Cycling activities in New York City
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Bike the Big Apple
Biking tours let you cover more ground than walking tours – and give you a healthy dose of exercise to boot. Bike the Big Apple, recommended by NYC & Company (the official tourism authority of New York City and operators of www.nycgo.com), offers five set tours. Its most popular is the six-hour Back to the Old Country – the Ethnic Apple Tour, 12 miles of riding that covers Williamsburg, Roosevelt Island and the east side of Manhattan. Other tours visit the Bronx’ Little Italy, city parks, Brooklyn chocolate shops and Manhattan at night.
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Loeb Boathouse
Central Park’s boathouse has a fleet of 100 rowboats plus three kayaks available for rent from April to November. In the summer, there is also a Venetian-style gondola that seats up to six (per 30 minutes $30). Bicycles are also available from April to November. Rentals require an ID and credit card and are weather permitting. Helmets included.
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Biking Central Park
There are several places that rent bikes in Central Park, but an easy location to grab one is the Boathouse, Bikes aren't allowed on the small pathways inside the park, but there's a wide road that's easy to follow when circumnavigating the park. Around the reservoir is a dirt track, and around the tennis courts to the north are some family-friendly tracks off the main road. Remember that bike traffic goes counter-clockwise around the park, and you must obey traffic lights.
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Toga Bike Shop
This friendly and long-standing bike shop is conveniently located between Central Park and the Hudson River bike path. Rentals are available in good weather (typically April through October). You’ll need to leave a credit card deposit. Prices include a helmet.
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Five Borough Bicycle Club
For a $20 annual fee, you can participate in this local club’s myriad day rides as well as long-haul rides. The club office is at Hostelling International New York.
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On the Move
A couple of blocks south from Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, On the Move rents and sells all manner of bikes and gear. They are closed in inclement weather and cut back hours from October to March.
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