With 90+ degree days most of this week - - can't think of anything other than "where are the best breezes" plus "where can we bike and then swim".

OK - - to the beaches less traveled. Last week I swam at very quiet Ft Tilden Beach.  This Sunday Staten Island is the target, for some "new" fun.. Must say, I've never beached it there, albeit have riden past many of them during circumnavigation bike rides and such. Anyway, the free ferry to and from Staten Island creates its own wonderful breezes; then we'll follow the shoreline (and on/off shore breezes) in heading out to the point on Great Kills Park (and beach!) on the South Shore. 

Great Kills Park is on 523 acres (thank you, Robert Moses pre-1972, and National Park Service more recently). Great Kills was once the home of the 2nd permanent European settlement on Staten Island, and before that . . an American Indian emcampment on the harbor side where oyster beds once abounded. Some parts of the G.K. beach have lifeguards, and we're also free to pick whatever spots of sand and/or shade entice us. There's no sudden dropoffs at the beach's water line, nor mud flats, nor rip tides, nor have we heard of Great White sightings like on Long Island's beaches last w/e.

The area is certainly interesting. "Kill" is an archaic Dutch word meaning stream or creek or channel, and many such are in that area. Today's park itself includes bird watching, marinas, swimming, fishing, hiking and biking, and more activities. Plus it's off the beaten path of beaches, so is "the path less taken".

Yes, it's early out, but that also means we bike during cooler times, get to enjoy some sun, some sand, some swim, then early afternoon back. If no showers or rinse available at Great Kills, we'll spritz off along South Beach as we return. Of course, scenic overlook of the VZ Bridge and such from atop the battery at Ft Wadsworth, and shuffle along the waterfront past National Lighthouse Museum as we return. Suitable for all bike types (in good working order). Do dress for success . .and to sweat, swim, see, sea, etc.

BRING:  Lock/chain for bikes, plenty of hydration, snacks/food, sun protection (clothing layers, hat, lotions), shoes for walking on sand as needed, and definitely flexibility and a spirit of adventure. BYO suit for swim/dip (leader bringing a pareo to lie on, wearing a suit top under the bike jersey, and changing to bottoms either in park rest station or in mobile pareo changing wrap. Make sure bike is in good shape, checked and tires pumped up the night before, bike kit/tire changing tools and pump as needed for your bike. And maybe BYO strong plastic bag; worst case, one can fill at bathhouse or fountain, and then drizzle over self. Masking definitely required for ferry building and boat . . and suggested for other places, too.

MEET: 7:45 AM ground level Staten Island ferry for the 8:00AM departure (in the streeet level dog/screening-bike holding area).  Ferry building has restrooms upstairs, and some concessions probably open then both upstairs and on ground floor (plus possibly on board). No major food acquisition stop otherwise (think fruit and light summertime snacks and LOTS of bevs).

Ride open to 8 riders plus leaders. If you're registered and can't make it, please remove yourself asap.

Cue sheet and map (easy route to follow) will be distributed to registered riders in advance (and possibly posted to the ride listing). It will be in a Maps/Google format, with a well annotated cue sheet (no RWGPS unless you volunteer to create one).

So let's go beachin' and breezin' it! 

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