New York is a truly vast city. The distance from Coney Island, at the southeastern tip of Brooklyn, to the northernmost point of
Manhattan at Inwood is more than 25 miles. In between there are 8 million
residents and literally thousands of congested roads in all states of repair.
For bicyclists, New York at its best is a welcoming place to
ride and, at its worst, life endangering. The city welcomes riders more fully
every year as new bike lanes are established, many of which are fully separated
from motor traffic and even have their own bicycle traffic lights. As a result, and due to the pro-cycling
advocacy of non-profits such as Transportation Alternatives, the number of New
Yorkers who commute by bicycle to and from work has, per my observation, risen
dramatically over the decade I’ve lived here. Where I was once one of a few lonely cycling pioneers on the city’s
roads, today I often find myself caught in heavy bicycle traffic during rush
hour, frequently becoming part of an ad hoc bicycle convoy as I ride southward
on 2nd Avenue toward the Manhattan Bridge and my apartment in
Brooklyn.
Commutes in New York can be long, the traffic can be
frightening and fierce, and the potholes jarring. For bicyclists, all of this
means that the choice of bicycle is very important to making a commute manageable
and enjoyable (yes, even in NYC it can be fun to ride a bike – there’s no
better way to quickly and intimately take in the city’s diverse neighborhoods,
sights and smells than on two wheels).
My ride to work is 8.5 miles each way, or about 45 minutes
in the saddle once traffic lights, congestion and detours are factored in. A
classic road bike would be best under most circumstances for such a long ride,
but not in New York. Here I need to have my environment in clear and easy view,
and only an upright bicycle such as a mountain bike or hybrid allows for
that. I ride a 6 year old Kona Dew Deluxe, which has a relaxed road geometry and flat handle bar along with skinny
road tires, 24 speeds and disc brakes.
The bike is the best compromise I’ve found for longer urban distances. The
road geometry and skinny tires keep weight down, making it easy to maintain
speed and keep up with traffic. The short wheelbase allows the bike to turn
quickly while the disc brakes help me to stop very quickly and securely when an
emergency looms. The brakes are a particular wonder, they have amazing power
and are extremely durable. I’m still on my first pair of brake shoes even
though I use the brakes heavily, and often.
The tradeoff for quickness and speed is a jarring ride. The skinny
tires roll smoothly on the best pavement, but their high pressure tubes
transmit jolts from every expansion joint, crack and undulation in the
pavement. On certain days, when I’m tired or maybe haven’t spent much time on
the bike of late and am a bit out of shape, I feel abused by the bike’s ride
harshness. When I’m in my groove, strong and agile, the jolts that are
transmitted through handlebar, seat and pedals feel, more positively, like just
one more way that New York city is reaching up to challenge me to be faster,
tougher and more resilient. On those days I get a rush out of dodging in and
out of traffic, and appreciate the easy speed I can maintain while riding along
the city’s smoother protected bike lanes. These are the times when I know that I’d
never want to navigate the city by mountain bike. Too much work for too little
velocity. The classic road racing bike would be too dangerous, I wouldn’t be
able to easily look up and around to see what’s coming, at what I have to avoid,
and I’d miss many of the sights that make riding through the city such a unique and exciting experience.
Lately, I’ve been contemplating buying a second bike for
longer rides. The Kona is great for daily jaunts of up to 10 or 12 miles. But
if the ride gets longer, the hybrid setup starts to become more of a burden
than an enabler. It isn’t a bike that I’d
be comfortable taking on the New York Century bike ride every September. After
25 miles, the shortest ride available that day, I’d have had enough.
Yesterday I happened by a local bike shop and stopped in for
a look around. On the wall there was a Specialized Allez road racing bike,
bottom-of-the-line model, for a price that I could conceivably afford. The shop
hand said he’d make me a deal (no better time to buy a bike in New York than
winter). I’m weighing the purchase. On one hand, with the new bike I’d be
able to go for longer rides around Prospect Park and really get a chance to get
my legs in shape. I also imagine taking the
bike up to Westchester, or out to Pennsylvania from time to time for a true
long distance country ride. Hey, I have a significant birthday coming up, why not
live it up.
On the other hand, rational logic tells me that I’m the father
of two young boys. When would I have time for said long rides? I live cramped in a single floor apartment
where the entry hall is already clogged by two strollers, a tricycle, multiple
mops, buckets, boxes of toys and, yes, the Kona. Where would I put a second bike? How would I get that past my wife? And, hey, shouldn’t I be putting aside my money
for a mortgage down payment..... Ahh, oy, aargh.
One thing I do know. When the slush outside dries up, I’m
going to stop by that bike shop for a test ride.
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