Free tour
Bike Tour: Radical & Weird History of New York City
Excellent(1)
Guru: Robert
Registered on 28 February 2026
Free reservation and cancellation
Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free
Tour description
Forget the postcards and the polished monuments. This is the history that was swept under the rug. Join us for a two-wheeled journey into the strange, the subversive, and the flat-out bizarre. We’ll bypass the tourist traps to explore the sites of forgotten riots, failed utopias, and the haunts of local eccentrics who marched to their own beat. From Victorian-era scandals to the radical counter-cultures that shaped our streets, we’re uncovering the city’s hidden DNA.
I’m Robby, a dedicated cycling enthusiast and history detective obsessed with uncovering the strange, forgotten, and truly radical stories of New York City. My years as a bike messenger gave me an unparalleled, street-level intimacy with NYC's grid—a critical background that allows me to meticulously curate routes that are not only safe and accessible for all skill levels but designed to immerse my guests in the city's authentic, often bizarre, local culture. My tours specialize in the crucial, yet little-known, histories that transform NYC from a mere destination into a living, breathing origin story.
*The meeting point is a bike rental store that has excellent rental bikes available for $45 for the four hour duration of the tour. You can book them in person or online in advance. E-bikes are available for an added cost. The ride overall is quite flat and slow so the regular bikes typically do the job just fine.
Highlights
What will we see on this tour?
Meeting point:
Punto de encuentro
Meet outside the business Unlimited Biking Brooklyn Bridge at 70 Chambers St.
1
Outside visit
Visit a modern cabinet of curiosities hidden inside a decommissioned elevator shaft.
2
Outside visit
Keith Haring's Bathroom Mural
3
Outside visit
Sweet Pickle Books - A used bookstore with an unusual bartering system - books for pickles
How much does this tour cost?
Free tours don't have a fixed price. At the end, each person contributes to the guide the amount they consider fair based on their satisfaction. As a guideline, Guruwalk recommends between €15 and $50 per participant.
Tour reviews
Excellent(1)
Generic
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By category
Professionalism
5.00
Fun
5.00
Communication
5.00
Quality
5.00
Route
5.00
Who is this tour for?
Accessibility
Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group bookings.
Pets
Not suitable for bringing pets.
What should I know?
Minimum attendees
Requires a minimum of 2 people to conduct the tour.
Additional costs
The tour requires payment for entries or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or card payment accepted.
Bike Tour: Radical & Weird History of New York City
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