Red Hook and my new Swift Industries bag
Notice anything different? It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with my new Swift Industries Sugarloaf Basket Bag. Yesterday was my first official outing with it and this bag is exactly the addition I needed (wanted, really, let’s be honest - the Wald basket works with a bag in it or not) for trips on the Pack Rat.
This was a long weekend for me, starting with my sister’s wedding on Friday and ending with a day in Red Hook on Sunday. The entire weekend brought great weather and so after sleeping all day on Saturday to recover from the wedding, I knew I had to get out yesterday. I had some coffee and hung around my apartment a bit in the morning and then got out on my bike around noon. I packed a blanket and some books for reading and planned on finding a spot in a park at some point but didn’t have specific plans for the day. I had an idea to try and get to Red Hook since I don’t really spend much time there but kind of just rode West to see where I would end up.
I found my way to the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway and then actually got myself to Red Hook! I knew of the park and bike path near the Ikea waterfront but hadn’t explored the area much, aside from a few rides through it. I pedaled past Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie but wasn’t feeling quite adventurous enough to try it since I’m not a fan of key lime pie to begin with. I’ve heard great things though, so I do need to make sure I get back there one day.
While I was riding through that area, I stumbled across a pier with some retail and other businesses and decided to stop at Strong Rope Brewery for a beer and to hang out for a bit. I think this is their newest location and it was a great spot! It is located right on the water with a great view of the Statue of Liberty and there are plenty of picnic tables for hanging out.
I spent a little while here, reading, and video chatting with my aunt, before I got back to riding. When I was getting my bike to head out, I noticed a Surly Cross Check parked next to my Pack Rat!
Loved seeing so many people riding their bikes to the brewery.
Since I was so close to Governor’s Island, I headed to the ferry terminal to take a trip there but the next boat was a bit of a wait so I’ll have to try that another day. From there, I rode North a bit into Williamsburg and then decided I’d pick up some beer and sweets for my Sunday night in. I’m a bit obsessed with Milk Bar and saw there was one in Prospect Heights that was closing at 4. I raced there with a few minutes to spare but it turns out, it was not THAT Milk Bar. Dang. So I opted for some cupcakes from The Little Cupcake Bake Shop and then walked over to Bierwax and got a 4 pack of ciders and beers to go.
I ate the cupcakes later that night before I took a picture oops.
The beer and cupcakes fit PERFECTLY into my Sugarloaf bag, along with all the other items that had been packed in there at the start of the ride. I rode around with my purchases a bit and spent a little more time in a park near my apartment before heading back home. Here are more pictures of my basket bag because I can’t get enough of it.
This ride was something I didn’t mind doing alone. I know I lament a lot about not having people to ride with, but yesterday was a great day to just pedal around at my own pace and see where my bike took me. Maybe I’ll make cupcakes and beer my new Sunday tradition.
