NYC: 33rd and Lex to City Hall Park?
 

In a few hours I need to ride from 33rd and Lexington down to City Hall Park to meet some friends. This would be my first ride in Manhattan that was more than just 59th St. to 33rd (though all your recommendations have been gold so far!)

By looking at Google Maps (here) I'm thinking of riding down 2nd Ave to E Houston St. then down Broadway. Is this a good route? Am I looking at One Way streets here or something? I don't even have a map on me!! Ack!

that's probably the quickest and most direct route. i was going to suggest Lafayette street, but i think it's a one-way heading north and probably not useable for that reason (on your way back it might be a good idea). broadway is busy, but if you can handle 2nd ave - it's not much worse than that. personally i would meander down allen street (further east) and zip zag over to city hall park, but if you don't know the area it might get confusing and you risk getting lost. anyway, i'm not saying much here at all...i think your route is the best.

Forget Google Maps, useNYC bike map.

thanks a bunch. Yea, 2nd ave is dicey at 8:15! Hah... but I enjoy it, especially "the hill"

Hey gang - thats for the advice and the bike map link. I ended up taking 2nd Ave to 9th St., then to Broadway - worked great! What a thrilling ride - I can't believe how exciting it is doing city street riding. Love it.

Awesome! was hoping you'd post back to let us know how it went. Did you get caught in yesterday's rain?

Re: the bike map -- you can get a paper copy in a bike shop (FREE -- e.g. at Toga on the West Side they have them on your right as you come in the door). You might even be able to request one from the City, though I'm not sure.

I missed the rain by about five minutes! I'm certainly glad I DIDN'T get caught in it - I woulda be dead.

And yea - I have the bike maps - AT HOME. Duh. I should really remember to include those in my morning checklists before heading off to work :)