Training in NYC?
08-31-14, 04:09 AM
#26
Senior Member
08-31-14, 06:09 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 1,771
Bikes: AristoNYC's PedalRoom
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 130 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
Hello,
I was wondering where/how people who live in NYC train on bikes? I find it hard/next to impossible to find a long stretch of even relatively empty road to do the intervals. There is plenty of space for easy rides, but I'm yet to find space where I can do 3+ minute 'all out' intervals in relative safety for myself and people around me. I'm in Brooklyn, within 10-15min easy bike ride from Verrazano bridge bikeway and this is probably the best place I found so far; but it is still way too busy (plus bike path itself in places has these huge holes that if you hit and ended up only with a puncture, it was your lucky day) for me to even start thinking of pushing hard - I always have to be lookout for other people or the road ahead of me. Are indoor trainers is the only way to go?
Thanks!
I was wondering where/how people who live in NYC train on bikes? I find it hard/next to impossible to find a long stretch of even relatively empty road to do the intervals. There is plenty of space for easy rides, but I'm yet to find space where I can do 3+ minute 'all out' intervals in relative safety for myself and people around me. I'm in Brooklyn, within 10-15min easy bike ride from Verrazano bridge bikeway and this is probably the best place I found so far; but it is still way too busy (plus bike path itself in places has these huge holes that if you hit and ended up only with a puncture, it was your lucky day) for me to even start thinking of pushing hard - I always have to be lookout for other people or the road ahead of me. Are indoor trainers is the only way to go?
Thanks!
The OP asked about NYC not NYC area. So you're wrong on that. I am not saying it isn't a viable path, but it is NOT NYC. You can jump through whatever hoops you like and parse your point by saying is is "part of NYC cycling" but the OP asked about NYC not "NYCish" or the NYC area. I am sure there are also plenty of other areas in Nuyack, Rockland, and North Jersey that you can also illegitimately call "NYC Cycling" but I answered what the OP asked, and your contradiction is patently wrong.
As for CP and PP, I was on each a several times this summer nice and early, and your statement may have been true a while back. But every time I cycle there at 6:00AM or thereabouts, I never fail to pass joggers and cyclists with ear buds in their ears oblivious to their surroundings. I had one guy at EXACTLY 6:15 AM change his line abruptly in front of me while I was doing about 17 MPH and I almost slammed right into him. So if you feel safe at 20+ MPH, that's your business. Maybe you will go your entire life and nothing will happen, but even at that time, I have had way too many close calls with ear-bud-a$$-holes to be as footloose and fancy-free with the speed in those areas.
Hopefully this will never bite you in the a$$, and I really mean that. But I won't take the chance given what I have seen and experienced in those parks even during the wee hours of the AM.
Never did the Jamaica Bay loop. Where is it? Would love to try it.
Is The Bronx even 40 miles north-south? It may be, and if it is, where is the path you speak of. Would love to check it our.
Bear Mountain is NOT part of NYC. And either is Jersey. Call it the New York Area, and you are right, but NYC has 5 boroughs and ONLY 5 boroughs. So you're wrong. Not about these being great places to cycle, but about them being NYC, and no amount of equivocation on your part will change that.
As for CP and PP, I was on each a several times this summer nice and early, and your statement may have been true a while back. But every time I cycle there at 6:00AM or thereabouts, I never fail to pass joggers and cyclists with ear buds in their ears oblivious to their surroundings. I had one guy at EXACTLY 6:15 AM change his line abruptly in front of me while I was doing about 17 MPH and I almost slammed right into him. So if you feel safe at 20+ MPH, that's your business. Maybe you will go your entire life and nothing will happen, but even at that time, I have had way too many close calls with ear-bud-a$$-holes to be as footloose and fancy-free with the speed in those areas.
Hopefully this will never bite you in the a$$, and I really mean that. But I won't take the chance given what I have seen and experienced in those parks even during the wee hours of the AM.
Never did the Jamaica Bay loop. Where is it? Would love to try it.
Is The Bronx even 40 miles north-south? It may be, and if it is, where is the path you speak of. Would love to check it our.
Bear Mountain is NOT part of NYC. And either is Jersey. Call it the New York Area, and you are right, but NYC has 5 boroughs and ONLY 5 boroughs. So you're wrong. Not about these being great places to cycle, but about them being NYC, and no amount of equivocation on your part will change that.
