On Sunday, September 21, 2025, I did the Transportation Alternatives NYC Century Bike Tour. The last time it was held was back in 2019, so this was the big return. It was my first time doing the ride and, thanks to my friends Rachelle and Ivan hyping me up, I went for the full 100 miles. (There were also 75, 55, and 35 mile options.)
I can honestly say this was the most time I’ve ever spent in Queens on a bike. I saw parts of the city I’d never explored before, even in my own borough. That alone made it worth it.
There were way more people doing the century route than I expected. After six years off, folks were excited to ride, explore, and take on the challenge. Riders were sent off in small waves. Official start time was 6:00am, but my group rolled out at 6:06am.
One important note: the streets are OPEN. This isn’t like Bike New York’s TD Five Boro Tour where the roads are completely closed to traffic. On this ride, you’re mixing it up with cars, buses, pedestrians, delivery guys, plus plenty of other cyclists who aren’t part of the event. As the day went on, the streets got busier. Thankfully, the groups of people I rode with did a great job calling out cars, pedestrians, potholes, and random debris. That made a huge difference and was so helpful.
Rest stops were clutch. Unless you have a dietary restriction or are picky about your snacks, you don’t really need to carry much. Every stop had plenty of water, fruit, snacks, and hydration packets. And since you’re in the city, bodegas and supermarkets are always an option. Each rest stop also had porta-potties, and since they were set up in parks, sometimes actual bathrooms too (and surprisingly, some of those were empty). Also, take a minute to stretch at each stop, your body will thank you later.
Navigation wise, the route was shared through Ride with GPS, but they also gave out paper cue sheets at check-in. Definitely grab one. Tech fails, your phone dies, your bike computer glitches, or maybe you just miss a turn. Having backup is key, especially if you end up solo at some point. The streets were marked with arrows, but it’s always better to be safe. FYI my Garmin acted up and ended my ride 36 minutes after we started.
There aren’t a lot of opportunities to do a century ride in NYC. Off the top of my head, there’s this one, the Century Plus, and Girls Do Bike NYC’s women led century. Or, of course, you can always map out your own route. Either way, it’s worth doing at least once.
My advice? Take pictures and video along the way. Capture the sunrise, the quiet streets, the chaos, the views, and the people, whether they’re your friends or new riding buddies. That’s part of the fun.
My final thoughts: this century was long but fun. The weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cool. For rides like this, I think the three most important things are:
- Safety – stay alert, ride smart, accidents can happen.
- Nutrition – eat and hydrate along the way so you actually finish strong.
- Fun – remember why you’re out here. Bike rides are supposed to be fun, so have fun!
I didn’t just do this ride for the challenge, I did it to enjoy the city and have a good time. And I definitely did.