From the 70th to Battery Park City the river is mostly blocked from the view by trees or buildings. One can only see the river from afar (and by turning one's head). In the past when there were Manhattan Island Swims I couldn't see the swimmers at all from the bike path. There are pedestrian's esplanades next to the river, in much better position. It feels very monotonic riding there with a very narrow view. Seems I'm the only one feeling so. Above the 70s the path is adjacent to the river.