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Dunno yet.

We had 2,185 sign up online, breaking last year's record of 2,068. We're sure it would have been more like 2,300 or 2,400, but the bad forecast dampened the rush we always get in the last couple of days.

The number of people who actually biked is always harder to figure. As one measure, we count bibs distributed?last year we handed out about 1,640?and we are doing that now. I'm sure that will be lower this year due to the weather.

And of course some of those who started bailed out quickly in the early rain and went home or went straight to the festival; others probably snuck in without bibs on the west side once the rain stopped. So any final numbers are likely to be somewhat, er, subjective!

My guess is that by next year, this and most other big outdoor events will have drones over them, shooting photos and videos and automatically assessing crowd numbers with some app or other ... but I need a nap before I think about that!

What was the final tally of participating riders?

I'm a wuss and the weather kept me away. totally understand how postponing would be a logistical nightmare, and I applaud the hardy riders who showed up and made it all worthwhile.

next year!

Just wanted to take a minute out of my post-tour recovery to thank everyone involved in the Tour & Fest, from city agencies including the Office of Cultural Affairs and JCPD to our sponsors, vendors, bands, community groups; our amazing volunteers and my fellow board members; and of course all of you who rolled and rocked on Sunday.

Also, thank you for all the comments and hella thoughtful critiques in this thread, mostly regarding weather. Without getting into detail, we are already talking about the same things, and I guarantee you that as we plan future tours, we will take all the ideas here very seriously.

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Upper Volta

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iGreg, are you from California by any chance? I haven't seen anyone use the word "hella" since I left CA.

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Too much Mario Kart as kids.

Equ,

i bought a poncho at Duane Reade the night before. There was a forecast of like a 70 percent chance of rain at 11am the previous day. It didn't take much forethought to think hey i don't want to be soaking wet let me get some rain protection.

It was 70 degrees out it wasn't exactly cold.(the 5 boro tour last month it was 40 something in the rain) It rained heavy but if people had gotten cheap ponchos and tucked part of the hood into their helmet they would have been fine. You also need to wear the appropriate clothing. Don't wear something heavy that is going to stay soaking wet.

I think they only would have called it if there had been a forecast of thunderstorms that morning. Luckily, the forecast changed and it was only going to rain. then not rain.. then it rained.. hard.

I'm super happy they didn't cancel. I couldn't make the rain date so I was going to ride that route no matter what.


What was up with all the people throwing bananas in the road? That was uncalled for.

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I guess I disagree... Not many have ponchos to ride with. I didn't see a recommendation to bring either. Rain was not light or at the end, it was heavy and at the beginning. It was also not summer rain at 75-85F, it was around 65F, after some time my friend's lips turned blue. Us, and several other folks that I noticed, bailed at various staging points.

Organizers cannot make weather or even have great forecasts to work with so it's a tough balancing act. They may also be up against other constraints, e.g. police help on reschedule.

These said, if that day doesn't qualify for a rain day, I'm not sure what day does. I kept following the forecast and to cancel only for potential lightning but not for solid rain seemed like a not good decision. My 2 cents...

I still thank the organizers, not an easy task.

I also had a rain repellant jacket on kept me warm, dry, and comfortable, I wish I could say the same for my feet. Had to trek and pedal around with soggy socks all day long.

I was shocked how few people had rain ponchos. I wore spandex pants a swim suit top and a work out shirt and put on a poncho when the rain started and I didn't get very wet aside from my shoes and hair.

The rain was comically bad but I loved it. Thanks bike JC for putting this together.

We bailed as well, and drove out just as the group was entering BeLa-and the rain was coming down. I think BikeJC had a tough call to make, as I imagine re-scheduling all the vendors in LSP would've been difficult, so I can't blame them for not postponing it. There's always next year.

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It was a decent crowd of a few hundred at least. The rain was tough at first, but it let up about half way through.

anyone know how many ppl actually turned out for this? I was all set to go but not in the rain. Slick roads alone are a problem especially with a big group of riders, much less the discomfort of riding wet.

Ward Tour is still ON today, as is the FinishLine Festival at Liberty State Park: https://www.facebook.com/events/886742491449055/

Oops, last post didn't have the right registration link.

REGISTER HERE

Lotttttttttts of fun food options Sunday at our Finish Line Festival in Liberty State Park:

Rosie's Eatery -- Taco
Mayon Grill -- Filipino BBQ
Angry Crab -- Seafood
Green Radish -- Veg/vegan
Pizza Vita -- Pizza
The Cow & The Curd -- Cheese treats
Bread & Spoon -- Sandwich & salad
Milk Sugar Love -- Ice cream
Whos Gluten Free -- Cookies
Lizzmonade -- Lemonade
Hi-FiBar -- Granola

Come down to LSP 1?6 p.m. and enjoy (even if you're not riding in the bike tour)! The NERDS play at 3:30.

