NYC Trip

[The emperor has no clothes]

We concluded our 3 days riding with Oss and are on our 3 day leg of the city. Some of my thoughts so far, keep in mind I'm not a huge fan of cities anywhere. We got the bike back to the rental in Howard's Beach without a hiccup compared to our ride out of the city. I've learned the meaning of "When in Rome". In NYC it seems to be taken as a sign of weakness if you give more than 6" of space between the car in front of you. Everyone will attempt to take that space whether they want it or not. So, by the time we got to Howard's Beach I would consider myself proficient at repelling overtakers. I still have a long ways to go as far as horn usage though. These guys honk for unknown reasons. I think maybe it's a right of passage that is earned in puberty.
  Anyway, we got checked in and was instructed by a very nice reception girl how to get to and fro in the city. Evidently I didn't read the fine print when I booked the hotel months back. It's a very nice hotel, but to get on the subway system you must first take the "Air Train" from JFK. It's not that bad but it does add an extra $20 a day . We got an unlimited subway pass which is the way to go in my opinion. $31 well spent. We did the Empire State Building, Central Park, $10 hot dogs  , the Seinfeld Diner and walking around NYC like tourists. Today I think we are going to do the 911 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, and "The Book of Mormon" tonight.
  So to make a long story even longer. We have had a great time so far, even for a country boy from AK. I will try to put up some pics from Brenda's phone.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I had to do a beat down on this guy in the subway. (Just a joke)

[The emperor has no clothes]

[The emperor has no clothes]

[cookiedough]

that NY traffic would drive me NUTS literally, I could not handle it for sure.  Bumper to bumper literally traffic with horns beeping all over could not deal with.   If I get stuck in stop and go traffic on an Interstate for more than 2-3 miles long (20 minutes tops),  I go bonkers.

So,  was that 10 dollar hot dog worth it?  

Never understood how anyone could sell a 10 dollar item costing 25 cents to purchase?  Must have been a BIGGER than life weinie?  

Am sure once out of the city, NY is a great place to ride though judging from the pics.  

[Willow]

She's prettier than you are, Rob.  We need more pictures from your phone.   

I'm glad you're both having a good time.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

She's prettier than you are, Rob.  We need more pictures from your phone.   

I'm glad you're both having a good time.   

Thanks Carl. We truly are. 

[Rams]

She's prettier than you are, Rob.  We need more pictures from your phone.   

I'm glad you're both having a good time.   

An understated fact if I ever heard one!!!

It's easy to understand why Rob is attracted to Brenda.    My assumption is, she's got a soft spot in her heart for those less fortunate.   

[DDT (12)]

Once again I find myself agreeing with Carl! Anyway, appears y'all are having a major league adventure, and that's a very good thing... Congrats on pulling this off... the whole thing... Riding with Oss and his group plus site-seeing in the Big Apple... And, thanks for sharing you thoughts and experiences with us...

DDT

[Tx Bohemian]

Yeah, NYC is a good place to "visit"!

Was there a few years ago to visit my son, whose been there 10yrs already. (DAMN, just realized  that's a long time)

In my experience you have to get on the wrong Subway train at least once to learn how that works! But that is the best way to travel there.

And I know what you're talking about the traffic. Seems the one with the loudest horn wins!!
We took a cab a couple of times and I was getting pi$$ed at the other drivers cutting in front of us (like you said, give them 6"...) but the cabbies just took it in stride!

[old2soon]

Been to N Y C in my big truck. Got pictures of the old Yankee Stadium from outside my big truck. Traffic was dead stopped and I figured-W T H-how often duz I gits a chance to git pictures of Yankee Stadium?  I have like ZERO idea HOW folks put up with the traffic day in and day out. And all the cursed tolls involved in moving around there. I DO understand someone anyone going into "kill" mode while in N Y C. I WILL say I have had some cursed GOOD pizza in N Y C.  RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

She's prettier than you are, Rob.  We need more pictures from your phone.   

