Video: Mitch Ropelato Rips the NYC Streets on his New Cannondale Habit LT

Apr 5, 2023
by Cannondale Bikes  

Video: Jack Berg / Cannondale
Photo: Ian Collins
Local Guide: Terry Barentsen

We think Mitch Ropelato, trail bikes, and NYC makes for a perfect amount of controlled chaos.

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The new Habit LT in it's element.

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New York City provides an iconic urban backdrop and a surprising number of hidden trails.

Habit LT - Mitch Ropelato

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Rock rolls for days: MTB Tourist Mode unlocked in Central Park.


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Videos Video Of The Day Trail Bikes Cannondale Cannondale Habit Mitch Ropelato


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Member since Jul 22, 2013
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124 Comments
  • 150 1
 More Mitch please!!
  • 97 0
 The one thing the entire MTB world can agree on.
  • 5 0
 Yes, more please!
  • 1 0
 ong
  • 3 0
 1000%
  • 1 0
 He has a bad habit
  • 1 0
 @Bhaack: of being ridiculously good?????? Wink
  • 61 0
 I see rocks in NYC I think BMW....you old guys feel me right?
  • 11 0
 Member when Bender rode in NY? I’m kinda old. “I got wheels, with clickity clackers”
  • 1 0
 Facts!
  • 4 0
 I think the days riding with Joe and Doc in the Park well before they dreamed up BMW.
  • 2 0
 @RadBartTaylor:
I sure do bro, my link and TMX miss those days.
  • 1 0
 @machaut: What movie was Bender in?
  • 2 0
 @jgottya1: Look at all the steel bikes these days.....I think they could sell an update version of the TMX. They should bring the Shinburgers back too...
  • 4 0
 @RadBartTaylor: this classic youtu.be/zdfS8eLQeL0
  • 2 0
 @dmob319: that is a classic, but don't remember him riding in NYC in that vid?
  • 1 0
 @dmob319: That video is fkn epic
  • 1 0
 @RadBartTaylor: he briefly rode in NYC in Double Down. Hucked off a wall on Wall Street even.
  • 42 0
 Wow. Tell me you made a Cannodale promo video in NYC I would not have guessed it would have been that rad. Well done.
  • 10 0
 Agreed. This is a GREAT promo video! It successfully conveys the message that you are going to have fun riding this bike anywhere.
  • 11 0
 @justwan-naride: One of the few bike edits that actually makes me consider buying a bike. The riding, music and edit together Smile
  • 30 0
 Mitch Ropelato could make any of our local trails look unrecognizable because he's Mitch Ropelato.
  • 3 1
 This is true. I've ridden with him a few times and the things he sees and does makes normal trails look way more fun than they actually are for us normal rider guys. Haha.
  • 21 0
 Reminds me of the old urban assault days in the late 90s. I don't know if it's the mix of riding terrain, the lights, the people, the vibe or all together. Something that, maybe, has been lost in the "go big" urban videos of recent.
  • 3 0
 Amen
  • 20 0
 Sometimes my city is beautiful. Sometimes.
  • 1 0
 So true...
  • 3 6
 Nah man, it always has been, and always will be beautiful. Now the people, especially the transplants, that's a different story.
  • 6 0
 @Chuckolicious: which people in NYC are not transplants?
  • 1 3
 @Velocipedestrian: Umn...people like me?
  • 10 0
 NYCMTB.org
Staten Island Trail Riders (SITR)
Highbridge Dirt Jumps
Cunningham Park

Lots of awesome in NYC

www.trailforks.com/region/new-york-city-region
  • 15 4
 are we just going to ignore him getting a square slice in the round slice capital ?
  • 3 0
 Haha, I was thinking the same!
  • 3 0
 ha! good catch!
  • 8 1
 Nah man, sicilian slice is legit.
  • 2 1
 Never been to Spumoni I see...
  • 9 3
 Spoken like someone who clearly isn't from NY.

A "square slice" is called a Sicilian, and it's just a thicker slice of pizza, no difference in the ingredients. If you're a real ny'er you'd also ask for the corner because you get two crusts.

