My first trip was an ill-fated one to see the Jardin Botanique. I spent more than the allotted 30min Bixi time getting lost on my way to the park. I should mention that riding a Bixi is the equivalent to riding an SUV bike. They are 3 speed, heavy, upright machines. Having been used to my road bike in NYC, I wasn’t prepared for the time difference and the bikeshare is built for short commutes. It begins charging after 30min, 60 min and so on. (Later I learned that it is easy to dock at any station for two minutes and then set off again.) When I arrived at my destination, I discovered a full bike rack which meant, asking for more time and cycling a bit out of my way for the next rack. So much for my first experience but it still beat taking a Metro and bus and I ended up using the system four more times throughout the day without problems.

As with most bikeshares, the majority of stations are concentrated downtown. For my first three days in the city, this wasn’t a problem since I stayed in the center of town. I also got to use the Bixi system as a member which allows you to swipe your key and take a bike right away. I found it easy to head off to the Mile End area of town and then back downtown to the Musée d’Art Contemporain (both of which are fantastic and recommended). I also questioned the need for 3 speeds on the bike until I cycled part way up Mont Royal and over the Jacque Cartier bridge. It was then that I learned it is possible to cross bridges and cycle hills on a three speed dutch bike!

up the hill to Mont Royal, the old hospital

I spent my last two days further out in the city as a paid 24 hr member. This required me to swipe my credit card every time and obtain an unlocking code. Not totally inconvenient, but I did encounter two stations where the computers did not work. I also found more empty bike racks on the outskirts of the city. Even with these issues, I still had the best time cycling everywhere in Montreal. It cost me $12 to get around for the week and I experienced one the great joys in every city, riding fast downhill.

While you’re there check out some of my favorite spots, Le Cagibi, Drawn & Quarterly, Patati Patata (for poutine!) and hike up Mont Royal. The colors are perfect this time of year.

at the top of Mont Royal

The itinerary included:

1. Los Hermanos – Bushwick
2. El Globo – Corona, Queens
3. Roosevelt Ave Taco Trucks
4. Acapulco - Greenpoint
5. Tulchingo Deli IV – Sunset Park
6. After party @ DeKalb Market

We didn’t make it to the last two due to time but opted to grab a beer and tacos at the Woods in Williamsburg before heading to DeKalb Market for the after party. The boys of the ride loved all the meat tacos at El Globo, recommended by Jeffrey Tastes at the Nixtamal killer. The veggie tacos there were pretty awful though. Overall, Los Hermanos was a group favorite again as well as the trucks on Roosevelt Ave.

Were you on the tour? Which was your favorite?

For more photos check out our Flickr and add to our pool.

Ming taught us a bunch about the history of Chatham square and gave us a very personal look into her life and knowledge of Chinatown. Did you know that Lin Zexu, the leader against the English-Chinese opium trade, statue stands with his back facing Wall St? Ming also intorduced us to her favorite restaurants and even a secret passageway. It was the first of a series of tours so if you didn’t make it out this time, more are in the works!

Also a big thank you to everyone who came out to the #bikenyc meetup on Oct 4th at Red Lantern Cycles! We had a huge turnout, of 40/50ish people, great vibes and one of the best birthdays I’ve had in awhile. Thanks to Brian of Red Lantern for being so awesome, providing the space, tunes and keeping the beer flowing. All of this was made possible by Google Places. Thanks! Until the next one, keep riding. If you have photos, please send! Seems I was too sloshed to take any proper photos.

Next up, Tour de Taco #3 this Sunday, Oct 9th. It is going to be epic.

Tour de Taco 2011 will include five stops through Brooklyn and Queens. It is a fun and causal ride brought to you by three friends who love tacos and bicycles -myself, Emily and Tishon.  This year’s ride will be capped to 75 people. If you show up and we are over the limit you are welcome to ride on your own.

Taco joints (subject to change) include:

• Los Hermanos – Bushwick
• TBD – Sunset Park
• La Esquina – Williamsburg
• El Globo – Corona
• Roosevelt Ave Trucks – Queens
• After party & group reunion @ Dekalb Market

For a pre tour meetup, come say hello at our #bikenyc meetup on Oct 4th @ 7 pm at Red Lantern Bicycles (345 Myrtle). There will be free beer, fun cyclists and your friendly organizers.

We love you but do not take responsibility or liability for you on this ride, so please ride safe!

Photos from our first ever tour are here.

