Author: Noel Hidalgo

#BikeNYC hosts Couchcrash ’10 on Governors Island

Governors Island is a small island located off of the tip of Manhattan. It’s one of those places where you go to get away from it all and this Saturday, that’s exactly what we will do. Once on the island, we will picnic and lawn game till our hearts burst with couchsurfing love.

We’ll be joined by Couchsurfers who are attending CouchCrash 2010 and NYC area cyclists who use twitter and other forms of social media to connect with each other. If you’re on Twitter search for #BikeNYC.

Note the following:

  1. Bring food, a blanket, portable water, and be prepared to share.
  2. We value style over speed. Dress to impress.
  3. You MUST repackage all adult beverages. The ferries are know to have check points that check for more than that. Be mindful of the rules. 😉
  4. If it rains, you are on your own. Visit @newamsterdamize for the latest updates.
  5. When in doubt call or SMS NoNeck’s hotline at +1.646.867.2263. 

This event will have four meeting points.

1. Bike Ride – 11:30 am – Meet at the Williamsburg/Greenpoint Greenmarket at 11:30 am. We will promptly leave at Noon to catch the 1pm ferry in Lower Manhattan. This route will take us over the Williamsburg Bridge and down the East Side Greenway. No need to dress sporty, we ride wicked slow. At the farmer’s market, we will meet in front of the Red Jacket farm stand at the intersection of Union Ave and Driggs Ave. We will promptly leave at NOON!

2. Manhattan Ferry at Battery Maritime Building (WE WILL ride to this ferry landing) – 12:50ish – 1:15ish pm – Since the Brooklyn ferry only takes 20 bikes at a time, meeting at the bottom of Manhattan is ideal for any large group of cyclists. If you are meeting us there via Subway/own bike path, look at GI’s website for the most up-to-date info.

3. Brooklyn Ferry at Atlantic Ave (We WILL NOT ride to this ferry landing) – 1:00 pm – Meeting at the end of Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn. While I could outline all of the ways to get there, I advise you look at GI’s website for the most up-to-date info. Since it’s a first come, first serve ferry that only takes 20 bikes at a time, I HIGHLY recommend you get inline and meet us on the island. Note, it takes longer to board the boat than it does to ride the ferry to Governors Island. It’s a GREAT ferry to take to get off the island. 😉

4. Governors Island – 2:00 pm onward – We will be picnicking on the island in Noland Park, in front of the Admiral’s house. If you don’t have a bike, Noland Park is just up the hill from the Brooklyn Landing, and a 8 min walk from the Manhattan Landing. Consult a map if you need further directions.

** Once again, the weather… Since we can’t predict it, stay tuned to http://twitter.com/newamsterdamize for the latest updates **

Facebook Link – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120857984630586

The Guide Horse Foundation is against the use of riding size horses indoors because of the risk of injury to the horses, the blind handler and the general public. While our research has indicated that Miniature horses make suitable guide animals,  large guide animals of any species can create a hazard for the public when used in an inappropriate setting for an animal of that size.

Guide Horse Foundation – Miniature horses for the blind

“Is this the real life or is this a fantasy?” a #BikeNYC weekend!

“Is this the real life or is this a fantasy?” a #BikeNYC weekend! (link to facebook)

Can you image a New York without cars? On Saturday, 14 Aug, you won’t need to!

On Sunday, 15 Aug, @BrooklynByBike will fill your belly with street food!

This Saturday the weather is going to be perfect! We are rounding up the troops for a full day extravaganza. We will start off with #BikeNYC Tweetup at Summer Streets, experience a few dumpster pools, and enjoy a car free Park Avenue. Then, we will head down to Governor’s Island for a picnic and lawn games.

Since this is a citywide experience, we have multiple pickup points.
– From 10 am till 1pm, we’ll be on Manhattan’s Park Avenue singing the bohemian rhapsody.
– From 1pm till late, we join North Brooklyn’s Croquet and Bocce Society on Governor’s Island for lawn games, picnicking and adultness.

Saturday Morning Meet Up Points w/ Departure Times…
Greenpoint, Brooklyn – 9:30 am – @noneck will take people from the Greenpoint / McCarren Greenmarket, over the W’burg Bridge to the SoHo rally point. (The ride will promptly leave at 9:30am. If you want to shop for fruits and juices, please plan on arriving one hour to 45 mins early. We’ll be the bike gang in front of Red Jacket Orchard’s fruit and juice stand.) 
SoHo, Manhattan – Kenmare & Center St – 10:15 am – @MikEpstein will meet you and head north.
Central Park – 72nd Street & Park – 11:00 am – Everyone will converge.

Saturday Afternoon Meet Up Points…
TriBeCa Whole Foods – 1:00 pm – First, @noneck will lead the pack to swing by Whole Foods for picnic supplies.

Manhattan Ferry Building to Governor’s Island – 1:30 pm –  by 1:30 we should be at the ferry terminal waiting to board. Once on the island, we will meet up with the North Brooklyn Croquet and Bocce Society.

By 2:00 pm we should be on the island. Once on the island, we will be in Nolan Park, close to the Commanding Officers House. This area is filled with houses and is closest to the G.I. – Brooklyn Ferry landing. (PDF map) If lost, feel free to call Noel at +1.646.867.2263

NOTE: G.I. has very little portable water. It’s best if you fill’r’up before you get to the island. If you join us at TriBeCa whole foods, this will not be an issue. 😉 

Two things you should note about North Brooklyn Croquet and Bocce Society events.

1. Bring appropriate attire, eg hats, sunglasses, linen, lace, appropriate bathing suits, towels, sunblock, blankets, etc…

2. Be civil and discreet. If you are bringing stuff to share, which we hope you do, bring some for everyone. Adult beverages must be repackage into discreet containers.

Sunday, @BrooklynbyBike is riding from Brooklyn to Queens for a kickass Street Food Ride. RSVP on facebook.

See you Saturday and/or Sunday!

ps – @noneck will be hosting another ride to Governor’s Island the following weekend. Details will be posted to Couchsurfing.com.