There were almost no women. Guzzetta, who was a bachelor, was eager to encourage, rather than intimidate, women who might be willing to give these difficult rides a shot. One particular woman was recovering from a bad knee injury. How could she ever ride with the guys?

Guzzetta came up with an idea. Why not invite Jody to start out early in March with a short, slow ride and continue the following week with a few more miles and a bit more speed? This would allow her to grow stronger little by little, so that after three months or so, she would have a rehabbed knee and be a faster rider.

She agreed; Guzzetta invited along several strong B riders who also wanted ride skills help. He put a notice in the club bulletin, and the first SIG was born. Forty riders turned up that first Saturday in March 1986. Seventeen weeks later, there were eight new pace-line-riding, speedy A riders, including the formerly bum-kneed Jody Saylor. To cap its success, Guzzetta and Jody had become a couple and they eventually got married.

The SIG series was so inspirational that it was repeated the following year and the year after that. Soon, so many club members wanted to participate that two additional levels were added: one for beginners and one for those aiming to go from the beginning C level to B.

By March 2012, the SIGs were the club’s signature series, with four levels: A-classic, for the fastest riders, plus A-19, B and C levels. There is such anticipation that sublevels have been devised within the B and C categories to accommodate as many riders as volunteers can handle while keeping groups at a reasonable size. Thousands of members have enhanced their skills and enjoyed the camaraderie of a SIG.

What’s more, scores of SIG graduates have repaid the club by becoming volunteer SIG ride leaders. A second series, dubbed the STS (Spring Training Series), with no education element but with the emphasis on simply building endurance, is now part of the club’s schedule.

Over the years, SIG graduates have become officers, leaders of regular club rides 8racers. Several have attended ride camps at the Olympic Training Center and others have added to their recreational activities by entering duathlons and triathlons. And more than a few SIGGies, as we call them, have followed the original model by meeting a mate and marrying one another.

As cycling’s popularity in the city mushrooms, the NYCC continues to refine what has become its most important tradition, the SIGs, a program that rewards members with better and safer riding skills while providing a benefit that’s priceless: lifelong friendships, on the road and off.

Grace Lichtenstein is the NY Cycle Club’s public relations director.

PHOTO BY Dmitry Gudkov

New York City resident Susi Wunsch runs the bicycling blog velojoy.com, where she writes about the latest biking news, features new bike accessories and shares her experiences as a cyclist in the city. We recently spoke with her about her site, practical tips for riding in the city and ways to get more women involved in biking.

How did you get started with your blog?

Well, I’ve been very enthusiastic about bicycling for the past decade. I also have a background in freelance writing and marketing. I started velojoy in May 2010 to be more oriented toward road cycling, because that is where I began.

Not long after that, I got my first commuter bike and started riding in the bike lanes of New York City. There were so many interesting facets in what was starting to happen with cycling in the city at that time; more people were embracing cycling as a form of transportation and commuting. So the blog then became what it is now—a site devoted to city cycling—in the fall of 2010.

How did you come up with the name?

Velo is a word for bike. It’s probably more recognized in Europe than it is in the United States. If you put that together with ‘joy,’ that perfectly expresses what the blog is about.

What are some of the issues you address on velojoy?

We want to help people consider cycling as a form of transportation and perhaps demystify it. We know based on studies that many people would like to bike more but are hesitant because of safety concerns. This is an obvious issue in a city with tons of traffic, but we want to show people that there are steps they can take to ensure a safe commute.

One of the key issues we’re interested in is the considerable imbalance in the numbers of men and women who ride in the city. That ratio is about three to one. In the United States this is not unusual, but in many parts of Europe, it’s quite unusual. So another goal we have is to particularly get women to consider bicycling.

What are some of the reasons for the difference in the numbers of male and female riders in the city?

