Northeast - Self parking in manhattan

So, I would like to ride in the city once or twice a week after commuting in from LI.

LIRR is out as I would have to leave at 4am to be able to take a bike on the train. Express bus is out as I would have to find a place to park it (building doesn't allow bikes at all).

Thinking of throwing the bike in the back of my SUV, parking in a self-parking lot and taking it out when I want it that day. Despite the non-green nature of this plan :( I think it is the only way I will be able to train consistently, still have a job and live where I live. Anyone know of any reputable self-park places in or near midtown?

Any other thoughts on this plan?

Any other thoughts on this plan?
Yeah, it's expensive. How 'bout getting a beater you can train on and leave it at an indoor garage. Workout a deal w/ the parking lot mgr. to lock up, and use a bike that's enough of a beater that you won't miss it if it goes missing/gets smashed.

Yeah, it's expensive. How 'bout getting a beater you can train on and leave it at an indoor garage. Workout a deal w/ the parking lot mgr. to lock up, and use a bike that's enough of a beater that you won't miss it if it goes missing/gets smashed.

The expense was a thought, but I'm not sure what the cost of a beater would be. Plus the cost of a garage deal. Although for the right bike I could probably just lock it up on the street, take the seat and front tire and be done with it. Hell, I could probably do that with an expensive bike if I wrapped the frame in electrical tape and coated the thing in dirt. Who would know the difference.

At this point though, I think I might test the viability of mid-week training by eating the cost a few times.

What if you got some kind of bike bag and broke it down a little bit put it in the bag then leave at your work?

Get a folding bike, preferably a Brompton.

You can take a folded bike on the LIRR at any time, including rush hour. I'd double check with building management about bikes, they may let you take it up the freight. They might even let you take a bagged folding bike up a regular elevator.

Bromptons are a little pricey, but have a excellent and compact fold and a decent ride.

What town in LI and what block in midtown?

What town in LI and what block in midtown?

Bayville and West 51st. Why?

Unless the question is, why not just ride in... which I have thought about as well, but still poses the storage problem.

Incidentally, the express bus would happily allow me to put the bike in the luggage compartment. Not sure how I feel about it banging around down there, but I still get left with the storgage problem.

Personally I would say get an old road bike with drop bars and down tube shifters. If you poke around you can find one that fits you, is nice enough to train on and is not a major theft magnet.

I found just such a bike on CL a few years back - a mid 80s Trek. In the past I have used an early 80s Miyata and locked up on the street, no problems. Centurion, Peugeot, Schwinn, et al made tons of these bikes and they are out there.

Just get a top of the line kryptonite chain and lock, leave it at work and get a decent cable lock long enough to go through both wheels to carry in your bag for emergency stops.

These bikes won't be as fast or fun as your regular racing bikes but they are more than adequate if you set them up properly.

Bayville and West 51st. Why?

Unless the question is, why not just ride in... which I have thought about as well, but still poses the storage problem.

Incidentally, the express bus would happily allow me to put the bike in the luggage compartment. Not sure how I feel about it banging around down there, but I still get left with the storgage problem.

I'm moving to Forest Hills in a month. Express stop on the E. We can maybe work something out regarding transfer point.

If you could store the bike at work, then do the following:

a) Bike to work, Train Home
b) Train to work, laps in Central park after work, leave bike at work, Train Home
c) Train to work, Bike Home
I commute usually from Riverdale to Jamaica 3 or more days a week. This is abount 47 miles roundtrip, but there is no way to get a great workout. Central park is a great option for a good workout.

I love Compact bikes, but that will not help you. If you are afraid to park your bike on the street and can ot bring it in the building, better to invest in GREAT LOCKS.

There is plenty of parking in Jamaica.

ROB

Folding bike - look at Downtube and Dahon if you don't want to spend $$ on a Brompton.

+1 for folding bike. Go for 20" wheels unless space is really tight.

You should stop by the folding bike forum. Beware the cults of Brompton and Downtube! :)

I am happily in the cult of Downtube :)