Ok. So before I tell you about our new wheels, I'll tell you about
NYC. We woke up on Friday morning only 9 or so miles from staten
island but research had shown us that we couldn't get over the outer
bridge by bike. We were offered a couple of rides but really felt that
if we had the time we should try to bike it. Well the same research
told us there was only one bridge you could take a bike on and that
was the Bayonne bridge, of course it was the furthest away and we had
to cross 3 other MAJOR bridges to get there. So the day started slowly
because we wanted to let morning traffic die down and because we got
stuck in a bagel shop talking to some great folks. We didn't get but
two miles down the road when brian got a flat. Only his second flat
since el paso, I think. The day was drizzling but brian made quick
with the change and we hit some back roads to get to our first bridge.
A bike lane! The first bridge had a freaking bike lane. Well maybe
this won't be so bad. In Perth amboy we stop at a bike shop to ask for
advice and this is where we got one of the ride offers. They didn't
have much advice on making it to Bayonne but we had a good time in
their shop, jerry and stan's bike shop. So we got out the iPhone and
picked a route. Again we had to pass by bridges in order to find the
one with a ped walkway. Thru industrial land with big trucks and at
one point a garbage truck ballet of sorts we made it to the second and
third bridges. Identical bridges that have been around forever and I
don't think they even remember that they are supposed to have
walkways. For the most part the walkways were full of trash or dirt
and walking was challenging. The first bridge we had fun with but as
we hit the bottom it began to pour and the fun was no longer. Finally
we hit the other side with only one more bridge to go but we are
soaked and cold so we stop at the first thing we see, burger king,
NICE. We eat and try to warm up but it really dosent work, and it's
getting late so we head out. We get of the curb and Brian gives a "no
way". That's right kids flat number two. The bike gods did not want us
to finish our ride. He patched up a tube and we took cover as another
down pour came thru. Finally we our on to our last bridge and New
York. The last hurddle was two flights of stairs but they led to a
perfect ped pathway, that we illegally rode instead of walked and as
we crested the bridge we stopped to take our last border crossing pic.
Of course our day wasn't yet done as we had to bike half way across
staten island but at that point it didn't matter, we were done.
More to come on the 5 Burroughs and our new van.
joe
