Category Archives: Bicycle Paths

Jersey City Bicycle Ward Tour 2011

Posted on by

Okay, after riding in the JC Ward Tour this past saturday, I looked and looked for any media coverage and found none. I find it pretty interesting that 500+ bicycle riders could have a police escort, shut down many roads of Jersey City for more than 2 hours this past saturday, and yet I couldn’t find one story about it online.

So, you know what? That why blogs were born, so here you go, a first hand account with photos. Anyone who finds this blog post and wants to chime in or add video and pictures, the more the merrier.

I left my house in Jersey City Heights at about 9am, to meet Bike Hoboken at Pier A park in Hoboken at 9:30. I was proud to have made a donation to Lose the training wheels.org, an organization Bike Hoboken was supporting for the ride.

We were about 10-12 strong and off we rode to Exchange Place to meet the rest of the riders ready for the 2011 tour. We arrived at about 10:15 and checked in. Every rider must check in, get their bib number and this way Bike JC can gauge how many riders there are.

Lots of parents with kids, bicycles built for 2 and 3! Lots of bicycles with trailers and kids in them. For a kid to ride alone they must have been 10 or older. All sorts of bicycles from $20 recycled racers, to hybrids like mine, to fancy, hand-painted and customized bikes.

We all started to move into position as the tables were starting to be set up (Made with Love, yum!), so when we arrived back, we’d be able to drink and eat!

Off we went by motorcycle police escort at the “horn” sound at 11am. We went at a pace of between 12-20 miles an hour, there were some hills, but mostly a leisurely ride on a beautiful Spring day. We passed through all the wards of Jersey City (Ward Tour) and after 15 miles of scenic areas, including Lincoln Park, Saint Peter’s College, Journal Square, The Heights and more, we arrived back at Exchange Place.

Upon arrival riders locked up their bikes and it was time to listen to music, eat and drink… many vendors, but I headed to Lucinda’s creperie, (OMG! Vege crepe, woohoo!) and some awesome beer. There were other trucks and tables set up like, Sava Polish Diner, Krave Korean BBQ, Made With Love, but I was focused on the vege healthy, light eating after a 15 mile ride (more like 23 from my house). There were bands playing, The Bad Parts, The Defending Champions (who were playing when I left…) and after that, The Audio Bodies, and Kiwi…

There were tables for non-profit causes such as, East Coast Greenway Alliance, Embankment Coalition (who came over to explain their mission and I signed their list), Friends of Liberty State Park, Liberty Humane Society and Uptown Crew!

Bike stores: Grove Street Bicycles, Easy Riders JC, Jersey Cycles.
Jersey City and Hoboken Bicycle Clubs: BikeJC.org, BikeHoboken.org

Anyway, here are some photos and maybe in the 3rd annual ward tour in 2012, we’ll get some media coverage? Geez! I heard 760 people had registered, if you didn’t come out, make sure to ride next year! Just amazing and so fun!

Jersey City Heights vs Hoboken and Gentrification

Posted on by
3

I lived in Hoboken for 15 years before moving up to Jersey City Heights. Some of my friends who live up here thought I’d love it and I did when I first moved here almost 5 years ago. But Central Avenue has changed in the last few years and not for the better.

Due to the terrible economy, some of the stores have closed and some that were vacant 5 years ago, still are. Today a store can only survive if it sells products we truly need, like food and liquor. We can live without new sneakers, but we have to eat and have that glass of wine.

I have noticed that down in Hoboken stores close also, but a new store is more likely to open there, than here. It’s obvious to anyone who walks around here or there, the type of people who live and shop in these two areas are quite different.

A new store cannot open if the type of people who would shop there don’t exist up here, and if they don’t open better shops, the living spaces won’t improve driving up the cost, making the type of people who live up here better.

I realize it’s all a cycle and everything is connected. Just look at how Downtown Jersey City has reinvented itself, the same way Hoboken did years ago. New condominiums, shops, malls, parks, walkways, etc…

But “The Heights” is stuck in a downward spiral and no one is doing anything to help it. Hello, Mayor Healy? Each year in May, right on Central Avenue we have “The Everything Jersey City Festival.” This past festival drew approximately 23,000 people and it was a spectacular day, but one festival, on one day, cannot bring a section of the city up to where it could be.

everything-JC-fest-blog

I’ve got visitors coming to visit from the midwest this summer and I’m wondering what they’re going to think about this area and if they’re going to wonder why I moved here. Yes the space I have is huge compared to Hoboken spaces, but when they see the locals, I can only imagine their horror. Well, all I can do is show them a great time in close by New York City, and the waterfront areas of Hoboken and Jersey City.

Riding My Bicycle in NYC During Fleet Week

Posted on by
Reply

Yesterday I rode a little over 25 miles. The most I’ve done yet this season. Riding my bicycle on the west side of Manhattan, the “greenway” is so wonderful. The people riding are so different. They range from men and woman in bicycle attire, trying to get in their serious rides, to the free and easy types. One with a basket on the front, dog in the basket enjoying the breeze on a hot day. Another had his dog in his backpack. The area around the Intrepid was packed with so many people that we had to walk our bikes for a little bit.

Here’s something I thought was so interesting. So many people riding by have smiles on their faces. I’m always wondering is it just the joy of riding that makes them smile, or are they thinking of funny things?

On the greenway which spans the whole length of Manhattan, the scenery changes and the views are spectacular. I rode first all the way uptown to the GW bridge and then turned around and rode all the way down to Battery Park. Then back to the Hoboken ferry and home.

Along the way I saw so many people setting up the BBQs, playing catch, playing tennis or just relaxing under a tree, enjoying the view and the breeze.

I love to visit the gardens, so you’ll see in my gallery, first shots from Riverside Park, then because it’s Fleet Week a few shots of the ships docked, the latest of what’s happening at the World Trade Center area, then the gardens in Battery Park.

What a gorgeous day, have a look! Even this fly was having a great day!

nyc-bike-batterypk-6blog