The heat is on!

The 5 boro bike tour is a 42 mile loop in New York, first Sunday of May every year. I woke up this morning at 6:30am for a 8:00am start in Battery Park. Let me tell you that the pouring rain did not stop the 30,000 bikers, at all. Americans are so great in these types of situation, they cheer, they honk, they have fun, they talk to people they don't know. We're all in it together and that's what really matters. The atmosphere is just perfect.

In the Bronx, I passed a guy with a boom box on the back of his bike, playing The heat is on. I sooo wish he would have pedaled faster to be with me the whole time. All along, there were these 2 men biking on each side not far from me, the serious biker types with the leggings and the funny shoes. At some point in Queens, the first one smiles at me, I smile back. He smiles again, I smile back again. A few miles later he says: "keep going, you're doing great". Nice, right? Then, in the end, halfway up the Verrazzano Bridge, after this long and painful up hill, the second one says: "So you've done the whole thing?... You started in Battery Park this morning?..." and I naively answer: "Of course, where would have I started from?"

I know I don't have the proper attire, nor equipment, that my cute shorts are not comfortable, my white Converse soaked and turning gray, my bike weights a ton and the basket in the front does not look very professional...well guess what guys? I went as fast as you did, and next year I'm planning on getting the whole attire/equipment and spending the race with the winners.

See you next year!

Happy to pay taxes

Yes, I am!
Whoever lives on the west side of Manhattan will understand. The Hudson River side is one the most happening places in New York from April to October. Apart from the free tennis courts, free kayaking and much more... the cycle path goes from Battery Park all the way up and the river side is getting more stunning every year. It's so peaceful, sometimes you feel away on a little vacation... especially if you go early in the morning. Just grab your bike (good deals at KMart for $89.99), a bottle of water, the paper or a good book and put some sun lotion on.
Enjoy the ride... and please, don't let the "Eastsiders" know too much about this.

Mermaid Audrey

Recession 2009 is hitting me big time...
so I've decided to exercise more and go swimming at lunch time everyday and relax. I go to one of New York's recreation centers. It's perfect for me: it's recession proof with a $75 year fee, and a 10 minute walk from home and work. My good friend Audrey decided to join me in this "body makeover" before the summer. I was thrilled to have a friend joining me, thrilled... until she appeared with her Halle Berry look at the pool. While I'm wearing a $50 Speedo, she's wearing a magnificent white Eres bikini. She has this long brown hair and looks like a mermaid when she swims. Sometimes, in between two laps, I have the secret hope she's going to start a synchro show. It hasn't happened yet but I'm hoping. Now, in defense of my Speedo, I have to say that I am much faster than Audrey when it comes to laps and I wonder who will look in best shape coming June 21st.