Author’s Note

Researching, riding, and writing this guide has been one of the most fulfilling recreational and professional endeavors I have ever pursued. The project, as so many people have told me, seems like it was made for me, uniquely integrating all of the things I am passionate about.

From being outdoors and riding a bike to exploring diverse neighborhoods. From miles of riverside bikeways along the Hudson and East Rivers to beachfront promenades and bayside greenways in multiple boroughs. From sculpted park spaces to protected natural habitats. From nineteenth-century architecture to avant-garde cultural emblems. From meeting like-minded people to gaining more knowledge about the city’s rich cultural, historical, environmental, social, ethnic, and architectural makeup. From recording new perspectives on film to figuring out how to convey the richness of it all in writing.

My hope is that this book will enable others to similarly experience the beauty of biking, discover the marvels of the five boroughs from a new perspective, and have equally fulfilling experiences.