If you saw my Snapchat story from Saturday you will know that I decided go on a big bike ride. I decided to bike from my Upper East Side apartment down to the Brooklyn Bridge, down around the tip of Manhattan, up the West Side and then through Central Park and past the Bethesda Fountain until I was back where I started. According to Citibike, if you add up my three rides, the app told me I biked for just under two hours and traveled nearly 14 miles but I think it took point A to point B, not necessarily the route I went so I will believe Google Maps more – a 16.7 mile journey! Take a look below:
Considering I bike further than that in a typical Flywheel spin class it was not a Herculean effort by any stretch of the imagination but what made the ride difficult was the people, stop lights, and NYC busyness it felt like I got a workout in! Plus I stop and took some photos along the way as I was biking around Manhattan – here are a handful of my favorites:
What possessed me to do this, you might ask? Well, while planning for my first day in Copenhagen I decided on a bike tour after having so much fun on the one I did in Barcelona with my Mom as a way to explore the city. This got me thinking, I’ve never done a bike tour of NYC but since I live here I didn’t think I needed a tour guide and set off by my myself.
A bit crazy, yes, but I actually liked it so much I went on another 13+ mile bike ride on Sunday, this time from the Upper East Side, into Central Park, around the whole loop including Harlem Hill, down to Columbus Circle, back up the to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir where I watched the sunset and headed home to end my weekend biking around Manhattan. And as an added bonus I posted a picture similar to the ones below on Twitter and Central Park retweeted it to their 160,000 fans!
Have you ever explored a city by bike?
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Emily Denise says
This is on my bucket list while I’m here in the city for the summer! The Citi bikes make it sooo convenient! Thanks for sharing!
XO, Emily
Epicurean Emily
Lucy says
This sounds like such a great and definitely more fun than biking inside though I am sure dodging people was quite tricky!
Kelly Kimmell says
Looks like a fun day. The sunset pics are beautiful.
Amanda says
Those sunsets shots are gorgeous – I love the one you put on Instagram!
TAMMY says
This is impressive especially on Citibike. Sorry I like my bike better. Boyfriend tried citibike and he said its too slow for him plus he is tall so the seat has to be adjusted. For me when I ride with my boyfriend down the shore road bike path from Bay Ridge Pier to Bay Parkway in Brooklyn he outpaces me. The bike path is 4.5 miles long. I can do maybe one mile before I need a break. He does the whole 4.5 miles takes a break and goes rides back the 4.5 miles and not be tired afterward. I thought that 9 miles was good but 16 miles is even better. We love the view of the Verrazano bridge, NY Harbor, Staten Island and Downtown NYC in the distance.
pam says
I love biking in NYC especially on the weekends in Central Park when they close the roads.
Lucy says
Wow, that is a crazy long bike ride but that is awesome!
Rachel says
Looks like an amazing biking route – beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!
Lola says
Love the idea! So fun and great for doing some exercise