Bike New York 2009

On Sunday I had the opportunity to partake in the TD Bank Five Borough Bike Tour of NY. I have to say it was one of the best experiences of my life.

My day started at 5:30 am when I awoke to get ready for the ride. After picking up a Gatorade and a Five Hour Energy Shot, I headed down to the city for the tour.

The tour started at Battery Park on the end of Manhattan. There were 30,000 riders allowed this year and it was crazy to see them all around Manhattan as I was driving in. The weather wasn't great, and we got drizzled on as we awaited the start.

The crowd roared as we were finally unleashed on our journey. We traveled through the streets into Central Park. Even though I am from NY, I haven't seen much of the park, so this was one of my favorite parts. As we got going, you didn't really feel the weather, for now that is.

Exiting out of the park we headed into Harlem. A stream of bike riders devouring the streets on a cold Sunday morning. On lookers were surprised to see the wave of bikers as they pedaled through the city.

We crossed over into the Bronx before heading back to the FDR to make our way into Queens. Over head I could see the legion of riders crossing the 59th Street Bridge. Into Queens we rode, as crowds started to form along the way to cheer us on.

Queens became Brooklyn, and the group pushed on. Brooklyn was the short cut point if you wanted to cut across the Brooklyn Bridge, but I was having none of that. I was soaked and starving at this point, but I came to finish, and that was what I was going to do.

Into Staten Island we went. All that lay ahead was the monstrous Verrazano Bridge. At this point I had to stop to eat. After scarfing down a $5 hot dog and a $4 knish (NO MORE COMPLAINING ABOUT SDH PRICES!!) I pushed forward to the end. My clothes were drenched, and my battery had died on my phone, so it was nothing but adreniline pushing me forward.

The climb seemed endless. Like a mirage in the desert, it seemed like the top of the climb kept appearing, yet never arriving. At last, I had made it, as we coasted down to the festival. I was too tired to enjoy the festival, so I scooped up some free Naked Juice (Amazing!!) and headed the last mile towards the ferry.

I followed the crowd, as it was my first time on the ferry. We packed in like cattle to take our ride to the finish line. Everyone licked there wounds and shook out there legs as the boat crossed the river back to Manhattan.

We docked in Manhattan and it was time to head back to my car. But Dude, Where's My Car?!?! With all the hoopla of the morning, I had neglected to remember what street I parked on. I road the streets of lower Manhattan cold and tired looking for my car. Eventually I managed to double back on my tracks and find my car, after about 15 more minutes of cruising.

I packed my bike into the trunk, changed my shirt and headed home, tired but accomplished.

I can easily say this was one of the greatest experiences of my life. The whole ride took about five hours, but the day had taken about eight. I rode through all five boroughs and biked over 42 miles. It was by far the longest ride I had ever made. It was euphoric to reach the end, and I am so glad I did it.

There are many tours throughout the year, in all different places. I would love to find some people to ride with, so if you are interested in doing a tour, please let me know and we can make some arrangements.

Remember, you control the keys to your happiness and you are the only thing that can hold you back. Keep pedaling guys.

~Joshua

P.S. - Here are some photos of me along the ride. I was hamming it up, even though I was drenched and exhausted. And thanks to Brightroom for taking pics of all the riders!