Thursday, November 4th and Friday, November 5th,
10:15 am - 5:00 pm

Great urban vistas that are typically not seen. Ethnic neighborhoods that are part of the unique mosaic of the city. Miles of the marathon route through Brooklyn and Queens. This tour combines them all!

As we leave the bike shop the pace of the city takes over, for we are in the heart of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Here early and recent arrivals from Europe, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and China are mixed together with assimilated New Yorkers. All are seeking an "inexpensive" place  to live in Manhattan. And all are seeking, like generations before them, "a bargain" place to shop.

We leave Manhattan in style with a glorious - but, alas, not part of the marathon route - ride over the Brooklyn Bridge on its own boardwalk-style bike path! Once in Brooklyn, we meet the marathon route, and follow it through downtown Brooklyn, intothe Fort Greene Area, filled with it's beautiful brownstones and tree-lined streets. Here we stop at the "Martyrs' Monument." This little-known, and little-visited attraction pays tribute to over 10,000 members of the Continental Army who died in notorious British "prison ships" during America's struggle for freedom.

Continuing along the marathon route through Brooklyn, we have a leisurely first hand opportunity to appreciate more of the fascinating nature of the city. Is it like a "melting pot," in which diverse immigrant groups meld together? Or is it more like a "salad bowl," in which different cultures mix together but still keep their own customs and traditions? Or, is it a bit of both?

The most dramatic example of our salad bowl comes out bursting with flavor in Williamsburg, the Brooklyn neighborhood where Hassidic Jews continue their century's old culture of the most religious of Eastern European Jews. Late in the week, as the Jewish Sabbath approaches, with its strict prohibition on any "labor," the community is bustling! As we pedal on its main street and its side streets, you will find it hard to believe that you are in New York City in the 21st century! But we want you to do more than just stare, as we explain to you the traditional culture and how it has adapted, on its own terms, to the broader American society.

We follow the route into the "other" Williamsburg, a very "hip" neighborhood, home to the younger, trendy New Yorkers, who bring with them their transportation of choice - the bicycle!

Just blocks away from Williamsburg is Greenpoint, a vibrant Polish neighborhood that keeps its roots with a sense of pride, food, and language. Here you see how New Yorkers live outside the frantic pace and congestion of Manhattan.

We continue to be on the Marathon route, only this time with a chance to see the neighborhoods of Long Island City and Queens West. This latter neighborhood is so new it only recently got a grocery store! Briefly leaving the marathon route, we will stop at Gantry State Park. At this historic location we can see restored "gantries" and learn about their critical role in the city's commerce in the first part of the 20th century. The view across the East River, directly opposite the United Nations and what was the world's tallest apartment building, provides an unforgettable photo opportunity.

We are especially proud of our comfortable rest stops!

We return to Manhattan, following the Marathon route over the Queensboro Bridge, with its own bike path and magnificent views of the city. Once back into Manhattan, we are able to skip ahead and get a sneak-preview of the marathon's finish line in the Southern portion of Central Park.

To complete the tour, we will take one of New York's most exciting downhill routes, straight down the world-famous Broadway, with it's new-and-improved bike lane, and a preview of the future of New York, in the form of an eight-block long promenade!

Enjoy a “Bike and Bite” delicious ethnic luncheon! (a few options will be available - food cost not included) This special tour leaves only on Thursday, November 4th, and Friday, November 5th, at 10:15 am from the East Side of Manhattan. It is approximately 20 miles and will last about 7 hours.

The $95 cost includes the bike, a helmet, and the licensed tour guide ($10 less with your own bike).