My original goal for the trip was to collect sound samples for use in my assignment. I wanted to make a sound collage of my journey to fulfill the requirements of the assignment, but I quickly discovered that the only sounds I could capture from inside the bus were the conversations of the passengers and the rumbling of the engine. If I’m going to make this happen, I will have to ride my bicycle along the route another day.

This is only the second time I’ve ridden a bus in Manhattan. My first ride was in a torrential downpour years ago when I was visiting colleges. Although I’ve cycled some of the route the M5 took, I haven’t had the opportunity until now to travel most of the length of the island above ground. Cycling in Manhattan doesn’t allow for leisurely observations or photography.