Leaving the house in just a jersey, hoping to sway the weather gods. The balance of the day was spent in arm warmers and fleece.(John Chiarella)

...at the check-in tables

Statues guard the Bronx County Courthouse...and the check-in tables

A younger rider does a "Stand Up" on the courthouse steps.

Cablevisions' News 12 New York sent a one woman crew. At the end of the interview, the young man was directed to ride away from the camera. He did so, and was never seen again...The reporter laughed.

Showing the colors on home turf!

The Puerto Rican flag proudly flies from one of the many bikes in the Puerto Rican Schwinn Bicycle Club display area.

Full dress Schwinn!

Riders join the formation on the steps of the Bronx County Courthouse at 161st Street just west of the Grand Concourse.

A Bike Friday enthusiast proudly displays his mango masterpiece for the camera while he waits near the start line.

Jesse "Big Ring" Brown, in his Transportation Alternatives jersey, gets ready to set the pace at the very front of the Tour de Bronx.

It's NIPPY out here! Here I am, waiting behind the start line, wrapped in fleece against the crisp New York City Fall morning. These vests always look like misplaced armbands on me.