Back on Track

It has been a fabulous week! Why, you ask? I feel like I"m getting back on track with a few things.

Number 1: Run, Cat! Run! 

Ran to the Brooklyn Bridge 

I finally started running again. I have been a serious runner on and off since high school. I have a very bad habit of quitting for months at a time then starting again. Well, this week I started again and it felt great! A friend of Peter's has started a mileage challenge with me so I've got the motivation to keep it up!!

I have been bringing my running things to work and running around there (because the views are much better before going home on the train. My goal, as the weather starts to warm up, is to begin running in the mornings. I have to get ready for that 'Bama summer!




Number 2: Ridin' Dirty

My bike has been stuck inside my apartment through most of this winter.  For a while it was close to impossible to ride with all of the snow and ice. Then I was deterred by all of the salt and how quickly it would eat up my bike. In the past week we've had a few days of above freezing weather, enough to melt away the snow and ice and rinse the roads. Yesterday it was 50 degrees and first on my to-do list was to get my bike tuned up, road ready, and OUTSIDE.  I am so excited to start riding my bike to work again. Bring on the Roads!



Number 3: Organization

This school I work for just opened this September so we are still figuring out organization and storage. We have a room that will be a classroom for summer camp and school next year but currently does not have any children. It turned into a massive storage closet that was a complete eye sore. A co-worker and I decided to stay late and organize. We got so much done and actually ended up organizing all the classrooms as well. The only thing as satisfying as organizing your school, is organizing your apartment... which I did as well. I straight up love organizing. It was also great this happened because I'm having a very hard time curbing my desire to start packing for the move. I really, really like organizing but I LOVE packing... weird I know.



Number 4: Healthy Eating

In addition to getting my exercise routine back on track I finally went grocery shopping and stocked up on lots of healthy food options. I have a messed up metabolism so I try to steer clear of sugars and breads because they make me crash, and crash hard, sometimes into the floor. So I've got lots and lots of chicken and veggies, and some sweet treats like clementines and yogurt. I'm already feeling more energetic and healthy.

In summary, life is good. Preparations for the move as well as some trips we might take this summer are coming along. I've been spending more time with friends. I've got lots of NYC adventures planned now that the weather is a bit warmer and my bike is back in commission. So stay tuned!

Love my Girls! Love my City! 

50 Miles to Montauk And...

I didn't even see the Lighthouse

With the impending move and the (not-as-fun) Moving To-Do list building up, I decided to take a minute to reminisce about one of my favorite (and most difficult) trips from this fall.

Last summer/fall, much like now, I had a very extensive to do list. There were two items that I was incredibly excited for but also dreading... just a little bit. The first was a bike ride around Manhattan. It was a very long bike ride, and during the heat wave of all times.. but I was so glad I did it. The next item was biking from West Hampton to Montauk. It was going to be at least a 50 mile bike ride and I had read very mixed reviews about the bike "path" leading out there. Regardless, I really wanted to do it. It took quite a while to build up the courage but (as per usual) I impulsively woke up on Sunday, October 13th and decided to go! (See my route here)

The weather was absolutely perfect, and along the way I was greeted by an abundance of fall colors.

The ride was absolutely pristine... until I hit mile 35 and my legs gave out. I hadn't been riding as much in the weeks prior to this trip. I also must not have eaten correctly because I hit mile 35 and literally couldn't lift my legs to pedal. I pulled over to the side of the road and just sat there. I chugged water, ate a few cliff bars and waited... hoping that my muscles would recuperate. I had planned to bike all the way to the lighthouse and then back to the train station, which would have added 10 miles to the trip. Obviously... I didn't make it. The ride to the train station was absolutely agonizing despite the beautiful scenery. I also missed the train by about 10 minutes and had to sit and wait for 1 1/2 hours for the next train. Looking back, it's pretty humorous despite my discomfort in that moment.

