You’re standing on Church Street at 7:30 AM and the silence is weird. New York is never this quiet. Then you hear it—the clicking of ten thousand freewheels. It sounds like a massive swarm of mechanical cicadas. That’s the moment you realize the 5 Borough Bike Tour 20025 isn’t just a "bike ride." It’s a total takeover.
40 miles. Five boroughs. Zero cars.
Most people think they know what to expect because they’ve seen the photos of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge covered in a sea of helmets. But those photos don’t tell you about the brutal headwind on the FDR Drive or the way your legs feel like overcooked spaghetti by the time you hit Astoria Park. It’s a grind. It’s a party. Honestly, it’s the only day of the year you won't get honked at for existing on two wheels in Manhattan.
What’s Actually New for the 2025 Route?
Bike New York, the non-profit that runs this whole circus, doesn't usually mess with the "greatest hits" of the route, but the logistics for 2025 have some subtle shifts you need to track. The start line remains a tiered affair in Lower Manhattan. If you’re in Wave 1, you’re basically riding with the semi-pros and the people who spent $12,000 on carbon fiber frames. Wave 6? That's where the fun (and the chaos) is. Expect unicycles, tandem bikes, and at least one guy dressed as a giant slice of pizza.
The route is a 40-mile loop, but calling it a loop is kinda lying since you end up on Staten Island and have to ferry back. You start in Manhattan, head north into the Bronx, dip back down through Manhattan into Queens and Brooklyn, and then finish with that monster climb up the Verrazzano.
Registration usually opens in January. If you miss the early bird window, you’re looking at a charity entry which costs a lot more but at least the money goes toward bike education programs in the city. Last year, the standard entries sold out in less than 24 hours. Don’t wait.
💡 You might also like: Tiempo en East Hampton NY: What the Forecast Won't Tell You About Your Trip
The Mental Game of the BQE and the FDR
Riding on highways sounds cool until you realize highways weren't built for human power. The FDR Drive has these subtle, rolling inclines that just eat your momentum. You’ll be pedaling hard, wondering why you’re moving so slow, only to realize you’ve been on a 2% grade for two miles.
Then there’s the Bronx. You’re only there for a hot minute—literally just a couple of miles—but the energy is massive. Local crews usually set up near the Willis Avenue Bridge.
Why Queens is Secretly the Hardest Part
By the time you hit the Pulaski Bridge entering Queens, the novelty has worn off. This is the 25-mile mark. Your lower back is probably screaming. The roads in industrial Queens and Brooklyn aren't exactly glass-smooth. Watch out for the "expansion joints" on the bridges. If you hit those the wrong way, you’re looking at a pinch flat, and nobody wants to be that person changing a tube on the side of the road while 30,000 people whiz by.
The 2025 tour will likely see more e-bikes than ever. It’s a touchy subject in the cycling community, but for the 5 Borough Bike Tour 2025, they’re allowed as long as they are Class 1 (pedal-assist only). No throttles. If you’re on a heavy e-bike, just remember you still have to control that weight on the descents.
Surviving the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
This is it. The finale. The bridge is about two miles long, and the climb is long, steady, and demoralizing if you haven't paced yourself. You’re 38 miles in.
📖 Related: Finding Your Way: What the Lake Placid Town Map Doesn’t Tell You
- The Wind: It’s always there. Usually a crosswind that tries to push you into the person next to you.
- The View: Don't look at your front tire. Look left. The Manhattan skyline from the middle of the Verrazzano is something you literally cannot experience any other way.
- The Descent: People go too fast here. Please don't be that guy. Gravity does the work, but there are thousands of tired riders around you.
Once you cross into Staten Island, you hit the Finish Festival. It’s loud. There’s food. There’s beer. But the real challenge? The line for the Staten Island Ferry.
Pro tip: Everyone tries to leave at once. If you aren't in a rush, hang out at the festival for an extra hour. Let the first three waves of people clog up the ferry terminal. You’ll have a much more chill ride back to Manhattan if you just wait it out.
Essential Gear You’ll Actually Need
Don't overthink the bike. I’ve seen people do this on Citi Bikes (which is heroic but painful) and old Schwinns from the 70s. As long as it has two wheels and working brakes, you’re good.
- Layers. May in NYC is moody. It could be 45 degrees at the start and 75 by the finish.
- No Backpacks. The rules are strict. No big bags. Use a small saddle bag or just stuff your jersey pockets.
- Flat Kit. Even though there are "mechanic pits" along the way, the wait times are legendary. If you can fix your own flat, you’ll save two hours of your life.
- Hydration. Don't wait until the rest areas. Those places get packed. Carry two bottles.
The Logistics Most People Ignore
You can't just show up. You have to pick up your rider packet (number, bib, etc.) at the Bike Expo in the days leading up to the event. In 2025, the Expo is expected to be at Pier 36 again. It’s a massive gear-fest. It’s fun, but it’s also a time-sink. Factor in at least two hours to get in and out of there.
Also, think about how you’re getting to the start line. The subways allow bikes, but on the morning of the tour, every "L" and "N" train is basically a rolling bike rack. Give yourself an extra 45 minutes of travel time just for the subway shuffle.
👉 See also: Why Presidio La Bahia Goliad Is The Most Intense History Trip In Texas
Actionable Steps for Your Ride
If you’re planning to tackle the 5 Borough Bike Tour 2025, you need a game plan that starts way before May.
First, get your registration sorted the minute it opens in early 2026 for the May event. Follow Bike New York on social media or sign up for their newsletter; they don't give much warning before the portal goes live.
Second, train for distance, not speed. You don't need to be fast, but you need to be comfortable sitting on a saddle for four to six hours. Do a few 30-mile rides in April. If you can handle 30, the adrenaline of the crowd will carry you through the final 10.
Lastly, check your tires the night before. It sounds simple, but the #1 reason people don't finish isn't exhaustion—it's mechanical failure. Clean your chain, pump your tires to the recommended PSI, and make sure your brakes aren't rubbing.
This isn't a race. There are no medals for coming in first. The "win" is successfully navigating 40 miles of New York concrete without a flat tire or a sunburn. Spend the day looking up at the architecture and waving at the kids in Brooklyn holding "Free High Five" signs. That’s the real New York experience.