PayneInTheCulo

Ayo!

Did you know you could bike to Queens??
Apparently I must have been the only one who didn’t…

Don’t ask!!

Rather let me tell you how a bike trip with the right people can assist in the growth process. It was right after work mind you, in Manhattan. This is when I found out the Randall’s Island bridge wasn’t closed, at all (jokes). Using the RFK Bridge which was creepy as hell. Narrow as all ever and barely any guards, I was shook. As always the bridge couldn’t stay still. I wanted to bomb the area but I opted to get my ass off this bridge quickly. Using hella data (yes I pay for data still) for Google Maps, I find myself right in Queens. Fucking WOW Factor to be honest. The houses, the peacefulness never seems not to impress me. Nothing like the city in my opinion. You could say it’s the openness. Modest congestion if you will. Surprisingly my actual first time using Google Maps, it was less trial and error than I assumed. Me running late and Marisol with her cousin Lynard running later, I decide to bomb a fellow in network Facility. Receiving the call to meet them further down, I further control my temper…

Hate waiting on people!!

There they go…

Marisol is upset because her daughter being the animated star she is, inquired how the gears work personally. Yeah a real headache. Lynard did what he could and I finished up. Couple stops we must make before continuing though. Definitely a Marisol action. I was brought to the block where they hung out since youngsters.  Listening to them share memories from the old days, I snap some pictures. A different part of New York. Amazing how I could almost be thirty and still haven’t seen my whole city. Maybe I did but never awoke to it. After some water and THC meditation gathering, we’re on our way. 

First stop, they-well, Marisol takes us to Corona Ice. De-fucking-licious I tell you. 

“How have you never been here?”

So much appreciation for that. You have no idea. Continuing down the block I’m greeted by these marvels. I swear to mommy I drove by Flushing Meadows Corona Park over hundred times yet never been in it. 

Fucking beautiful!!

So many structures. So much talent in one place. The Men In Black alien ships up close looked even cooler. They let me soak it all in being they been here damn near there whole lives. Sitting by the world 🌎 , I felt so small. Whoever built this, nothing less then respect. Fucking gorgeous!! In awe is an understatement. Thank you. 

Continuing on…

Marisol knows the park like the back of her hand and I’m eager to learn. Being a Saturday, the park is jumping. Herbal scents, good ole BBQ, and a lot of kites. Lynard makes a comment saying they been meaning to teach Marisol’s child to fly a kite. We continue, going around the whole park…

Found a spot. 

Crossing the grass, every step brings up at minimum fifteen nats!! With every step!! We can’t stop laughing as we box what looks like the air. 

Pulling out a pink blanket, we set up on the grass. Good smoke and convos. I couldn’t believe I was in Queens, on a bike, after work, with work the next day, with the sun going down. Foreign is the proper word for my understanding of Queens. Listening to Marisol’s directions we whine up at the end of the park, having to go all the way back. 

No Entry!!

After such a blessed day, they accompany me to 34st Ave where I’m to take it straight down to the Queens Boro Bridge. After saying our goodbyes and riding off with Lynard’s bike chain, it hits me. I’m in fucking Queens with only Google Maps and my battery is dying. OH and the sun is gone. I never felt so free. So out of my comfort zone. I had to stand up on my bike. Letting the air pass through my soul. Passing blocks I never knew existed, I’m causing attention as my bike squeaks just like Debo’s. 

Whose this nu…

Doesn’t matter. My soul was vocal, finally!!
Unlike the city, street lights are scarce. 

Some blocks I don’t see shit but the one light from a house…spooky!!

Got to the bridge but for the life of me couldn’t find the entrance. This is where Google Maps failed me. When I tell you I looked for that entrance for a good twenty minutes, I was hot!! Making matters worse, my bike is giving out on me. The pedals are becoming loose beyond control and the noise is confirming it’s tap out. I rode around QueensBridge projects after listening to (now that I think about it- two junkies) it was this way. Anxious and out of place, I kept in motion. 
Here is where resilience kicked in. I get to the ramp leading onto the bridge when my bike taps out. I cannot pedal and if I do, the sounds indicates instant failure. I had to walk my bike, Blue Lagoon, across the bridge. Taking advantage of the hill towards the end, I glide slowly being breaking can result in further breakage. Hold up-before I started gliding, in typical PayneInTheCulo fashion, I bomb the bridge…

One of my best pictures I must say.

I take First Ave gliding and pedaling soft as ever every other four blocks. It had to be eight thirty by now. I do get home though. In one piece and very much alive. What Marisol and Leynard did for me that day I would never be able to live down. Out of my element in every way. Back to tell the story. Here to write it. Never have I been more proud of myself. The beaches are next, hopefully. You know how this shit go. 

Thank you for having me Queens…🤜🏾🤛🏿