If you've been keeping up with my NYC To-Do List. You'll see that "See the Montauk Lighthouse" is one of the items. I would absolutely love to do this ride again, but also decided it would be really nice to have a friend (maybe even a special guy) come with me out to Montauk. I have discovered that it is pretty difficult to convince my friends to go on a 50 mile bike ride, so I would be more than happy finding a friend who would take the train out there with me to explore.

I'm very, very ready for this snow to melt, and the salt to be rinsed away so I can get back out on my bike!

Until next time Montauk....

So close yet so far...

Roosevelt Island

I finally got out and crossed some items off the list!! This weekend I rode my bike up through Brooklyn and Queens and over to Roosevelt Island. You can see my route here. I really enjoyed the ride since I haven't seen much of the waterfront north of Dumbo. I also had never been over the Queensboro bridge!  After some deliberation (but actually just me getting sort of lost) I decided to head from Queens all the way over to Manhattan. Then, I took the Tram over to the island. I have to admit, riding the tram was my favorite part. I was standing next to another man with a bike and he leaned over to me and said,   I've lived here for 10 years and done this numerous times... but this ride never gets old." It was so fun!

The island itself was a very interesting place. I was able to do a loop of the entire island but actually... there wasn't much to see. We all know I love a good lighthouse so getting a closer view of the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse was fun. I also got a nice up close view of the "Octagon" as well as the abandoned Small Pox Infirmary . As much as a love a good abandoned over grown building, the coolest thing I saw was the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial on the south end of the island. The cement paving and triangular lined trees were breathtaking with the Manhattan skyline as the back drop. I'm so happy I went but... not really sure I'd go again.

On the ride home I also got to see the tops of some more abandoned buildings inside the Brooklyn Navy Yards ( I smell an adventure). Since I've accomplished so much on my list... I decided it was time to add some more items (in italics). Cheers Everyone!

Summer To-Do List
Astoria Beer Garden
Drink at McSorleys
Visit Watkins Glen
Visit Hart's Island
Try to obtain a permit to visit North Brother Island

Bike from Westhampton to Montauk

Visit Washington DC

Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Visit the NY Botanical Gardens

Run the steps in Morningside Park

Try the Trapeze
Explore Roosevelt Island

Ride the Roosevelt Island Tram

Explore Governor's Island

Explore Greenwood Cemetery

Bike the Manhattan Greenway Loop

Visit Grant's Tomb

Mountain Biking

See Kaaterskill Falls

Explore St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

Bike to 2 different beaches in 1 weekend

Bike from my house to the Rockaways

Summit Mt. Taurus

Hike Breakneck Ridge and not break my neck

Explore all the Central Park sites

Around Manhattan

Roommate: Where did you bike today?

Me: Around Manhattan. 

Roomie: Oh whereabouts?

Me:... No, literally around Manhattan

I did it! To be honest this was the item on my list that I was most excited about but also dreaded the most. The Hudson Greenway is well paved and put together and if you veer off into any of the parks you can easily follow the signs back. I head heard that the East River trail was horribly labeled, paved, and put together..... and the rumors were true.

You can see my route here. It was 30 hot and sweaty miles around "the island" but it was well worth it! The East River ride was not very enjoyable, a very narrow walkway is shared with pedestrians and let me tell you, I had a few close calls. I did get to bike closely around the United Nations and got to see all the east side bridges (I love bridges!!). I also saw the Roosevelt Island Tram for the first time and decided to add that to my list. It looks like so much fun and I recently found out that you can use your Metrocard! Yippee!

I think my favorite part of the ride was through Harlem and Washington Heights on St. Nicholas Ave. It was beautiful and quiet. Good ol' Historic Harlem filled with large beautiful houses, gorgeous parks and churches, and a well paved bike lane. Everyone was very bike friendly as well. I actually had someone "wave me" in front of them! That's the first time that's happened to me in NYC. I had never been all the way up to Washington Heights before (although I was considering living there when apt hunting) It was gorgeous as well! I stumbled upon quite a few public gardens and parks that were some of the most beautiful I've seen in the city (Swindler Cove). They also had most of their fire hydrant spray caps on so I was able to get some cool mists as I rode past. It was quite a relief from the heat!

