When people visit New York, seeing the Brooklyn Bridge is usually quite high on the list  of things to do. It is one of America's oldest bridges and connects two of the city's biggest boroughs, it also looks pretty impressive.

 

Despite its fame, few actually know the story behind John Roebling's designs and how they came to be. Roebling was a german civil engineer who designed the Brooklyn Bridge but, while working on its construction, had his toes crushed by a ferry. They then had to be amputated which eventually led to Roebling's death. His son, Washington, took over the project but he himself also fell ill and ended up bedridden leaving his wife to take his place. Given that it was the 1800s, Emily was way ahead of her time in taking lead and showed that a woman could do a man's job and do it well. 

 

You can walk, drive or cycle across the Brooklyn Bridge but, as a first timer, a cycle is the best way to view both the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines. It seems so romantic a notion, to elegantly cycle, wicker basket in front, daisies in hand as you glide across the bridge to meet that fictional friend on the other side - you know just like all New Yorkers do (enter sarcasm).

 

Sadly, reality plays out a little differently. 

 

The bikes hired from nearby rental shops, such as Bike and Roll and Blazing Saddles, aren’t decorated in that classic vintage style, instead sports logos and bulky helmets are the thing. This is the first of several issues that kill the illusion of a fanciful Brooklyn Bridge bike ride.

 

Problem number 1: the mysterious entrance

 

Seriously, this is a real dilemma. You would assume that one of the world's most famous bridges would have a pretty obvious entrance but no. Like the north star, you follow the bridge but unless you ask 3 people and get lost for 20 minutes you won't find the tucked away entrance. 

 

Problem number 2: surviving the bridge

 

Whether it’s summer or not, riding across the bridge and keeping up with the other bikers means a sweat fest, unless you're of the uber fit variety. There's a fairly hefty slope that rears its ugly head a few yards in and, if you forget to lower your gears you're doomed (common error I hear). All this while navigating snap happy pedestrians means this ride makes for a tough workout.

 

Problem number 3: the picture

 

So the bridge isn’t narrow but, on a sunny day when it’s packed with hundreds of tourists, it can be hard to get that perfect shot. By this time you're a drippy mess with terrible hat hair and a desire to collapse. No one wants to see that picture however, photographic proof is why you’ve gone through this entire debacle so you have to bare the grease and smile.

 

Problem number 4: making it back

 

You’ve been blindsided by what you thought would be a jaunty cycle. Instead you’ve guzzled a gallon of water, your legs want to collapse and you didn’t get the insta-worthy picture you wanted. Bad news, you have to do it all again unless you want a steep rental shop fine. A quick stop and a slice at Grimaldi's does however make it the journey worth it.