Join us for the annual free Jones Beach Air show, one of the biggest/bestest in the country, back in post-Covid strength. It's packed with spectacular flying:  the US Navy Blue Angels (this leader's fave, as are the Top Gun movies) with their FA/18 Super Hornets; the US Army's Golden Knights parachute team; Air Combat Command F-22 Raptor; the US Navy F-35C Demo Team; the US Coast Guard; and the 106th Rescue Wing NY Air National Guard/Demo Team.  On the civilian front there's Farmingdale's American Air Power Museum historic Warbirds; Long Island air performer David Windmiller; the SUNY/Farmindale State College Flying Rams (who plan to fly 22 of their college-owned aircraft); Jessy Panzer, a widely known female acrobatic pilot; Mike Goulian (the most decorated aerobatic pilot in North America); and the world famous SkyTypers. For sure, bring your hi-rez camera or video capture device. All in, it's a great way to spend a refreshing holiday weekend day. 

We take the 6:58AM out of NY Penn Station to avoid the worst of the crush waiting to pass the very thorough beach security check points. We arrive 7:51AM at Wantagh; then bike a few residential blocks to Cedar Creek Park, check out the restrooms, then onto the 6ish mile paved rec path to Jones Beach. Everything is pretty much pancake flat, so it's suitable for all types of bikes and cyclists (leader is bringing her highly lockable mtn bike with knobby tires). Note that the paths are expected to be much busier than customary, given the holiday. Since our excursion is not long on planned mileage, when we return post-show there's optional extra mileage (depending on which LIRR train we target) via biking eastward for a round trip to the ternimus of the bike path's latest extension, which now runs well past Tobay Beach.

At Jones Beach we lock our bikes at the beach and spread out (probably at the boardwalk/sand border, to be near locked bikes). From 10AM-on the air show is pretty much continuous, with only short breaks between "acts".  So it's a relaxing day, punctuated by lots of air show thrills.

Current weather forecasts suggest that "wet" should be well finished by Saturday evening, so that's auspicious! .

NOTE:  This signup list will be locked Saturday by 5PM so no more signups after that  (in fairness, the leader reserves the right to make alternate locational arrangements for viewing the air show at that point; besides, if ya don't know your holiday w/e plans by then . .  plus we'd like to plan and have a relaxing air show/holiday as well).

BRING: All the usuals, plus something for sitting/lounging/laying. Bringing bevs/food is optional (there are good water refill stations plus retail food vendors nearby). Don't forget plenty of UV protection (lotion, cap, sun glasses, clothing barrier), and bathing suit if you want to do an early season dip (there are open air rinse showers on the boardwalk near  beach access points, plus the bath houses provide hot showers for a fee). Backpacks and sacks will be searched, so don't pack the kitchen sink, plus no booze (LOL; you're telling cyclists?).

MEET:  6:45AM LIRR NYPenn Station for the 6:58 Babylon branch train which runs direct to Wantagh, at the easternmost cross corridor next to where ticket booths used to be, and where we'll descend to the platform near the front of the train.  (HINT: enter from escalators/elevator at 34th Street just west of 7th Avenue, near the sidewalk police kiosk). Buy a round trip ticket NYP/Wantagh.

PRINT/BRING: Cue sheet & maplet which will be emailed to registered participants, plus this map of Jones Beach's central mall area https://www.parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/JonesBeachCentralMallSiteMap.pdf

DRIVE/PARK OPTION:  Automobile-owner types could drive and intersect us at various points. Park at Jones Beach State Park ($10/car), and meet at our viewing destination. OR park for free in open spots around the Wantagh LIRR station or near Cedar Creek Park, or for a small fee inside Cedar Creek Park; either way, intersect us at the restroom in Cedar Creek Park just before we hit the bike path. Contact ride leader in advance if you'll be wanting to join up other than at NY Penn.

UPDATES:  Ride limited to 8 pre-registered riders plus leaders. If you won't be able to make it, please remove yourself from the list as soon as possible to create space for others.  Any changes or significant updates to ride details will be posted the night before on this ride listing plus emailed to registrants.

COVID STATUS:  All applicable government, venue, and club mandates will be observed regarding masking, so be sure to BYO mask and plan on wearing while on transit/stations, and at least during crowded pinch points entering.  Leader intends to wear hers!

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.