Also in regards to your comment about joggers and such in Central Park, if you're attentive and assume (which I always do) that people will change paths like idiots (which most of them are) you can ride safely. I can ride relatively fast even on weekend afternoons.
Cheers,
Aristo
08-31-14, 07:50 AM
#28
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 33,025
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 325 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11981 Post(s)
Liked 6,691 Times
in
3,501 Posts
Seems clear, the question was where do you train when you LIVE IN NYC, not necessarily where you train in NYC.
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
08-31-14, 09:58 AM
#29
Senior Member
I'm sorry but I don't agree with you at all. The OP asked WHERE OR HOW people who live in NYC train, he didn't say WHERE IN NYC do you train. I live in Manhattan and travel anywhere to get a good ride if I have to, especially when its close to the city. Sometimes as @UnfilteredDregs said, it takes going over the bridge into NJ/NY area of Rockland.
Also in regards to your comment about joggers and such in Central Park, if you're attentive and assume (which I always do) that people will change paths like idiots (which most of them are) you can ride safely. I can ride relatively fast even on weekend afternoons.
Cheers,
Aristo
Cheers,
Aristo
09-01-14, 02:20 AM
#31
Senior Member
You're just jealous because my posted pic actually had some humor and thought to it and yours was just reprocessed, regurgitated forum-banner pablum. 
09-01-14, 04:27 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 456
Bikes: Trek 4900, Cannondale Cx-4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-01-14, 09:00 AM
#33
Senior Member
Things like this:
(Seriously, is there anyone left on the internet who still finds these funny?)
09-01-14, 12:11 PM
#35
Senior Member
lol, Okay, seriously, truce, okay? 
I am enjoying arguing with you a lot, but regardless of what you and I may disagree about, I get the feeling I could learn a lot from you, given your knowledge of cycling in the area, your obviously good fitness level, and your savvy about bikes and equipment. In short, while forum fights are fun, I really am done arguing with you and I would rather benefit from your experience in areas I could improve, and agree to disagree in areas where we have different opinions.
I am enjoying arguing with you a lot, but regardless of what you and I may disagree about, I get the feeling I could learn a lot from you, given your knowledge of cycling in the area, your obviously good fitness level, and your savvy about bikes and equipment. In short, while forum fights are fun, I really am done arguing with you and I would rather benefit from your experience in areas I could improve, and agree to disagree in areas where we have different opinions.
09-01-14, 01:17 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC, duh Bronx.
Posts: 3,578
Bikes: Salsa Ti Warbird- 2014/ November RAIL52s
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
lol, Okay, seriously, truce, okay?
I am enjoying arguing with you a lot, but regardless of what you and I may disagree about, I get the feeling I could learn a lot from you, given your knowledge of cycling in the area, your obviously good fitness level, and your savvy about bikes and equipment. In short, while forum fights are fun, I really am done arguing with you and I would rather benefit from your experience in areas I could improve, and agree to disagree in areas where we have different opinions.
I am enjoying arguing with you a lot, but regardless of what you and I may disagree about, I get the feeling I could learn a lot from you, given your knowledge of cycling in the area, your obviously good fitness level, and your savvy about bikes and equipment. In short, while forum fights are fun, I really am done arguing with you and I would rather benefit from your experience in areas I could improve, and agree to disagree in areas where we have different opinions.
09-01-14, 06:06 PM
#37
Senior Member
Here is a thought for you: We are electrons on one another's screen who will likely never meet or even speak outside this forum. Why would either one of us have an exaggerated emotional response to a forum disagreement? Neither of us is that important to the other. lol
09-01-14, 08:33 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC, duh Bronx.
Posts: 3,578
Bikes: Salsa Ti Warbird- 2014/ November RAIL52s
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Uh, yeah, positions...sure. I'll just stick to the facts, that the majority of experienced NYC riders are aware of.
09-01-14, 09:07 PM
#39
Senior Member
09-02-14, 12:49 PM
#42
Senior Member
I think its time for you to post another hackneyed banner. Come on, you can do it! Just Google "You mad Bro?" "Facepalm" "D*uchebag," or just go back ten years and find yourself one that says PWNED.
Last edited by ChiroVette; 09-02-14 at 12:54 PM.
09-02-14, 01:37 PM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC, duh Bronx.
Posts: 3,578
Bikes: Salsa Ti Warbird- 2014/ November RAIL52s
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I misjudged you. You really are just an irate, combative troll intolerant of opinions differing from yours. lol I do find your attempts at goading entertaining, though.
