Hello everyone, my name is George.I am new to this forum, and cycling as well.
I recently bought myself a beginner road bike, after reading many of the useful posts from this forum. My goal is to train myself commute to school from Brooklyn. The distance is slightly on the far side, and I am not in shape by any mean. So I think I would need some advice on the routing. I posted a thread on commuting board, but I think it is better to post this here.
I lost my way when I tried last Sunday
I tried to do a test run last Sunday, and planning to practice for the next two months before school actually start. It was my 2nd attempt to commute to school. I go to Hunter College. But as it turns out, figuring out (or following the direction) is a major issue here. I was supposed to get to New York City by the Manhattan Bridge, but I lost my way and got on the Brooklyn Bridge... it was a bumpy ride, with many people walking on the bicycle lane. After I got off the Bridge, I followed the direction and went to the East River Bikeway, but the road wasn't very smooth, it was quite painful to ride on. I got lost a few times, I ended giving up and return home via subway at 37th street. (Because my body was completely exhausted). I was also went on the wrong direction on the Court Street as the Smith Street was blocked. (I ride the opposite direction for a good while...)
Can I please get some suggestion on my routing?
Q1: I found the Prospect Express Way's hill quite hard to climb, will it be easier to ride through the Prospect Park Instead? I know it might be just because I just started, but I would prefer to ride on flat road more....
Q2: RidetheCity suggested me ride along the Brooklyn/ Queen side and get on the Queens boro Bridge instead, will it be better since the condition of the East River Bikeway is so bad? Or riding along the West River Bikeway is better? Since I can also went through the Central Park.
Q3: What is the road in Prospect Park like? Is it mostly flat? Or it is fairly angled? I would like to go and try myself, but work and busy I kinda want to get some idea before this weekend when I have time to try again!
My starting address: 1633 East 8th Street Brooklyn, NY 11223
Ending Address: 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065-5085 (Hunter College-The City University)
Thank you very much. (Thanks for the other who helped me a bit on the other thread before as well, I didn't know you guys can still read it!)