The water and beach were just so great last w/end we're reprising the ride, this time making a beeline from a convenient Brooklyn start point to a quiet spot along the beach in Ft. Tilden/Shore Road.  Ride will have some wonderous virtual art installations in the Rockaways (see below for download/setup connections), fabulouse beach and swim time, capped off by an air conditioned ferry back to Pier 11/Wall Street (and there's a wonderful milk shake truck parked by the ferry pier . . . I've designs on visiting that for sure!)  Pace will be slightly above moderate, have steady cycling, and very few stops. Along the way we'll meander a bit thru Marine Park and Gerritson Beach, both interesting 'hoods. Once in Ft Tilden, there's an option to view an observation point and a battery. We're starting early to get out and back before the crowds. Route map/cue and location will be emailed to confirmed registrants. Ride as a group; no point-drop-sweep except in a few possible instances.

Now back to the art - - there are whimsical and fabulous "augmented reality" art installations - - "Liberty Bell" - - with different iconic visual/musical versions shown simultaneously in 6 U.S. cities (Boston, D.C, Philadelphia, Charleston, Selma, and NYC's very own Rockaway). Check out the scoop, viewing spots, and info on how to download and enable viewing on your phone (you lucky Iphone owners, and Android users who have an "AR" core!).  Of course we'll hit the right spots for premium art viewing . . and beach/swim fun. 

         SEE:  http://www.artproductionfund.org/projects/liberty-bell-rockaway_1

         AND:  http://www.jbrpc.org/news/2020/7/3/nancy-baker-cahill-liberty-bell-an-augmented-reality-public-art-project

         DOWNLOAD & ENABLE APP:  https://www.4thwallapp.org/

At Ft Tilden the byways can get a bit worn and in a bit of disrepair (heck, it's a decommissiod army base, after all). So this is not the time to break out your bestest carbon fiber steed with skinny minny tires (leader is using a hybrid with high pressure "35" measured tires). We will be locking our bikes to metal Jersey fencing at the beach, and possibly at one other place, so do bring a good lock set. Best of all, there are rinse-off showers at adjacent Jacob Riis beach, and bathrooms at the Beach House there, which we pass on the way home.

Overall, this ride is short on mileage, but what the heck, it's one of the hottest weeks this summer, so let's hit the beach AND get some "cult-sha" along the way.

BRING:  Something to sit/lay on at the beach, something to get wet in. Leader is bringing a single sheet pareo as beach blanket/changing room/drying towel, and a bathing suit (top worn under bike jersey; bottom donned at some suitable point). BYO lunch or lots of nibbles; there is NO food at Ft Tilden (it's pack in, pack out) and we won't make a lunch pickup stop. Bring plenty of sun protection, hydration and carrying capacity for hydration. Water fountains are working at Riis beach.

FOR SURE:  Please review all club, legal and health guidelines on COVID-safe participation. Bring/use a (COVID safety) mask, hand sanitizer. If you won't be able to make the ride, please unregister so that others may use the limited slots.