u/Proud-Psychology-415

I recently switched from a touring / gravel-y bike to a new ish MTB with flat bars because I’m doing a lot more city riding and a lot less long rides, and I’m having some issues with hand and back pain when I bike more than 15 or so miles.

Because of space I can only have one bike, and I’m hoping a less upright position will help with these pains and make my bike feel more adaptable! Short of changing to drop bars (which I know never works), what are people’s favorite alt bars that fill the gap between super aero and super upright? I’m hoping to end up with something that feels good for city rides but I can also take on some bike packing trips a few times a year

Bonus points if they look cool, because some alt bars look a little goofy

Did anyone else experience Singers upping their drink prices during Pride weekend? I stopped there Saturday after a day party, and they charged me $19 for a mezcal margarita and $14 for a Campari soda. I was honestly too stunned to say anything. I live nearby and go often, but between that and the drama with twins vs dolls, I’ve got a bad taste in my mouth. Curious if anyone else experienced the same

Does anyone know if Kosciuzco pool will have morning lap swim again this year? Pools open this weekend and the hours are 11-7, so I’m wondering if they’ll add more hours!

My current bike commute takes me from Dekalb to Franklin or Bedford to Dekalb to and from my job off of Eastern Parkways. I feel relatively comfortable on Franklin, and on Bedford once I hit Dean Street and it becomes a protected bike lane, but the area between Eastern Parkway and Dean on Bedford feels increasingly sketchy with traffic, including the section where you have to cross traffic to reach the protected lane. It makes the whole thing feel a little unfinished, since Eastern Parkway and Bedford connect to so much of the rest of Brooklyn.

Are there any plans by the city to improve it? Alternatively, does anyone have an alternate route for this general commute?

My current bike commute takes me from Dekalb to Franklin or Bedford to Dekalb to Eastern Parkways. I feel relatively comfortable on Franklin and Bedford once I hit Dean Street and it becomes a protected bike lane, but the area between Eastern Parkway and Dean on Bedford feels increasingly sketchy with traffic, including the section where you have to cross traffic to reach the protected lane. Is there any plans by the city to improve it? Alternatively, does anyone have an alternate route for this general commute?