Last few days left to register for the tour: REGISTER HERE

Confirmed band lineup for the Finish Line Festival:

1:00 (as riders return): The Penniless Loafers -- "indieskarock"

Following: Beninghove's Hangmen -- "creeptastic surf noir"

3:30: The NERDS -- NJ's favorite crowd-pleasing ?ber-cover band with a side of costumed comedy

The festival, in Liberty State Park 1?6 p.m., is free and open to everyone, even if you're not riding in the Jersey City Ward Tour that will finish there!

There will be a beer garden by Raval, a Gastro Alley with lots of food trucks and vendors, the Horizon Wellness Village with health-related offerings, and an expo of community groups.

Bike around to it with Bike JC, or just come independently and enjoy it!

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I generally agree. We at Bike JC would love to make the tour roll more continuously; that would require one of two things:

1. Exclude more of the slower people. That way we wouldn't have to keep stopping the front line to let the back catch up and keep the tour compact so the police can re-open the roads right behind us. But we don't want to do that, because we want the tour to stay very inclusive and attract newer cyclists.

OR

2. Get the whole route closed to motor traffic, or maybe half at a time, for, say, three hours, instead of the current rolling closures. That way it won't matter if the line strings out a loooong way, and everyone can just roll at their own paces. It might even be easier for drivers because it will be very visible and predictable. But that would take significantly more staffing by police, crossing guards, and us. We have suggested it; if the tour keeps growing maybe that will happen. Numbers justify many things, so please bring a friend!

Till then, if you're a fast rider, please know that there will be several deliberate stops this year and every year. Please think of it as a social ride/party/parade, a demonstration of biking's growing popularity in JC, and a demonstration of why we need to enable more of it in the near future.

Are you a very strong rider of road bikes, fixies, etc.? Why not slow your natural roll by riding the tour on a fat bike or beach cruiser, or pulling a trailer with a little boom box in it. We hear they're legal now! Also: There's a bit less waiting if you start well back in the pack and just stay with the riders around you. That way it's the front that waits for you.

It would be more successful if it can flow better from start to end. I recall 3-4 stops and lots of waiting each time last year.

Over a thousand riders already registered for the Jersey City Ward Tour; now ahead of our record-setting pace from last year!

Join us June 5! REGISTER HERE NOW!

All Ward Tour volunteers: Please attend our volunteer meeting TONIGHT (Wed. May 18), 7:30, City Hall, 280 Grove St., 2nd Floor Council Chambers.

We'll plan assignments for the big day (June 5) and also will have promotional posters for you to hang in your neighborhoods in the meantime if you can.

Just signed up. Looking forward to it.

Registration for Bike JC's 7th annual Jersey City Ward Tour is now open!

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, FREE ($5 suggested donation), and available now at our website here: REGISTER

The 2016 tour will roll at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 5, from its new start at City Hall.

We'll finish in beautiful Liberty State Park for the first time, and we'll have our Finish Line Festival there all afternoon, with food trucks, a beer garden, live bands including Jersey favorites The NERDS, and the Horizon Wellness Village.

The route is very similar to last year's except for the start and finish, approx. 15 miles. Helmets are required for everyone on a bike.

You can find much more information on Bike JC's website at the registration link above, and also on our Facebook event page here: FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE TOUR!

Meeting Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

We also need lots of volunteers June 5 to help with registration, ride as marshals, sell our T-shirts, etc. So if you can help, please sign up here: VOLUNTEER SIGNUP

Also, please attend a meeting for all Ward Tour volunteers this Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St., 2nd Floor, in the Council Chambers. We'll plan assignments, and we'll have posters for you to hang in your neighborhoods.

Please try to make it, but if you can't you can still volunteer! We may call one more meeting closer to June 5.

Thank you!

The Jersey City Ward Tour is presented in partnership with the City of Jersey City, Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Municipal Council, and the Office of Cultural Affairs. Welcome to our new principal sponsor: The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey!

So excited for this! I couldn't go last year but as long as it doesn't move bc of the rain I'll be there!!!!

Save the date and ride with us!!

Bike JC's 7th Annual Jersey City Ward Tour and Festival will be held Sunday, June 5. We'll bike about 15 miles all around the city at an easy pace?with a couple thousand friends! After the ride, enjoy a finish-line festival, including live bands, great food and a beer garden. Free registration is required, and we expect to open it online in early May. Rain date June 12.

We'll have much more information shortly, here and on our website at www.bikejc.org.

Facebook: Bike JC
Twitter: @bikejc
Instagram: @bikejcgram