Today the heat finally edged off enough to consider taking a long ride out to Queensvillage along the Brooklyn/Queens Greenway.
I wanted to give the chest mount another try, but this time I used a better microphone. Filming with the chest mount is more challenging than I had expected, and I found there to be a lot of bounce when I'm pedaling hard. Also, I should have tilted the camera a little further back as I found the angle I rode with today faces down too much. Considering all of this, I dd shoot some decent footage of my route.
I started out in the warm midday afternoon sun and made my way through Astoria to 34th Avenue and 108th St. Here I can travel along 108th Street Southeast to Forest Hills and the popular Austin Street area. I arrived at my cousins apartment stopping less than half an hour before turning around and retracing my route towards Corona Park.
71st Street and Austin Street, in Forest Hills.
When I left Forest Hills I decided to stop at the famous, Lemon Ice King of Corona for a small Pina Colada Italian ice.
Ice King of Corona, small Pina Colada flavor.
After enjoying this special treat on the corner, I decided to follow my sense of direction towards Kissena Park and pick-up the Greenway to head further East towards Queensvillage, and my fathers house. Riding along Corona Avenue I crossed an overpass and followed the Grand Central a short ways to another overpass at 64th Road that took me to Meadow Lake. Looping around Meadow Lake heading clockwise/Northeast, I connected to Industry Pond where I found an exhibit called "Flock House Microsphere" by an artist named Mary Mattingly. I found an article here speaking about this sustainability project. One excerpt from the article described the project as, "....adaptable ecosystems that will migrate through New York City’s five boroughs and beyond as part of an investigation of sustainability....".
Pedestrian Overpass at Corona Avenue.
Pedestrian Overpass at 64th Road, to Meadow Lake.
Meadow Lake path.
Meadow Lake path continued.
The Flock House Microsphere at Industry Pond.
I rode further North to follow the Greenway signs around the Queens Botanical Gardens and enter Kissena Park and the beginning of the safest stretch of the Greenway which cuts through Cunningham Park and Alley Pond park, partially along the converted car-less old Long Island Motor Parkway lanes. Approaching Alley Pond Park is the steepest descent of the Brooklyn Queens Greenway, today I hit 27 MPH on this short downhill. Once through here the Greenway reenters the streets but today I was stopping at this point to pay a short visit to my Father. We talked mostly about my recent century ride to Montauk and a little about my recent minor audio recording problems and after a half an hour and a liter of water I was back on the Greenway. This time I would follow my usual route after Kissena Park along Bowne, through the heart of Flushing, past Citifield, and back onto 108th Street and the familiar route home past LaGuardia Airport.
Kissena Park.
The Greenway Trail through St Francis Prep.
The Greenway through Cunningham Park.
Rapid Descent along the old Long Island Motor Parkway through Alley Pond Park.
Long Island Motor Parkway, now heading West.
Passing St Francis Prep on the return trip, now heading West.
Roosevelt Avenue Bridge to Citifield.
The crowd flows towards the ballpark anticipating game 2 of the Subway series at Citifield.
For my next ride with the chest mount I will do some experimentation and see if I can find a way to reduce the bouncing and of course I'll tilt the camera up a bit more too. If the weather cooperates with me Monday through Wednesday, I may have an opportunity to test out my cycle touring rig for a couple of overnights at Fahnestock Park.
Showing posts with label corona park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label corona park. Show all posts
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Astoria to Bensonhurst and Jacob Riis Park (50 miles)
Yesterday I had the pleasure of riding with a new friend I met through a cycling forum. It turns out Jim, who had been looking for someone to ride with, lives in Bensonhurst near where my girlfriend lives. This made planning rides between us simpler for me as I could use my girlfriends apartment as a way point of sorts, and I was already quite familiar with the route between us. When we had planned the ride over the phone, I told him of my idea to ride over the Marine Park bridge, along Beach Channel Drive, over Broad Channel to Crossbay Blvd, (stopping in Howard Beach for pizza) and through Queens via Woodhaven Blvd to return to Astoria. Jim said that he liked this idea, and would likely tack on more mileage by returning to Bensonhurst via Manhattan. So the ride was set for 1pm Saturday, starting from Bensonhurst. Leaving my apartment and entering into the relatively bright and mild late morning sunshine, I started toward Bensonhurst along my usual route. When I reach the first entrance to the Waterfront route, I encounter construction and attempt to make my way around using my sense of direction. While trying to find my way back to the Waterfront route I passed groups of runners either running in a club or in a seemingly small charity event. After having little success finding an alternate neighborhood route I found myself back near the entrance to the Waterfront route, but this time I found an alternate entrance and was able to resume my usual route. As the morning progressed the temperature steadily rose along with an ever thickening layer of gray cloud cover. When I reached Prospect Park I witnessed a small but bustling farmers market at the top of the park, then baring right to follow park traffic, I rode through the interior of the park South to where I could then reenter the Brooklyn streets and find Dahill Road, which will connect me to the last stretch before reaching my destination.
