Got lost while "trying" to commute to school from brooklyn
 

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 :crash:
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/4517/50029482.jpg

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....

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/6454/96937277.png

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/64/97578631.png

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!)

A long time ago, in a past life, I used to work as a lab tech at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (68th Street and 1st Avenue) passing cells and running gels as they say in the molecular biology business, LOL.

I commuted in from Brooklyn Heights and it was not hard (to me anyway). I cross the Brooklyn Bridge, ride uptown along Centre Street then Lafayette Street until it hits Astor Place, then hop east one block to 3rd Avenue, which I take all the way up to 68th Street.

This is down-and-dirty street-riding though in Manhattan motor traffic, and requires the utmost caution. Did that for 4 years and I survived.

I also tried the East River bike path just once, and frankly it's an unnecessary detour that adds a couple miles to the commute (because it makes a huge superfluous loop to the east) so I never bothered with that.

What about using Bedford Avenue to get to the Williamsburg Bridge? Once in Manhattan try using the avenues rather than doubling back to the east side.

Disclaimer: My knowledge of NYC is from a driver's perspective and not as a cyclist.

You'll be amazed at how quickly it gets easier. Just keep exploring and by the time school starts it will seem like second nature. Next time you might want to try the Manhattan Bridge. It's smoother than the Brooklyn Bridge and because there aren't so many pedestrians it feels much easier.

Back in the day I used to commute from the Village to Hunter College on a Raleigh 3 speed. I'd take Lafayette Street, Park Avenue South and Madison Ave on the way up, and either Fifth Avenue or Lexington to get back downtown.

The City is putting in new bike lanes on 1st and 2nd avenues. Once they're done they might make your commute through Manhattan a little easier.

It may just be familiarity, but yeah - I'd run through Prospect Park and then take Dean over to downtown Brooklyn. The Manhattan bridge is far better than the Brooklyn and it's easy to double back to the river once you're in Manhattan.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...&z=14&lci=bike

Thank you everyones!
 

Yea, it seems detouring to East River Bikepath isn't the best idea, I just followed it because I have no idea at all how to get there besides subway. How is the road condition?

Yea, there were members suggested the Williamsburg Bride, it seems it's a popular choice bridge over the other two. Thank you!

Really? I hope so too! Right now my plan is to commute to school via bicycle, and go back home via subway system. (because 15 miles seems a bit far to commute, and there were quite a bit of steep angled road all over my route, if it was just flat road, I don't mind) But I only did it 2 times now, I will try again this weekend (friday, saturday, and sunday) when I am free from school works! Right now I can't spend the time yet, so here I am online asking for advices :)

Yea, I think I might try not to go on the Prospect Ave Expressway.... that part has a big hill to climb. The things I am bringing along with me is too heavy to climb that hill maybe. I will try again this weekend.

Glad to have a new commuter on board, it's great exercise and you get to ride around the city. I would follow Ocean Parkway up then go through Prospect Park to Dean then onto the Manhattan Bridge which isn't loaded with pedestrians as WhyFi suggested. Once in the city any of the northbound avenues will be fine to take to your destination. Good luck!

don't use Bedford ave as the williamsburg bridge bike lane is not as good as the one on manhattan bridge. the one on williamsburg bridge is hard to navigate during rush hours, and the manhattan bridge one might be slightly better. technically, the pedestrian and cycling traffic are segregated on the manhattan bridge, but given this is nyc, it seems like most people are either illiterate or pretend to be illiterate...

Pickup a cycling map from any bike store,
it has a lot of info and it's free:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/download...10_bikemap.pdf

For some of you who have one for years, there's a 2010 update.

how many miles? I was surprised to see you go up the west side and then cross back through the park

The Manhattan Bridge and the Willy B are only a few blocks apart on the Manhattan side, but several miles apart in Brooklyn. So riding up Bedford all the way to Williamsburg will only add some junk miles to your trip. Stick with the Manhattan Bridge. It really feels like the easiest of the East River crossings.

just watch out for speeding cop cars when using the manhattan bridge & you should be fine...

also, use 1st ave for your trip up and 2nd ave for the trip down. the traffic is much better

FYI the amount of traffic you encounter may be completely different once school starts. More buses etc.....depending on your route it may make a difference. Try your test rides during the actual days and times you will be doing it once school starts.
I could barely fit myself on the 6 sometimes thus I shiver at the thought of trying it with my bike LOL
it may take a while to find the best options but it won't be that bad.

