RIDE THE BEST OF THE BIG APPLE IN THE '98 NYC CENTURY BICYCLE TOUR

Look out, Transportation Alternatives' 9th Annual New York City Century Bike Tour is fast on your wheel! On Saturday, September 12th 3,000 riders from NY and beyond will hit the streets, greenways, and parks of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx for a tour like no other.

Through bucolic tree-lined streets in the heart of Brooklyn, to the bay breezes at Gateway National Recreation Area … from the Vanderbilt "motor" parkway, around the World's Fair Unisphere to the sweeping vistas of Little Neck Bay, the NYC Century Bike Tour offers sight-seeing from the best vantage point: two wheels.

Riders will also enjoy six rest stops and the Central Park finish for the three R's - refueling, rehydrating, and relaxing. Munch out on tasty fare with style ¾ who else has PowerBars, hummus and pita, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, gourmet bread, fruit galore and more?!

Three route distances are available - 40, 75 or 100 miles. All routes begin and end at Central Park's gorgeous Harlem Meer. Registered riders receive a commemorative Century t-shirt in 100% organic cotton by Patagonia. Registration fees are $30 til 8/10; $35 til 9/11 and $40 on ride day. (Transportation Alternatives members receive $5 off all fees.) Riders who fundraise by getting sponsors to pledge a donation are in the running for prizes - top prizes include a bike trailer donated by B.O.B. Trailers and a Specialized mountain bike care of Metro Bicycles.

Additional details are available in registration brochures available at local bike shops, or on the web at www.transalt.org. Interested riders or volunteers can also call 212 629 8080 and leave a message.

Sponsors of the 1998 NYC Century Bike Tour include the Wildlife Conservation Society, Patagonia, PowerBar, Ben & Jerry's, Bicycle Habitat, Metro Bicycles, Toga Bike Shop, Krispy Kreme, Tribe of Two Sheiks Hummus, Kontos Bakeries, Gatorade and Bicycling Magazine.

*Save the date! Gear Up for the Century Night at Patagonia, with Toga Bike Shop, is Sept. 2nd at 6 pm.*

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The NYC Century Bike Tour - still the nation's only urban century - benefits Transportation Alternatives, (T.A.). T.A. is a grassroots non-profit organization working for a better urban environment through sustainable transportation such as cycling, walking, skating and transit.

T.A.'s victories include ramped bike access to the George Washington and Brooklyn Bridges, wide on-street bicycle lanes, 24-hour/day subway bike access, commuter train bike access, federal funding for bike racks, and more.