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Mountain Biking in Manhattan

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Mountain Biking in Manhattan

Old 12-03-17, 10:11 AM
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JonathanGennick 
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Mountain Biking in Manhattan

Manhattan has a wonderful little mountain-bike system tucked away in Highbridge Park. I was able to ride a bit of it last week on a commuter bike. Nice trails. The advanced loop kicked my butt.

Following are some photos. First is at Laight Street in Tribeca near where I began:

Screenshot_20171203-072754 (Small).png

Then after 12.some miles of pedaling I found the dirt jumps. I did not attempt the ones in the photo, but I did roll some of the easy ones that are out of the shot.

Screenshot_20171203-072243 (Small).png

Picking up the singletrack near the jump line, I was able to eventually work my around to what I think must be the official starting point. Getting there was an adventure. I ended up on an advanced loop that kicked my butt. Did some hike-a-bike to bail out to a sidewalk. Then had to pedal up a stonking steep hill to get to where I took this image:

Screenshot_20171203-072000 (Small).png

I really enjoyed the Hudson River Greenway going up. Nice scenery. Here are some phone booths that I came across. Props to anyone who can tell me where they are. I ran across them because I was thirsty and there was this Gatorade machine nearby...

Screenshot_20171203-072552 (Small).png

Also I ended up climbing these steps while navigating my way back to the greenway:

Screenshot_20171203-074043 (Small).png

Also where I live we don't normally see grocery stores tucked underneath highway overpasses. Part of what I love about NYC is seeing things like this that I don't normally encounter:

Screenshot_20171203-072453 (Small).png

The feel of Upper Manhattan is different from what I'm accustomed to in Soho and Midtown. Just navigating around on the streets and absorbing what it was like to be there was a lot of fun. Here's a random shot that I guess I took mainly because I liked the lighting:

Screenshot_20171203-074049 (Small).png

Can't believe how lucky I got on the weather. Sixties and sunny. Met some nice people. Stopped at a skate park to ask directions and met a man from the Dominican. We ended up chatting for maybe a half hour or more. Fun experience. Enjoyed every minute.
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Old 12-03-17, 05:11 PM
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I love "Urban exploring", even if there isn't much of it in the Midwest. I haven't had a hybrid for awhile, choosing instead to get a road bike and a mtb. Really miss the hybrid when I see stuff like this.

I loved my hybrid but it really stepped up my game when I bought my 29er mtb, you can put the pressures up for efficiency and they smooth out all kinds of nasty surfaces. I would love to pickup a 29er without a front suspension fork to lighten it all up.

Gotta soak up these nice days while we can, how lucky!
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Old 12-03-17, 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by GrainBrain


I love "Urban exploring", even if there isn't much of it in the Midwest.
One of my favorite things to do given a city that's compact and walkable is to get out and walk around or bike and soak up the vibe. Last year I visited Heidelberg in Germany on business, and one of my best memories from that trip is of renting a nextbike for an afternoon and just following my front wheel.
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Old 12-04-17, 11:32 AM
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Wow, NYC really does have everything. Thanks for posting this - it's a good reminder to get off the beaten trail, even in the big cities!
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Old 12-04-17, 12:21 PM
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nice!!
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Old 12-04-17, 01:49 PM
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For this ol' country boy, that last photo induces some serious anxiety. I'll never understand people wanting to live so close to other people.


Cool that you found some MTB trails in the vicinity. It is fun to ride around a city, and explore.
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Old 12-04-17, 02:31 PM
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Let me get this straight...

You found mountain biking trails IN MANHATTAN and found actual working phone booths in 2017?

Maybe you went through some kind of wormhole to Denver in 1975
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Old 12-04-17, 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Skipjacks
Let me get this straight...

You found mountain biking trails IN MANHATTAN and found actual working phone booths in 2017?
You know? I regret that I didn't actually pick up the phone to check for a dial tone. Why didn't I think of doing that? I dunno. Next time, for sure.

Below are some photos of what you'll see if you walk a few feet further into the place where I saw the phones.

I guess the signs give away the location...

20171129_132737 (Small).jpg

20171129_132743 (Small).jpg
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Old 12-04-17, 03:13 PM
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I love this thread... I miss Urban NJ and NYC
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Old 12-05-17, 07:49 AM
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That's great! Next time your in that area include the "Highbridge" in your travels. Very nice after they redid it and some great views.
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Old 12-05-17, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Skipjacks
You found mountain biking trails IN MANHATTAN and found actual working phone booths in 2017?
They have them out west. I was touring in MT and ID back in June and saw a few with working phones.
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Old 12-05-17, 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by SloButWide
Wow, NYC really does have everything. Thanks for posting this - it's a good reminder to get off the beaten trail, even in the big cities!
Philadelphia has "real" mountain bike trails, complete with single track:


Wissahickon Creek Trail System in Philadelphia PA


And you can fish for trout after your ride, although you might have some company:


Black bear spotted in Fairmount Park

Wildlife officials believe he moved south into Delaware, possibly to take advantage of tax free shopping.
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Old 12-05-17, 09:21 AM
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Great thread, thanks folks!
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