The extreme weather event that ripped through parts of Brooklyn and Queens early this evening has left an impressive trail of destruction on sidewalks, streets, and yards — felling trees, crushing cars and probably bending a few bike frames. Service on the 7 train and the LIRR from Penn Station had to be suspended.

I watched the storm from Manhattan and rode home to Brooklyn at around 10:30. The bike right-of-way on Vanderbilt Ave was pocked with sludgy wet leaf matter and twigs. Even though I was on a heavy bike with fat tires, it was still kinda nerve-wracking. The occasional tree or enormous branch lying across the whole road seemed easier to handle — at least the cars had to slow down for those too. Ride carefully on Friday, folks.