I never thought I’d have the guts to ride a bike in New York City. The first few times Matt and Peter brought up the idea that I should get my own set of wheels, I totally brushed them off. There was no way I could re-learn a skill I’d not practiced for 15 years AND navigate the city streets AND not get hit and killed by a car. No way. But slowly and surely they convinced me that it was hands-down the way to commute. It’s (often) faster than the subway. It’s wonderful exercise. And you get to see so much of Brooklyn you’d never otherwise see! Okay, okay. So I bought a bike.

My very first ride in Brooklyn was to get from the bike shop in Bay Ridge to my place in the Slope. It was six miles of pure heaven. Shortly thereafter, I was pedaling 10+, 15+, 20+ miles to get to Coney Island and Plumb Beach and Dead Horse Bay. I began commuting to DUMBO a few times a week. Matt and Peter and I had good times in the freight elevator. I loved my bicycle so much.

And then my back tire kept going kaput. After several unsuccessful repairs, I gave up. We moved to the new house and I got a new job in the city. I resigned myself to a boring commute on the 5 train. No fresh air in my face or burn in my legs. And my bike stayed broken all of last year. But once the warmer weather started showing up this year, I could only think about one thing: getting back on the saddle. I am so, so happy. Check out some of these feel-good Flickr faves while I plot my first ride back.

“Sears,” by Joel Zimmer:

“Deer in Headlights,” by LaToya Moore:

“Peugot Bike,” by Shawn Hoke and “Brooklyn Heights Bicycles,” by Joanna Pan:

“Bicycle Man,” by Leighton Gleicher:

“Low Rider,” by David Pexton:

“Big Brother,” by Michael Pearce:

Untitled, by Joanna Pan:

Untitled, by Barry Yanowitz:

“Revolutionary,” by EYENOWRITE:

“Lost Liberty,” by Stephane Missier:

“The World is..” by Eleazar Teodoro and “New Year’s Dawn,” by Marc Dalio:

“Fog Bank,” by Jane Kratochvil:

“Crown Heights Promenade,” by Shawn Hoke:

“Sucked,” by Jonathan Percy:

Untitled, by Lucy Aboytes: (Lots more over on her blog!)

“October Snow,” by Nelson Ryland:

“Brooklyn’s First Snow,” by Matt Heidelberger:

“NYC Nor’easter, October 2011: The backyards of Brooklyn,” by Scott Lynch:

Untitled, by Michael Pearce:

Untitled, by Michael Pearce:

“The Silent City / October Snow,” by Josh Derr:

Check out some great shots of the festival that are already cropping up in our Flickr group! What were your favorite exhibits?

“Uni Glow,” by Josh Derr:

“DUMBO Arts Festival,” by Jane Kratochvil:

“love love love love love love love love love,” by Joel Zimmer:

“The Fighter,” and Untitled by Josh Derr:

“DUMBO Arts Festival,” by Jane Kratochvil:

“Love Me,” by Joel Zimmer:

“Projection Mapping,” by Josh Derr:

“Horsing Around,” by Deana Setzke and “The Dumpster Project,” by Joel Zimmer:

“Crate Gallery,” by Joel Zimmer:

Check out some of my recent favorites below. And while we’re at it, can anyone recommend a good 645 medium format camera? I’m jonesing for a new format these days, and I’m pretty well decided on 645, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. Hasselblad? Contax? Pentax? Good ol’ Mamiya? I am paralyzed by all these vintage gear choices! I’d love your recommendations. Enjoy!

“8 AV,” by 12th St David:

“Kate’s Negroni at the Vanderbilt,” by Shawn Hoke:

Untitled, by Barry Yanowitz:

“Broadway Brooklyn,” by Adam Lerner:

Untitled, by Barry Yanowitz:

Did you venture out into the storm? Have shots you’d like to share? Send ‘em our way – we’d love to see them.

“Fun in DUMBO,” by BSEinBrooklyn:

“Irene’s Aftermath,” by Ed Brydon:

“Fallen Bee Hive” and “Fort Greene,” by Marta Curry:

“Hurricane Irene,” by Josh Derr:

Untitled, by Todd Sheridan and “My Very Lucky Friends,” by David Pexton:

“Car Wash,” by Andrew Mohrer:

“Irene’s Aftermath,” by Ed Brydon:

“The Wonderfully Underwhelming Irene,” by Warren Jackson:

“Hurricane Irene,” by Josh Derr:

Turns out traveling every week for work is pretty exhausting, or else I’m just a sissy. While my schedule hasn’t been great for blogging, it’s been way fun for Instagram’ing and getting questioned at airport security every time I drag my beast of a camera anywhere. Guess I’ll have to postpone for the next photography holiday. Ahem.

It feels great to be back in New York. I’m feeling strangely creative and inspired this week, so I wanted to share a few inspiring photos and wish everyone a good week. I hope to share lots more this week!

“Best Canal in NYC,” by Peter Kruger:

“The Back Weeds (Jamaica Bay),” by Peter Puleo:

“KO LMAN,” by Adam Lerner:

“Oscar,” by Ian T West:

Untitled, by Lucy Aboytes:

“Dreadstuy,” by Lyouba Assadourova:

“C-Rock and Black, East New York,” by Chris Arnade:

“Roadblock, Brooklyn Bridge Park,” by Ed Brydon:

Boy was it a kick in the pants. Seeing all the good work folks are doing around Brooklyn was unbelievably inspirational. From images of late night taco trucks, to Mermaid Parade revelers, to portraits of those living fleeting, everyday moments, I was really overwhelmed by many of the works I’m seeing these days.

Check out a few of my recent favorites below and be sure to pause a beat and let the mood of each wash over you!

Untitled, by Barry Yanowitz:

“Tacos!” by Jonathan Percy:

Untitled, by Christine Renee Miller (via David Pexton):

“Helvis at the Mermaid,” by Leanne Staples:

“DAY 707: BAGS OF CANS,” by Bill Sweeney:

“2011 Coney Island Mermaid Parade,” by Sean Hopkins:

Untitled, by Claire Voelkel:

Check out some gorgeous work below and hop on over to the Flickr group for more. Stay tuned for details about the next meetup, which I’m super excited about!

“Valentino Pier,” by Josh Derr:

Untitled, by Barry Yanowitz:

A collection of shots by Michael Pearce:

“Red Hook Cranes,” by Alvim Gimarino:

“Sunny’s Bar,” by Josh Derr:

“Rollin’ By,” by http://www.flickr.com/photos/54729663@N04/ and Untitled by Oscar Rivera:

“Fort Defiance,” by Josh Derr:

Untitled, by Barry Yanowitz:

Who’s heading to Prospect Heights this weekend to see the cherry blossoms?!