Studies show that women have more reservations about riding for safety reasons than men. But also, in a city that’s as image-conscious as New York, we find many women have practical concerns—perhaps having one’s hairdo messed up by a helmet or perspiring on the way to work. We’re interested in having people recognize that these barriers, in the end, are not unlike the barriers you face when you’re getting on the subway. On a summer day, you take the train and it’s going to be really hot, then really cold, then hot again. There are things you can plan for, and in that way cycling can be as normal a part of your day and transportation as any other option.

What do you recommend for people who have safety concerns or are worried about their appearance?

There are some great classes offered here in the city. Bike New York, for example, offers free classes to learn about safety and road skills and ways to make commuting more comfortable and efficient. I myself got a lot out of the Commuting 101 class. We are also so fortunate to have an always improving infrastructure here in the city.

As far as appearance, there are endless amounts of accessories out there to address every need. If your pants are floppy and you don’t want to get them caught in your bicycle chain, Brooks makes beautiful leather straps. If you have a lot of stuff to carry—extra clothes, a laptop, a briefcase—there are panniers that you put on a bike rack that are waterproof and can fit everything you need. There are ways to illuminate and stay safe after dark, both in terms of bicycle lights and apparel. It used to be that the only option available was a bright orange safety vest, but now major brands like Vespertine and Angella Mackey design clothing that helps you stay illuminated during the night in a way that’s really attractive.

What would you say to people who may never have considered biking to convince them to give it a try?

Bicycling is really such a great pleasure. It offers a different point of view of the city. You’re higher, moving through space and encountering the outdoors in an entirely different way. It’s also a good way to stay healthy and fit, and reduces pollution, so it’s great for the environment. It’s really a win-win and makes the city as a whole a more enjoyable place.

Kimberly Kinchen and Kim Burgas created bike train, a safer way to travel the city.

Biking in New York City has grown immensely in the past few years. It’s common to see a few lone cyclists mounted upon their bikes at a stoplight, as if they were riding in the Old West. While cycling alone is an activity that can soothe the mind and invigorate the body, it can also be daunting when you are just starting out on the pothole-ridden roads of New York City.

This is why Kimberly Kinchen and Kim Burgas created the bike train, a collection of cyclists who mimic a subway route and create an environment where people can ride in good company and help new riders. Both recall that when they began cycling in the city, it was an ominous trek but they eventually felt comfortable on the bustling streets.

The two joined efforts when they met and realized they were working on the same project from different angles.

Kinchen moved to New York from Seattle 10 years ago; she was a cyclist there, but only started riding in New York City about a year ago. Soon, she began her own bike train project after seeing how successful it was in places like Portland, Ore., and Ontario.

Burgas began cycling in her hometown of Cincinnati. Once she moved to New York City, she too was fearful, but after a while she warmed up to the busy streets and began commuting to work. Her inspiration for a bike train began when her office workers would ask, “How do you manage to get to work on a bike?” She responded that they should join her on the road.

The pair envisioned cyclists connecting via the Internet and meeting up for rides that follow the bike lanes in Manhattan. It is a way to break down the silence between riders at red lights and meet like-minded people who, Burgas said, “Will never ask you to explain why you rode to work in ‘that weather.’”

They hope to create a public forum welcoming riders from all walks of life and frame size, from the fixed-gear enthusiast to the parent with a child seat strapped to the back. They consider themselves the creators of a friendly bike gang.

Earlier this year, Burgas and Kinchen developed two routes: Inwood to Midtown and Prospect Park to Midtown East. Each of the “lines” runs periodically and has a conductor, either Burgas or Kinchen. They remain in contact with riders via smart phones and Twitter using the hashtag #bikenyc.

“Some days it’s Kim and I,” said Kinchen. “Other days there are much more people.” Burgas said there are generally about 15 people in the group.

While there are only two routes so far, the duo are currently planning expansions to have other operational routes for the month of April. They are also developing an application so riders can connect easily via their smart phones.

