NYC has a Safe Streets Program where they close large swaths of continuous streets in different boroughs for a couple of hours a few summer days each year. Saturday August 9th was one of those days in Manhattan. A linear path was closed to traffic in the middle of Manhattan from Inwood down to the Brooklyn Bridge. I planned on riding this rather than the EST down the Westside Greenway. Although the Westside Greenway is very scenic, riding from almost tip-to-tip car free in Manhattan is a rarity. Pat and Mark decided to join me.

   I tried for an early start. My thinking was the earlier the start for the Summer Streets, the less crowded the ride would be. Deflating pillows and pads, rolling and packing takes time. I finally hit the road around eight.

  The ride off campus and to the EST was mostly downhill on residential streets. The EST was flat for a few miles and then downhill for what felt like five miles into Van Cortlandt Park. It was wonderful. The Bronx presented its usual issues including a partially-closed Broadway Bridge with a one lane passage for a true, harrowing urban bicycling experience.

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   Parks and Trails set up a rest stop on Dykeman Street, we regrouped and headed down Broadway toward the Brooklyn Bridge. Upper Manhattan is surprisingly hilly. As the morning grew later and we headed downtown, the streets grew more crowded and our pace slowed. We stopped for coffee in Soho, as one does, and recharged.

  We crested the Brooklyn Bridge in a long single file on the bike lane carved out of the roadway, finishing off in Brooklyn Bridge Park with an awesome view of the bridge and lower Manhattan.

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Bikes were getting packed onto trucks for the ride back to Troy. I gathered my gear and tossed it into Evalena and Antonella’s van as they drove by back to my neighborhood in Brooklyn from Carmel. They’d mentioned their travel plans at dinner and were gracious enough to loop by the park. They saved me a huge logistical problem of getting my bicycle and my 40-pound bag to my Brooklyn home. I said my goodbyes to the wonderful people I met. I boarded my bike and rode up the hill to Park Slope.