Unless the city puts a bike lane on Flatbush Ave the OP will have to deal with junk miles somewhere. It could either be by getting to Bedford Ave or by dealing with disoriented streets between Prospect Park and the Manhattan Bridge.

Best Way to Manhattan Bridge
 

May I suggest a different and I believe safer and easier way to the Manhattan Bridge for you which is on bike lanes. I agree with the other posters that you should take Ocean Parkway up and into Prospect Park. Once in the park head north and exit the park at Grand Army Plaza right after the "hill". At Grand Army Plaza follow the bike path across Flatbush and on to Plaza Street and then make a left from Plaza on to Vanderbilt. Stay on Vanderbilt up to DeKalb Avenue, where you make a left. Take Dekalb to Ashland Place which becomes Navy Street. Stay on Navy Street until Sands Street where you make a left on to a very nice separated bike path, which leads you to the Manhattan Bridge bike path.

Good luck and trust me the riding will become easier very quickly.

I have to give you NYC commuters a HUGE round of applause. Really, there can't be anything easy about it!

George, sorry for not responding sooner. I think billm45s's idea is something you can try. But I think he made one mistake: "make a left from Plaza on to Vanderbilt". I think he meant "make a right" unless I misinterpreted his route. See the links below.

I was going to suggest taking Bedford all the way to Williamsburg Bg, then retun via Wythe Ave and Franklin. It's less than 1 mile longer but very straightworward

Look at the map, don't judge distances by eye ;) From Ocean Parkway/Church Ave to Delancey/Broadway it is:

6.8 miles via Manhattan Bridge
7.5 miles via Williamsburg Bridge

Not hell of a difference, but the last few blocks before Manhattan Bridge on the Manhattan side can be crazy and the route via Bedford to Williamsburg Bg is very, very simple, hard to get lost.

Here is the WillyB route:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/126271

On the way back you won't be able to take Bedford, since it's one-way, so take Wythe instead:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/126293

Here is the Manhattan Bg route:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/126272

George, you should try all suggested routes and pick the one that you prefer most.

I ride both and Williamsburg Bg is often more crowded, that's true but not as bad, I wouldn't say "hard to navigate" and the pathways have been recently re-done and are wider than Manhattan Bg. The Northern segment is now a bike-only path, although there are still zombies walking there, and the common segment on the Manhattan side has now peds and bikes separated the way Brooklyn bridge does, although 2x as wide. It's really not bad at all.

Also, if you want to stay off the streets in Manhattan as much as possible it's very easy to get on the East River Greenway from the Williamsburg Bridge:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/126285

Switch to the satellite view to get the idea, there is an overpass over FDR right by the bridge.

To get back on the Bridge from the greenway do this:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/126289

Same overpass just take the road on the other side of the bridge. Please do not ride against the traffic!

Don't need to be, I really appreciate your help, and other members too. I just got back from school (subway) so it's all good. I see the general idea is mostly to stay away from Brooklyn Bridge and use the other two bridge if possible. The map you provided are very clear and contain the information I am mostly interested in, the elevation change (because I would like to try avoid if possible) Because of my load of school stuffs, books, laptop, notebook, lunch and dinner (I should try to carry less things).

I will try the suggested route on either friday, and I will update you guys with my feed back on Saturday! Thank you very much.

How steep is that hill..... :rolleyes: Should I just walk instead?

I know, so I think I will bike to 59th street and take one of these N/R/Q Train, of course, if I am up to it.... I would like to bike home as well, I don't mind take a little bit longer. And I think it's easier to go home, since it is down hill ride for the most part!

I almost crash on the bridge the other day, these people just back up to take the pictures, it is quite dangerous. I think maybe the new routes suggested by you guys will help greatly.

Thank you very much, everybody. I will update on Saturday night on the feed back of my trip, and hopefully practice until Fall start I could do this daily.

You'll be fine, it's a good commute.

