2. Sometimes when it's very windy I would cut either on 72nd or 96th st.
from the Hudson Greenway to Central Park.

3. There's a bridge connecting Queens to Roosevelt Island. It's not asphalt
but metal grating, not fun but doable.

There's a bridge that connects Manhattan to Randall's Island. At the 4:45
mark on my video; you can see riders on that bridge and riding on the bike
paths:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20LB...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

You may want to go on some group rides to familiarize yourself with the city.
Five Boro Bike Club and Social Cycling NYC are good groups to go along with:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3uE...IoDLA&index=42