Manhattan Bike Shops?

[pinkbikes]

Hi CC and Red (and all)

Well DD and I are happy as clams in New York and I think we are single-handedly spending enough to end any claims of recession, GFC etc.

We spent the first few days in Upper West Side at the Excelsior so that we would be close to the Museum of Natural History (spent a whole day there) and Central Park.

And yes (to those with whom I share the techno nerd geek gene) I did bring my Garmin running watch just so I could go for a run in Central Park and watch it talk to the satellites and reset itself to NY time and record a run in Central Park! Of course it was a really crappy run since I forgot to take ventolin and despite wearing two layers of clothing I didn't cover my ears and they were COLD!!!! But it was in Central Park and I ran past the Guggenheim!!!

We made a side trip down to Washington DC and looked at Smithsonians and monuments. I sat next to the most delightful old geezer on the train back - 80-something and a retired writer from the Washington Post with many entertaining stories to tell.

We have spent the rest of the time wandering the streets of New York, eating at NY Delis, shopping up a storm and being snowbound in our hotel room! Most of our shopping has, in the time-honoured fashion, been shoes! Shoes, shoes, shoes! We really pay so much for shoes in Oz that I kind of go nuts anytime I visit the States and come home with truckloads of them. So far I have a pair of nice black Nine West boots (to replace the ones I bought before I got pregnant with DD 13 years ago) two pairs of runners (because they are half the price of at home) a pair of converse (because they are red) and a nice pair of Sidi MTB shoes (because I've been lusting after them for ages and they were on sale). And that's just mine - haven't started on DD's!

And then there is the usual collection of IHeartNY tshirts, trinkets and so forth for friends and family, spoils from M&M World and a really cute "build your own MuppetWhatNot" from FAO Schwarz.

And, lest we think this is hijacking the cycling thread, I have visited some of the excellent cycling shops you all offered up! So far I have been to Chelsea Bicycles (it is right across the road from our hotel - really nice people) Gotham Cycles (was a beastly day but a really nice shop) AdelineAdeline (took a few tries due to the weather but have several LadyBug bells for gifts - very retro and cool) and Paragon Sports (walked through the snow to get there and could have stayed there all day if I had not been worried about not making it back - but one pair of Sidis and a pair of toe covers and a running fuel belt later...). Tomorrow I am hoping to catch the rest up on West Avenue and Cycle Renaissance on Columbus.

All in all, it is a really good thing that we left the land of Oz with only 12kg and 18kg in our suitcases, and an extra bag stashed inside one of them. I do not look forward to packing for the trip home!

Thanks to eveybody for all the wonderful suggestions for bike shopping! And of course I am sitting here at the hotel expecting my Fedex package from TE anytime now, with my new Detours High Tail Bike Bag!