Gothamist, April 26, 2011

So the NYPD is now letting the New York Post control its bike lane agenda? Yesterday Murdoch's minions ran an exhaustive piece on how bicyclists are not using misusing the bike lanes at the intersection of Lafayette and Prince Streets and wouldn't you know it, today the NYPD set up at that very intersection to ticket cyclists. Their crime? Not using the bike lane. Whether that is even illegal is besides the point.

Transportation Nation noticed the police stopping bikers on the street, at one point two at a time, and inquired about what was going on. “I was riding my bicycle … on the wrong side of the street,” biker Victor Velasquez told them, “and they gave me a ticket.”

Well after several weeks of not seeing any silly police activity in the park, today a woman on a hybrid bike was getting a ticket...just after the light at the top of Harlem hill.  We all know what a congested crosswalk that is.  I see a pedestrian crossing there about twice a year.  Moreover, there were four police cars there to give this woman a ticket. 

Another cyclist was getting a ticket by the boathouse.  Seems whenever I see a cyclist stopped there, its always by the young red headed cop with the buzz cut.

Are you a custom bike fanatic? Do you want to own a piece of movie history? Do you have a need for speed? 

A new TELEVISION SHOW for a MAJOR CABLE NETWORK is selling 2 TRICKED OUT VINTAGE SCHWINN bicycles. 

Come out THIS SUNDAY (May 1) to the BROOKLYN FLEA MARKET in WILLIAMSBURG (27 North 6th St. btw. Kent Ave. + East River) to check out the custom rides and be part of our exciting new television show. 

The bikes for sale:

1.) A custom 1970s Schwinn Stingray juiced up with a chainsaw motor - power and speed wrapped up in a badass low rider frame. 

2.) A vintage Schwinn DX frame reincarnated as a replica Pee-wee Herman bike complete with streamers, saddlebags and that iconic cherry red finish. 

Bike to the Beach NY will ride from Union Square, NYC to Westhampton Beach, NY on June 10, 2011.

This will be the second year of Bike to the Beach NY. In 2010, B2B launched the NY leg of the ride on the same day as the annual ride in Washington DC. Twenty-five pioneering riders gathered in the pre-dawn hours at Union Square in Manhattan to set out on a century ride that ended in Westhampton Beach, NY.

The 13th Annual Blessing of the Bikes -- FREE

Saturday April 30th, 2011

9:30 a.m. SHARP.  (This event is wonderful but BRIEF.  Don't be late or you'll miss it!)

Rain or Shine

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine/112th & Amsterdam/Manhattan

All Ages Welcome/All Faiths (or lack thereof) Welcome

Hi Friends, mark your calenar for this very special event.

Wear your usual cycling clothes and bring your bike INSIDE the spectacular Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine for the 13th Annual Blessing of the Bikes.

I'm looking for a cue sheet (pdf, Word, Excel etc.) that includes the Presidents hills about 4 miles North of 9W at Palisades. Any version will do. I just don't want to get lost in that maze of roads.

Much appreciated,

[email protected]

I just returned from 10 days in Israel.  I brought my travel road bike and managed a few rides.  The scenery is spectacular and the roads are in excellent condition for the most part.  Road biking in particular is growing rapidly in popularity and I saw several cycling clubs on the roads.  Interestingly, two of these clubs out on their Saturday ride had support vehicles following the group - part for support and part for safety - drivers are a bit impatient and many are not used to cyclists.

I plan to return soon and would like to connect with some cycling clubs there to ride with. I would appreciate any connections or information regarding any clubs, particularly in the northern and northeast parts of the country.

Thanks.

OK, more picture-taking than riding going on this morning but the fog was so fascinating, I couldn't resist.  Photos here