I'm glad you're both having a good time.   

An understated fact if I ever heard one!!!

It's easy to understand why Rob is attracted to Brenda.    My assumption is, she's got a soft spot in her heart for those less fortunate.   

I think she just likes the challenge of the wild. 

[Hook#3287]

Rob, your head is definitely in the way of a great picture.

[Misfit]

Nice post. I like this song and as far as I am concerned you can insert any city's name into this tune. I hate cities. Glad you are having fun. 
https://youtu.be/bZCBPP1rBjk

[mike72903]

You're braver than I am.  Riding a strange MC in NYC? No thanks.  Only time I went was for an afternoon while at a thing for work in Philadelphia.  Early 80,s. Got soaked with beer from two dudes getting into it on the stoop of a building. One knocked the beer from the others hand.  We just kept walking Smelled like beer all the way back to to Philly.

[The emperor has no clothes]

We had a long but great day. Our friend Oss suggested getting off the subway early and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was an excellent tip. GREAT VIEWS OF MANHATTAN .  Then we did the 911 Memorial. I'm not one easily given to emotion, but viewing the display of wives, sons, and daughters posting flyers looking for their family members kind of got to me. I had kind of forgotten how many people were holding out hope to find them in the days after. Only to be crushed. The Memorial alone would have made this whole trip worthwhile alone. Highly recommended. We then went walking lower Manhattan, had lunch. Just missed the last boat for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We will hit it tomorrow. Then made our way to Times Square and Broadway. The play I was kind of dreading. It's not really my thing. But the "Book of Mormon" was hilarious and very un-PC. I enjoyed it immensely. Wouldn't recommend it if you are easily offended though. We then decided instead of heading back we would go to the top of 30 Rock. Very cool seeing the city at night from there. We just got back and our legs are killing us from all the walking and traversing subway stairs. But we are having a great time.

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

You two are seeing a lot of great sites! Enjoy this time together. Brenda does look a bit less than jovial in that night pic at 30 Rock......

[Oss]

I had not been across the Brooklyn Bridge as a pedestrian until Alana participated in a Lymphoma Walk (we were Alana's Army) a year or so after she finished Chemo.  The views are stunning and you can even see the Statue of Liberty if I recall correctly  Glad you had an opportunity to enjoy the unique experience.

The decal on my windshield (NYPD 9/11) I purchased at a police escorted charity ride (went from Carmel NY way up on route 301 to Ground Zero) for families of the police and firefighters who died that day.  I have never seen another one like it so they must have only made a few. My windshield is scratched to crap but I cant get myself to replace that windshield because I dont want to damage that decal. The site was still smoldering when we rode there that day and I just cant bring myself to visit the site again. I can still smell it in my mind and it just brings rage so I have stayed away.

It seems that you will have lots of great memories of the trip, real happy to have been a small part of that for you and Brenda It was certainly fun meeting you both.  Safe trip home Meathead,

[The emperor has no clothes]

You two are seeing a lot of great sites! Enjoy this time together. Brenda does look a bit less than jovial in that night pic at 30 Rock......

I think our age is showing. We have walked and climbed stairs for 2 days. By midnight last night it was starting to show on both of us. Like they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger". We are kind of straggling this morning.

I had not been across the Brooklyn Bridge as a pedestrian until Alana participated in a Lymphoma Walk (we were Alana's Army) a year or so after she finished Chemo.  The views are stunning and you can even see the Statue of Liberty if I recall correctly  Glad you had an opportunity to enjoy the unique experience.

The decal on my windshield (NYPD 9/11) I purchased at a police escorted charity ride (went from Carmel NY way up on route 301 to Ground Zero) for families of the police and firefighters who died that day.  I have never seen another one like it so they must have only made a few. My windshield is scratched to crap but I cant get myself to replace that windshield because I dont want to damage that decal. The site was still smoldering when we rode there that day and I just cant bring myself to visit the site again. I can still smell it in my mind and it just brings rage so I have stayed away.