As the group grows in size, “the logistical problem grows,” said Kinchen, echoing one of Burgas’ concerns. “The main thing is that people get in touch so that we know to wait for them.”

Burgas said that because of her background in technology, she was apprehensive at first about developing further, “but in this case it will help out a lot to have this app.”

David Trimble is a Red Hook pioneer, looking to build the community up and out. However, he’s not heavily engrained in the political side of things, nor is he looking to be. Trimble is a cyclist whose Red Hook Criterium race has drawn attention to the athletic, artistic and artisanal offerings of Red Hook.

David has been surrounded by bikes his entire life. His father and uncle built bike frames for a living for the family company, Trimble Aero Cycle. It took David a few years to recognize the family offerings, first getting his taste of competitive racing as a 12-year-old kart driver. Due to sparse sponsorship funds, Trimble was forced to retire his helmet in 2003. After two years of malaise, he sought comfort in the form of a bicycle and hasn’t looked back since.

Moving to New York City, Trimble started participating in Alleycat Races, which force bikers to use the city as their race strip and obstacle course. Dodging cars and pedestrians is part of the field. So did the Red Hook Criterium start in the hope of glorifying this underground race scene? No. It started as a birthday party.

“It was a way to bring my bike racing friends together to celebrate my birthday,” said Trimble. “Normally, they’re in bed by 10 p.m. and up at 5 a.m. to race in Central Park. There’s no way to bring them all out unless personal glory is in line.”

Since the race began in 2008, it has drawn more attention each year. This year will see its European inception in Milan and, soon to come, Berlin. The race is unique in that it’s an unsanctioned criterium, is held at night and it involves track bikes, which do not have brakes and require constant pedaling.

“The track bikes on a technical course make it totally different,” he said. “It changes the race dynamic. It makes it very exciting. Rather than an open peloton, where you can’t see what’s going on, it’s spread out—very spectator-friendly. The setting is spectacular. It’s a post-industrial neighborhood right on the water.”

The format of the race also makes it more biker-friendly. “There’s always one or two small crashes,” Trimble said. “By making it more technical and difficult, it makes it safer. There’s a bigger separation between the skilled rider and the amateur. Rather than a 30-rider pile-up, it might be a two-bike crash.”

The laid-back vibe of the race offers spectators a look at competitive cycling in a lax party atmosphere, while spurring the racers into a competitive frenzy. Fixed-gear racing is dangerous because racers can go faster than when they have brakes, but fixed-gear racing at night is just plain crazy.

“There are so many spectators now,” said Trimble. “Only a small percentage are hardcore cyclist fans. It’s a cross section of the Brooklyn and Manhattan crowd.”

This year’s track was lined with art pieces around every bend. “Artists see how visually interesting the race is and want to create art around it,” Trimble added. “I’ve always considered it a performance art piece. The Red Hook art scene has really grown as well. Being a part of that community will really cater the race to a new audience.”

This year Trimble has also signed on a number of local sponsors for the race, hoping to call more attention to local businesses in Red Hook. Future plans for the Criterium include expanding it to more major international cities.

“Milan is definitely going to happen October 13. Berlin, we’re in the early stages of planning,” he said. “We need sponsorships to get the races going, but we have the course set. In the future, our dream is to have three races in Europe, three in America and then a championship and a world final in a city that could change every year.”

The only thing that remains stationary in this race is Trimble’s support for Red Hook.

A workshop to prepare for the bike show program. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOT

By Laura Shin

Small groups of Upper West Side residents recently huddled around maps of their neighborhood and discussed where they believed would be the best locations for bike stations, hitting city streets this July with the launch of the NYC Bike Share program.

“I think the bike share is wonderful and way overdue,” said Michael Rosenthal, a cyclist of 46 years who attended the planning workshop.

Announced last September, NYC Bike Share will bring 600 stations and 10,000 bikes to Manhattan and Brooklyn. Users will be able to pick up a bike from any of the self-service stations, ride it around and return it to any station within 24 hours.

