Bike Check One Two, One Two
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Originally posted on my personal blog.
On a whim, I made a post on my bike tumblr a few weeks ago that said I would be visiting Manhattan, and asked if anyone would be willing to take me out for a ride around NYC. Not thinking I would actually get a response–because who wants to hang out with a total stranger for 5 hours, AND let them borrow a bike-I immediately got one. Initially I was shocked, but upon seeing who responded, I thought “of course.” Gentlemen in every sense of the word, brothers James and Dylan generously offered to set me up.
James arranged a bike for me through his friend Erik, who I was impressed to learn is a partner at Vice Magazine. 7am on Sunday morning, I show up at Erik’s apartment and immediately he welcomes me, a complete stranger, into his home. He shows me where I can change into my kit, wrenches a set of peddles I brought along and perfectly adjusts the saddle height on the bike I would be riding on his first try. James shows up a few minutes later and after some small talk, we are underway.
Beginning in the LES, we rode over to the west edge of Manhattan and met up with a couple more riders who would be joining us, Ian and Jonathan. Dylan, who unquestionably has the best looking US Postal Trek you will ever see, would catch up with us along the way.
The day’s route would be a part of their usual training ride, traveling along the westside of Manhattan along the Hudson River, crossing the George Washington bridge into New Jersey, then further North along the Hudson River through Palisades Interstate Park, Permont Marsh and Blauvelt State Park up to the Tappan Zee and back.
As soon as we cleared Manhattan, I knew it would be long day. It became obvious that my level of fitness wasn’t on par with the group. To the point where I didn’t even attempt to keep pace on the ascents, just riding as steady as I could so that I could finish the ride on the bike, instead of in a cab. Yo-yo’ing off the back of the group, they would wait for me at the top of the climbs and give encouragement along the way. Halfway done, we stopped for some well deserved coffee and muffins in a tiny little coffee shop packed with other cyclists.
On the way back after crossing the George Washington bridge into Manhattan, we regrouped, talked about the things that cyclist talk about, and said our goodbyes. Tired and humbled after 62 miles, I felt extremely fortunate that these guys–who I’ve never actually met in person–were so generous with me. I just hope I can return the favor.
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