[Rescheduled from 3/8]

IKEA's cafeteria has reopened for lunch-on, and it's a great destination for us to bike over a fun and scenic round trip route.  Plus Tuesday weather looks good. So how 'bout a nice ride to IKEA for lunch?

START:  Pier 1 (approx W. 70th St, near the cafe), on the river side of the West Side Greenway just across from the public restrooms (see RWGPS map if in doubt of exact location). Be ready at 10:00AM to join the bike check and then roll out . . meatballs and other Swedish yummies await.

EXCURSION:  We'll mostly be on bikeways with splendid river and harbor views. Save your appetites for a yummy (and bon marche) IKEA food court lunch once there. There's American and Swedish food, plus the seated indoor eating area has birds eye views of lower Manhattan and NY harbor. We exit via the food shopping area which gives a quick bypass of the IKEA retail shopping floor maze, plus a convenient opportunity to stock up on packaged ethnic takeaways (including more Swedish meatballs, Lingonberry jellies, lots of salmon products . . you get the idea). After IKEA we'll side trip out to the end of the pier(s), then retrace our route back to Pier 1/W 70th St. on the West side Greenway. There are many bails along the way if needed..

Pace will be moderate, with consistent pedaling for long hauls, mostly on bike lanes/greenways. Ride as a group, perhaps an occasional point-drop-sweep. All bike frame types are fine (1 leader using an "around town" mtn bike with rear rack/pannier; the other a hybrid). Route is posted below; please download if you're into RWGPS, plus pring/bring a cue sheet.

BRING:  Dress for the weather and in layers. BYO the usual tubes, pump, flat repair, hydration, lock/cable for entry area bike rack at IKEA, $ for lunch & purchases,  subway fare if desired; and carrying capacity if you want to bring back stuff. 

TIP:  Hop online in advance to get a free membership to the IKEA family plan. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/ikea-family/  You'll have free tea or coffee with any weekday visit, plus extra discounts/specials on food and other items. If newly signing in, bring your membership code, a screenshot of the acceptance page or email (and probably you can still get the actual card printed at a kiosk near the food court.  

ROUTE:            https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38694529                    http://snuggl.es/roboviva/pdfs/38694529.pdf

All club and government COVID guidelines will be adhered to, including using a face mask when indoors (except when actively shoveling food/bev into one's mouth !!!) and when social distancing is not possible.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: YOU MUST HAVE AND WEAR A MASK WHEN NECESSARY ON ALL 5BBC RIDES AS INDICATED BY THE RIDE LEADER. THIS RIDE HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF SPENDING SOME PERIOD OF TIME INDOORS. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE AND JOIN ANY INDOOR ACTIVITY, YOU MUST BE MASKED, VACCINATED AND BRING PROOF OF VACCINATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE 5BBC MAKES NO REPRESENTATION AS TO THE VACCINATION STATUS OF ANYONE ON THE RIDE OR ENGAGED IN ANY ACTIVITY, INDOOR OR OUT. THE RISK INVOLVED IN ANY ACTIVITY ON THE RIDE IS ASSUMED BY EACH INDIVIDUAL RIDER.