The "round slice" capital? We're the capital of ALL pizza.
  • 3 1
 @NYShred: Sicilian should be made with a different cooked sauce as opposed to fresh. If you’re doing it the true Italian Sicilian way
  • 1 0
 Mark at Lucali/ Baby Luc’s is as NY as somebody can get. Calm down
  • 1 2
 Maybe he wants good pizza!
  • 2 0
 @NYShred: Windsor ONT would disagree :-)

ontarioculinary.com/windsor-pizza-its-a-thing
  • 2 3
 @NYShred: Wrong. NEW HAVEN CT is the apizza capital.
  • 3 0
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: LOL. Poor CT, so got nothing much going for it. I just giggle when I see this claim, and think to myself, let 'em believe it, nobody else does. Big Grin
  • 1 0
 double
  • 1 0
 @Chuckolicious: while I do side with your general sentiments, I am a fan of a Frank Pepe's pie, it's very good IMO. But you're right, that's an egregious claim coming out of CT right there.
  • 1 0
 @jaytdubs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGKGiThvEj0
  • 1 0
 @jaytdubs: Wink agreed on both.
  • 7 0
 This video is very timely for me!! Just had a race a few weeks ago at Highbridge, and I rode Cunnningham yesterday! Lots of quality trails out in Staten Island as well. Plenty of places to ride in NYC if you know where to look.


nycmtb.org

New Habit looks great, btw.
  • 7 0
 The berms are in Highbridge Park. It's run by NYCMTB....its way uptown in Washington Heights. I hope you guys made a contribution,.
  • 3 0
 Would be nice to support those making riding possible.
  • 7 0
 The one dude that EVERYBODY wants to see more footage of.
  • 6 0
 Unfortunately in NY you're just another a**hole wheeling down the avenue.
  • 2 0
 I didn’t realize Mitch picked up a Monster sponsorship! That’s awesome! I remember watching him compete in dual slalom at Crankworx Whistler in 2014 when I didn’t recognize his name yet. I remember thinking damn, that guy is so fast!
  • 4 0
 I hope Cannondale releases a new bike every month so we can watch more Mitch! #MoreMitch
  • 4 0
 youtu.be/f5JWxgbQCl4

3 weeks ago at Highbridge in NYC
  • 2 0
 Oh snap! Been over two decades since I been there, was just random lines down the hill. Gonna hit it in the next few weeks for sure!
  • 4 0
 Great riding!!!! Where in the city are those trails in the woods??
  • 18 0
 Looks like highbridge mtb park and maybe a few shots over in Queens ny at Cunningham Park
  • 3 0
 @KankleGnar: there’s a couple of shots of some stuff in prospect park too
  • 3 0
 @KankleGnar: Cunningham!
  • 2 0
 @KankleGnar: Highbridge - I think I recall going out there and shuttling with the subway and an elevator... is that the spot?
  • 10 0
 @shredddr: first dirt shots are in highbridge, and yes, you can take the 1 train and an elevator up to a few blocks away. we also have a bunch of dirt jumps and a "freeride" line that he doesn't hit. i'm in the city once a month for work and spend as much time riding and digging there as i can. it's an amazing labor of love, community and ingenuity that makes a lot out of a little. i'm psyched to see it get some coverage! giant set of steps are at 116th street in morningside park, i think.
  • 10 0
 @shredddr: only in NYC could you self-shuttle with an elevator and subway.
  • 3 0
 @KankleGnar: they still got the DJs at cunny?
  • 3 0
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: More than ever.
  • 2 0
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: yea , work has been getting put in and looks better than ever
  • 2 0
 Check out NYC trail forks region. There is a surprising amount of riding and most of it is accessible by public transportation.
  • 4 1
 Mitchey "Rope-A-Dope" Ropelato!!!!! and a good looking Cannondale? never thought i'd type THOSE words!
  • 6 2
 Come on, there have been so many good looking Cannondales.
  • 1 0
 If one was to end up with a down day in NYC and wanted to go for a ride, where would be the best place to rent a decent mtb and where would be the best bang for the buck to take it?
  • 4 0
 Matt@nycmtb.org

