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United States of America - Sunday biking: Sensational Parks and Street Soul in New York

by Andrew Young

There are ways to see great cities - and I have to say, although biking is not my favourite way of getting round, it does all depend on where you are.

As it happens, the last time I biked a city, it just happened to be New York, the most magnificent metropolis of them all, with its electric atmosphere, unbelievable buildings, parks, neighbourhoods and people. Bike hire and the route we took was arranged and guided by Bike the Big Apple, a group of dedicated New Yorkers who know their city inside out, and cater to absolutely all tourist tastes and interests. My love of all things non-corporate led me to choose the Sunday Sensational Park and Soul tour, starting amongst the multi-million dollar Brownstones of Madison Avenue, and wending its way through Central Park, past Strawberry Fields, the North Woods Loch and onto the Upper West Side.

After a quick traditional breakfast break of Jewish sweet cakes and coffee at a local café, the tour takes you through Columbia University and, via Morningside Heights (where you get a great view across Harlem and The Bronx - see the Yankee Stadium, pictured) into Harlem itself along Malcolm X boulevard. Along the way, you pass by the building where Duke Ellington grew up (pictured), and further highlights in Harlem include a live Sunday gospel service, as well as a dramatic poetry reading at the home of the "Black" Carl Sandberg.

Winding your way past Clinton’s new office and a former grand synagogue that is now a major Black church, the street soul is all around you - you can even hear "Sachmo"" playing a composition by "the Duke" beneath an unusual statue to this great composer. For me, one of the absolute highlights was stopping for lunch at a huge, bustling soul food diner on Malcolm X boulevard. Tons of food (and I do mean tons!), communal benches and tables, and an incredible atmosphere constantly punctuated with laughter and loud conversations make this one of the most festive places I have ever eaten - and all for about $5, simply brilliant.

After lunch you wend your way back through the park to the end point. The tour lasts about 5 hours, and there is so much to see I couldn't possibly fit it all in! This is still one of my greatest experiences, I cannot recommend it highly enough. In the words of that most American of companies - Just Do It.

Get there: tours start from one of two bike shops in Manhattan - see the website for further details www.bikethebigapple.com.

Don't miss: the view of the Yankee Stadium from Morningside Heights (if you're on the tour above!)