When I first met Eric and Ben, the founders of Gear Patrol, we hatched a plan to write a seven-part series about training for Ironman. That lasted for a summer, and immediately after we spent a month writing about beef. We called it the “Month of Beef”. At one point somebody sent us a wagyu brisket the size of my chest. It was ludicrous, and cooked up nicely, and I thought, “Yeah, I could see myself working with these guys”.
I mostly focus on endurance sports at GP, but we cover a really broad range of topics. The consequence (and the beauty) of that extensive scope is that I’m always out looking for story ideas and inspiration, even on the weekends. Summer is a blessing for this because the collective energy in the city is so high — you can really feel it. It also makes getting around on a bike, which is how I prefer to commute, much more pleasant. The first time I ride to the office and don’t freeze my ass off coming home at night is the official start of summer for me.
Riding a bike here changes the landscape. On wheels, I can cover every square inch, rip through midtown traffic, duck down quiet side streets, see what stores are opening and where people are hanging out, maybe flirt with some biker chicks. My favorite ‘hood is the East Village. It has an informal culture and every kind of entertainment you could imagine: excellent restaurants, bars, music, artfully dressed people, parks.
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Friday
JEREMY’S LOOK: Three-Pocket Zip Jacket: $120 | Slim Fit Linen-Cotton Button-Down Shirt: $70 | Slim Fit Chino: $60 | Dot Print Silk Skinny Tie: $60 | Vintage Brown Sawyer Wingtip: $140 | Johnny Sunglasses: $120 (Click on any image for more information)
On Friday nights I’ll breeze down the 2nd Avenue bike lane and meet friends there. Alphabet City Beer Co. is one of my favorite spots. The owners are neighborhood guys who’ve created a real locals’ spot, with a big communal table and a new porch in the back — plus beer, of course, 12 kinds on tap, most of which I’ve usually never heard of. These guys are total beer geeks, so I always discover something new.
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