I did it!! My First Road Bike

[MelFel]

Thanks for all the good wishes and compliments!! I think you ladies are right, its not so much pink as to be Barbie-dollish. I post some pics of me riding as soon as I have them.

Riding in NYC - right now I'm taking the shortest routes possible on the streets to the bikeway on the East River, last night I rode down the River to the bottom of Manhattan, cut through Battery Gardens and headed up the bikeway on the west side, which I know pretty well because I used to run there. I'd like to try Central Park soon, I just have to figure out the best way to get there without getting hit by a taxi. The other benefit of the Park is that I know the mileage of all the loops from running, elsewhere I have to use Google maps.

[sandra]

Congratulations on the new bike. I actually love the little bit of pink on it.

[rij73]

Yay! Congrats from a fellow New Yorker.

ETA: Cinnamon - there are so many nice places to ride in NYC. All of the TE ladies should come do a cycling vacation here! There are the paths virtually all the way around Manhattan as well as Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn. There is also a 40-mile rails-to-trails paved route starting in Yonkers going north. Haven't done that one yet, but it's on my list. Another ride I have done is going over the Washington Bridge to New Jersey and riding River Road. It's a beautiful scenic practically car-free road along the Hudson River in Palisades Park. There is some serious climbing on that ride!

[MelFel]

Thanks RIJ. I might have to ask you more about some of those routes soon. Other than Central Park and the East/West side bikeways I don't know much. I'm going to pick up a map today (all the ones I've found online are so small I can't read anything).

[rij73]

Thanks RIJ. I might have to ask you more about some of those routes soon. Other than Central Park and the East/West side bikeways I don't know much. I'm going to pick up a map today (all the ones I've found online are so small I can't read anything).

Almost every bike shop has the NYC Cycling Map. Make sure you get the 2007 version.

[MelFel]

Cinnamon - yeah, this might be one of the few instances where being in NYC affords less choices rather than more.

RIJ - thanks re: the 2007 version. I meant to pick one up when I picked up my bike and totally forgot, so I'm going to the shop in my neighborhood on the way home tonight.

[tjf9]

Congrats on the new bike! I think she's beautiful!

[Jiffer]

Sweet bike. LOVE the pink. Of course, my Cannondale is totally pinked out. Didn't come with a speck of pink on it, but I fixed that.

Regarding the running. I, too, have retired from running. In actuality, I never really considered myself a runner. I was a runner wanna be. I was a walker, who became a walker/runner, then became a runner/walker (more running than walking ... did two half marathons), then attempted to become a total runner, did a 10k all running, in total misery, and then decided running was stupid and haven't attempted it since! Eventually I discovered cycling and I'm just sure I'm having SO much more fun than all them runners I see out there! The other day I taunted a female runner (without her knowing it). I sang to myself, "I'm having more fun that youuuu are!"

(In reality, I have much respect for runners. It's HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just feel sad wondering how many of them don't realize how much more fun they could be having on a bike!)

[maryellen]

<<to try Central Park soon, I just have to figure out the best way to get there without getting hit by a taxi.>>

sounds as if you are on the east side, south of the park: if you go early in the morning, take one of the avenues up, make a left onto 60th and enter the park.

if you really want to avoid traffic, go across to the west side bike path, head north, exit at approx 72 st (just after you pass the tennis courts, or follow the other cyclists.) (caution, steep but very very short hill), up the path within Riverside Park (past the dog run), past the eleanor roosevelt statue. This will be W 72 St and Riverside Dr. Head east on 72nd street till you get to the park. (if this isn't clear, pm me and we can talk by phone)

For your sanity, avoid Central Park at busy times (weekend afternoons in particular!). Also avoid entering at the Columbus Circle entrance which can be wild at times.

Congrats on the road bike!

[cinnamon_toast]

Well you will have to keep an eye out for my sister... LOL. She rides the same route. Not like you are inundated with choices there!