“Let’s say you take the subway to work. It’s a beautiful day out and you want to ride a bike back home. With Bike Share, you can do that,” Nina Haiman, a city Department of Transportation (DOT) representative, said at the workshop.

The program will be run by Alta Bicycle Share and funded entirely by user fees and private sponsors. Since the program’s announcement, DOT and Alta have hosted numerous demonstrations and planning workshops around the city.

Each community board included in the bike share program had its own workshop where community members were invited to offer their input on which sidewalks or streets they would like to see a bike station. The Upper West Side Community Planning Workshop was the last of 13 workshops.

Alison Cohen, president of Alta, said there are many reasons why New York is a great city for a bike share.

“There are tons of opportunities to shave minutes off of short commutes that are not well connected by public transit, such as the crosstown trip in Manhattan,” she said.

“The city is flat and densely populated, and most people don’t have space in their apartments to store bikes,” she added.

NYC Bike Share will offer annual, weekly and 24-hour memberships. No matter which you choose, the first 45 minutes of every trip is free, Haiman said. After your 45 minutes are up, you will be charged a rate based on the type of membership.

Scott Gastel, a DOT spokesman, said the most common question New Yorkers ask is what happens when there are no bicycles available at a station. The station kiosks will offer real-time availability of bikes at nearby stations, Gastel said.

Bike Share’s website and smart phone app will also offer real-time information on bike and station availability.

One concern raised at the workshop was the fact that Bike Share would not offer helmets.

“I’m worried it might encourage people to ride without helmets,” said Rosenthal, who added that he might not be alive today if it weren’t for helmets.

Haiman explained that there is currently no safe, hygienic way to offer shared helmets, but that Bike Share will strongly encourage riders to wear helmets and refer them to nearby bike shops where they can buy one.

Bike Share will cover Manhattan up to 79th Street and reach into parts of Brooklyn. If it is successful, it will expand to other parts of the city, Haiman said.

And while the planning process for choosing locations has been very thorough, the stations can be easily moved if a location doesn’t work out, Haiman said. The solar-powered stations only take 20 minutes to install and require no digging or roadwork.

As for the bikes, they will have step-through frames, three speeds, front and rear LED lights that are constantly on for safety and an adjustable seat. New Yorkers can check out the bikes at an open house hosted by the DOT May 5 at the Grand Central Library from 2-4 p.m.
For more bike coverage visit nypress.com.

Phil Marmet

Office/sales

manager,

ABUS Mobile Security, Inc.

What is the most essential bike accessory and the best splurge item? 

The most essential bike accessory for New York City would be a good lock—without your bike, there is no place to mount the other cool accessories you can find at the New Amsterdam Bicycle Show.

What is the best lock/security system to use? Do any of the less expensive ones give you good security? 

I would recommend the high-security locks from ABUS. Chains like the Granit City Chain 1060 and 1010 offer excellent protection from even the most extreme attacks, and the Bordo Granit X-Plus and U-54 U-lock are great security options as well. I use a Bordo Granit X-Plus in Chicago.

Elayne Fowler 

Marketing director,
Electra Bicycle Company

What bikes do you recommend for daily commuters, casual riders and the fitness-focused in New York City?

Electra has 5 collections of bicycles that are appropriate for New York City—uptown, downtown, crosstown, over the bridge and Central Park riding. Your choice depends on your personality, style preference and functional needs.

Verse is a stylish, lightweight aluminum 700c fitness and everyday transportation bicycle that you can easily add accessories to customize for your specific needs. It comes in 21- and 24-speed.

Ticino is designed with the heritage enthusiast in mind; it’s a lightweight aluminum 700c bicycle with artisan craftsmanship attention to detail. It’s offered in variety of gearing options—1, 7-, 8- and 20-speed.

