Neils On Wheels: We'll Take Manhattan
 

I understand the Neils On Wheels Bike Touring Team might be in NYC Monday. Look for a fat guy wearing a Bicycle Club of Philadelphia jersey.

NYC!? Sounds fun, what's bringing you to the big apple?

Let's just say it's a trip to experience the Air. :)

Sounds like fun! Take photos :) .

East Hill

From the last time we were in Manhattan. See if you can spot the Neils.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2199/...ed6726ed_b.jpg

I think you guys have far too much fun on your rides. Can't say I'm not jealous or anything! :)

I too echo the pictures!

Say, "Hi" to Air for me ;)

Looks like two other BFers will be tagging along too :)

I just got toe clips and extenders so it'll be a nice shake down ride for those too.

...but when will you take Berlin? (one of the best albums there ever was. brining my dad to see him in Montreal)

Fancy a DC ride? I just did a century yesterday and it was awesome

Well, don't look for him after all.

This morning I had a little accident on the mile ride to the train station from Neil F.'s house. I was in a hurry and apparently didn't fasten a pannier strap securely. So it came undone at 18 MPH and was sucked into the rear wheel. The pannier followed. I skidded to a stop. I remained upright, but the bike is now out of commission. A preliminary account of the damage includes nine spokes knocked out or broken, I don't know how many others loosened or otherwise damaged, the rear wheel seriously out of true, the rear tire shredded, and the rear brakes knocked out of alignment. Other than the shock and some upper body weakness caused by my having to carry the bike a mile, I'm OK.

I'm trying to find a local bike shop open today so I can get repaired and get rolling home. I didn't drive here, but instead did a bike-train commute. Once I know about my travel plans for today, I'll worry about the Pittsburgh-DC tour at the end of the week.

Neil B.
(using an alternate identity because he can't remember his Bike Forums password)

Oh, and the rear wheel hub looks crooked as well. It took five minutes to remove the rear wheel.

Neil F. went on to New York, at my urging. Best wishes to Air and the BF peleton riding with him.

Neil B.

Care to meet us on the C & O in two weeks or so? We should be near or in DC on the 7th and 8th.

Sorry to hear, Neil! By the way, you can reset your Password as long as you have access to your email, using the password recovery function.

Done.

Cool. :D

Love to. there's some great stuff near there.

PM me and we'll set something up.:thumb:

Sorry we missed you Neil!

Had a beautiful day for a ride, nice easy pace up around upper Manhattan and back down. Got to experience Fleet Week firsthand with huge crowds (and ships) on the west side path but otherwise great day. Stevesurf and Henria86 were there too, I'll let Henri post some pics later on today :)

Final costs:

New 32 spoke rear wheel
New 32cm Bontrager hardcase tire
New deraileur hanger
Labor
______________
$183.00

The only part that could be salvaged from the old wheel was the rear hub. It's a pity, since the wheel was only two months old. Meanwhile, there's a lovely skid mark on Central Avenue in Edison that has my name on it.....

One last surprise: NJ Transit doesn't allow bikes on trains on holidays. So I'm stuck here overnight, when I get to ride my bike to work.:(

The good news is that's a great deal for $183!

Can't believe they won't let you take a bike on the train - wtf is with that?! Hate NJ Transit :(

Wait - so did Neilfein get lucky then?

The policy is no bikes on holidays, presumably because of crowding. The train was pretty empty, so the conductor just said something along the lines of "you really shouldn't...". He was friendly about it, though.

Pictures from today's ride in NY:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/...ae8b230114.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/...08beb31d35.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/...dc2a294c4d.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2346/...3d2c97e279.jpg


a quickr pickr post

Nice pics Neil, I'm sorry to hear about Orlando's continuing troubles. I would try and get in as many miles as possible before your big tour, that way there your spokes have a chance to seat. Then get the wheel retensioned before the tour.

Neil...we missed you.

Neil...a fun morning; good to meet ya!

I got lucky too, in a sense. I decided to leave last night instead of this morning. The 7:39 train was full, and I couldn't board, but I got in the 8:04. The conductor literally turned a blind eye to me - whenever he passed me he turned his head.

I reached Trenton at 8:43, 30th Street Station in Philadelphia at 9:55, and Norristown by 10:50. Then 20 miles or more of dark bike paths and local roads in the rain. Goodness, I love cycling. :thumb: