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Tour M1 - Pre-Marathon - Urban Mosaic Bike Tour
Friday, October 31st, 10:15 am - 5:00 pm
Great urban vistas that are typically not seen. Ethnic
neighborhoods that are part of the unique mosaic of the city.
Miles of the marathon
route through Brooklyn and Queens. This
tour combines them all!
As we leave the bike shop the
pace of the city takes over, for we are in the heart of the Lower East
Side of Manhattan. Here early and recent arrivals from Europe, Puerto
Rico, the Dominican Republic, and China are mixed together with
assimilated New Yorkers. All are seeking an "inexpensive" place to
live in Manhattan. And all are seeking, like generations before them,
"a bargain" place to shop.
We leave Manhattan in style with a glorious - but, alas, not part of the marathon route -
ride over the Brooklyn Bridge on its own boardwalk-style bike path! Once in Brooklyn, we meet the
marathon route, and follow it through downtown Brooklyn, intothe Fort Greene Area, filled with
it's beautiful brownstones and tree-lined streets. Here we stop at
the "Martyrs' Monument." This little-known, and little-visited attraction
pays tribute to over 10,000 members of the Continental Army who died in
notorious British "prison ships" during America's struggle for freedom.
Continuing along the marathon route through Brooklyn, we have a leisurely
first hand opportunity to
appreciate more of the fascinating nature of the city. Is it like a
"melting pot," in which diverse immigrant groups meld together? Or is
it more like a "salad bowl," in which different cultures mix together
but still keep their own customs and traditions? Or, is it a bit of both?
The most dramatic example of our salad bowl comes out bursting
with flavor in Williamsburg, the Brooklyn neighborhood where Hassidic
Jews continue their century's old culture of the most religious of
Eastern European Jews. On Friday, the day before the
Jewish Sabbath, with its strict prohibition on any "labor," the
community is bustling! As we pedal on its main street and its side
streets, you will find it hard to believe that you
are in New York City in the 21st century! But we want you to do more than
just stare, as we explain to you the traditional culture and how it
has adapted, on its own terms, to the broader American society.
We follow the route into the "other" Williamsburg, a
very "hip" neighborhood, home to the younger, trendy New Yorkers, who
bring with them their transportation of choice - the bicycle!
Just blocks away from Williamsburg is Greenpoint, a vibrant Polish
neighborhood that keeps its roots with a sense of pride, food, and
language. Here you see how New Yorkers live outside the frantic pace
and congestion of Manhattan.
We continue to be on the Marathon route,
only this time with a chance to see the neighborhoods of Long Island City and
Queens West. This latter neighborhood is so new it only recently got a
grocery store! Briefly leaving the marathon route, we will stop
at Ganry State Park. At this historic location we can see restored
"gantries" and learn about their critical role in the city's commerce
in the first part of the 20th century. The view across the East
River, directly opposite the United Nations and the world's tallest
apartment building, provides an unforgettable photo opportunity.
We return to Manhattan, following the Marathon route over the Queensboro Bridge, with
its own bike path and magnificent views of the city. Once back into Manhattan,
we are able to skip ahead and get a sneak-preview of the marathon's finish line in the Southern
portion of Central Park.
To complete the tour, we will take one of New York's most exciting downhill routes, straight down
the world-famous Broadway, with it's new-and-improved bike lane, and a preview of the future of
New York, in the form of an eight-block long promenade!
Enjoy a “Bike and Bite” delicious ethnic luncheon! (a few options will be available - food cost not included)
This special tour leaves only on Friday, October 31st, at 10:15 am from the East Side of Manhattan.
It is approximately 20 miles and will last about 7 hours.
The $85 cost includes the bike, a helmet, and the licensed tour guide ($10 less with your own bike).
Note: Unfortunately, this tour has been filled. However, on the same day,
Tour A is still available.
Tour M2 - The Post-Marathon Chill-Out Tour
Monday, November 3rd, 10:15 am - 3:30 pm
On Monday, November 3rd, we will offer the regular On-Demand Tour I,
but it will also include a visit to the statue of Fred Lebow, founder of the NYC Marathon,
the Finish Line of the Marathon, the Sheep Meadow, and stretching in the park!
Stopping for lunch in Harlem, there will be a buffet-style meal with lots of fruits, vegetables,
and carbohydrates necessary for your recovery from the day before (there will also be less healthy items
for those inclined to indulge).
This special tour leaves only on Monday, November 3, at
10:15 am from the East Side of Manhattan. It is approximately 12 miles
and will last about 5 ½ hours.
The $75 cost includes the bike, a
helmet, and the licensed tour guide (food cost not included) ($10 less with your own
bike).
Unlike the real Marathon, this is no race, but a leisurely-paced, family-friendly bicycle sightseeing tour.
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