Rapid Descent to 1st Street.
Community garden in Astoria, graffiti.
Doubling back past the other side of the community garden on Astoria Blvd.
Waterfront route around projects and through Goodwill Park, riding through Socrates sculpture park.
Queensbridge park and passing under the Queensboro Bridge.
Pulaski Bridge to Freeman, Franklin, Kent, and the Manhattan Bridge.
Decorated bike path along service road to Navy St.
Double decker bike made from three bike frames?
Open air market at the top of Prospect Park.
Riding South through Prospect Park, following a road bike rider before exiting.
Horse back riders at the Southern end of Prospect Park.
Arriving at my girlfriends apartment I took a shower and we went for a walk to get a light snack, and some bubble tea. After helping her with a few light chores around her apartment I heard from Jim and soon I was outside awaiting the arrival of my new cycling friend. We took a moment for salutations and I introduced my girlfriend before we left and made our way down 86th Street. I left navigation to the Marine Park bridge up to Jim as I trusted his local knowledge of the streets. He opted for a route on Avenue T and U, connecting to Flatbush Ave which leads to the bridge. Once at the bridge I followed behind Jim, into intense headwinds as we made our way over, landing in Jacob Riis Park. Jim is a much lighter rider than I, and it seemed the temperature and humidity combination was not taking quite the same toll on his endurance. I tried my best to put a strong effort forth but I felt I was reaching into a dry well as my usual afterburners were not present. On top of that at about the 30 mile mark, I found that when I tried to stand and pedal, my thighs wanted to cramp.
Riding down 86th Street in Brooklyn with Jim.
Floyd Bennett Field to the foot of the Marine Park Bridge.
Following Jim over the Marine Park Bridge into intense headwinds.
Riding along Beach Channel Drive traffic was light, and we rode over Vietnam Memorial Bridge. By now, the skies were an ominous shade of gray, more hinting than threatening rain at this time, but still something worth noting. Now with the wind at my back, I set my gearing high on the third chain ring and spun comfortably into that smooth "torquey" acceleration. According to GPS results, we averaged nearly 20mph for a 4,000 yard stretch here. All the while I could tell things were not improving with my thigh muscles, any attempt to stand and pedal resulted the beginnings of cramps. So I resigned myself to spinning more and basically dialing back my overall speed just to be 100% sure I could complete the ride home. Entering Howard Beach, we made our way down Woodhaven Blvd to New Park Pizza for a couple of slices and beverages. Most of the conversation Jim and I had was centered around cycling, such as our strategies regarding training, gear, and safety. We shared many of the same ideas but of course, differed in a few.
Making our way further North, I was now leading the way along Woodhaven to make our way through Corona Park, and finally hooking up with my usual route via 34th Ave and past the airport into Astoria. I had hoped to follow him over the Triboro Bridge before sending him on his way to Manhattan, and Jim had even urged me to just go home as it was apparent my condition was not improving. I had even made it as far as the first staircase on the Triboro before my legs just began twitching terribly, and the only way to allow them to relax was to sit on the bike and hold the fence, standing even made my legs cramp. At this point it was obvious that to follow him to Wards Island would not be wise, so I said my goodbyes, Jim suggesting a banana before riding to avoid potassium deficiency (which I rarely have experienced). Turning around, I rolled back down to Astoria, and just made it under the awning in front of my door in time to avoid the torrential downpour that I had hoped Jim might have avoided somehow as well.
Following Jim over the Vietnam Memorial Bridge.
Cruising North on Crossbay Blvd with Jim, crossing the final bridges approaching Howard Beach.
Crossing Corona Park with Jim, through the Zoo to the Science Museum.
Rapid Descent to 1st Street.
Community garden in Astoria, graffiti.
Doubling back past the other side of the community garden on Astoria Blvd.
Waterfront route around projects and through Goodwill Park, riding through Socrates sculpture park.
Queensbridge park and passing under the Queensboro Bridge.
Pulaski Bridge to Freeman, Franklin, Kent, and the Manhattan Bridge.
Decorated bike path along service road to Navy St.
Double decker bike made from three bike frames?
Open air market at the top of Prospect Park.
Riding South through Prospect Park, following a road bike rider before exiting.
