Day 12 - A lunch break run

One of the best things bout having a 21st century office is being able to take full advantage of each day.  When you don't need to waste 2 hours commuting each day you have that much more time to actually work.  I often find myself working through my lunch when I'm in the office, but today I was working from home and decided to get out on two wheels for lunch.

Beautiful day of course, so I was immediately wishing I could ditch my fleece.  I started by taking an interesting turn up and over the pedestrian walkway that goes over the Prospect Park expressway.  I always found it to be so uniquely NYC that this massive Brooklyn transit artery slicks right under one of the quietest neighborhoods in the 5 boroughs.  Continued the ride by heading out to Greenwood Cemetery and then up the hill into Park Slope.  Stopped at a deli and grabbed turkey / lettuce / tomato on a whole wheat bagel to take home with me.  From there it was a quick ride through the park back home for lunch.  Perfect way to break up the day.. truly believe everyone should be able to do that on a beautiful day like yesterday.

Met my mom in the city later for dinner at Emporio.  A great little gem hidden on Mott in the Soho Nolita area.  I've actually been there more than several times because A) it's close to the office and B) my friend Amy lives right across the street.. She gets credit for turning me on to this place.  Anyways it was another great dinner.  I actually had pasta with spring fern springlings in it... yes those weird bright green curly things that grow from ferns in the spring and turn into new fern leaves..  I had no idea you could eat them, but hey it was on the menu.  I pounded 3 Bengali Tigers with diner.. well 1 before dinner at the bar when I was waiting on my mom.  I know I know its a go to and it's been on the blog before, but Emporio is more of a wine hub.. They only have 3 draft handles and I went with the clear cut best option.

Day 11 - In the Evening

I can't seen to be able to tell what the hell to wear out on the bike this week..  The morning before I headed out in a patagonia fleece and wanted to leave it home, tonight I took off in a tee-shirt and was freezing the entire ride.  I had also put in a full day and had a late dinner so I wasn't much in an exploring mentality.

I just took the typical route around the park and enjoyed the downhill home (minus the chill) after getting my blood pumping on the way up.  As for the chill - I can handle it..   either way the Spring is on the way (see pretty spring pic) and I'm stoaked for it to get a little warmer.

Despite the not so out of the ordinary ride I did manage to enjoy quite a few good beers at dinner the night before and today after the ride.  Dinner the night before was great.  Went to the Dutch with the mom and gf and had all kinds of fantastic stuff.  Washed it all down with several Firestone Walker 'Union Jack' IPAs.  Good stuff, and I'd never tried it before so i guess it was a good menu find.  After the ride today I was routing around in my fridge for something and I managed to dig up the Oak aged Southertier Unearthly IPA..  and yes I know the regular Unearthly already made an appearance in this project..  I prefer the oak aged.

Day 10 - Tremendous Tuesday the Tenth

Sup Homies and Homettes, Greetings and Good day!  Nothing quite like waking up early and refreshed, knowing your first real responsibility doesn't take place until until 11, having a beautiful girl next to you, and having two bikes.  Set off this morning in that crisp NY morning air that seems like it just rolled off Everest as opposed to the BQE.  And.. if you couldn't tell from that intro, there was a slight difference in my ride this morning from any other thus far into the BEBI.  I had a riding partner with me, bushy eyed and bright tailed as I could possibly hope for!

Sweet Court joined me for the most common ride I take (Along the park to Grand Army Plaza and then back through the park), but she made it special by taking the time to make me take some time and look around.  We detoured at the Villa after a nicely paced ride.. where, in fact..  we moved at enough speed to have some conversation but still avoid running into one of those infamous Park Slope moms pushing a stroller worth more than my tacoma.

The Villa was more than a quick pic this time.  We actually cruised all around it ..found the back road connections to the main roads in the Park and some "apparent" public parking for PP..  who knew that existed.  I still have no Idea what this place is really for.. is it a park office?  a private event space for Weddings/Corporate Parties/Brooklyn's elitest asshole meetings?  I may never know, but judging from the cars parked out front it has nothing to do with the EA's (take that Bill W .. if you've ever bothered to read!)

Anyways after some more off-road abuse on my tires we made the rest of the trip up to GAP (not the place where I get cheap V-Necks) and then back through the park.  Managed to get cleaned up and do some work and just be a good human man for the rest of the day all before an excellent dinner at The Dutch in SoHo this evening.  I washed everything down with several beers, but I started with a Firestone Walker "union jack" IPA .. Yeah I've never heard of it before, but it was pretty good..  I also realize there has been a lot of IPAs listed on this project lately.. and I want anyone reading (aka myself in a period of reflection down the line) to remember it hasn't all been IPAs.. they've just been making a stand lately.  THERE WILL BE BELGIANS AND STOUTS AND OTHER STUFF TOO!   .. Also, Very nice to have a personal Photographer for the day.. Credit = Courtney Everton

Day 9 - Back at it!

Ahhhh felt great to be back out today.  Had a full day at the office but the sun is staying out longer each day and I still had plenty of time to ride even after getting home around 6:30.  Went into the park today.  Not really supposed to bike off the main path, but I risked it.  The sun was going down and everything seemed kinda peaceful..  basically I didn't feel I was bothering anyone.

