On the plane I looked down at the pin cushion of a city, seeming reduced to a not so overwhelming height as it is when your at the base of these giant skyscrapers.  I am used to flying into New York with a feeling of returning home.  Getting back from summer or winter vacation with the excitement of another semester at Columbia.  But this time, my arrival was different.  Seeing the city, I feel detached and like visiting a family member you haven’t seen for a LONG time.  It was weird getting here but I was also excited to see my friends, campus and the excitement of the city.
   Tuesday was a BEAUTIFUL warm evening.  I’m staying with my awesome friend that I ran with and graduated from Columbia with, Christina (Tex).  The bus dropped us off in Harlem, right next to the Apollo theater and the madness of 6pm in NYC.  Dragging my huge bike box and suit case down the road I was warmly welcomed back to the city by two lovely harlem natives 😉 as they passed us walking and saying “these girls and their big a*& bags taking up the whole sidewalk”.  Oh New York, how I’ve missed you.

Butler Library from the steps of Columbia

   I rode in Central Park on Wednesday.  For 4 years I RAN in Central Park, watching and being passed by cyclists as they zipped down the main roads, but this is the first time I actually am one of them.  It was fun to get around the 6 mile loop so fast, passing the horse carriages as they trudged along, the boathouse, the Res, the Met and Guggenheim.  What a beautiful way to see the park, I miss this special green part of the city.

Financial District, Freedom Tower

   Thursday was a longer and more adventurous day.  For my 3 hour ride I didn’t want to just loop around Central like 10 times, so after one lap I journeyed across to the west side river bike path.  I rode down along the Financial District to Battery Park and around up to the east side where I went under the Brooklyn Bridge and all the way up the right side of Manhatten.  It was a beautiful ride (despite the cloudy cold weather), and amazing how far and so much I can see just riding around.  The only downside was all the random construction or dead ends that sent me over to the street for a bit.  It was also hard to get into a cycling rhythm.  Biking in NYC is great for cruising, people watching, and being a tourist, but not so much for serious training.  Training for running was better then most think in the city.  With Central and all the dirt paths, Riverside, and Van Cortland there are some amazing places to run.  But so far, unless I leave Manhattan it seems to be pretty limited for cycling.

Brooklyn Bridge

   These past few days have been really great seeing my friends, campus, and a limited part of the city.  Since I have to focus on the race this weekend, I couldn’t be a tourist and walk around the city every day.  Instead I spent it hanging out with Christina, Patricia and Kristen (roommates), or on the Columbia campus sitting on the steps.  But that’s alright, because for now my focus needs to be on racing, training and this weekend.

Tour of Battenkill on Sunday (14th) is going to be a tough 65 mile race.  With 10 dirt sections and a strong field, I am excited for the challenge.  It will be good to have a full team to work with and race to get a good placing.

Tour of Battenkill Website