It seems that you will have lots of great memories of the trip, real happy to have been a small part of that for you and Brenda It was certainly fun meeting you both.  Safe trip home Meathead,

You had more than a small part my friend. I'd have never suggested this trip to her if not for your ride.  Thanks for the suggestion on the bridge. It was spectacular .

[therapist]

Learned how to "stunt ride" a motorcycle while living in NYC in the wild 70's.
Dodging potholes and homicidal taxi drivers was a daily occurrence.

I survived, barely.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Learned how to "stunt ride" a motorcycle while living in NYC in the wild 70's.
Dodging potholes and homicidal taxi drivers was a daily occurrence.

I survived, barely.

I could totally see how riding a MC here would be much better than driving. I think to fit in probably you'd need to just have a timer on your horn. Just set it to g off every 45 seconds.  Actually even at its worst in that traffic at the Whitestone Bridge it wasn't that bad once you figured out what was going on. These guys don't merge for off ramps till the last 14"-16".

[Valkorado]

Nice trip report.   

[Oss]

Its why I commute on a bmw police bike (with ABS)

Its narrow and nimble and allows me to get around (ahem) traffic jams and gridlock intersections.

Did you take the Hutch north from the Whitestone or cross bronx to Bronx River Pkwy  I never asked you meathead   What did you think of that ramp from Hutch onto Cross County if you did take that road?

[Wizzard]

Nice report Meathead,, and thanks for doing it and posting the pics. Love reading this stuff.

Oh, ,by the way,, if you have not figured it out, ,don't come to this board for compliments on your looks. 

[DirtyDan]

And anyone who thinks driving in NYC is bad.....

Try jersey, same distance at 75 mph

Ny nj best pizza in the country

So glad I made it to AZ in one piece

Dan

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think I'm starting to fit in here. 

[Wizzard]

i like the matching headphone hoodie! 

BTW what does that sign say?

[Wizzard]

And anyone who thinks driving in NYC is bad.....

Try jersey, same distance at 75 mph

Ny nj best pizza in the country

So glad I made it to AZ in one piece

Dan

Then you need to go get a Pizza Pie at Oven Grinders of Chicago. And yes,, i have had NJ and NY pizza

[Oss]

think it says Battery Urban Farm

Its the clean water that makes the bagels and pizza so darn good

The stuff coming out of the tap is better than the bottled water in taste tests   

[The emperor has no clothes]

think it says Battery Urban Farm

Its the clean water that makes the bagels and pizza so darn good

The stuff coming out of the tap is better than the bottled water in taste tests   

It is good water . Brenda thinks she still needs bottled. We are slowing down a little, didn't get started till 10am. We did the Statue and Ellis. Lunch in China Town, which was the best ever including Frisco and San Diego. Wall Street and back at 730. I don't know if it's all the subway stairs but my legs are feeling it. I'm a little disappointed though. Haven't seen one rat in the Subway. Did see a skeleton the first day but nothing since.

[LTD]

One day a pastrami sandwich at Katz's Deli one can dream.

[Romeo]

Great report on THE CITY. Until about two monthes ago my daughter and son-in-law along with my two grandchildren lived on the upper west side. Well known as probably the most liberal place on earth.
You would think with my shall we say less than progressive outlook, I wouldnt get along very well there. Actually it was quite the opposite. I enjoyed every trip we made. Of course we would only stay a few days. I learned quickly the prevailing driving style there fit my own aggressivness behind the wheel to a tee. It was the parking I detested. Alas, the kids have graduated to the suburbs, as so many of them do.
They now peside in Upper Montclair NJ. Saves me about an hour getting there, and I get to park in their driveway.