Amsterdam is a lightweight aluminum 700c elegantly updated Dutch city bike. Sophisticated fashion and classic designs evolved with modern components to provide practical and stylish transportation, while patented Flat Foot Technology sets the standard in comfort and control.

Townie is a lightweight aluminum frame with 26- and 24-inch wheels. It combines the industry innovation of patented Flat Foot Technology with a completely different ride experience, setting the standard in comfort and control.

Cruiser has aluminum and steel frames with 26- and 24-inch wheels. It’s a modern interpretation of all-American classic, bursting with personality and Electra’s coveted patented Flat Foot Technology providing additional comfort and control.

Who is best suited for electric bikes? Do people ever have to overcome a “guilt factor” before getting one?

Electric bikes are a good option for those who need a little boost to help them on their ride. They’re also a good option if you don’t want to get as sweaty during a ride. However, they are fairly expensive and heavy—you don’t want to bring one up five flights of stairs in a walk-up—but they definitely do have a market.

What are the advantages of a cruiser bike and what types of riders tend to like them best?

Cruisers are simple and sturdy and are a great option for riders looking for a fun and comfortable way to get around. Some cruiser models are inexpensive, making them a smart choice for those with limited budgets.

What advice do you have for riding in New York City?

Always be alert and be familiar with your surroundings. Always wear a helmet, follow the rules of the road and use good lighting if riding at night.

What’s your favorite biking trend?

The increased popularity of urban cycling in general. More and more people are turning to cycling as an everyday transportation solution.

Is there anything bikers should do to ease tensions with pedestrians?

Make contact, smile and say hello. Also, follow the rules of the road and be a courteous cyclist.

What is the most essential bike accessory and the best splurge item? 

A helmet is the most essential bike accessory. A cycling-specific smart phone app, such as Strava, makes for a fun way to log and review your ride. And a stylish pair of quality sunglasses is always a nice accessory for a ride.

What is the best lock/security system to use? Do any of the less expensive ones give you good security? 

Buy the lock that best suits your budget and needs—and don’t skimp. You’re better off buying one step better in a lock for enhanced security.

Do some bikers relax too much in bike lanes? What should they be on the lookout for? 

Even though you may be in a bike lane, always be aware of your surroundings. Be on the lookout for illegally parked cars, pedestrians and any other potential hazards.

Ryan Zagata

President, Brooklyn Cruiser

What bikes do you recommend for daily commuters, casual riders and the fitness-focused in New York City?

Two words come to mind for daily commuters: comfort and durability. You want a bike that you feel physically and emotionally good riding, but also a bike that will stand up to the rigors of your daily commute. We advise internal gearing systems and are also partial to coaster brakes, which tend to be a bit more weather agnostic.

If your commute is more than 10 miles, a lightweight, multigeared bike might keep you from being sweaty and exhausted when you get to work. If you have a short commute, I’d advise riding something that keeps your clothes clean and you feel happy and comfortable riding. It’s always awkward seeing a man in a business suit hunched over a racing bike with all his tailored garments stretched to their limit.

Casual riders should choose something they think they looks good on and reflects their ability or casualness.

Fitness-focused New Yorkers don’t have much time, so they like to get in a good workout as quickly as possible. If you’re going to do laps in Central Park or Prospect Park, make it your own personal Velodrome. Get yourself a track bike—it’s said that a 30-mile ride on a track bike is the equivalent to a 50-mile ride on a geared bike.

What are the advantages of a cruiser bike and what types of riders tend to like them best?

The cruiser is pure cycling joy. It’s what we felt the first time we shed our training wheels and experienced the freedom of independent rolling. The cruiser doesn’t care about speed or performance; it allows the rider to simply experience the world as it rolls steadily by without thinking too much about handling the bike.

What’s your favorite biking trend?

The trend playing itself out here in New York and in other cities across the globe: that cities are slowly accepting is that cycling is going to be a major form of transportation and they are making accommodations for that. I think it’s starting to affect who is getting on a bike in the city. It’s not just the cycling diehards—I mean honestly, my grandparents ride bikes too.