Tunnel in Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights

Serious Rocks, Washington Heights

After I got onto the Hudson Greenway, I made 2 stops. The first was at The Jeffery's Hook Lighthouse, aka The Little Red Lighthouse. I actually didn't know it existed until a few weeks ago and was so excited to see it! It looks so cute and little underneath the GW Bridge. The next stop I made was to Grant's Tomb. There wasn't much to see but it was beautiful. They did have some old Civil War flags on display which I found fascinating. It was FREE and fun to look around, and a great place to cool off for a bit. After that, it was a straight shot down the Hudson Green way, down and around Battery Park, and under the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Then I hopped back on the subway at stop where I started. I was totally the stinky person on the train but it was TOTALLY worth it.

The Little Red Lighthouse

Looking so tiny under the GW Bridge

"Grant's Tomb"

Art around the walls

Today was a fantastic adventure. I saw so much of New York and have even added a few items to the list for the future! I love this city!

Summer To-Do List

Ride the Roosevelt Island Tram

Explore Randall's Island

Bike from Westhampton to Montauk

Visit Washington DC

Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Explore Governor's Island

Explore Roosevelt Island

Visit the NY Botanical Gardens

Run the steps in Morningside Park

Try the Trapeze

Explore Greenwood Cemetery

Bike the Manhattan Greenway Loop

Visit Grant's Tomb

Mountain Biking

See Kaaterskill Falls

Explore St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

Bike to 2 different beaches in 1 weekend

Bike from my house to the Rockaways

Summit Mt. Taurus

Hike Breakneck Ridge and not break my neck

Explore all the Central Park sites

So happy to head back to Brooklyn

10 Lessons I've learned from Biking in NYC

Yesterday I rode from Brooklyn to Manhattan (during rush hour) to pick something up from a store there. I learned a few lessons in the process....

1. Rush hour for cars is also rush hour for bikes. 
2. Make the assumption that nobody (pedestrians, drivers, or dogs) sees or hears you because most of the time... they don't.
3. Assume that every yellow cab is actually trying to hit you.  
4. At all times you need to be looking in front, in back, to the left, to the right, as well as down for the random sink holes that I swear have cameras pinned on them so government officials can watch bikers unknowingly fly over them and laugh at their almost demise.
5. The Manhattan Bridge is ALWAYS a better alternative to the Brooklyn.... unless your actual goal is to run over tourists and amateur photographers. 
6. People who bike the wrong way in a bike lane deserve to be yelled at... don't hold back.
7. Citibike riders often have no idea of typical "road etiquette" BEWARE! ( Don't worry I'm still a huge supporter... although those people need to wear helmets!)
8. When in a protected bike lane, you are not safe! Your new enemies are pedestrians, doors, and dogs.
9. Riding your bike is the ONLY way to have complete control over your arrival time. You will not get stuck in traffic or be subject to the whimsical temper of the MTA
10. As long as you're a wise and aware rider. NYC is very bike friendly and you will see things you never would have seen on foot, by car, or by public transportation. 

Ride On My Friends

I also discovered the Allen St Green way which was a pleasant change from the China Town streets!

WATERFALLS

Finally got up to Kaaterskill Falls.... and it was GORGEOUS! It was a short hike from the road up to the falls (there are plenty of longer hikes but we opted for the short one to leave more time for biking trails afterwards). The trailhead is located right on Bastion Falls where there were lots of people sun bathing and playing in the water. Then it was an easy half mile climb up to Kaaterskill and boy, was it worth it!!!

Kaaterskill Falls

Bastion Falls 

Recommendations: Bring a swimming suit! Go early... it was PACKED when we got there around noon on Saturday.

I also tried Mountain Biking for the first time! After the falls we headed to the Stewart State Forest to bike some trails. It was terrifying at first but I think I liked it! I added it to the list just so I can cross it off, although I'm sure I'll be doing more biking throughout the summer.

