For me, that place has always been New York. It’s the city where Andy Warhol and Lou Reed lived, where John Lennon was tragically shot, where breakdancing was born, and where countless films have been set.
In that very city, there’s a long-distance cycling event: the Five Boro Bike Tour, commonly known as Bike New York.
The course spans 64 kilometers, taking riders from Manhattan through the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and finally to Staten Island. With traffic restricted, the streets are cleared of cars. The tickets sell out instantly, and with over 30,000 participants, it’s the largest cycling event in the Northern Hemisphere. Just the thought of riding through my dream city on my own bike fills me with excitement.
On the day of the event, May 5th, 2024, I left the hotel a little after 5 AM. Although the anticipated rain didn’t come, it was quite cold. Even with a long-sleeve jersey, a gilet, and a windbreaker, the icy air pierced through.
As I arrived at the venue, the steam rising thickly from the streets, just like in the movies, was there to greet me. Yes, this is it. It couldn’t be more perfect.This is New York. Even the chill in the air makes my heart race with excitement.
A large number of riders had already gathered at the venue.
Near the starting line, there was a VIP area set up. It was quite lavish, with a wide array of food from hot meals like sausages to fruits and granola. As a guest rider, I joined the VIPs and enjoyed a bagel and some fruit.
After finishing breakfast and heading to the starting line, I found that an overwhelming number of riders had gathered. The street was filled with helmets stretching as far as the eye could see, and it made my heart swell with emotion. Just witnessing this scene was worth the participation. Bike New York, which began with 250 people in 1977, has now grown into a massive event with over 30,000 participants nearly half a century later. It’s fair to say it was a pioneer in bringing cycling culture into global recognition.
Just before the start, the voices of children singing the U.S. national anthem echoed between the buildings. Together with riders I didn’t know, we hummed along even though we didn’t know the lyrics. Before I knew it, I was crying, grateful for the miracle of being part of this moment!
The ride began at 7:30 AM, and all the riders simultaneously started heading north on 6th Avenue.
It wasn’t just road bikes—recumbents, Bromptons, pedal-powered bikes, and hand-cranked bikes of all kinds filled the road as they moved forward.
Many locals gathered along the route to cheer on the riders. On 6th Avenue and in Central Park, students performed cheerleading routines, while in Harlem, gospel singers lifted their voices. New York is a city where business, entertainment, and talent from all over the world come together to compete, but the streets on this day were filled with a sense of celebration. We riders also become a part of it.
At the first aid station, I grabbed a banana and devoured three bags of Lays potato chips. The pickle-flavored energy drink had a shocking taste. A police officer overseeing the event looked particularly kind, so I struck up a conversation and asked for a photo. Everyone here was smiling.
As I pedaled along, familiar scenes from movies appeared throughout the course. “Is that the bridge used in ‘Batman’?” or “Is this the view of Manhattan from ‘The Great Gatsby’?” There’s a saying about visiting sacred places, and New York feels like a city where every corner is sacred. London and Paris are impressive, but they can’t compare to New York. The 64 km distance might feel a bit short for those who are used to riding regularly. But that’s what makes it great—anyone can participate with a relaxed mindset, simply enjoying the views from the saddle.
About 15 kilometers from the finish line, it started to rain. The drops were quite large, covering my sunglasses with water, so I had to wipe them off with my jersey sleeve several times. Along with the rhythmic sound of my breathing, I could hear the swoosh of tires cutting through the water. Normally, this kind of rain would be bothersome, but I decided to embrace it as part of the celebration.
By the time I approached the highway, the rain had eased to a light drizzle. With less than 10 kilometers to go, I still felt full of energy.
As I rode, I had a sudden thought: I should go for a final burst. Why not pour all my remaining strength into crossing the finish line? It would surely be more enjoyable that way.
I shifted up a gear on my Brompton. The extra load on my legs was immediate. I used a dancing motion to build momentum and increased my speed. I reached the final highlight, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Once I crossed this roughly 3-kilometer bridge, the finish line was just ahead. The incline was steeper than expected, and I saw a few riders walking their bikes. Feeling the altitude gain, I continued to pedal relentlessly.
At 11 a.m., 3 hours and 30 minutes after the start, I crossed the finish line. A Black girl handed me a medal and congratulated me.
The dream-like ride through New York had finally come to an end.
As I was walking through the finish area, something unexpected happened.
A tall, middle-aged white woman came running up to me, smiling and waving.
“I work for Brompton and we have a tent here. Would you like to come by and visit?”
As soon as I arrived at the tent, she started asking me all sorts of questions: “How long are you in New York? Did you enjoy the ride? Are there a lot of Brompton riders in Japan?” She also gave me a Brompton original cap and some stickers as a gift.
“Let me take your picture,” she said.
I posed at an Instagram-worthy photo spot, following the staff’s instructions, and had my picture taken. It was a bit embarrassing.
In the finish area, there was also a VIP tent with a lavish lunch spread. The array of dishes made with healthy ingredients like salmon, avocado, and tofu were all delicious.
From the finish line on Staten Island, participants took a special ferry to Manhattan. Those who rented bikes had to return them before boarding the ferry, while those who brought their own bikes could bring them into the cabin. Riders huddled together, swaying with the waves. The cabin was filled with a mix of achievement and fatigue. It was like a quiet afterglow following the festival. No one said anything, but I had this strange feeling that something important was being shared among the riders around me. It was the first time I had ever felt that way while cycling. That’s how special this ride was for me.
Upon arriving in Manhattan, riders gradually headed home on their own bikes. There was a casual, almost nonchalant feeling, as if saying, “It was great riding together, see you next time,” and then seamlessly returning to everyday life. This sort of laid-back attitude felt quintessentially New York.
Falling in love with my Brompton, longing for New York, and riding through Bike New York was an exhilarating experience. On the saddle, with emotions running high, I found myself moved to tears multiple times.
Looking back, it was truly the best ride of my life.
Someday, I hope to return to New York with my bike once again.
Daisaku Kawase He is a Free Producer, the Representative of Days Co., Ltd, Global Ride Communication Director. Born in Aichi Prefecture. With 16 years of road cycling experience, he loves scenic rides. He squeezes in rides between work and travels all over Japan with his bike. His beloved bike is a Trek. After working as a producer on programs like “Ariyoshi no Okane Hakken Totsugeki! Kaneo-kun,” “Oyasumi Japan Nemuiine,” and “Asaichi” at NHK, he became independent in 2022. In addition to producing programs, he also handles project production for government and corporate clients.