Is there anything bikers should do to ease tensions with pedestrians? 

Obey all traffic laws—this includes riding with traffic, stopping at stop signs and red lights and looking both ways before turning. Stay alert; never assume drivers or pedestrians can see you or hear you.

What is the most essential bike accessory and the best splurge item? 

I’ll just assume everyone wears helmets, so beyond that, lights, front and back—get them. Splurge on nice wheels; they say a half a

pound off your wheel set feels like a full pound off your frame.

What are the latest trends in helmets? How do you make sure you are wearing them properly? 

I think ergonomics have come a long way in helmets; right now we are spinning wheels and pulling straps that make it feel like there is a little tailor running around inside your helmet. Helmets are becoming more fashionable, too, from flashy glitter helmets to tweed caps that look like you should be mounting a horse for polo. I have seen many times helmets worn backwards—I appreciate the comic effect, but you’re compromising your safety. Make sure the straps are tight enough to keep the helmet on your head if thrown from the bike, but just loose enough not to choke you.

What is the best lock/security system to use? Do any of the less expensive ones give you good security? 

I’ll always say the best security system is to take your bike inside with you—it prevents exposure to the elements and deters the unsavory characters on the street. If you do leave it on the street, be certain that both wheels and the frame are locked to a steadfast holding. A cable lock is going to be good for a minimal amount of time in a well-trafficked area, otherwise, it’s virtually useless in stopping an able thief.

Do some bikers relax too much in bike lanes? What should they be on the lookout for? 

We have seen this on occasion, the same way some drivers get a bit too relaxed. We encourage riders to treat bike lanes no differently than if they are driving a vehicle: obey traffic laws and ride defensively, always assuming that others do not see you.

The next mayor may not be as bike-friendly as the current administration. What should he or she know about urban biking and what’s the next step New York City should take?

All the next mayor needs to do is retain Janette Sadik-Khan as commisioner of DOT—she gets it, she really gets it.

Julie Hirschfeld

Owner, Adeline Adeline, 147 Reade St.

What bikes do you recommend for daily commuters, casual riders and the fitness-focused in New York City?

For commuters we recommend any bike with fenders and a chain guard. Personally, I prefer a more upright ride. It’s much more comfortable in street clothes and it makes you more visible to traffic. We are big fans of Pashley, Linus and Bobbin.

What advice do you have for riding in New York City?

Ride defensively and enjoy the view.

What’s your favorite biking trend?

Small-wheeled bikes. They evoke ’60s cool and are easy to ride and easy to store.

Is there anything bikers should do to ease tensions with pedestrians?

Stop riding on the sidewalk. Not riding against a light through pedestrian traffic would help, too.

What is the most essential bike accessory and the best splurge item?

Essential: sadly, a lock. The best splurge item is the Brooks Millbrook leather bicycle bag.

What are the latest trends in helmets? How do you make sure you are wearing them properly?

We focus on simple skate-style helmets in neutral colors. We also carry Yakkay from Denmark, which looks more like a hat than a helmet. A helmet should fit snugly enough that it doesn’t move around on its own, but not so snug that it gives you a headache.

What is the best lock/security system to use? 

I’m a big fan of Abus locks. They’re very well-made and easy to use. In New York City we recommend either a U-lock or a heavy-duty chain lock—these are not for the faint of heart.

Do some bikers relax too much in bike lanes? What should they be on the lookout for?

Being overly relaxed is not how I think of the typical New Yorker. Mostly, I look out for cars in the bike lane.

The next mayor may not be as bike-friendly the current administration. What should he or she know about urban biking and what’s the next step New York Cityshould take?

We need a continued focus on infrastructure and safety. There is no reason New York City shouldn’t be a fantastic biking city.

For more bike coverage visit nypress.com.