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04-21-10, 11:45 AM
JUST getting rolling this season, this route seems to be the one I mostly use, so I thought a thread was in order. My perspective is in arriving at it around 100th street, so it's north or south I ride.
The north route is far more of a "take a nice slow, scenic ride" than much good for fitness riding. There are a lot of frost heaves and can be very bumpy if you're pushing it. There's a very nice new "park" outside Fairway around 130th, it will be fabulous in a number of years as the trees fill out, they are kinda sparse a this point and don't provide a whole lot of shade yet. North of that, there is a good amount of grass for picnics and such. Just south of the GW Bridge one can find (at low tides) almost tiny beaches, although the "sand" is more gray than beige. There are some fishermen up there, they are generally pretty friendly. Right under the GW is the Little Red Lighthouse, but there is an issue with what COULD be a nice picnic area, they park heavy equipment so it tends to create mini lakes. The city parks department is very aware of this, but no solution seems to be at hand. A shame as they do have several picnic tables deployed.
Going south, it looks like actual, bona fide progress has been made on the original part from about 92th or so (that section right by the river was in really bad repair and a project was begun to restore fill bike path usefulness to it)... then again, the detour is kinda OK as it runs along the big mid-level promenade with a short uphill to get to it.
There are sections, like around the 79th st. Boat Basin that are more pedestrian ways than bike paths, but on weekdays they aren't TOO heavily traveled, while weekends can be an issue. There's a long straightaway (kinda ugly) after that, not a bad place top air it out. Next is the Intrepid and Pier 88, a wonderful place to hag out in. The rest of the way is a mixed bag, lots of commercial (Chelsea Piers, the Heliport, the tunnel vent building). South of Chelsea Piers one can see how much they HAVE revitalized the waterfront, it all quite new, very clean and a GREAT place for walking along the river. There are a number of little "pocket parks" with shade trees, tables and chairs along the way.
One thing struck me... did the southern route yesterday and found a LOT more bikes on it than what I saw last summer (again, weekday days). Added to my impression there simply are a LOT more bikes running around than even last summer.
The path is way too narrow for any group ride, but 2-3 at a time work nicely. Would certainly be amenable to meeting up with some folks from BF... I tend to not be excited about the winds... which can be an issue at times. I struggled to do 11 going south yesterday (not even close to being fit just yet) but could blast 15-16 going north.
The north route is far more of a "take a nice slow, scenic ride" than much good for fitness riding. There are a lot of frost heaves and can be very bumpy if you're pushing it. There's a very nice new "park" outside Fairway around 130th, it will be fabulous in a number of years as the trees fill out, they are kinda sparse a this point and don't provide a whole lot of shade yet. North of that, there is a good amount of grass for picnics and such. Just south of the GW Bridge one can find (at low tides) almost tiny beaches, although the "sand" is more gray than beige. There are some fishermen up there, they are generally pretty friendly. Right under the GW is the Little Red Lighthouse, but there is an issue with what COULD be a nice picnic area, they park heavy equipment so it tends to create mini lakes. The city parks department is very aware of this, but no solution seems to be at hand. A shame as they do have several picnic tables deployed.
Going south, it looks like actual, bona fide progress has been made on the original part from about 92th or so (that section right by the river was in really bad repair and a project was begun to restore fill bike path usefulness to it)... then again, the detour is kinda OK as it runs along the big mid-level promenade with a short uphill to get to it.
There are sections, like around the 79th st. Boat Basin that are more pedestrian ways than bike paths, but on weekdays they aren't TOO heavily traveled, while weekends can be an issue. There's a long straightaway (kinda ugly) after that, not a bad place top air it out. Next is the Intrepid and Pier 88, a wonderful place to hag out in. The rest of the way is a mixed bag, lots of commercial (Chelsea Piers, the Heliport, the tunnel vent building). South of Chelsea Piers one can see how much they HAVE revitalized the waterfront, it all quite new, very clean and a GREAT place for walking along the river. There are a number of little "pocket parks" with shade trees, tables and chairs along the way.
One thing struck me... did the southern route yesterday and found a LOT more bikes on it than what I saw last summer (again, weekday days). Added to my impression there simply are a LOT more bikes running around than even last summer.
The path is way too narrow for any group ride, but 2-3 at a time work nicely. Would certainly be amenable to meeting up with some folks from BF... I tend to not be excited about the winds... which can be an issue at times. I struggled to do 11 going south yesterday (not even close to being fit just yet) but could blast 15-16 going north.