i-tees

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!

Today I participated in the first ever Jersey City Bicycle Ward Tour. Organized by BikeJC.org, it started and finished at Exchange Place, and with the threat of rain, (which never materialized, whew!) the cyclists came from all over. We were approximately 600 strong, We rode at a relaxed pace and through the wards of Jersey City. Led by a police escort, as we moved from one section to another,  it was wonderful to see the public stunned at the size of our group and you just know they were thinking, damn how come I didn’t know about this?

The people who rode were multicultural, music playing from their backpacks, dressed in very colorful attire or just unusual. Parents with kids, riders with pets in their packs (wish I’d gotten that photo), couples, friends, even people from out-of-town.

There were some steep hills but just as many downhills for that free ride… overall a wonderful experience. I saw spots in JC I’d not seen before, Lincoln Park with the fountains is gorgeous.

As we approached the finish line, we were welcomed by the band, The One and Nines, who were awesome. There were tents or areas set up with free coffee from Starbucks, yummy goodies from Made With Love. I bought the apple scone, yummmmmm!

The message we wanted to send was that Jersey City as it is right now is quite un-bike-friendly. No bicycle lanes, no bicycle parking. I think we made an impact by the sheer number of riders.

Visit my gallery of photos, here.

I just love riding my bicycle along the waterfront in Hoboken, Jersey City and the pathway north toward the George Washington Bridge, but due to either the sloppy construction or the rough winter snows, the pathways are in terrible shape. In Hoboken there are quite a few detours due to the piers crumbling and falling into the Hudson, and in Jersey City, the bricks are loose or missing.

My first complaint is why would they have constructed these pathways using bricks? Didn’t they realize that being that close to the water, with the pounding of the waves, will make the earth move and the pathways start breaking up? Plus, it’s not bicycle-friendly and takes it’s toll on my tires and bicycle.

Next, Hoboken is supposed to be the place to live with the new “W” Hotel, fancy shops and condos everywhere you look, yet there are areas of the waterfront that have been blocked off for years, which is becoming quite tiresome.

Lastly, when are these buildings on the waterfront in Jersey City and the rest of the Hudson area going to finish creating their pathways so we don’t have to take detours… and when are they going to connect Weehawken so we don’t have to ride on River Road with the cars?