Oh yeah, Brooklyn Bridge is NUTS! Avoid! The other two bridges are like night and day difference, just commuters, I haven't seen any tourists.

Do you carry your stuff in a backpack or panniers? Panniers, I hope as i can't imagine hauling that much stuff on my back.

Adam

east river bike way sucks not to mention it ends around 34th street because of the UN so you still need to ride the streets to get to 68th street. (it resumes again at 60th street, no point in getting on it there. I would spend the next couple of months just gettting comfortable with riding in city traffic. It's honestly not nearly as hard as some people make it out to be. you learn the tricks and kind of figure out when to anticipate someone is going to make a turn in front of you even though they dont' signal. the only advantage to the east river bike path is that while it may add distance, it potentially could be faster if you don't have to stop at all due to traffic

Yes, it does suck, agreed: narrow, poor pavement, lots of zombies, I never ride it but it is there if someone wants to stay away from the traffic. Although there has been some construction going on there for a while but I haven't checked it out. They were supposed to "attach" roadway to the shore around UN and run a bike lane along that to connect the southern and norther parts of the East River greenway.

He can increase his exposure to city traffic gradually. But I agree that eventually riding on the street is the way to go. 1st and 2nd Aves are getting buffered bike lanes so maybe things will better.

Best Way To Manhattan Bridge - WHOOPS
 

Whoops. Please make a right from Plaza Street on to Vanderbilt. I am sorry, I was writing way too quickly at work. Thanks for catching that mistake.

Also, don't worry about "the hill" in Prospect Park. As a new rider, it will be hard the first few times, but as you adjust and know how to use your gears it will get pretty easy. As hills go, it isn't much of a hill. One piece of advice, as a new rider, make sure you use an easier gear on the hill or the bridge. Avoid getting too much of lactic acid burn in your legs. If you get too much of a burn it can wipe you out. On the other hand even if you increase your cardio and are huffing and puffing it will not make a big difference because once you level out, you recover very quickly.

Finally, you have a great idea in trying the route and then variations on the route on weekends. This way you can experiment, get use to the geography and have some fun all at the same time.

Today I went out and took a test ride with the suggested route, I first tested the WillyB route... the traffic at Church Ave is horrible (cry). I noticed quite a bit of holes in the road, but it wasn't too bad. The rest was pretty good, the bridge is very easy to ride on. I like the route ecause the bedford ave is easy to follow, but the Church ave is a little bit hard to take care, maybe I picked a bed time to try it (3pm)... and after I finish the bridge, it was a lot of cars to get though and get on the ave.

It is quite difficult, the car driver at the church ave was not very friendly, they were "Booing" me quite a few times, and the traffic is complete stop for a good 3, 4 mins, I ended up getting off my bike and walk with it on the side walk (there were ton of people... and I don't want to ride on it if I don't need to....) and there were cars double park to make matter worst. After I able to get on the Bedford ave, it was quite good. I wonder how the prospect park route would feel like, I hope I can try to hit it early tomorrow at the morning, (I guess the traffic should be better at 8/9am compare to the afternoon friday...) Thank you very much everyone. Here is my update!

I am saving up for accessories, but I won't be able to have one until next month :( also it comes to the problem, how do you guys do it when you arrive to school/ work completely wet? All I can think of is bring an extra shirt + jeans + 1 towel to clean myself a little in the bathroom, but I still kinda smells... I am thinking about maybe only way is to take subway with my bike to school, and ride it back. How do you guys do it? I look a little bit like a fool trying to clean up after i got to school, and it's hard to wash my hair in the sink... :P

Yea, I think I will try the manhattan bridge too, lastly will be the queensboro bridge, because the traffic in NYC can get quite bad.... will it be better if it's early in the morning, say, 8am? compare to 11am/1pm. And there were quite a bit of broken glasses on the road, maybe some people throw their beer bottle or something, i was quite afraid when my bike run above them.

If you take the Queensborough Bridge, it will add many more miles to your commute. The most direct way remains getting into Manhattan via one of the lower East River bridges and then going up one of the avenues on the east side.

As I've gotten faster and more confident on my bike, I've learned that riding in the car lanes in much better, in this respect - fat car tires clean the road of small debris that could easily puncture our tires (and the road surface tends to be a little smoother, too, it seems).