Summer To-Do List
Mountain Biking
Bike from Westhampton to Montauk
Visit Washington DC
Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Explore Governor's Island
Explore Roosevelt Island
See Kaaterskill Falls
Visit the NY Botanical Gardens
Bike the Manhattan Greenway Loop
Visit Grant's Tomb
Run the steps in Morningside Park
Try the Trapeze
Explore Greenwood Cemetery
Explore St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Bike to 2 different beaches in 1 weekend
Bike from my house to the Rockaways
Summit Mt. Taurus
Hike Breakneck Ridge and not break my neck
Explore all the Central Park sites

Pledging to be active and adventurous this week!!! Cheers! 

An Unexpected Adventure

Yesterday was a very, very rainy day! I have actually come to enjoy rainy days in the city. The fog and rain have a very strange way of changing the city. It's seems so much smaller and much more peaceful. The streets are less crowded, you can't see the top of the skyscrapers, everything is just a bit more calm.

After a weekend of staying in my apartment doing absolutely nothing, I was ready for an adventure. Rain or no rain I was getting out there, So I decided to ride my bike to meet a friend in Manhattan (See my route here). The only problem was that I got off work at 5:00 and my friend didn't get off until 7:30... so I had some time to kill. 

DISCLAIMER: I tried to take pictures but I didn't want to destroy my phone in the rain and the pictures weren't turning out that well anyway...

I started off and stopped by Barnes and Noble to buy Storm of Swords (I stayed up until 3:00am finishing the second GOT book on Sunday). I can't wait to start it! Then I headed off to the Brooklyn War Memorial. It was a gorgeous small park/memorial that I'm sure looks even more beautiful when the sun is shining.

After that, I hopped onto the Brooklyn Bridge. It was my first time going over it on foot or on my bike so it was a fun experience. I did get stuck in a torrential downpour when I was in the center. The winds also made it a bit painful, but hey... pain just adds to the adventure right?

View of the Manhattan Bridge

Lots of construction on the Brooklyn Bridge

After making it into Manhattan and letting out a sigh of relief that I didn't run over any tourists (seriously, even in the storm they were out taking pictures in the middle of the bike lane), I crossed through Manhattan and after exploring the sculptures at Rockefeller Park I hopped on the Hudson Green way.

Memorial

Now, I've walked and run bits and pieces of the Green way before but I never paid much attention to what was around me. Since I had so much time to kill I made sure to stop and explore. There were so many things I would have typically just zoomed by! For example, a very moving memorial for a man who was struck while riding his bike. There were also moments when I had to pull over and just admire my surroundings. This is truly a spectacular city. It's so astonishing how one minute you can be surrounded by hundreds of people, skyscrapers and filth, then the next you're in a park surrounded by trees, flowers, and beautiful sculptures.

My plan had been to stay on the Greenway and then cut over on 56th st and hang out by my friend's work until she was ready. What I ended up doing was getting so caught up in my surroundings that I didn't realize how far I'd gone until I saw a "Riverside Park" sign. Oops. Seriously guys, you can forget you're even in the city. Riverside park is absolutely beautiful. After that I carried my bike up some stairs and got back onto the roads. I headed towards Central Park where I saw "The Reservoir" for the first time (it's much larger than I expected) then rode down to 7th Ave and waited in the Brooklyn Diner (ironic?) drinking hot tea and constantly apologizing for the puddles that my backpack, helmet, and clothing were leaving on their floors. My plan had been to ride home on a different route but, after sitting in a restaurant soaking wet for an hour or so I decided to hop the Subway home.

What a great night!!! You've got to love unexpected adventures. 

NYC's version of Cherry on a Spoon?

Random/sorta creepy sculptures

Seriously.. Am I still in the city?!

Riverside Park

Did I accidentally bike to Greece?!

I realized I never mentioned....

I have a new bike!!!!!