I found myself pausing at the ball fields and just kinda breathing in the grass and new leaves.  If you've never gone down a big grass covered hill on a fixed gear bike, put your feet up, and just let the pedals spin then you're missing out on a little part of life.  It was thrilling.  I actually had to get back to my normal F / G train stop to wait for Court who met me in my hood tonight (we're playing hooky tomorrow.. shhh).   Once I got around the stop I entertained myself by pumping up and down the overpass and Prospect Ave.  It actually gave me the chance to stop and notice the great fire station tucked away in my area of Ft. Hamilton (pic).  Cool little place.. I can only imagine the "Newyorkness" that goes down in that joint.




Once Sweet Court got here we headed off for dinner.  Grabbed some fantastic Elk burgers at BareBurger in Park slope and washed it all down with a Torpedo.  Fun little monday for sure.  Goodnight "loyal readers".  

Day 8 - Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone!

Day 7 - Soft Hell

After one full weekend with this project I'm starting to realize that getting onto a bike in Brooklyn everyday when the girl lives in Manhattan is going to be a bitch logistically.  Especially since she's wayyy up on the UWS.  The good news is there's talk of getting her her own bike for the 5BBT (which I can borrow and ride central park on).  So even though I didn't get up on my bike in Brooklyn on Saturday I did have an absolute ball of a day and managed to incorporate quite a few tasty beverages into it.

I actually started the day quietly enough.. reading .. coffee .. breakfast and general relaxation, but before long I was downing a pint of Peak Organic IPA (boring I know) and shots of tequila (not so boring) outside Washington Square.  We were MAD..  and Armed..  and we were about to charge full force into the worlds largest pillow fight!  My weapons - two 3 dollar pillows from K-mart aptly named "Hammer of Snor" and "Death by Cotton". Nothing quite makes up for not getting up on a bike like smacking a weirdo NYU student in the face as hard as you can with a pillow, in a public square, in broad daylight, and it being totally socially acceptable!  It was a wild time.

 

The rest of the evening was filled with good company and good beers.  Stopped by whole foods and picked up some quality bombers for the evening.  No need to go down the entire list but I started by cracking open a DFH 75min IPA.  Good stuff, but I'm not sure how anything from them between 75 and 90 minutes could be anything but good.  The night was fun and we ended up at a great UWS bar we frequent called Dive 75 (it's on 75th St. and Columbus).  They've got a nice draft selection and I honestly don't recall what I was ordering.  All good stuff I'm sure.  Be back on the bike for 2 a days this week to make up for lost days this weekend.  

Day 6 - It still counts

Technically I was up on two wheels today..  Granted it was in Manhattan (I didn't set foot in Brooklyn today) and it wasn't really my bike .. and I didn't really go anywhere..  but it still counts.  Okay it's weak as shit, but I can make up for it with two a days next week.  I woke up at Courts place with the full intention of making it home and getting out on the bike.  The problem occurred when I swung by the office even though I already got word from the boss to take the afternoon off ..  When I stepped in I was greeted by a slew of boxes.  Finally my new office set up arrived, and as tempting as having my own personal NYC deck day was I couldn't help but to sit there and put all my new shit together.

I did manage to get out of the office by 5 and despite the lack of a bike ride today at least I got the beer right.  Went straight from the office to one of my favorite dives for a couple pints of Lagi IPA (a go to when available) before hitting up the 2nd Ave. wholefoods' specialty beer store .. yes it does exist and its very impressive.  I picked up some quality stuff, but no need to give away the list while this project continues.  The first bomber I cracked is pictured.  Really good and somewhat local stuff.

Fast forward through dinner drinks dancing and all that good stuff and that lovely girlfriend of mine still found a way to get me up on two wheels tonight.  I don't know who's bike it is .. it was actually pretty banged up, but it worked for tonight.  I'll make it up with multiple rides on single days this week.  Cheers y'all and happy weekend!

Day 5 - Good Morning Run

I just so happened to be parked in a Thursday street cleaning spot which forced me up and out by 8 AM to avoid one of those lovely $45 tickets NYC is so fond of handing out.  Soo.. I tossed the bike in my truck bed and started my ride from the new spot.   Absolutely beautiful morning out but I was way underdressed and freezing in a t-shirt.  Still, I'd rather be cold than look like the spandex body suit nerds that passed me in the park.

 I started by heading up PPSW and just enjoying the morning.  Surprisingly quiet for what I thought a weekday morning would be.  Guess I don't get out on that street much in the AM.  Stopped and took a nice long break at the Villa and briefly forgot I was in the middle of Brooklyn before the ride continued down to Grand Army.  The downhill home was actually thrilling.  Nothing like hulling ass with no breaks through crisp morning air.  I could actually smell the spring coming off the trees. 


Today's beer selection was a bit weak.  After the ride there was a full day of work then into Manhattan to spend some qt with gf.  Luckily enough she had a cold Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale in the fridge waiting for me.  This weekend will make up for it.  There will be some quality beer drinking for sure.  

