Astoria to Rockefeller Center (12.32 miles)

Today I needed to pick up some presents for my nephews birthday, and decided to make a trip to Nintendo World to find some unique gifts.

This trip was basically the same route as my commute for my last job in midtown, minus the last mile or so.

Manhattan, and New York City rarely disappoint, and I enjoy seeing what Midtown has to offer, even in the thick of Friday evening rush hour. I rode slow due to high mileage yesterday, but I felt remarkably strong considering my efforts yesterday. Carrying both cables, and my U-lock is cumbersome but 100% necessary. Though I'm used to the extra load, I'm becoming more and more accustomed to riding with less on my back. Even so, I never skimp on security, and I've found a street sign right outside the Today Show windows with cameras looking on from 5 angles. Any standard perforated green metal post style street sign is fair game for a bike lock to my knowledge. This is now my preferred Midtown parking spot.


Crescent Ave, following a motorcycle towards the 59th Street bridge.


Cresting the 59th Street Bridge, and pacing a Roosevelt Island Cable car until it passes another cable car from the other direction.


Crosstown on 61st, first sighting of green Mustang.


St Patricks Cathedral, second sighting of Green Mustang.


The perfect parking spot.

After a mostly successful trip to Nintendo World, I packed up for the ride home. Traffic to the 59th Street Bridge was thick and mostly slow due to Friday evening rush hour. I was surprised to see so few people crossing the bridge on foot or on bikes as the warmer weather usually brings out the fair weather bike commuters, and the bridge walkers.

I will likely take the next couple of days off as the weather is turning poor, and I need some rest for my weary legs.


Crossing Lexington and 2nd Avenue on 50th Street.


Negotiating the treacherous stretch before the 59th Street Bridge on 1st Avenue, exiting the mayhem with the Lucky Strike Racing motorcycle man.


Rapid descent on the 59th Street Bridge back to Queens.

Astoria to Penn Station and Rockefeller Center (15.16 miles)

After a setting a new personal high mileage in a single month in March, minor sports related injuries, and personal obligations, have made the start of April unusually low in mileage.

This will likely be my only post for this week, as I will be in New Orleans until next Tuesday.

If possible I might be able to borrow a bike for a ride while I am down south, but I may not have the opportunity.

As I like to be an appreciative guest, I decided to collect a few gifts for my gracious hosts in New Orleans. I rode through Long Island city on Crescent Avenue, to reach the Triboro Bridge, and Midtown.





I walk my bike through Rockefeller Center commenting on the sights.



Still needing to print out my Amtrak tickets for my trip down south, I rode to Penn Station to find their Kiosks where I can print out my tickets. Once inside Penn I find a Latin Guitar duo who I record for a few moments, and then walk through the station.



Back outside on the street again, I walk past some skateboarders using some nearby steps to attempt tricks.









Soon, I'm heading back uptown along Madison Avenue towards Rockefeller Center again, this time I plan to lock-up my bike and purchase some gifts from the fine shops there. First I went to Teuscher for their exquisite Truffles. Then I went to Nintendo World to find my friend a unique gift.





Leaving Rockefeller Center, I crosstown on 51st Street to 1st Avenue, and negotiate the final tricky stretch before the 59th Street bridge. Once over the bridge I made a short detour to Tony's Bike Shop for a little tune up and friendly conversation, before heading home.