After the flat tire and kicking fiasco Peter decided to give me my birthday present a month early.... so we went and bought me a new bike!!! It's a Novera "29er hard tail" which means it has super big wheels and only front shocks. It's amazing... and if you haven't noticed the recent posts... I've been riding it ALOT. I've put about 110 miles on it in the last 3 weeks and have many more hefty mileage adventures coming up. I haven't had a chance to take it on any trails despite it being a full on Mountain bike, but I imagine that will only lead to me loving it more. 

Yes, my old bike was fantastic. It had lots of flaws and lots of character but this one... well it's just plain sexy.                 

                                                                        

The wheels are so big it won't fit into the normal
Bike rack at the climbing gym.... yeah... kinda awesome

My first time leaving it unlocked..
I used 3 locks and didn't take my eyes of it
@ Coney Island

I'm also happy to let all of you know that my old bike found a loving home. I went to work the Monday after purchasing the new bike and took the lock off thinking someone would just take it. Well, no one touched the bike... so around 3pm I decided to make a sign and post it on the bike. I hadn't even finished taping it on before a nice young man came and started asking me questions about the bike. He was so excited to take home the "fixer upper" and promised to give bike a loving home. All is well. 

Here's to a week filled with biking adventures!!! 

I'll miss you and love you forever Bike.

I'd recommend pressing play so you have appropriate background music for this post....

Bad news bears, my bike has been laid to rest in front of my work. Although I suppose in the next week I"ll have to figure out a way to move it off the sidewalk...

Bike's final resting place...Brooklyn, NY :(

So many of you know my bike was already in bad shape. The breaks didn't quite work, which made downhill rides all the more exciting. It had 6 gears, 4 of which worked... but you never really knew what gear you were in. The handle bars were rusted at an awkward angle. Long story short... it was a mess... and I loved it.

Earlier this week I had an unfortunate run in with some metal shards that apparently, someone thought would look good on the street. My tire and tube were torn pretty badly and I had the do the walk of shame all the way back to my apartment, making me late for work. That was Monday...

Tuesday: I paid $37 dollars for a new tire and tube and was back on the roads!

Wednesday: I planned to meet a friend in Manhattan after work and decided I'd make an adventure out of it. I was going to bike through downtown Brooklyn, over the B Bridge, across Manhattan to the West Side Green way, and up to Columbus circle. I was SO excited, and was looking forward to the ride all day!!!

6:05pm I look out the window and see a man KICKING my bike. Seriously?! Who the heck just     stands there and kicks a strangers bike. I yell down the sidewalk at him... he disappears.

6:15pm I finally get out of work and go to start riding. I realize the my pedals barely rotate and the chain won't stay in place cause the whole spinny contraption has been bent... literally... not just dented, but BENT. 

6:25pm After spending a few minutes trying to fix it. I throw out some curses, then a few tears, call a friend to vent, then just get on the subway.

Taking a Break from biking some trails in NC

So that's it. I decided it was time to throw in the towel and venture into the new and updated world of bikes. We've had a good run bike. Multiple states, roads, trails, and many accidents. But we stuck together. I'll truly miss you and no shiny new bike will ever fill the void you've left. Goodbye my friend.

Our first picture together

Glow Sticks and the bike I loved.

Charlotte, NC. 

Hey Again

Well Blog-o-sphere, It's been a while. I've been overwhelmed with work (7 straight days totaling around 70 hours) and haven't been doing much of anything exciting. Last weekend I headed up to West Point to cheer on the athletes participating in the Special Olympics. It was fantastic to be outside and to be a part of something so special to so many families.

I took it easy on my ankle this week. Did my typical bike rides to work and a few other places but only got one run in. The great news is that I ran my fasted 5K in a year! I actually giggled a little bit as I was slowing to a jog and looked at my watch. It feels so fantastic to finally be making some progress again. So much so, that I almost considered attempting a sprint series Ru-Bi-Ru today. Unfortunately, my friends birthday celebrations were a bit more festive than I had planned for and I ended up sleeping in past the 7am registration deadline (and the 8am start time). I did get to explore a new Biergarten! We all met at Greenwood Park and had a great time! Their prices are fantastic, I spent less than $20 in the 5 hours we were there. It was also right along the cemetery so my bike ride home really renewed my excitement for exploring Greenwood.

