“Can you believe this, brand new bike and i already have a flat tire.” she squeezed the front tire of her 3-speed Raleigh Colt in front of The Conran Shop on the East Side. “It’s tough to find a good bike in this city. It took me weeks to find a bike, going to at least a dozen shops and I ended up getting this one on Craig’s List.” Her companion added, “well, you got a good deal on it.” She nodded in approval then shook her bike in frustration, hoping the tire would re-inflate on the spot.

The woman and her companion were on their way to the path alongside the FDR Drive when the tire gave out. “We’ve talked about getting bikes for a few years but never really committed to it.” He continues. “New York has a rabid bike culture and it can be a little intimidating, but there are so many great paths, you’d be foolish to not take advantage.” They said once they got into the routine of biking they’d like to take the MetroNorth train to Connecticut and explore the trials convenient to New Yorkers. “In the fall it’d make for a great weekend; take the train up, bike the trails when the leaves have changed and stay at a bed-and-breakfast. It’s too easy not to.”

andrew said thomas.