2007-12-28 – New Year’s Eve Ride – NY Times

THE NEW YORK TIMES
Spare Times
December 28, 2007

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/arts/28wspare.html?ex=1356498000&en=eabea5117ca01e94&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Around Town

NEW YEAR’S EVE RIDE For the 10th consecutive year, Time’s Up!, an environmental advocacy organization dedicated to promoting bike riding, is organizing a two-wheeled entry into the new year. Cyclists will congregate under the arch in Washington Square Park at 10:30 p.m. on Monday for a free, leisurely commute to Belvedere Castle in Central Park, where they’ll eat, drink, dance and watch fireworks. (Above, a past ride, where bikers stopped at Tavern on the Green.) There are also meet-up points in Brooklyn, Queens and elsewhere in Manhattan, with times adjusted accordingly. “It’s a very festive ride,” said Bill DiPaola, the director of Time’s Up! “People are singing and screaming and cheering” the whole way. Usually there are a few “sound bikes,” which blast tunes for people to sing along to, Mr. DiPaola said. But this year, for the first time, there will be live musical accompaniment: the members of the Rude Mechanical Orchestra will perform (arrangements were being made for them to transport their instruments via bike, Mr. DiPaola said). Some lazy types walk to the party site and bring their dogs as an excuse, but Time’s Up! is welcoming, especially if guests bring food or drink to share. And what about tipsy riding? Is there some kind of Champagne-delivery cycle? “I don’t drink and ride, and Time’s Up! does not recommend it,” Mr. DiPaola said. “But if people spike their water bottles, that’s up to them.” Dress warmly. (212-802-8222, times-up.org) MELENA RYZIK