Despite sticking to my normal routine, looking back it was a pretty good week. Ran, biked, made an impromptu trip to Coney Island with the roommate, celebrated a friends birthday, and now am just relaxing at home and preparing for next week. The man comes into town Thursday, one of my best friends comes on Friday and we've got tons of fun stuff planned.

Exciting posts/pictures to come!

Me and My Bike... A Love Story

Last Wednesday I got reality handed to me in the form of a sprained ankle. Apparently running a 5K, biking 8 miles, then trying to play 3 hours of a sport I haven't played in a decade was a bit too much for my ligaments. After 4 days of intense RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) I'm back on my feet (without a limp). Today was the first day I've been back on my bike since Wednesday and MAN it felt good!!! So I figured I'd take a moment to tell you all about me and my bike...

It all began the spring of 2009. I had moved to Charlotte, North Carolina that year and was starting graduate school. I happened to live an awkward distance from school, you know, when you're too far to walk but too close to drive. So i decided to get a bike. I found a decent "hybrid" on Craigslist for $50 but upon examining the bike a week later, was able to haggle the guy down to $35. I occasionally rode the bike but really never used it as much as I had planned. 

Fast forward to 2013. For some reason, one Saturday... I decided to ride my bike to work and it was MISERABLE. I was horribly out of "biking" shape, NYC drivers are MEAN, and it turns out there is a whole neighborhood named Park Slope because it's on a huge, steep slope... but I had never put that all together. Long story short, I hated it! But for some reason... I did it again the next day, and the next. I also started realizing that even though the subway is much cheaper than my car was... riding my bike is FREE!!!! Half of my commute is also through park. Most New Yorkers barely get to see a park once a week and I get to see everything blooming twice a day. These days the only reason I take the subway to work is if I'm forced too because of an after work commitment, OR if I have a sprained ankle (although I think riding my bike would have been better than hobbling the 1/2 mile to the subway). 

My bike is very old, it has shocks that are completely rusted, brakes that function when they feel like it, 6 gears: 4 of which work but you never really know which one you're using, tires that have to be refilled every other day, and handle bars that have rusted into a very odd angle. But... it cost me $35 so getting the $75 tune up that it needs is out of the question. When I heard through the grapevine that I might be getting a new bike for my birthday (June)... I had very mixed feelings. I've come to love my heavy rusted chunk of steel but, at the same time, am very excited about the prospect of an upgrade. 

Apparently a "hard tail 26er" is what the bike shop dudes think will be best... I don't know what this means but apparently it has wheels that can handle trails OR roads (a must) and brakes that work. So I'm sold. Any advice from the bikers out there? 

Pick-Up Soccer.... Adventure #1

So for the past few weeks I've been STARING at this pick-up soccer league on Meet Up.  All women's, beginning/intermediate... exactly what I needed. Now, I used to be fairly decent at soccer, I did play for 12 years after all. It's just that those 12 years were from age 4-16 or somewhere around there. Haven't really touched a ball since then, so I figured this league would be a great way to meet some new people and get back into playing without being expected to bounce the ball on my head across the entire field.

So Wednesday comes along, I leave work early and am so nervous that I ride my bike all the way to Prospect Park before realizing I didn't wear my helmet (EEK!). Then it begins... the awkward few minutes where I get to stalk around the park fields looking for the group of strangers that looks most "soccer-like"

Long story short, I found them. There were 24 ladies in all and we played 2 games (shortened of course). There were lots of ability levels and even some people who were worse than me (woohoo!). By the end of the night I had scored 2 goals, made some friends, and sprained an ankle. All in all a good night.

I highly recommend Meet-Up. I've really been wanting to meet some new people here in the city which can be hard since everyone is so spread out and busy. I also am broke so this was a great and FREE (unlike other rec leagues) way to get out there, meet people, and play some soccer. 2 thumbs up!

