Thousands of New Yorkers spent their Sunday on a two-wheel tour of the Bronx. NY1's Tara Lynn Wagner has the story.

It's an event that attracts cyclists from across the city and beyond.

Organizers say the Tour de Bronx is the largest free cycling event in the state, with roughly seven thousand people signing up to see the borough from two wheels — or even one.

The event gets people out and moving.

"It's great to get outside and enjoy the sunshine or what's left it for the year," said Westchester cyclist Haslyn Howard.

But it also gives the borough the a chance to put its best foot forward. Both the 25- and 40-mile routes go through a surprising amount of greenery.

"Twenty-five percent of the land mass of the Bronx is natural forest so this is the borough of parks and they get to go through a lot of the parks," said Olga Luz Tirado, Executive Director of the Bronx Tourism Council.

"I think overall I'm just overwhelmed by how much nature there is in the Bronx," said Sefan Knust, a cyclist from Manhattan who completed the 40-mile course. "I think I traced all of the waters edges and was mesmerized by everything."

It's also an opportunity to show some of the work that's been done. For instance, this year's event allowed cyclists to ride along the Grand Concourse.

"I thought the Grand concourse is looking excellent," said Tammy Botsford of Manhattan.

"They're amazed by the renaissance, they are amazed by the beauty, they're amazed by the turnaround we've given to our borough," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

Along the route are several rest areas, places for cyclists to repair, regroup and refuel.

"I got a bagel, orange juice, from concentrate, you know you need a little sugar to keep up and keep you boosting," said Dionel Jimenez of Manhattan.

Regardless of the path they take, all cyclists end up at the Botanical Garden. And they arrive at their own pace. This is a ride, not a race, and participants are encouraged to take their time and take it all in.

"People go to different bodega shops, they got to pizza shops, they go to sit the front of their school that perhaps they attended," Diaz said. "So we encourage for folks to take a detour."

Especially since there are things to discover around every turn.

"It's such a beautiful borough, the water, the scenery, even the neighborhoods, going through it was really beautiful so that was a real shock for me," said Javon Collins, who took the 25-mile route.