Circumnavigating Manhattan with a 3D printed kayak

MILE: 7.4 - After passing through all the boat traffic around Battery Park, I took my first break under the shadow of the Brooklyn bridge. Being my first time on the East River, I didn't really know what to expect. The views were great and passing under the Brooklyn/Williamsburg/Manhattan bridges was kind of surreal. It was also way faster than then Hudson. At one point I looked over at John Finley Walk and noticed that I was coasting faster than they were running.

MILE: 15.6 - Since I had put zero thought into the ergonomic design of this kayak, my back was now beginning to pay for it. Eager to stop and stretch, I crossed over towards Randall's Island and began searching for a place to relax. It didn't take long before I came across a pretty nice beach with plenty of shade. I also needed to kill some time while the currents on the Harlem River became a little more favorable.

MILE: 18.7 - With beautiful weather and a spectacular trip in progress, my impatience got the best of me and I really didn't wait as long as I should have back on Randall's Island. So now I was fighting a decent current moving North on the Harlem River. All things considered though, it was pretty tranquil. The water was smooth, and there was enough dense vegetation on both sides that almost all the traffic noise was masked. In fact, with the exception of a few towers off in the distance, you could lose all visual proof that you were kayaking through one of the largest cities in the world. Looking back, I think the Harlem River segment was probably my favorite.

MILE: 21.9 - Although it was the northern apogee of my trip, I was still going against the current and the sun was beginning to set. I was about to merge back into the Hudson and I was eager not to get stuck out in the dark. I knew I only had about 10 miles left but with the river still working against me I was getting a little nervous. This was the only part of the trip that seemed like actual "work". Constant paddling and minimal progress. The one annoying thing about kayaking compared to biking is that when you stop to take a break on your bike, you lose time, but you don't lose any distance. Kayaking though, when you stop, you lose both time and distance. The last 10 miles were a slog. I can't really complain though, the first 20 were basically effortless.