As a musician, I learned that it’s always wise to play with people better than you. As a cyclist, I’ve been able to do this in my rides with L – but for scheduling reasons, she had to bow out of today’s ride. Our agreement was to once again do six “Hill Repeats” in Central Park (as much of the Loop is blocked off for the NYC Marathon). I’m a self starter, but even with my road bike Janet to help me, I wonder if I will have the follow through to tackle Fiend’s Hill that many times on my own.
With this question on my mind, and trying to dress for the sudden drop in temperature, I completely forget it’s Halloween until I see this guy.
With this question on my mind, and trying to dress for the sudden drop in temperature, I completely forget it’s Halloween until I see this guy.
He made it himself out of a toy. Love the watch on his fake arm!
The Greenway is looking more like Fall, with gardening volunteers preparing plantings for Winter.
The temperature is in the 40s, but once I get going, it’s fine. I’ll be riding until it hits 35˚ (I think).
I pass a construction site for a forbidding looking building I’ve come to call The Ministry of Information:
I pass a construction site for a forbidding looking building I’ve come to call The Ministry of Information:
Reminds me of the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, whose architecture I found inherently chilling. I believe the Iraqis felt the same way. An early casualty of the US bombing raids.
The scene at Columbus Circle is Marathon Madness, with viewing stands:
And the path into the park lined with posters to encourage the runners:
I’m glad to be riding Friday, because I have a feeling the Park will be completely off limits to cyclists by this time tomorrow.
Not surprisingly, there is an exceptional number of runners in the Park:
Not surprisingly, there is an exceptional number of runners in the Park:
The excitement of the Marathon is catching even if you're not running. As a New Yorker, I am filled with the joy of being in the Park on the verge of it, and the change of seasons it signifies. Even though I fear cold and snow may ultimately force my cycling indoors, there’s something so magical about this time of year. To breathe it in - it just doesn’t get much better than this.
Janet and I whirl up to Fiend’s Hill, taking the exhilarating blind curve that precedes it.
Janet and I whirl up to Fiend’s Hill, taking the exhilarating blind curve that precedes it.
The foliage is sumptuous, and this curve is always a thrill, although you have to be careful. Preferring to lean to the inside lane, I’ve learned to check for cars (this is a traffic lane after all), and that a silent racer isn’t coming up behind me on the right. But that’s the least of it. There is also idiocy. Once I came across a couple pushing a baby stroller in that lane (what if a car had come up behind them??). And today at top speed, I nearly ran into this guy:
Perfect. Texting with headphones on, walking in the wrong direction in a blind curve. Semi-finalist for the Darwin Awards.
Well it’s New York. You just have to be alert. One of the only industries we have left is tourism, so you’re going to get this kind of stupidity.
The ride though is great. The air is invigorating and without dragging you through it, thanks to Janet’s speedy nature (and the knowledge that I’d done it before) yes, I did all six "Hill Repeats!" And it wasn’t even hard – could have done more - and probably would have if L had been there to push me.
On the way back, I meet Bob, a cyclist who tells me:
He’s been busted by the Fuzz twice since the accident in Central Park (he was out of town and didn’t realize the sudden shift in biking protocol and safety)
He’s impressed that I did 6 hill repeats (well I had to tell somebody!), even moreso that I did it on a bike that’s 24 lbs. Like many riders I encounter, he claims his bike weight is 19lbs. We pull over to compare. I don’t want to bust his bubble, but it’s clear to me he hasn’t actually weighed his bike.
We both agree that cycling is the best, and we part at 72nd Street, as the park is completely blocked off at that point for the Marathon.
I exit at 72nd taking the Greenway home, and run into this guy doing a familiar balancing act as he waits for the light to change.
Well it’s New York. You just have to be alert. One of the only industries we have left is tourism, so you’re going to get this kind of stupidity.
The ride though is great. The air is invigorating and without dragging you through it, thanks to Janet’s speedy nature (and the knowledge that I’d done it before) yes, I did all six "Hill Repeats!" And it wasn’t even hard – could have done more - and probably would have if L had been there to push me.
On the way back, I meet Bob, a cyclist who tells me:
He’s been busted by the Fuzz twice since the accident in Central Park (he was out of town and didn’t realize the sudden shift in biking protocol and safety)
He’s impressed that I did 6 hill repeats (well I had to tell somebody!), even moreso that I did it on a bike that’s 24 lbs. Like many riders I encounter, he claims his bike weight is 19lbs. We pull over to compare. I don’t want to bust his bubble, but it’s clear to me he hasn’t actually weighed his bike.
We both agree that cycling is the best, and we part at 72nd Street, as the park is completely blocked off at that point for the Marathon.
I exit at 72nd taking the Greenway home, and run into this guy doing a familiar balancing act as he waits for the light to change.
It’s an interesting technique, and one I’d like to try sometime (if Janet is capable of it). But for today I’ve done enough. Tonight I’m going to watch the Halloween Parade, and then tune in and admire, while the runners do the work.
The Marathon is set for Sunday.
The Marathon is set for Sunday.
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