The Amazing Eat-and-Drink Ride

Every December, our food editors choose the 100 best things they ate and drank that year, from crispy pigs’ tails to vegan whoopie pie. For this ride, we’ve selected the cheapest bites—and ones that are easy to buy while your partner waits outside with the wheels.

Mileage: 15 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Don't miss: Sticky buns, green-tea cupcakes, veggie curry, Central Park

Click on map points to view route highlights.

A Before you head out, be hungry, bring a friend—and wear your helmet. You’ll be riding a lot on city streets. We recommend starting around breakfast time at Whole Foods in Union Square (4 Union Sq South, 212-673-5388), where you can pick up a plastic bottle of thick, lush Hudson Valley Fresh milk ($4 per half gallon). Minimal pasteurization means it has to get from beast to bazaar in less than 36 hours—that translates to a fresher drink that needs to be consumed quickly. Save it, however, until your next stop. 

B Head west on 14th Street and then south on Seventh Avenue South until you see Bleecker Street. Then go southeast two blocks and find Amy’s Bread (250 Bleecker St at Leroy St, 212-675-7802). You’re here for the pecan sticky bun ($2.75). This nut-stippled hunk of yeasty goodness is swirled with butter and cinnamon sugar, and coated with gooey caramel. It’s one gargantuan treat that could last you all day—which doesn’t mean you won’t want seconds. Down it with your milk. 

C No eating for a bit; you’ve got to work up your appetite. Head west toward the waterfront and ride along the Hudson until you reach 57th Street; then head west on 58th until you get to Columbus Circle and enter Central Park, continuing west on the loop. Ride all the way up to 102nd and veer east, heading ultimately for El Paso Taqueria (1642 Lexington Ave at 104th St, 212-831-9831). There, order the pork cemita ($7.95). The flavors and textures make this Puebla import of chopped pork, smoky chipotle, Oaxaca cheese, creamy avocado, onions and lemony papalo (a leafy herb) on a sesame-seed bun worth the pedaling. Wash it down with tons of water, lest you get thirsty later.

D Head east toward the water and ride the promenade straight downtown, moving over to York Avenue (at 78th Street) and then to Second Avenue (at 55th Street). Turn onto 37th Street and go west until Sixth Avenue. You’ll be able to smell the warm aromas from Khodiar Express (1013 Sixth Ave between 37th and 38th Sts, 212-840-4810). The spicy veggie curries thali meal ($6.99) includes cardamom-spiked rice, soup, four hot roti and assorted other treasures, such as mouth-singeing curried lentils or eggplant.

E Dessert! Roll down to Third Avenue for a green-tea cupcake ($2.75) at Amai Tea & Bake House (171 Third Ave between 16th and 17th Sts, 212-863-9630). In a city that is both health-obsessed and willing to wait hours for Magnolia, this Japanese twist on tradition should be at the top of everyone’s list: The light, moist cake and silken buttercream are balanced by the intense flavor of ceremonial-grade matcha green tea. Maybe—just maybe—the bonus ingredient’s health benefits are enough to counteract everything else.

F Three blocks down, and a few avenues over, you’ll find the final savory snack. It’s bacon peanut brittle ($5) at the Redhead (349 E 13th St between First and Second Aves, 212-533-6212) and we really don’t have to say anymore, do we? (Okay, it’s a mini mason jar of sweet, sticky peanuts tossed with smoky bacon—because everything, as the menu puts it, is “better with bacon.”)

G Five blocks south and it’s drinking time. Wash the day away with a McSorley’s Ale (two for $4.50) at McSorley’s Old Ale House (15 E 7th St between Second and Third Aves, 212-473-9148). This place may be an NYC cliché, but hey: Molecular mixology, microbrews, biodynamic wines…sometimes you just want to keep it simple. Here, you’ve got two options: dark ale or light. Both are easy drinking, especially after a long bicycle ride accompanied by bacon peanut brittle.

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