Papa Tom

My wife had a cold and the clouds were threatening, so this wasn't a day for a ride to the beach. Instead, I got on the train in Syosset and got off at Penn Station.

First order of business was to cross town a few blocks to get on a northbound avenue with lighter traffic than Broadway. The Dominican Day parade made that a little tricky, but much more festive than previous rides through town. It was kind of fun riding past the throngs of flag waving spectators behind the barricades. I felt like I was in the Tour De Dominican Republic.

Anyway, at Columbus Circle, I entered Central Park and rode the big loop, which didn't feel quite like the six miles I'd heard it was, but was an enjoyable mix of hills and payoffs. This was my first time visiting the park on a bike, and I was a bit disappointed that bikes aren't allowed onto the paths that lead to all the major attractions. However, the fact that the roadway is completely closed to automobiles is a great gift to New Yorkers and I wouldn't want to be heard complaining about anything having to do with this ride.

From Central Park, I cut over to the Hudson Greenway in the upper 50's and headed downtown. Amazing how nobody at all seems to acknowledge, let alone obey, the traffic signals on that path. Every time I tried to stop at a red light to let a vehicle cross the path, I was nearly rear-ended. I also find it amusing how RoboBike guys can fly down this path barking orders at everybody ("One side or the other, granny!" "No pedestrians in this lane, dude!") and then proceed to run all the stop lights, cut little children off and nearly send them flying on their heads, etc. It's amazing the city hasn't fenced this path off yet. I hope they don't see what actually goes on at the Hudson Greenway, because I'd really hate to lose it.

At the southern end, I jumped on Warren Street and crossed over to the FDR Drive, where I rode bits and pieces of the East Side Bikeway up to 34th Street. What's the status of this bikeway? I thought I'd find a lot of new construction, but it appears all the city has done is mark a lane for bicycles and peds along the parking area under the FDR. The rest of the construction sites seem to be either exactly as they were when I last explored this bikeway about ten years ago or in even worse condition than they were then. Still, I'm not complaining, as it's been a dream all my life to be able to ride around Manhattan via the waterside.

As usual, this ride involved a good amount of travel along very busy avenues. While I'm riding, the chaotic traffic never seems to bother me; but afterward, I tend to have a delayed panic attack. That's what's happening to me as I write this. What the hell are we cyclists thinking when we try to ride in New York City?

Anyway, I have a question: Are bicycles permitted in the far right of the BUS ONLY lane, or should we be in the lane to the left of it?

dendawg

This is NYC. You can ride anywhere!

jyossarian

You can ride in the middle of the bus lane. It's probably safer that way.

Papa Tom

>>>>This is NYC. You can ride anywhere!<<<<<

I noticed A LOT of people riding on the sidewalk today. What's up with THAT????

vincentnyc

^^^ tourists on bike.

Stacy

Come back next week when your wife is over her cold. Do Summer Streets. You really only got a taste this time.

Riverside_Guy

Wow, the Greenway south on a weekend day, something I wouldn't do (unless it was a 5 mph sightseeing kind of ride). Most of the path you took is supposed to be for bikes and bladers, nowhere do they post "shared pathway" signs like they do on the northern route. For most (but not all) of the run, there's a wonderful pathway for peds right close to the River... so why do walkers crowd up the one bike pathway (one that isn't all that wide anyway). Why do negligent parents takes little kids there and let them scoot all over the pathway... again when there is a twice as wide route just a few feet to the west?

On Sat. in the Park, there was a gaggle of about 30 riders, all on rentals, all going about 5, aligning themsleves across the entire road, totally blocking anyone else.

So far this summer, I'd have to say the "inconsiderates" not riding outnuber the "inconsiderates" riding.

Next time, you might try the northern Greenway, up to the Little Red Lighthouse. Even on weekends, it isn't quite as crowded as the south route. There are far more places to spread a blanket on grass right by the river up north. There's also a lovely little park west of Fairway (~130th st.) that doesn't have much shade as it's pretty new, but it's across the street from a very good grocery store.

roadiejorge 

Summer weekends on the greenway from the 90s isn't ideal if you want to ride at more than a snail's pace, there's just too much going on. You'll always find some roadies flying along which I never get because anyone with sense would stick to the streets, and most who want to do any serious riding will head north on 9W and the other cycling routes to avoid the mess in Manhattan.

Papa Tom

FYI, I've ridden the Hudson Greenway many times before this trip. Typically, I start on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge and ride the Greenway as far as the 79th Street Boathouse Restaurant. If I'm alone, I'll sometimes continue north and go over the GWB onto the River Road, along the palisades.

I agree that it can be slow-moving, but I'm in no hurry. Once the ride is over, all there is to do is go home and sit in front of the computer!

Not the Slowest

Glad you had fun.
The Eastside greenway seems to not be a priority at the moment. There are so many bike lanes and pathways beeing installed through the city. One nice connection is the 72nd-96th extension or completion of the Westside Greenway so that we can avoid riding up into Riverside Park. Not sure when that will be done, but its constantly being worked on.

As stated the WSG is a tough ride south of 96th street especially on weekends or holidays. You have rental bikes, tourists, locals, skaters, walkers.

As far as cyclists running lights plus everyone else, that is a real problem.

Robert

Riverside_Guy

I think the original completion date was 2009, but now is... 2018. The detour has a short but nasty uphill going south, a longish, but not too steep uphill going north.

FrankieV

What we are seeing fortunately/unfortunately (pick one) are more cyclists taking to the streets.
Some of the newbies don't know any better.
Some of the inconsiderate roadies think everyone should be doing a steady 20 mph and
most tourists are riding/walking and gawking oblivious to everyone around them.
"Paiteince" should be our mantra.
19 out of 20 rides I do on the WSG are on weekdays.
The few times I've hit it on Sunday have not been pleasant rides but it's just nice to see all these people exploring the city on bikes!

roadiejorge 

Why on earth would anyone want to ride any slower than that? Man, for that just walk.

Stray8

I've ridden in Manhattan Midtown streets a couple of times. Was always non-stop near death Star Wars X-Wing fighter fest. If you try to stop for redlights, you're the exception. Following a couple of bike messenger guys was an exercise in extreme shots of collision-avoidance adrenaline. Thrilling, but not something that I'd want to do on a daily basis.

.

Papa Tom

Having been a New York City pedestrian and driver on so many hundreds (or thousands) of occasions, I still get a thrill out of bicycling in town. To me, the challenge is not much greater than driving or walking in the city, except for the fact that bicyclists are typically considered by drivers to be the lowest of the three in the food chain. But you're right, while watching bike messengers and other experienced Manhattan riders negotiate that mess can be a thrill, it's not a culture I want to deal with all the time. Give me my quiet suburban streets and my ocean-side bike paths any time.

Riverside_Guy

Here's an interesting look at riding in NYC:

https://digave.com/videos/red-web.mpg