Why does it always rain on Sundays?

So when I mentioned I went biking in the rain last week--I was totally kidding, because yesterday I really went biking in RAIN. Naomi & I were going to head on a long journey over GW Bridge to NJ--but due to the weather & chance of thunderstorms we just biked in Central Park. (Knowing it would most likely rain). Well it did. Pouring. It was extremely fun--the only difference between us and a swimming in a pool was that we were on bikes! There were points where we were the only ones on the path, and some hard core runners. I ended up totalling 30 miles. Not to shabby. What an adventure. The worst part was cleaning off my bike last night after I had washed my floors. Uggh. If it rains over the Hazon weekend, I will have gotten in my rainy cycling practice!

2 Weeks to go!

Woo hoo. So excited for this year's ride. They emailed us the 2010 route which sounds great. I biked 13 miles on Sunday in the rain. It wasn't raining to badly, but I figured I might as well see what that is like (in case it rains on our ride!!) Last night I biked 20 miles in Central Park...So nice, especially right after sunset & crickets --- Felt suburban :-) I am still deciding how many miles to bike the first day so I may be accelerating my training a bit! The second day is for sure 60 miles. Check out the map above!

I have been running 3 or 4 miles twice a week as well. Seriously who am I these days...I actually enjoy RUNNING now! This week at work I ran a 5K on Wed and it was my best ever. 30.12 minutes.

Sandy Hook Ride: Total 56 MILES!

What a day! 99 degrees didn't stop us. Naomi, Batsheva & I started by biking down to Penn Station and taking the train out to Hazlet station. Accessing the Henry Hudson Trail early was beautiful! I didn't know how beautiful it was -- hoping to do more of it in Monmouth County when I get a chance. Our whole route can been seen here. (The extra mileage was us veering a bit off-course exploring more of Sandy Hook and our to and from UWS to Penn Station mileage. The Sandy hook stretch was gorgeous--beautiful breezes and a lot of shaded spots. Luckily the LISCH house was mile 40! How crazy right!? Nice jump into the pool, snacks, and air conditioning. Thanks, Mom & Dad! Then we were off for the last three miles. We had to STAND the whole way back to NYC. The train was super crowded from holiday weekend shore goers and we later found out if the conductor saw us we would not have been allowed on! What a fabulous day! It was so nice to be doing a ride in the 'country' and our adventure was well worth it.

Thx to Jeremy - for my MLS parting gift Women's Jersey. Kept me cool and didn't absorb the suns rays :-) My new favorite biking top.

Thank you to everyone's support so far!

Five Boro Bike Tour = 40 + 9 Miles

On Sunday I participated in the Five Boro Bike Tour with Jen & Matt. It was great. A lot of stopping and starting again, but that is what happens when 32,000 bikers are involved. I was excited to wear my Syracuse jersey. Thank you Aunt Heidi & Uncle Steven!  We began in downtown Manhattan and finished in Staten Island. Highlights included breezing down the FDR, meeting Jason & Ellen for lunch in Williamsburg, cool sprays of cold air along the water (while on the Belt Parkway), and climbing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (hello hill!). Then of course I had to bike up 9 more miles to my apartment after a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. Looking forward to summer rides. I'm all set :-)

Getting ready for the 5 Boro Bike Tour (18 miles)

Tonight my bike started in one home & ended in another. The weather was overcast & misty but I wanted to get in a good solid ride, since next weekend I am riding in the 5 Boro Bike Tour. Well I dusted off my bike from the long winter and did a few laps in Central Park. 18 miles in the end! Left my bike in my new apartment on the Upper West Side. Wow I like a half a block from Central Park, folks! Amazing. So excited to clearly get in more biking this summer.

Hope that is enough preparation for next Sunday.

35 Miles...

Well Sunday I went for my last BIG RIDE before the RIDE weekend! Wow it's almost here. I was pretty exhausted after my ride, but definitely could have done more. (Good thing because Sunday is 55, and Monday is 55!)

