Bike New York's Five Boro Bike Tour is the largest recreational cycling event in the United States. The route takes you on a 42-mile tour through all five boroughs of New York City, which must be where they came up with the creative name. It's not only offers good exercise, but an interesting trip for people who have yet to venture outside of Manhattan. The event takes place every year on the first Sunday in May, and it will return on May 7, 2006, for its 29th running.

An estimated 30,000 cyclists participate in the Five Boro Bike Tour, and you will see many unusual, bicycle-esque types of transport. The city temporarily closes major thoroughfares in each borough, so you don't have to contend with dodging NYC traffic, but, with so many riders, you need to be cautious at all times. There are frequent accidents (with injury), and I've even heard rumors of an occasional death.

I participated in the event a few years ago with six other people. With such a large crowd, keeping your group together is close to impossible. About halfway through the ride, I was only in the company of my friend Dana's boyfriend. The rest of my crew was nowhere to be seen among the thousands of cyclists. You can attempt to regroup at the periodic rest areas that provide first-aid, water, and restrooms, but they are an equally chaotic mass of people. I didn't reunite with my friends until we reached the end of the route at Staten Island.

New York City weather can be fickle, so you should be prepared for every condition (with the exception of snow). There was an absolute downpour for 30 minutes during my ride, and one of the tunnels along the FDR Drive became flooded. There is the point where I went "ass over tea kettle." Everyone seemed to slow down to ford the foot-deep puddle, and just then, someone cut directly in front of me. My knobby mountain bike tire got caught in his spokes, and I found myself thrust from my seat and lying in the water. My first thought was of being crushed by an untold number of cyclists behind me, so I quickly remounted and escaped unscathed.

Happily, that was the only danger I faced that day. My new Cannondale bike was a little scratched up, but that gave it some personality. The greatest personal hazard is a sore rump. I'm not a frequent rider, so my posterior was more than a little tender following 42 miles of uneven pavement. I had a gel cover for my seat, but its benefits were negligible. My best advice is, if there is an extremely comfortable saddle, buy it before subjecting yourself to the rigors of NYC's streets.

All in all, it was a great way to see the Big Apple. For additional information, on the Five Boro Bike Tour or other Bike New York events, visit the official Bike New York site.