Horse back riders at the Southern end of Prospect Park.
Arriving at my girlfriends apartment I took a shower and we went for a walk to get a light snack, and some bubble tea. After helping her with a few light chores around her apartment I heard from Jim and soon I was outside awaiting the arrival of my new cycling friend. We took a moment for salutations and I introduced my girlfriend before we left and made our way down 86th Street. I left navigation to the Marine Park bridge up to Jim as I trusted his local knowledge of the streets. He opted for a route on Avenue T and U, connecting to Flatbush Ave which leads to the bridge. Once at the bridge I followed behind Jim, into intense headwinds as we made our way over, landing in Jacob Riis Park. Jim is a much lighter rider than I, and it seemed the temperature and humidity combination was not taking quite the same toll on his endurance. I tried my best to put a strong effort forth but I felt I was reaching into a dry well as my usual afterburners were not present. On top of that at about the 30 mile mark, I found that when I tried to stand and pedal, my thighs wanted to cramp.
Riding down 86th Street in Brooklyn with Jim.
Floyd Bennett Field to the foot of the Marine Park Bridge.
Following Jim over the Marine Park Bridge into intense headwinds.
Riding along Beach Channel Drive traffic was light, and we rode over Vietnam Memorial Bridge. By now, the skies were an ominous shade of gray, more hinting than threatening rain at this time, but still something worth noting. Now with the wind at my back, I set my gearing high on the third chain ring and spun comfortably into that smooth "torquey" acceleration. According to GPS results, we averaged nearly 20mph for a 4,000 yard stretch here. All the while I could tell things were not improving with my thigh muscles, any attempt to stand and pedal resulted the beginnings of cramps. So I resigned myself to spinning more and basically dialing back my overall speed just to be 100% sure I could complete the ride home. Entering Howard Beach, we made our way down Woodhaven Blvd to New Park Pizza for a couple of slices and beverages. Most of the conversation Jim and I had was centered around cycling, such as our strategies regarding training, gear, and safety. We shared many of the same ideas but of course, differed in a few.
Making our way further North, I was now leading the way along Woodhaven to make our way through Corona Park, and finally hooking up with my usual route via 34th Ave and past the airport into Astoria. I had hoped to follow him over the Triboro Bridge before sending him on his way to Manhattan, and Jim had even urged me to just go home as it was apparent my condition was not improving. I had even made it as far as the first staircase on the Triboro before my legs just began twitching terribly, and the only way to allow them to relax was to sit on the bike and hold the fence, standing even made my legs cramp. At this point it was obvious that to follow him to Wards Island would not be wise, so I said my goodbyes, Jim suggesting a banana before riding to avoid potassium deficiency (which I rarely have experienced). Turning around, I rolled back down to Astoria, and just made it under the awning in front of my door in time to avoid the torrential downpour that I had hoped Jim might have avoided somehow as well.
Following Jim over the Vietnam Memorial Bridge.
Cruising North on Crossbay Blvd with Jim, crossing the final bridges approaching Howard Beach.
Crossing Corona Park with Jim, through the Zoo to the Science Museum.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Shopping trip, then Corona Park, Meadow Lake, and Astoria Park. (25.3 miles)
Before I could take a fitness ride today, I needed to take a shopping trip to the wholesale stores near my home. I have a large capacity duffel bag with a thick padded strap which I use to carry bulkier purchases. I roll this duffel bag up and slide it into my backpack, along with the locks needed for securing my bike while I shop. Once I have my purchases I put the small, loose items in the back pack which now goes into the duffel surrounded by the bulky items like toilet paper, and paper towels. Sometimes, locks included, I think the bag weighs in excess of 30 pounds. Thankfully the trip is 3.5 miles each way and doesn't require me to haul that heavy, awkward package over a long distance.
In the past, I have seen a man with a high quality camera in the area of the stores. Once back in November 2010, I actually took pictures of him shooting from the rooftop above Closeout Paradise.
Here was what I believed to be the same man, smiling for the camera as I leave the shopping center.
Once I returned home, I put my purchases away, and geared up for a 20 mile ride. I had not returned to Corona Park since acquiring the better video camera, and felt today was a good day to try it out there.
The ride to Corona was fairly typical, except for the random pack of children on bikes on 46th Avenue as I approached the entrance to the park.
Turning on 46th Avenue, passing kids on bikes, the Rockets outside the Science Museum, the geodesic dome.
Once inside the park, I rode through the Queens Zoo to the Corona Skate Park to see if I could film any good tricks.
Circling the Corona Skate Park, the kids show off some moves.
