Our last ride of 2015!

Holiday midweek rides are great, especially if the destinations are only open during the weekday, so we'll be riding to the little-known Harbor Defense Museum, rich in history and lore. First off, strategically, the museum building is called a caponier, which means a battlement that covers your back. Next, this is an on-site active Army base, the second oldest military garrison in the United States, continuously run, second only to West Point. Third -- if we want to go that far -- it is the only northern base, and one in New York City, commanded by a Southerner, Robert E. Lee. (And there is a street nearby named after him.) There are a few other details, such as it being a command center during Hurricane Sandy, with an escape underground tunnel to a nearby (undisclosed) fort. The building and adjacent Fort Hamilton date to the 1700s, and is one of seven military museums funded by the Department of Defense. (Note: To enter the base and museum, you'll need two pieces of ID.) After, we lunch at Paneantico Bakery, another uncovered treasure, with the most authentic and varied Italian hero combinations anywhere on earth: a Prosciutto, Smoked Mozzarella, Roasted Peppers, Sun-Dried Tomato, & Portobello Mushroom Hero, a Hot Soppressata, French Cheese, Roasted Peppers & Grilled Eggplant Hero, or (my favorite), a Broccoli Rabe, Mozzarella & Portobello Mushroom Hero.

We'll be back at Bridgemarket well before 5PM, and we can make a stop, on the return, at Prospect Park, for those wishing to join the 6:15 PM Dyker Heights Xmas Lights ride later in the evening.