Guys, look at the name of the blog: "BIKE SNOB"
He is just living up to his own billing.
Also, I have ridden a bike in New York City, and yes it is hilly in some places, and has some bike lanes, but not everywhere. He's also riding with a kid! A real, squirmy, looking around, throwing stuff kid. Riding with kids adds a big chunk of nerve-racking to any ride, especially in New York, where bike messengers and delivery guys have made bike riders a hated class. "grueling" may be a bit melodramatic, but don't judge until you've had a four year old try to grab the mirror of big truck as you struggle along.