Central Park Bike Ride: Local Guide, Landmarks & Stories

3.75

(12 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so small in the middle of Manhattan — not in a bad way, just sort of… pleasantly swallowed up by green. We met our guide near the park entrance (he introduced himself as Erik, and switched between Dutch and English without missing a beat). The bikes were ready, helmets too — I always feel slightly dorky in those but hey, rules are rules. The city noise faded behind us as we pedaled under the trees. It smelled like grass and something sweet I couldn’t place. Maybe those little white flowers everywhere?

Erik pointed out the Dakota Apartments and told us about Lennon — I’d walked past before but never really noticed it. At Strawberry Fields he paused so we could take photos; someone was playing “Imagine” on a battered guitar nearby. It was quieter than I thought it would be. We rode on past the Reservoir (the water looked almost silver), then stopped at Belvedere Castle for a bit of history and some group photos. There’s this view over the treetops that honestly made me forget we were still in New York City for a second.

I tried to say “Bethesda” with the right accent (Li laughed at my attempt), and Erik just grinned and kept telling stories about movie scenes filmed there. The ride wasn’t hard — mostly gentle slopes, nothing wild — and we had plenty of stops for pictures or just to breathe. By the time we reached Sheep Meadow, people were stretched out on blankets like they’d been there forever. I still think about that feeling: moving slow enough to notice things but fast enough to see almost all of Central Park in one morning.