LIFE AS A NEW YORK CYCLIST CAN BE INGLORIOUS - POTHOLES, UNGODLY EARLY RACES AND THE ENDLESS REPETITION OF CENTRAL PARK LOOPS.  BUT IT HAS ITS MOMENTS - INCLUDING THE OCCASIONAL WEEKDAY EXCURSION TO RIVER ROAD.

However just such an excursion can turn exciting when an incoming summer thunderstorm combines with approaching darkness to mandate an accelerated pace while returning to the city just ahead of storm clouds.