New York, New York - The City so nice they named it twice!

Hello.

WE MADE IT!!!!

On Saturday we reached our final destination: NEW YORK CITY.
3275.5 miles (5,240 km)and 89 days later!

We began the day cycling from about 20 miles north on the western bank of the Hudson, in a town called Nyack. The weather was grey and dull and at one point we took shelter from a heavy downpour. We cycled across the state line into New Jersey and then a few miles more - aware that Manhattan was just over there somewhere - but still in beautiful golden trees. It was only a few miles out that the trees gave way to buildings and then we saw the Gearge Washington Bridge - our route across to NYC. We stopped at the beginning of the bridge to get some photos and a cyclist stopped and congratulated us on our journey and welcomed us to the city. Cycling a few metres on opened up the view down the Hudson to Manhattan and the infamous skyscrapers piercing the skyline. I got to admit I felt a bit of a lump in my throat - so happy to see this amazing city for the first time, and also the reality of actually having cycled here 3275.5 miles across the US fulfilling a long held dream. Wow!!

We continued on and cycled down to the bottom of Manhattan to Battery Park where we could see the Statue of Liberty - in the grey distance and mingled in the crowds coming/going from the Staten Island Ferry. We absorbed the moment for a while then cycled up to 47th Street on 10th Ave where we were warmly hosted by Michael in a true NY style 5th floor appartment in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan (the Estate Agents call it Clinton!). This is very close to Times Square and Central Park so couldn't have been better located!

That night we ate at the Punjabi -open all ours -eat all you can Indian place just across the street and wondered in the block for a short while - standing mostly in the shelter of shop awnings - as the skies had really opened up and it was bucketting down! We were both pretty elated but tired so slept very well that night!

Yesterday dawned brilliant blue skies and sunshine and Michael kindly took it upon himself to give us a few NYC experiences. First we went over a block or so to his Mother's appartment - to look at the veiw from the roof - very cool. We met his Mum and her boyfriend who were really lovely and invited us in to chat for a while - to the smallest appartment I have ever seen- true city living!

After this we had a great brunch at a local diner, followed by getting back on our cycles (without paniers they feel so light!!) - and a great cycle around Central Park. There were crowds of people out enjoying the day. We stopped at the castle in the middle to get a view, and then at "Strawberry Fields" on the corner opposite the Hotel where John Lennon was shot down. A samll memorial is there and there were a couple of different busking bands singing Beatles songs of course.

We then went back to Michaels flat, loaded our bikes up and walked the few blocks down to Port of Authority bus station and got on the bus for an hour's ride to Clinton, New Jersey, where we were met by Peter and Wendy - friends that my family met 20 years ago when they were travellers in NZ! They took us to their lovely home in the countryside & fed us a fantatsic pizza dinner followed by double chocolate biscotti! I am sure all the kgs we have lost cycling are soon to grow back!

Our mission now is to find a car and we hope to go to Washington DC if possible and then back to NYC Oct 31 for the big Halloween Parade and for the NYC Marathon the next day - NO - we are not running in it!! (Cycling fitness seems to be quite specific to cycling I am afraid - walking up the 5 flights of stairs to Michaels appartment almost killed us!!). On Nov 3 we are joined in NYC by Justin's wife Liz from London, and Katie and Khaled (American/Afghan friends from Arkansas/Kabul)& will spend 5 days togther exploring the city.

It is great to be here and I want to say a special HUGE thanks to Nicole - my beautiful wife, who has been soooooooooooooo amazing on this journey. She started out wondering if she could really do this and had only committed to giving it a try- with the back up plan of buying a car and being my support crew! All these miles later and she has done it - and done it well! She is not afraid to rough it, pushed herself in some hot/hilly/desolate places (as well as so many beautiful ones), and done it all with a smile. It was Nicole who encouraged me to make this dream happen now and not wait til I was 50 (my original plan). Thanks Babe - you're the VERY best and doing this with you could not have been any better! "When I married you, I married a winner!!". I love you :-)

So...more pictures to follow...and more stories to share as Phase Two soon begins.

Look forward to hearing more from all of you too.

Marty