[shortleg]

  I went to  my high school reunion  a few months ago, I have an e z pass and traveled
from home in Maryland.
   One thing that came back to mensure after living there years ago was the dreaded  tolls.
 A person would think that you wold have actually bought something and should have
Something to bring home for that price.
    Shortleg

[Hook#3287]

I think I'm starting to fit in here. 

You seem to have an attraction to the horizontal natives

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think I'm starting to fit in here. 

You seem to have an attraction to the horizontal natives

I think you are right. I will have to admit I find it fascinating the amount and the ingenuity of the homeless here. I used to think that I was able to sleep in situations that others couldn't. Cars, planes, etc. But I've been humbled here. We were in Times Square, where it was incredibly noisy and chaotic. But there were many sleeping right in the middle of it all. I don't mean to make light of them in any way. It is very sad seeing the amount of homeless and especially mentally ill people just roaming the streets here. In most of the big cities I've been in there are the same issues. It's just here it's concentrated from a 10 square mile area in Los Angeles into one block here. A couple things come to mind about the people here. The drivers might be rude as hell, but the people around town have been friendly, funny, polite, and helpful. Completely opposite of what I had thought it would be like. The foreign and American tourists seem to be the rude ones. I was initially apprehensive about not having a gun for defense. But we have been all over this town and not once felt nervous. We've enjoyed just about everything here. But there is NO WAY I COULD LIVE HERE. My hat is off to Evan and others who deal with all this on a daily basis.

[3fan4life]

I've enjoyed this thread.

Thank You for sharing your vacation with us.

I've been to Manhattan a few times.

The wife wants to go, quite frankly I'm a little nervous about traipsing around the city wth her in tow.

It's one thing to place my safety in danger, it's another thing when it's her's.


I'll probably take her there sometime, your experience there does help.


Hey, at least if I were to get into any legal trouble there, I know a pretty good lawyer.   

[G-Man]

I think I'm starting to fit in here. 

You seem to have an attraction to the horizontal natives

I think you are right. I will have to admit I find it fascinating the amount and the ingenuity of the homeless here. I used to think that I was able to sleep in situations that others couldn't. Cars, planes, etc. But I've been humbled here. We were in Times Square, where it was incredibly noisy and chaotic. But there were many sleeping right in the middle of it all. I don't mean to make light of them in any way. It is very sad seeing the amount of homeless and especially mentally ill people just roaming the streets here. In most of the big cities I've been in there are the same issues. It's just here it's concentrated from a 10 square mile area in Los Angeles into one block here. A couple things come to mind about the people here. The drivers might be rude as hell, but the people around town have been friendly, funny, polite, and helpful. Completely opposite of what I had thought it would be like. The foreign and American tourists seem to be the rude ones. I was initially apprehensive about not having a gun for defense. But we have been all over this town and not once felt nervous. We've enjoyed just about everything here. But there is NO WAY I COULD LIVE HERE. My hat is off to Evan and others who deal with all this on a daily basis.

We have our present mayor to thank for the re-emergence of the people on the streets.

It only took him a few years to wipe out 20 years of real progress in the area of quality of life issues in the city. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well it's coming to a close. 30,000' up and 1/2 way to vegas. We had a great time. Oss, thanks for setting up the ride. I hope I can return the favor out west some time. 

[Oss]

I have had the pleasure of riding with some Arizona riders when I was out in Phoenix in 2013 courtesy of Connie and Psycho. we went out to Tortilla Flats from their place in Surprise.  That was fun altho pretty warm.  The roads were not as smooth as those here  go figure

But I can tell you that after my trip out west in 2014 I wont be passing that way again in late March or early April you can call me any name you want but when the wind gets to 70mph I just cant control the bike and wont ride.  

Almost every day from when I left Valkers place in Texas had afternoon winds approaching 50mph or more (except for the 2 days I was in Phoenix and the 2 days I was in Beverly Hills) it was just ridiculous  until I finally got to GOTF  

Glad you had a great time, cant wait to read the report and see the pics.