I wanted to do that...Just not alone!!

New York is a completely different city after dark. During the day, people are out riding bikes, soaking up the sunshine, and pretending they enjoy paying $8 for coffee. But once the sun goes down, most cyclists tuck their bikes away and head home. That’s like ordering a pizza, throwing away the cheese, and proudly announcing that the crust was the best part. You're missing half the experience.

If you're a fellow night owl—or simply someone with questionable sleep habits—come join me for a late-night ride through the city.

The plan...

We'll meet in Union Square and pedal our way around some of New York City's most iconic landmarks. They're impressive during the day, but at night they transform into something even better: beautifully illuminated and, in some cases, suspiciously free of tourists.

Our route includes the Washington Square Arch, the Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, the World Financial Center, Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, the Plaza Hotel fountain, the glowing Apple cube, the sensory overload that is Times Square, the New York Public Library and its famous stone lions, and the Flatiron Building. We'll also do a loop through Central Park after dark, stopping at Bethesda Fountain and Belvedere Castle—because nothing says “good decision-making” like wandering through a giant park at midnight with a bunch of strangers from the internet.

The important stuff...

• The ride will be about 28 miles round trip at a casual pace of roughly 12 mph. If midnight is normally when you transform back into a pumpkin, this may not be the meetup for you—we'll be out late.
• We'll stick to bike lanes whenever possible, but the city planners, in their infinite wisdom, neglected to place protected lanes directly in front of every famous attraction. You should be comfortable riding in traffic. Helmets and bike lights are absolutely required, both for safety and to improve your odds of being seen by taxis.
• Please make sure your bike is in good working order before the meetup. Bring a lock, a spare tube, a patch kit, and a pump. New York has many wonderful qualities, but fixing your flat at 1:00 a.m. on the side of the road is not one of them.
• Check your email before heading out for any last-minute updates and my phone number, which will be sent to everyone who RSVPs.
• And speaking of RSVPs: please only sign up if you genuinely plan to come. Space is limited, and "I totally meant to make it" sadly does not propel a bicycle. Serial no-shows and last-minute cancellers may be removed from the event.
• Sorry, no guests for this one.
• Rain cancels the meetup, because while we enjoy adventure, recreating scenes from The Dark Knight on two wheels is a bridge too far.

Looking for an excuse to spend a few hours on the water instead of staring at your phone? Grab your paddleboard or kayak and join us for an adventure at Rio Reservoir!

We'll launch together and explore the reservoir's quiet coves, wooded shoreline, and hidden corners—all powered by nothing more than your arms and questionable navigation skills. Don't worry—we're not racing (unless a goose challenges us).

Expect a fun, social paddle with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery, swap stories, take photos, and pretend we're on a wilderness expedition... even if the parking lot is only a short paddle away.

What to expect:

• A leisurely to moderate paddle (roughly 4-6 miles, depending on the group and conditions)
• Beautiful views and a good chance of spotting herons, turtles, and other wildlife
• Plenty of laughs, conversation, and photo stops
• A great workout that doesn't feel like one
• Zero pressure to be the fastest paddler—this isn't the Olympics

Bring:

• Your own SUP or kayak
• Paddle and Coast Guard-approved life jacket (required)
• Water and snacks (because paddling is hungry work)
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Dry bag for your phone, keys, and that snack you promised yourself you'd save for later

Who should come?

Anyone comfortable paddling on calm water who enjoys being outdoors and meeting fellow adventurers. Whether you're on a paddleboard or a kayak, you'll fit right in.

A Few Friendly Reminders:

• Wear your life jacket.
• Dress for the weather—you will almost certainly get at least a little wet.
• If you accidentally paddle in circles, we'll gently pretend not to notice.
• If the weather decides to be dramatic, we'll reschedule. Mother Nature always gets the final vote.

Come for the fresh air, the adventure, and the company. Leave with sore arms, great photos, and at least one story that begins with, "So there we were, out on the reservoir..."

See you on the water!

*** Once you've made payment to the outfitter you'll be moved off the waitlist. Read cost details ***

Paddling and camping are two activities that sound like they should go together perfectly. There’s really only one way to find out. Join us as we bid farewell to Summer 2026 with a weekend of canoeing down the Delaware River, sleeping outdoors, and discovering exactly how much stuff can fit into a canoe before physics intervenes.

The Plan

We’ll meet up bright and early Sunday morning with the outfitter, check in, and get shuttled up river with our boats and gear. After that, we’ll load up and paddle roughly 10 miles downstream to our campsite.
Don’t worry—this isn’t an Olympic race. We’ll make plenty of stops to swim, fish, eat lunch, skip rocks, admire nature, and wonder whether that one waterproof bag is actually waterproof.

Once we reach camp, we’ll set up our tents and spend the rest of the day enjoying riverside life: cooking dinner, splashing around, relaxing by the campfire, and swapping stories with our fellow paddlers. Monday morning, we’ll pack everything back into the boats—somehow—and paddle the remaining miles to the take-out point.

Cost

• $106 per person plus tax for a two-day canoe rental paid directly to the rental outfitter. I will provide the details before the trip
• $10 per car, per day for parking at Smithfield Beach
• Campsite rental fee will be split among the final number of attendees

Priceless memories and at least one mosquito bite are included at no extra charge.

Important Stuff

• This is a one-night camping trip covering about 22 miles of paddling over two days.
• This is canoe camping, which means everything you need—food, water, clothing, snacks, more snacks, and your favorite camp chair that definitely won’t fit—must come with you in the boat. There are no stores, no vending machines, and no canoe-side delivery service.
• Canoes seat two people. If you sign up solo, we’ll pair you with another paddler and trust that lifelong friendships (or at least a temporary alliance) will form.
• The river is mostly flat water with the occasional Class I ripple. Beginners are welcome, as long as you’re physically able to paddle about 10 miles each day and don’t mind being outdoors for an extended period of time.
• The campsite is rustic: composting toilets, no showers, and no potable water. For one glorious weekend, we return to the lifestyle of our ancestors—except with better snacks.

Meeting Location

Smithfield Beach National Recreation Area
River Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18302

The Delaware Water Gap is about 90 minutes from NYC, and carpooling is required. When you RSVP, please let us know whether you need a ride. If you’re driving, tell us where you’re coming from and how many passengers you can take.

Come for the scenery, stay for the campfire, and leave with a newfound appreciation for indoor plumbing.