I had planned to come to the city today, but that was about as far as my plan got. I parked at Center Plaza parking garage, stepped out, and that's when I made my decision: I would try riding Hubway bikes around the city. One problem: no helmet. After doing some research, I learned that there are retailers who sell subsidized helmets around the city. So I bought a subsidized helmet at the CVS across the street from the Hubway station for $9.99.
For $6, you get a 24 hour membership. This allows you to make as many trips as you want within 24 hours. Each trip must be 30 minutes or less, or you will be charged extra. If you're planning a long trip, this would seem to be a challenge. But it turns out this is not a huge problem. Just turn your bike in at another station before 30 minutes is up, wait two minutes, and check out another bike for another 30 minutes! Not sure this is how they intend it to be used, but it worked!
I picked up my first bike at City Hall Plaza, right next to the Government Center T station.
Heading out from City Hall Plaza.
Heading down Commonwealth Ave, part of Boston's Emerald Necklace. This is a lovely stretch of road with a dedicated bike lane.
I left my bike at the Hubway station at the Apple Store on Boylston Street and spent a while on foot.
I went in the Apple Store and looked around for a while, then went across the street and walked through the Prudential Center to get some ice cream.
I went out the other side of the Prudential Center and walked around Christian Science Plaza for a while. One of my favorite spots in the city.
This sculpture is called "Tiger Mothers."
I've always loved the architecture here at Christian Science Plaza.
Panorama of Christian Science Plaza.
Symphony Hall, home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. I picked up my next Hubway bike just down the street.
Riding through the Back Bay Fens, I came across a gaggle of geese.
Diagram of the Emerald Necklace and the Back Bay Fens.
The Muddy River with the Prudential Tower in the background.
I made another exchange here at the Hubway station next to the Landmark Center.
Riding through the Riverway.
Cool bridge underpass on the Riverway.
Dropped off my bike at the Brookline Village Hubway station and took a break with a snack from the Village Market.
Picked up another bike at Brookline Village, and continued through the necklace to Olmsted Park.
Made it all the way to Jamaica Pond! But not without a bit of a snafu...
Fun fact: the path closest to the pond is for pedestrians only! I did not realize this until I got halfway around, and was told by a very friendly Park Ranger that I should be using the bike path. I took the shame and walked my bike to the proper path, which sadly does not have a nice view of the pond like the pedestrian path. Lesson learned! After this point, I did take note of the 'no bike' signs at the entrances to certain paths, but I honestly didn't see them when I first arrived! I biked the rest of the way around the pond up on the bike trail close to the road.
Returned my bike at the Hubway station in Brookline Village, next to the Brookline Village T station. I ended up paying a bit extra, since there are no Hubway stations around Olmsted Park or Jamaica Pond and it took longer than 30 minutes to get back to this station. At this point I was feeling pretty beat, and didn't feel like biking another 35 minutes to get back to Government Center. So I hopped on the T and enjoyed a nice sit-down. Phew!
