Five boroughs biking

This past weekend found me biking through all five NYC boroughs.
Friday I left work and met KD in Harlem for a ride up through Washington Heights and the Cloisters before heading over to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Heading south we biked Randall’s Island before riding the Queensboro Bridge and coming down into Queens.
We took a short break for dinner at Bel-Air diner (they give you spiced beets and chickpeas as an appetite tempter) which was a Reuben and Montecristo sandwiches. (don’t eat the pickles, totally yucky) a hand full of mints later and we were out the door for Gantry Park.

Gantry Park is the space on the East River where you can see the big illuminated Pepsico sign. One magical moment occurred when a party boat came up river and used the water in front on the park as a turn around. Musically it was an 70′s cover band that resembled what might happen if Bruce Springsteen sang the songs of George Michael and Michael Jackson.

Saturday was a relaxing day with the biggest item being Christina’s 30th birthday party in Williamsburg. It began at the east river park as a potluck. Ryan, Meeghan, Rachel, Brittany, Adam, Ashley, Collette, and Steve became new friends! Phillip and Linda joined us as we headed to stage two: Berry Park. Being on bikes KD and I rode ahead and hung out in McCarren park and enjoyed the last notes of the Bacteria Records & Third Ear day party. It was a fast and thumpy house music. Christina and crew arrived at the rooftop bar and began the celebration and more new friends arrived, Aaron, Mark, and Will. A few beers and a slice of tasty gluten free cake later and we headed back to our bikes and began the return ride to Chez Kitteh.

Sunday was supposed to be a ride to the Rockaways, but an urgent need for crickets and golf pencils found KD and I riding about Staten Island instead. It was the most different of all the five boroughs that I’ve explored. Staten Island felt more like a fishing village than cityscape. Trees, lawns, and not overly bike friendly.

Angus and Biscuit were amused with the crickets chasing them about and maybe even munching one or two… Hard to tell as it was fast and furious pouncing going on.

I had a Skype with Debra and Adele planning for Conflux in October. Debra and I met up at Loki Lounge in 5th Avenue in Park Slope. Good beers on tap and lovely couches! The rest of my night was filled with laundry and brownie baking.

The evening wound down sharing a bowl of brownies topped with peaches and vanilla ice cream with KD.

yeah it was a good fun weekend and I’m happy to be back writing again!