Weekend riding in Prospect Park?
 

Hi NYers!

I generally spend my weekends out on 9W, but a good friend of mine just got a road bike, told me he is a little nervous about riding, especially on the streets near his apt (he's in Brooklyn) and asked me if I would go out with him next weekend. I'm inclined to stay away from Central Park and the West Side bike path, since IMHO both of those are a disorganized sh*tshow on the weekends, and I want him to have a chance to get comfortable on the bike without a tourist on a rental bike veering in front of him. I haven't been out to Prospect Park yet, but hear it is nice there -- how is it on the weekends? Crowded?

THat's probably as crowded. Anywhere nice is going to be crowded. How about the path along the bay between Bay Parkway and Owl's Head Park? Google maps satellite view is great for scoping out paths. Queens has a decent path system between Flushing Meadows Park and Alley Pond Park, some of it takes you on side-streets, make sure you bring a spare tube and tools for the broken glass. Further east in Nassau County is Eisenhower Park which has some nice paths, mostly shaded. On the south shore is Merrick Park off of Merrick Rd, a few miles east of that is the Wantagh Parkway path which goes all the way to Jones Beach

Just an opinion.
The path on the Belt Pkwy. between Bay Parkway and Owl's Head is a zoo on the weekends.
Fishermen, roller bladers and lots of little kids darting back and forth.
Like big bleu posted, anyplace nice is crowded in the summer.

Thanks guys! I might just try to take him out on 9W!

Don't hesitate to use Prospect Park. There is plenty of room for everyone there. Some sections may have people crossing the road, but it is never like Central Park. Just be careful on the downhill as there is a crossing point at the bottom. Pedestrians are usually aware though.

It is 3 lanes wide, with one lane devoted to runners and cyclists for when the park is open to traffic, otherwise bike are free to use the other lanes. Mostly walkers stay off the road.

i just went for my first ride with my new bike on saturday at prospect park, then went back today. as a new rider myself, and also nervous, i was pretty tense a few times crossing crowds of pedestrians or being passed suddenly on the left by a speed demon. overall though i thought it was alright. most of the time i kept to the bike lane (when pedestrians weren't in it) and the fast guys were on the road. i had a good time. much nicer today, except when the car traffic entered and every biker was suddenly forced to share a tight lane with the runners and strollers...after 6:15 the cars were nearly gone and it was very nice.

I did a couple laps there early Sat morning. The Category 5 or Category 4 races were going on, really puts into perspective how out of shape you are, once they lap you once or twice lol.

Luckily, they had a lead car with a whistle warning people to get out of the way. I rode there one cold morning over the winter and I guess they don't bother b/c the park isn't as crowded. Glad I stay near the joggers anyway...

Prospect Park is not as crowded as Central Park. You should try it, it's nice.

yeah, its really nice. I prefer weekends late morning 8-12. Thats before the BBQs really start and kids are running all over the place...not that i mind it, just breaks your flow a bit. beats riding on the streets of NYC anytime though

If your friend is in good shape, you *could* try River Road, which runs parallel to 9W. Plenty of space, very few cars, but plenty of hills, especially that last one leading back up to the police station and back out onto 9W. Then again, you can just skip the hill when you get to it and turn back around. Also, the Hudson Path north of 180 is nice and secluded. Or go past the Bronx and up Saw Mill Pkwy bike path. That one's nice!

Prospect Park is good. I've been running and biking there for about 10 years. Spring/Summer weekends do tend to get crowded so i usually go early in the morning (6:30-7 ish) and aside from the races, it's fairly quiet. As someone said, those guys put your speed in perspective. I was cruising at around 20mph on the flat parts last weekend and they blew past me like i was standing still! love being out there in the winter too on those cold, sunny days. I don't even ride in/to Central Park anymore...