Day three in NYC

SO! Today I was lazy in the morning and lolled about in bed quite late— two days of walking will have that effect. I had made plans in evening  for a theater date with a friend so I had all day to myself and I did not rush. My plan: rent an ebike, make my way to to Met Cloisters museum, which is 7.4 miles away. I had a list of sites to see along the way.

In the past I’ve rented Citibikes which charge by the minute. And they have no lock or helmet. I’d have to return the bike when I got to the Cloisters or anywhere else I wanted to go inside. Then hope I can find a new bike to rent later. OR! This year, I tried a local shop that rents e-bikes. Citibike for 6 hours would cost more than $150. But at the shop I was able to rent an ebike for $90 until 6 pm — including a lock and helmet! So I saved as much as $60, while being safer and having more flexibility.

So off I went into Central Park on an e-bike and the weather was PERFECT. Absolutely phenomenal. I cannot stress enough how lovely the temperature and the park and the whole ride was. 

I went to St John the Divine Cathedral — which I adored and where I spent more than an hour (more on that separately). And I rode over to Riverside Park, and up to Grants Tomb (closed, as I knew) and Columbia University. 

At this point, I’d really enjoyed the biking. And I was less eager to go into a museum. I know the Cloisters is lovely and is in a park that would be nice in this perfect weather. But it was another half hour more plus then time at the museum and then an hour plus back south and I worried I’d be so tired and stressed on the ride back.

Instead I rode over to see the outside of Alexander Hamilton’s house (also closed). Then I rode to see the church led by the father of Michael Forsyth’s dad for 30+ years. 

Next I discovered Santa Claus St (aka St Nicholas Ave) runs straight through Harlem! And then over to the Apollo Theater — which doesn’t seem quite so edgy now with a Gap across the street and a Banana Reouvlic next door. Of course, a white woman doing a self guided Ebike tour of Harlem also  suggests it’s not as dangerous as once considered.

And finally at 4:00, I finallly stopped for “lunch” at Melba’s for soul food. The mac & cheese was literally to die for. It’s true — it was way better than white people mac & cheese. 

Then I rode back to the bike store, arriving at 5:55. Got my moneys worth out of that bike! 

Google Maps says I did just over 12 miles, but there was some back and forthing. And this ebike wasn’t as easy to ride as my bike at home, and those north Central Park hills — hoo whee. I definitely got a great work out.

I saw so many neat old brownstones and buildings and took photos of barely anything. I only got honked at once, so I think I was a good NYC bike citizen. 

Evening:

I felt like I was perhaps settling for my 3rd show to see an intimate rom com called Two Strangers: (Carry A Cake Across NY).  And yet, … I LOVED it. The two actors were fantastic, the set was clever, the story was unexpected, and many genuine laughs. 

And I got to see it with my pal Phyllis Jo. And we made a friend from Minneapolis. Though we never got her name.