Love long distance riding? Now is your your chance to beat out messengers in the East Coast Messenger Stage Race (ECMSR). The race begins in Boston, MA on Sep 22nd and will consist of five consecutive daily stages. It is open to everyone.

1. Boston to New Haven
2. New Haven to New York
3. New York to Philadelphia
4. Philadelphia to Baltimore
5. Baltimore to Washington D.C.

Daily stage winner and team prizes will be awarded as well. from sponsors Oakley, Nike, Chrome, Brooklyn Machine Works, Stumptown Coffee, Squarebuilt Bicycles and All City.

On hand will be an international coterie of top level masters of the underground and unsanctioned ‘Alleycat’ style of racing, this time being tested on a course far longer than the traditional intra-urban format. Riders are responsible for plotting their own course and will have a chase car for mechanical issues as well as to pick up riders who have dropped out. The race is open to all.

Check out ECMSR.org .com for more info.

Fast Boy’s story (or rather Ezra of Fast Boy) is a powerful one that I’ve been following for several years. He has been fighting for his life battling colon cancer and has been documenting that experience on his blog. Ezra recently wrote about about a beautiful new cargo bike that he’s been working on called the Nose Bike.

NYC presents an interesting challenge when it comes to cargo bikes.  Theft is bad enough that most people aren’t willing to leave their bikes outside..  And most people don’t have garages!  let alone their very own front door.  I liked the idea of making something with decent cargo capacity that still rode well, and was small/light enough to be able to carry up to your fifth floor walk up!

About a week ago I decided to assert myself a little and get this idea out of my head and on to the road.  It’s not a new idea.  Small front wheel.  Frame mounted rack.  Carrying cargo in the front allows you to keep the wheelbase pretty short since you’re not having to avoid your heels as they pedal.  The frame mounted rack all but completely gets rid of the handling problems usually associated with front loads.  The small front wheel gets that weight nice and low so that the bike isn’t top heavy and doesn’t want to fall over sideways quite so badly! via [FastBoy]

Ezra is taking orders for the Nose Bike now and his bikes go fast so check it out if you are so inclined! More photos here.

Our pizza stops in order were to be…

1. Joe & Pat’s – Staten Island
2. Roberta’s – Brooklyn
3. John’s – Queens
4. Golden Pizza – Bronx
5. Patsy’s – Manhattan/Harlem

But as things happen, John’s was closed, we detoured to Astoria and then headed to Certe in Manhattan instead. Overall it was a lot of fun and Joe and Pat’s vodka pizza slice stole the show. Staten Island is on my radar now.

A big thanks to Jeff for organizing and look for a collaboration ride coming in the future….I hope! You can also check out his website for his other food tours. Our route is below.

the winner

a map of our tour. click to see route and details.

Photo credits courtesy of Jeff. Check out Flickr for more.

Summer Streets is a great introduction to cycling in the city because for 5 miles or so, some of Manhattan’s busiest streets are closed to motor vehicle traffic. We took the Brooklyn Bridge over which connects right to the route. The bridge was the busiest I’ve seen in my 6+ years in NYC! If you missed this ride, you still have one Saturday left. It’s one of my favorite summer events and I highly recommend checking it out. Our route is below.

Thanks to Gudphoto for group portrait! You can find him in front of Bike Habitat again this coming Saturday for your very own bike portrait.

post ride beers and fries

Check our Flickr set for more photos from this ride.

Our route from Brooklyn to Manhattan Summer Streets. Click for map.

We kicked off the season with a ride to Governors Island for Figment festival. This ride becoming one of my favorites because of it’s proximity to Brooklyn, the free ferry ride over and the car free island. Not to mention Figment is always so much fun and full of interactive art and music.

Interested in joining us? Sign up for our email list for future rides. Scroll down for the route.

in front of the bicycle toad at our destination

riding the ferry over with our bikes

You can check out more photos on Flickr.

The Route

from Grand Army Plaza to the Gov Island ferry – 2.8mi on bike lane streets

click for the google map

Meet at Union Square south side (across from Whole Foods) at 7pm.

Dec 19th: Hosted by Times Up and joined by the DOB-C, a ride to check out the Christmas lights of  Dyker Heights.

Meet in Manhattan at 4:30 pm, across from the bicycle entrance to the Manhattan Bridge

Join us for a fun and leisurely ride to see the “miracle mile” of Christmas Lights and decorations in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. The spectacular displays draw 150,000 visitors a year who come from as far away as Japan. So come prepared with bicycle bells ringing to the tune of Jingle Bells. Approx. 25 miles round trip.