Day 4 - the other way

Another great afternoon ride today.  Decided to take a slight change of direction and go check out Greenwood Cemetery only to find the gates were closed today for whatever reason.  Next best plan was to do the loop around Greenwood.  Note to self - not a great ride to take at rush hour..  escpeically once you get to the west and south sides.  Also don't forget your shades next time!  I was pretty much bind while buses were passing 12" away from me.

The ride got very nice once I turned on East on 5th and started the second half of the trip.  Had both the sun and the wind at my back.  Interesting thing that occurred on this ride - a skateboarder kid wiping out on a pretty steep hill..  got to the top of the hill to see his buddies daring each other to go next.  Ahh to be 11 again.

Didn't have much to choose from when it came to refreshments today so I swung by Mike's Deli, my go to beer and sub shop, and grabbed a 4 pack of Bengali Tiger IPAs.  Six Point can do no wrong and are the clear victors if them and Brooklyn Brewery ever go head to head.  I'd bike down to their brewery, but I don't think they have a tap room or anything like that.. They do have some enticing events on their calendar I'd be interested in hitting up.

Day 3 - The right way to do this

Day 1 was cloudy and cold.. not to mention a route I've done before.  Day 2 was just enough to say I got up on two wheels for the day, but today was absolutely perfect.  Crisp air, blue skies, all that good stuff.

I got out after a long day of conference calls and other generic business responsibilities, but it felt great right away.  Did a nice warm up climb up Prospect Ave. then took a left on 6th.  I dropped in at Red Horse Cafe for a quick espresso.  I'd never been in this spot before, but i'd grab a coffee there anytime.  Boom stamp of approval.  

After the stop I just continued my trek down 6th with a few weave in and outs up to 7th and back to scope out some brownstones.  Saw at least 4 different places I'll need to stop back in when I have time to kick back with a beer or 4.. but plenty more days to fill.  

The ride down 6th continued until I got to Carroll st.  Stopped to take a look at the big church on the corner there.  I had no idea what what it was called but a quick google search let me know it's St. Francis Xavier and it was built in 1904.  Anyways it looked pretty good in the setting sun so I snapped a quick pick.. and got the idea to check out some of the other historic churches in the area (there's a lot).  

On the way back up towards the park I just happened to get caught at the same light as the license plate pictured below..  what are the odds?  I might even have known her, but the light changed and she drove off before I could do anything creepy like look in the windows.  

After the great downhill back to my place I found myself wishing I could do another hour, but I had some work stuff to get back to..  and a beer to enjoy of course.  Todays first, and most delicious, selection was a Rule of Thirds from Stillwater Artisanal.  I'd say the description on the bottle 'Hoppy Belgian Triple' covers it well.  It was great, but at 8 bucks and change for 11.2 ounces its a buy and try once type of brew.  

Day 2 - A quick one before they know I'm gone

Day two came early with my ever so lovely girlfriend waking up at 5 AM to get a head start to work.  By the time I was up and moving I was already pushing to get out and over to Manhattan before a mid-morning meeting.  Only had time for a brief run around my block before heading towards the train.  I did manage to get a great shot of early morning on Prospect Ave.  You can catch a glimpse of the Juice Box; my go to local wine and booze specialty shop, no craft beer though..  Some kind of NYC zoning bureaucratic nonsense, but still a great pop in spot right around the corner.  You can also catch a glimpse of the first blue sky of April peaking through the clouds.


 Despite the lack of a solid ride I did manage to celebrate the end of a productive day the right way.  I've had this one melting a hole in the fridge at my girlfriend's place for over a week now.  Worth the wait.  I'll be looking forward to the next Estate release from Sierra Nevada.  Hoping to visit (and bike) Chico one of these days as well.  Cheers!

Day 1 - Kickin' this thing off!

So now that Spring has sprung I've cleaned, re-greased and more or less "tuned up" my bike for the first time in 2012.  This included changing a flat that blew out on me in the middle of rush hour traffic on Atlantic Ave...  fun stuff.

The first day of April turned out to be more like the middle of January, but just felt good to be out on two wheels.  After warming up on the loop around Prospect Park I was wishing I could ditch my jacket somewhere.  With the weather as it was and it being an early Sunday morning I had a mild delusion of having the park to myself.  No such luck.. way too many doods in spandex / aerodynamic spaceman helmets with way too many gears on their bikes.  Nearly took out a family of 6 on the downhill portion when I was merging right to avoid and heard the ever obnoxious "RIGHT .. ON YOUR RIGHT.."  I had to lean left fast to get around everyone.  Thankfully, there were 0 casualties today.    

 Highlights of the ride included the Brooklyn sightseeing tour around the Park.  Stopped by Grand Army Plaza and the Library (pic) before cruising past the Botanical Gardens and the Museum.  There was also some kind of promotional jogging event with live music over by 15th St.  Nothing worth stopping for..  

After the ride I headed out to Rosewater on Union & 6th for a very nice brunch.  I killed about 5 strips of bacon in as many minutes.  Stopped off at Bierkraft and grabbed a Weyerbacher Verboten draft to wash it all down.  All in all, a great day 1.. Can't wait for bluer skies and shaded eyes type days though.