I'll admit I am getting bored of the NYC routes. I seem to have maxed out the sights (unless I cross more bridges). Which I will eventually do, but it wasn't happening Sunday.

We received a packing list & have to drop our bikes off on the Upper West Side Thursday night (which means I'll get in a decent ride before dropping off my bike). Then Friday morning we board the bus to take us to the grounds where we will be staying all weekend. I am so excited to be in nature for four days!

I am going to have so much to report after the weekend! Stay tuned.

30 Miles: Hot Hazy & Humid...

So on Sunday I biked & biked & biked. Loving my new pedometer, which told me how far I was going. It's a different feeling like being on the treadmill. I'm thinking ok just a few more, just a few more. I ended up going up the NYC Greenway all the way to the GW bridge. Last time I went to the bridge I was on roads, not the Greenway. Under the bridge is a cute lighthouse which I wanted to finally see up close in person. There is even a book written about it called The Little Red Lighthouse. Was a great ride, I was exhausted as ever due to the Heat--hoping to get some more LONG biking in after Danna's Bridal Shower Sunday! This week I've done a few bits here & there, but I save long milage for Sundays.

Weekly Milage

So I started biking religiously during the week (which is a must-do since the ride is one month away!!!!!!!) Central Park evenings are such a scene. There are groups training for marathons, packs of bikers, and HILLS. Oh those Central Park Hills. This week I was able to really enjoy my pedometer and see my average speed vs. how far I was going. Love it! Over the weekend I went with my dad to purchase a bicycle helmet at the Bicycle Hub in Marlboro. A cute little shop & now we can safely ride the Monmouth County roads together. I would also like to give a shout out to Aunt Heidi & Uncle Steven who have been biking together this summer! You guys are awesome - hope to join you soon. I love hearing about cycling adventures.

I love looking at the Cycling Jerseys of the hard core cyclists in Central Park. I am LUSTING for this---

20 + 20 Miles!

It was an exciting and a perfect weekend for biking. Saturday, I biked across 20th street (bike lane) and up the West Side path to about 160th Street. Then back down & around all of Manhattan back to my apartment on 33rd Street. Finished at about dusk (realized I need to get lights don't worry I bought some on Sunday!).

Sunday, I headed to the JCC on 76th & Amsterdam to meet the Hazon group to ride down to Governor's Island. My friend Barbara, who is a seasoned Hazonic also joined me. It was great to spend the day with her. We followed the West Side Greenway to the Ferry Terminal--headed out on the first ferry at 10am. Governor's Island was great! I had been there before (two summers ago) just to tour it, and now it has been opened up more & you can bike around the whole island. You are able to rent bikes on the island as well. Including 4 person mobiles! They have hammocks and picnic tables that everyone was taking advantage of. Such amazing views of the Statue of Liberty; see my pictures below!

Nigel Savage who is the founder of Hazon, also rode with us. Before we explored the Island he mentioned his motivation & passion for starting the organization. I was able to reintroduce myself, and mention that I had heard him speak at a PLP LiveNetworks session 2 years ago. I am so excited for the NY RIDE Labor Day Weekend!

FUN FACT: My dad was stationed on Governor's Island when the Coast Guard used the Island. "In 1966, the Army relocated its operations, turning the island and its views over to the U.S. Coast Guard to use as their northeastern headquarters. With as many as 4,000 people living there, Governors Island was the largest Coast Guard base in the world."

After biking I really needed to swing by a biking store and 'pimp out' my bike a bit more. First of all, I really needed air in my tires. I also needed to buy spare inner tubes, some tools, air pumps, lights, a patch, a pedometer (that works!-don't get yours at Target), and of course I 'needed' another little detachable bag & some water bottle accessories. I got all of this at Sid's which is located around the corner from my apartment--super convienent! The service was awesome & they installed everything onto my bike.



Nigel speaking to the group

My bike being fixed up at Sid's.