If you're ever looking for me on a Wednesday I'll be playing soccer (after the ankle heals )

Climbing in NYC

My senior year of college I needed additional elective credits so I decided to take an "outdoor learning" class. Basically we sea kayaked, white water rafted, did high ropes courses, and learned how to rock climb.  After that class I really didn't use any of what I had learned until about 3 years ago when I met a certain special guy who was also into climbing. This past year in particular it has become one of my favorite "outdoorsy" activities. Its also probably one of the reasons I've become so obsessed with the Breakneck Ridge trail.. it gives you a bit of grappling without needing an expensive fall pad.

In North Carolina, climbing was no big deal. I could just head to Inner Peaks  or my personal favorite the US National Whitewater Center and for pretty cheap could climb as much as I wanted. Fast forward  to NYC... climbing has become a bit more difficult. Not only am I short on climbing buddies but it's EXPENSIVE! This past week I went to Brooklyn Boulders twice, and even though I had a fantastic time.. I spent a total of $41 dollars (totally worth it though). I've scoured the internet for cheaper alternatives... but unless you have friends with equipment, a fall pad for bouldering, or a decent salary for a climbing gym membership... it can be fairly challenging to keep up.

The good thing about the day passes at BB is that you don't just have access to climbing. They also have Yoga classes (for just a few dollars if you've purchased a day pass), free weights, a slack line, as well as a whole section devoted to strengthening with a whole wall of finger grips! This place is also massive! You definitely get what you pay for.. which is SPACE! A close to extinct commodity here in the city.

Hmmm definitely a challenge, but while I brainstorm alternatives... I'm going to keep climbing!

Bouldering at Brooklyn Boulders this past week

Climbing at the USNWWC in NC 2 years ago

My first outdoor climb at Crowders Mtn in college... yes they made us wear helmets

  

A Little About me and Breakneck Ridge

So I was out in the middle of the Hudson Valley Highlands... 

 this weekend and thought,  "I should write about this..."

First, a little about me, my name is Cat, and I'm a fairly recent (June 2012) transplant to Brooklyn, NY. When I first moved to the city, I was constantly out and about exploring/wandering aimlessly. After a few months at my apparently typical New York job where I work 10 hours a day (and am often on call when I'm not physically there), I began to over appreciate my time on the couch in front of the television. Over the past few months I've slowly been putting my adventure shoes back on.

So these will be my ramblings. IN AN EFFORT TO BE MORE EXCITING I will document my many exciting (and not so exciting) adventures in and around the city. So here we go:

First Up: Breakneck Ridge & Mt Taurus Hike

Cost: $26 round trip Metro North Ticket to Breakneck Ridge

This trail/loop is outstanding for many reasons, the first and most important for city dwellers without vehicles is the convenience to public transportation. A quick 1-hour train ride on the Metro North Hudson line train will literally drop you off at the trail head. From there you have a 1.5-mile "hike" literally straight up the mountain. I use parenthesis around hike for one reason... it's really more of a climb. "Rock scrambling" is how it is described in the hike books but that's an understatement. There were parts where I was wishing I had my climbing harness and a top rope attached. Now if you're someone like me who loves a good challenge, this hike is PERFECT! You get a serious workout, some serious views, and I guarantee you'll be headed to your local climbing gym afterwards.

Another perk about starting off with this climb is that once you summit you'll have tons of additional (and more bearable) trail options. So far I've completed two loops. The first is a 3-miler up Breakneck Ridge and looping North on the Breakneck Bypass and back around to the Breakneck Ridge train station. The second was a 7-miler, looping south onto the Notch trail (through the Cornish estate ruins), then the Washburn trail over the summit of Mt Taurus and back down into Cold Spring.

Overall, an absolutely fantastic day hike and a great way to get out of the city and into some fresh air.

"Scrambling"

The view of West Point from the top of Mt. Taurus