Commuting - Road conditions - Henry Hudson Greenway

Hello All! Anyone out there commute on the Greenway lately?...north of 104th street. I was just wondering what the road conditions were like with all the snow we've gotten the past couple of days. I usually commute on my road bike but I just got a new MTB commuter and can't wait to take it for a ride. Any pics would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Excellent conditions for the most part, until you get to the GWB where it's still pretty @#$%ed up. Why the city won't take out a shovel and some salt for the steeper bits is beyond me. Those are the parts of the path that need it the most. I took matters into my own hands, last night and this morning dropping rock salt on part of the route. I'd need a lot more than I can carry, though, to properly do the job. A guy who passed me when I was doing my guerilla commuter thing this morning later told me, when I caught up to him in the 100s, that he took a spill on the very steep turn just north of the GWB.

Thanks for the update Oboeguy! I thought that might be the case. That hill would be tough to descend when covered with ice. Many thanks for dropping rock salt on that section...I might follow your lead and drop some on my way in. We obviously can't wait for the city to do anything about it. My commute takes me from Van Cortlandt Park to South Ferry. That climb is the least favorite part of my ride home as I'm usually beat by the time I reach it.

BTW - Here's a pic of the new ride...Diamondback Transporter
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8800/pics003dk5.jpg

Take care!

Bike looks spiffy!

FYI, I bagged on the bike commute today, but I went for a run on the Greenway before work so I can still report on conditions. My salt had an effect! Too bad I ran out of it. The footbridge over the highway was clear and part of the ramp (where I ran out is where it gets ugly again). The hill it still a little sketchy, but less so (yay for warm temps?). I have to wonder how effective salt would be on a steep slope like that? Would it simply roll down off the ice? Dunno. Any serious rain today should wipe the rest.

We should start an "Adopt a Greenway" program like the "adopt a highway" programs. A little community action to keep the Greenway usable. It's something I've thought about for years. We could call ourselves the "Greenway Guerilla".

BTW, rock salt is heavy. I found this out recently: one can only carry so much in bags on the handlebars! I'll bet your panniers could hold a good deal of it. :D

...BTW, rock salt is heavy. I found this out recently: one can only carry so much in bags on the handlebars! I'll bet your panniers could hold a good deal of it. :D

Greenway Guerilla...I like it :D
Forget the panniers...I'm thinking trailer with a spreader.

We should start an "Adopt a Greenway" program like the "adopt a highway" programs. A little community action to keep the Greenway usable. It's something I've thought about for years. We could call ourselves the "Greenway Guerilla".

"Adopt a Greenway", sign me up. That's a great idea. Granted, the only greenway I use on my commute is the 59th Street Bridge MUP, which ain't green and is often choked in exhaust, but it could use some community help once in a while, snow/ice don't always get cleaned up.

Unfortunately, between Astoria and the UES and midtown (I travel between two offices fairly often), that's the only "greenway" I use.

Glad you like the idea. I wonder if it's something that Transportation Alternatives would be interested in managing? I'm so not the person to organize it. Call me an idea man.

j2elz, the spreader trailer sounds like a great idea!! :D

Tried to commute today but didn't even get to the Greenway! To get there, I was riding West into a 50MPH headwind. Usually it's less windy on the Greenway itself, but today I had a morning meeting and could not risk being late. Headed back home and telecommuted.

Anyone brave the winds today? What were conditions like on the Greenway?

Anyone ride the Greenway on 3/2/09? What are conditions like now? Thinking about riding in tomorrow AM.