Hit me up and we will hook you up. Rentals are tough but we have a bunch of loaners.
  • 2 0
 @rajcoont @mlebow68: Peak Bike in Douglaston Queens has some Giant Trance X3's for rent. You can even take the LIRR there and then ride to Cunningham from the shop.
  • 2 0
 My vote for riding: Cunningham as well. No idea of rental situation in the city anymore. Definitely not like it is in LA, PDX, etc...
  • 2 1
 skip riding in the city… TONS of great technical XC style trails with lots of natural rock features etc. 45 min north of the city. More rental shop options up there too.
  • 2 0
 Killer video! Love it, want to visit my buddy in NYC now and get some shots like these, what a backdrop.
  • 3 1
 Gotta say I'm digging Cannondale's bike design and pricing.
  • 2 1
 Cannondale can we have that followed up by Josh Bryceland rips the mean streets of Stockport?
  • 1 1
 Piccadilly Gardens more like.
  • 1 0
 @chakaping: too many needles to get stuck in tyres round there
  • 4 6
 As a curmudgeon NYC native, all I can do is cringe at this piece. Not Mitch, he's great. But whoever produced it. Basically what a Euro tourist who clogs up Times Square or the Highline sees NYC as being. And no, you can't ride features in the park anymore without getting a ticket. They probably pulled this off on some early weekday morning. Those days were amazing, and long...long gone.
  • 2 0
 DHR--urban arrest-evasion tire of choice. Forever 12. You're right tho--our icons are blander and shinier than ever. Those days are elsewhere
  • 1 0
 there's fun slab up near highbridge, right before you get to 95 headed uptown on amsterdam. it's a little sketchy, in both meanings, but nobody will be kicking you out.
  • 3 0
 I hit up Central Park every now and then, agreed you gotta go on a weekday
  • 1 0
 Reminds me of my Klein Mantra days in the mid 90's, although we didn't ride like this.
  • 2 0
 Cannondale definitely back on my "cool brands" list
  • 2 0
 yesssssssss
  • 3 3
 damn, I'd hate to live in NYC if these were the best spots for riding in that area...
  • 11 2
 People don't live in NYC for the mountain biking. People live in the city for Money!
  • 3 1
 A lot of NYC folks travel out to Long Island or New Jersey to find more traditional trail networks. Most of those spots are at least an hour travel, but as @Endurahbrah said, you don't live in NYC to mountain bike.
  • 2 1
 @Endurahbrah: yeah, I'd pass and head over to PNW instead Wink
  • 4 0
 If you can't drive out of town, you make do with what you are given. If you can, even the dope shit in VT is only a 4-5 hour drive. And plenty of reasonable shit much, much closer. Live in LA? How long does it take to drive basically anywhere? Yea...thought so.
  • 8 0
 I live just north of the city and there’s some amazing riding that competes with just about anywhere. Sprain, Graham Hills, Blue Mountain, and Beacon, which has some of the best enduro trails I’ve ever ridden.
  • 3 0
 If you are willing to drive, NYC has a lot of good spots near by. I live in Philly (2-3hrs south) and I share a lot f awesome bike parks and trail systems with New Yorkers.
  • 4 0
 @crustin: Sprain is great, the one place that really surprised me was Mianus River Park, in the middle of Stamford CT of all places. If you're lucky enough, you might even see Richie Rude there, no joke.
  • 1 0
 @jaytdubs: Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone!
Also, check out Trumbull though. Wink
  • 1 0
 @crustin: exaclty! Graham is one of my favorite spots.
  • 1 0
 @Chuckolicious: I’m a graham local and In the past few months have been traveling to la to ride. I’m blown away how good the riding is just 30 mins north. Simi valley north of la is a shorter drive than mine to graham, and has almost triple the elevation for one dh trail. It’s so sick.

But yes, we have it good in nyc, people just don’t know.
  • 1 0
 @venom2034: Simi is my regular when I am out there. Grudge can f*ck you up if you’re not careful!
  • 1 0
 Now get him to come to Philly!
  • 1 0
 Absolutely rad, great to see some big city riding.
  • 2 0
 Cool song too.
  • 1 0
 This frame looks like a six year old YT frame.
  • 1 0
 Awesome riding! Edit was sweet, well done cannondale!
  • 1 2
 That was cool. I still wouldn’t ride in nyc but I’m not mad at that lol
  • 1 0
 It's actually really fun to ride the city once in a while. Besides the spots in this vid, there are a ton of public skateparks that allow bikes too.
  • 1 0
 @Endurahbrah: yea for sure I was partially joking haha. But I’m not a big street rider so not really my style. Still cool to see tho!
  • 1 0
 Mitchelll!
  • 1 0
 Can I put pegs on it?
  • 1 0
 Terry B local guide!
  • 1 0
 Mitch rips!
  • 1 1
 this needs more shots of him bunny hopping all the rats in NYC.
  • 1 0
 Nah, just rope one and it'll give a great tow.
  • 1 4
 Looks cold - isnt it summer there?
  • 1 1
 Given there's fallen leaves everywhere they probably shot it last autumn, it's not even summer yet over here
  • 1 1
 I've seen icicles on bicycles in April
  • 4 0
 Facepalm
  • 1 0
 not yet - we still have leaves on the ground in some of the trails here
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