Three years ago my wife MADE me get a bike but before she finally succeeded I came up with a list of excuses: it had been so long ago since I had ridden a bike, I was scared of the traffic in the city, it seemed like a lot of money for two wheels, and I was lugging around a lot of extra weight so how could I ride. Well she prevailed and I got a bike and I used it once in a while. It was hard and I gave up a couple of times, but there was that feeling of freedom I could not deny. It made me feel powerful. But at some point as I was the heaviest I had even been and I felt horrible, the feeling of freedom did not matter much. I just wanted to curl up and do nothing.

When I finally decided in late January 2011 to lose weight (80 lbs as of writing) I knew I also wanted to regain that feeling of freedom. But it was winter so I had some time before it would be warm enough to ride. Once spring came, I got back on that bike and I felt powerful. I was free. Fast forward to today, I no longer have a car (we have a car share program called Zipcar), I bought saddlebags and an iPod holder for my bike and I now ride wherever I can. To work, to food shop, whenever I find an excuse. My wife and I go out on our bikes to explore the boroughs and it has been a way for me to research areas and create new tours. (One our last ride I gathered information for an experience in Red Hook for groups or individuals with or without bikes. When I travel for work and when time allows it, I rent a bike so I can explore the area.

Why am I telling you this? Because biking in NYC is awesome. It is freedom in motion and it is accessible to everyone. If you have clients who are with their family, there is a bike program for them. The same for a student group or an Alumni group. There is something for everyone. You do not have to bike the streets of NYC there are  bike paths and greenways. Central Park, Hudson River Park and Prospect Park offer great biking and with a tour guide you will enhance your experience while doing something good for your body.

I know you have clients who want to do it, but YOU have to offer it to them. Give it a try. You can tell them that Eric, your friend and the owner of Beyond Time Square who bikes the city all the time and can definitely make sure they have an experience they will want to tell their friends and family about.

Below are some of the programs we offer. They can be for family, couples, active groups, a bunch of guys traveling to NYC who want to do something adventurous. We can make it any level and of course we can provide the bikes, helmets and anything else you might need. You can reach me at 800.999.8160 x2 or ericg@btsq.com, and I would be happy to help.

Central Park Ride
- Duration: Two hours
- Level: Easy with some hills
- Sights: Strawberry Fields, International Garden of Peace honoring John Lennon, Belvedere Castle, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Shakespeare Garden

Central Park Movie Ride
- Duration: Two hours
- Level: Easy
- Locations of: Harry Met Sally, Spiderman 3, Big, Home Alone 2, 30 Rock, The Apprentice, Sex and the City, Project Runway and Gossip Girl

Around NYC Ride
- Duration: Three Hours
- Level: Moderate but some on road bike lane riding
- Sights: Times Square, Battery Park, Greenwich Village, View of the Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center Site, Flatiron District.

Brooklyn Ride
- Duration: Four Hours
- Level: Moderate with some on road bike lane riding and some hill
- Sights: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Walt Whitman Park, Fort Green Park, Admiral’s Row/Brooklyn Navy Yard Washington Square Park

For all rides, you are not biking the entire time. The guide does stop to give information, let the group rest and/or buy snacks. When the tour is private, you can go at whatever pace you want, long or short, fast or slow, hard or easy.

 For more information contact us at bikes@btsq.com

Get out and ride