I think its time for you to post another hackneyed banner. Come on, you can do it! Just Google "You mad Bro?" "Facepalm" "D*uchebag," or just go back ten years and find yourself one that says PWNED.
I think its time for you to post another hackneyed banner. Come on, you can do it! Just Google "You mad Bro?" "Facepalm" "D*uchebag," or just go back ten years and find yourself one that says PWNED.
09-02-14, 01:53 PM
#44
Senior Member
Come on, you can do it. Another trolling banner, more derogatory comments in lieu of civil discussion. Why mess with a good trend now? Your forum personality may be predictable, combative, and trolling, but no need to stop going with what works so well for ya.
09-03-14, 06:43 AM
#45
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm up at 3am every Thursday in downtown manhattan, out the door at 3am, keep my heart rate close to 85% for most of the ride to Coney and back about 26 miles. Manhattan Bridge through Dumbo, Red Hook, under the BQE to Bay Ridge Road, to 96th over to Coney, then Ocean Parkway back, Prospect Park, Flushing Traffic Sewer back to Manhattan Bridge. Sure, it's dark, but very light traffic, well lit, and large stretches where I can open up and either hit all the green lights or blow the red lights with a little close attention.
09-03-14, 08:51 AM
#46
Senior Member
I'm up at 3am every Thursday in downtown manhattan, out the door at 3am, keep my heart rate close to 85% for most of the ride to Coney and back about 26 miles. Manhattan Bridge through Dumbo, Red Hook, under the BQE to Bay Ridge Road, to 96th over to Coney, then Ocean Parkway back, Prospect Park, Flushing Traffic Sewer back to Manhattan Bridge. Sure, it's dark, but very light traffic, well lit, and large stretches where I can open up and either hit all the green lights or blow the red lights with a little close attention.
09-03-14, 01:14 PM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 842
Bikes: Trek 1.2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Central and Prospect parks. I moved last week to hoboken and there is nowhere to ride, but I used to live on central park west and used to get up at 5:45am and do 6am group rides. Can easily do 14 minute laps (26mph or so avg) in pacelines and it's safe. I think there are some pros that train in prospect at 6am because they live there but it gets monotonous. I like river road / ross dock picnic area over the GWB and hills in nyack are steep if you want to go for a long ride. You can also just take the A train to 178th street so you're not riding 20+ miles through BK and MNH, then you can get off the subway and have a good ride with varied terrain in NJ/NY.
09-03-14, 07:29 PM
#48
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sounds like a great run. I may try this. The only concern I would have with night riding in NYC is getting knocked off your bike and robbed with some of the neighborhoods we like to ride through. I ride through those areas a lot, but I am not 100% sure about doing it in the middle of the night. Have you had any kinds of problems?
Dude, your never going to find a ride/route/time that is without some tradeoff.
09-04-14, 03:06 AM
#50
Senior Member
Spammy, you are right. lol Its all a tradeoff. I am going out now instead of 3:00 AM though. I may try a 3:00 AM ride at some point. By the way, my worry is not for the guy trying to obviously flag me down, but the group of teens/thugs seeing me coming from a few blocks off, hiding, then jumping out last second (unseen by me as I approach) and knocking me off my bike. About a year ago, I remember reading about a rash of crimes like this against cyclists at night. Probably a very remote fear, but still one nonetheless.
If he went as far west as 96th street, I would assume he took the Belt Parkway Bike Path (Though when I do this route, or similar to it I like to go through Owl's Head Park at Colonial and Wakeman, then grab the Belt Parkway Path where it begins there.) to Ceasar's Bay, then followed Shore Parkway (which you can only completely do on the southbound or rather eastbount side) past the Home Depot, then Bay (I think 58th street?) one block to Cropsey, then Cropsey into Coney.
I am heading out now to do the reverse of a similar path as I live near Kings Plaza. I may or may not go into Manhattan, but might instead circle around Brooklyn via Kent ave Section of the Greenway, to McGuiness to Metroplitan, then wind around through Cypress, through the park, then wind around to Fountain Ave, to Erskine, Belt Parkway Path, then through Canarsie.
I am heading out now to do the reverse of a similar path as I live near Kings Plaza. I may or may not go into Manhattan, but might instead circle around Brooklyn via Kent ave Section of the Greenway, to McGuiness to Metroplitan, then wind around through Cypress, through the park, then wind around to Fountain Ave, to Erskine, Belt Parkway Path, then through Canarsie.
Last edited by ChiroVette; 09-04-14 at 03:17 AM.