Comments on: Streetfilms: The First Tour de Queens http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-51619 Urbanis Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:25:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/#comment-51619 Well, BicyclesOnly, now I know who you are! Since I never manage to encounter you on my commute down the Hudson River Greenway, I'll make sure to mug for you on the next Central Park Moonlight Ride (that is, if you bring along your camera for such occasions). To quote Gloria Swanson, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille." Well, BicyclesOnly, now I know who you are! Since I never manage to encounter you on my commute down the Hudson River Greenway, I’ll make sure to mug for you on the next Central Park Moonlight Ride (that is, if you bring along your camera for such occasions). To quote Gloria Swanson, “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.”

]]> By: BicyclesOnly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-51613 BicyclesOnly Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:14:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/#comment-51613 I think there was more road rage than at TdBrooklyn and TdBronx rides I have attended. I saw three people get out of their cars and engage in shouting/pleading matches with marshals. I'm not sure to what extent the heat was a factor, or the tendency toward road rage among Queens vs. other motorists. The NYPD presence was perhaps a bit skimpy compared to TdBronx, so there were many intersections where volunteer civilian marshals had to convince motorists that they were authorized to cork. While small, the NYPD contingent imposed an extended 20-minute compression stop on the ride just before Eliot Ave. at high noon. It was pretty brutal. many thanks to all the Queens reisdents who doused us with their garden hoses! (Great idea, Urbanis, to have some of these types of rides scheduled to take place during summer evenings.) Here are some <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclesonly/sets/72157605525742059/" rel="nofollow">pictures.</a> I think there was more road rage than at TdBrooklyn and TdBronx rides I have attended. I saw three people get out of their cars and engage in shouting/pleading matches with marshals. I’m not sure to what extent the heat was a factor, or the tendency toward road rage among Queens vs. other motorists. The NYPD presence was perhaps a bit skimpy compared to TdBronx, so there were many intersections where volunteer civilian marshals had to convince motorists that they were authorized to cork.

While small, the NYPD contingent imposed an extended 20-minute compression stop on the ride just before Eliot Ave. at high noon. It was pretty brutal. many thanks to all the Queens reisdents who doused us with their garden hoses! (Great idea, Urbanis, to have some of these types of rides scheduled to take place during summer evenings.)

Here are some pictures.

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-51604 Urbanis Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:28:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/#comment-51604 @Heffron #6: I am deeply grateful to the Queens TA committee that pulled off a fabulous first-ever TdQ. What a delightful opportunity to get to know your borough better! I especially appreciated the syngergistic arrangements you worked out with the Queens Museum of Art to let us bring our bicycles indoors from the already-scorching 8 a.m. heat, enjoy the air conditioning and bathroom facilities, purchase food before and after the ride, and watch the charming Streetfilms mini-festival. Having the route superimposed on the panorama was a nice touch. The outside taps were life-saving. In short, the attention to detail was nothing short of superb. Yesterday's scorching weather took us all by surprise, but why not consider kicking the ride off an hour earlier, or doing a sunset or even nighttime ride? @Heffron #6: I am deeply grateful to the Queens TA committee that pulled off a fabulous first-ever TdQ. What a delightful opportunity to get to know your borough better!

I especially appreciated the syngergistic arrangements you worked out with the Queens Museum of Art to let us bring our bicycles indoors from the already-scorching 8 a.m. heat, enjoy the air conditioning and bathroom facilities, purchase food before and after the ride, and watch the charming Streetfilms mini-festival. Having the route superimposed on the panorama was a nice touch. The outside taps were life-saving. In short, the attention to detail was nothing short of superb.

Yesterday’s scorching weather took us all by surprise, but why not consider kicking the ride off an hour earlier, or doing a sunset or even nighttime ride?

]]> By: mfs http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-51602 mfs Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:21:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/#comment-51602 I was corking a lot and there were only a few angry drivers. As it started to heat up and the day wore on, there was a lot more honking. Then again, we were also in a more congested area. I was corking a lot and there were only a few angry drivers. As it started to heat up and the day wore on, there was a lot more honking. Then again, we were also in a more congested area.

]]> By: Heffron http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-51597 Heffron Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:25:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/#comment-51597 Were there a lot of angry drivers? I was at Flushing Meadows the whole time, but when I was talking to riders afterwards I didn't hear many complaints about angry motorists. I'm just glad so many people could turn out despite the heat. We were so stoked to see it all come off so well. Were there a lot of angry drivers? I was at Flushing Meadows the whole time, but when I was talking to riders afterwards I didn’t hear many complaints about angry motorists.

I’m just glad so many people could turn out despite the heat. We were so stoked to see it all come off so well.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-51594 Larry Littlefield Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:08:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/#comment-51594 Did Weiner happen to mention transit, rather than just bicycles and cars? Remember, the only hope for the MTA is for the "hidden billions" PR seeking Comptrollers claim around fare hike time to be found, and the promised Brodsky and Weiner billions to arrive -- without higher taxes on wages and property and without harm to other priorities. Hey Weiner, how are those promised billions coming? Or do you perceive a future of placard holders and bike riders, without access to transit for anyone else (like I do thanks to folks like you). All you have to do to change my mind is deliver -- $4.5 billion over and above the $8.5 billion in federal money the MTA was already counting on. Did Weiner happen to mention transit, rather than just bicycles and cars?

Remember, the only hope for the MTA is for the “hidden billions” PR seeking Comptrollers claim around fare hike time to be found, and the promised Brodsky and Weiner billions to arrive — without higher taxes on wages and property and without harm to other priorities.

Hey Weiner, how are those promised billions coming? Or do you perceive a future of placard holders and bike riders, without access to transit for anyone else (like I do thanks to folks like you). All you have to do to change my mind is deliver — $4.5 billion over and above the $8.5 billion in federal money the MTA was already counting on.

]]> By: Tony http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-51593 Tony Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:04:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/#comment-51593 Once you get in a car, your stress levels increases no matter what. At low speeds, you get stressed from traffic or slow you are going. At high speeds, you get stressed from possibly getting caught of speeding or keeping an eye out for other drivers. Once you get in a car, your stress levels increases no matter what.
At low speeds, you get stressed from traffic or slow you are going.
At high speeds, you get stressed from possibly getting caught of speeding or keeping an eye out for other drivers.

]]> By: Clarence http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-51592 Clarence Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:59:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/#comment-51592 Make sure to watch right to the end when cyclists inadvertently take over a gas station and look like they are pulling into refuel at nearly $4.50 per! Make sure to watch right to the end when cyclists inadvertently take over a gas station and look like they are pulling into refuel at nearly $4.50 per!

]]> By: BicyclesOnly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-51590 BicyclesOnly Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:40:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/09/streetfilms-the-first-tour-de-queens/#comment-51590 My impression is that gas price have added an edge to the road rage from the motorists who are forced to wait for rides like this to pass. One guy actually cited the cost of the gas as he sat there honking, cursing and complaining. I told him to turn off his car and get out while he was waiting but he didn't take kindly to this suggestion. My impression is that gas price have added an edge to the road rage from the motorists who are forced to wait for rides like this to pass. One guy actually cited the cost of the gas as he sat there honking, cursing and complaining. I told him to turn off his car and get out while he was waiting but he didn’t take kindly to this suggestion.

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