Arriving at Meadow Lake I find the "Self Transcendence" 6 & 10 day endurance race being run.
A duck stands quacking quietly at regular intervals.
Though it was windy, and somewhat overcast, moments of sunshine through the clouds offered some pretty skies.
Flooding near Meadow Lake, the sun shines beautifully partially obscured by clouds.
Circling the globe in Corona Park.
Skaters pull off tricks on a curb by the Rocket Thrower statue.
Circling the Rocket Thrower statue.
Skaters near the Rocket Thrower attempt tricks.
Swan statue, Billy Jean King Tennis Center entrance, and some Tennis on the nearby courts.
Leaving Corona Park passing the Science Museum.
Graffiti wall near Junction Food Market.
Passing large commuter, and young commuter, on 34th Avenue.
Chopper Mini-bike.
Before heading home I wanted to shoot one of my favorite Astoria locations; the Hellgate, and Triboro bridges, and Astoria Park, and it's skate park.
Ralph DeMarco Park, the East River, Hellgate Bridge, the Triboro Bridge, arriving at the Astoria Skate Park.
Skaters in Astoria Park pull off tricks under the Triboro Bridge.
Circling under the arches of the Hellgate Bridge, in Astoria Park before heading home.
In the past, I have seen a man with a high quality camera in the area of the stores. Once back in November 2010, I actually took pictures of him shooting from the rooftop above Closeout Paradise.
Here was what I believed to be the same man, smiling for the camera as I leave the shopping center.
Once I returned home, I put my purchases away, and geared up for a 20 mile ride. I had not returned to Corona Park since acquiring the better video camera, and felt today was a good day to try it out there.
The ride to Corona was fairly typical, except for the random pack of children on bikes on 46th Avenue as I approached the entrance to the park.
Turning on 46th Avenue, passing kids on bikes, the Rockets outside the Science Museum, the geodesic dome.
Once inside the park, I rode through the Queens Zoo to the Corona Skate Park to see if I could film any good tricks.
Circling the Corona Skate Park, the kids show off some moves.
Arriving at Meadow Lake I find the "Self Transcendence" 6 & 10 day endurance race being run.
A duck stands quacking quietly at regular intervals.
Though it was windy, and somewhat overcast, moments of sunshine through the clouds offered some pretty skies.
Flooding near Meadow Lake, the sun shines beautifully partially obscured by clouds.
Circling the globe in Corona Park.
Skaters pull off tricks on a curb by the Rocket Thrower statue.
Circling the Rocket Thrower statue.
Skaters near the Rocket Thrower attempt tricks.
Swan statue, Billy Jean King Tennis Center entrance, and some Tennis on the nearby courts.
Leaving Corona Park passing the Science Museum.
Graffiti wall near Junction Food Market.
Passing large commuter, and young commuter, on 34th Avenue.
Chopper Mini-bike.
Before heading home I wanted to shoot one of my favorite Astoria locations; the Hellgate, and Triboro bridges, and Astoria Park, and it's skate park.
Ralph DeMarco Park, the East River, Hellgate Bridge, the Triboro Bridge, arriving at the Astoria Skate Park.
Skaters in Astoria Park pull off tricks under the Triboro Bridge.
Circling under the arches of the Hellgate Bridge, in Astoria Park before heading home.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Astoria to the Worlds Fair Marina (13.92 miles)
Sometimes life can get between myself and my bicycle, and last week I had many things to attend to that kept me from riding.
Also, this was a much needed break from riding as my legs and body were nearing their limits.
Today it was more chilly than it had been recently with temperatures in the high 40's and wind's between 25-35 mph.
These are not ideal riding conditions so I decided to ride to a nearby stretch of MUP near LaGuardia Airport, running between the Worlds Fair Marina, and Flushing Bay. This short path offers some beautiful views of the bay, and the planes as they glide in over the bay towards the runways at the Airport. As you might imagine, winds near the waterfront were especially intense making for slow going when I turned back around, and into the wind, to return to Astoria.
Tomorrows forecast is much more favorable, and I hope for a good long ride in the morning.
Also, this was a much needed break from riding as my legs and body were nearing their limits.
Today it was more chilly than it had been recently with temperatures in the high 40's and wind's between 25-35 mph.
These are not ideal riding conditions so I decided to ride to a nearby stretch of MUP near LaGuardia Airport, running between the Worlds Fair Marina, and Flushing Bay. This short path offers some beautiful views of the bay, and the planes as they glide in over the bay towards the runways at the Airport. As you might imagine, winds near the waterfront were especially intense making for slow going when I turned back around, and into the wind, to return to Astoria.
Tomorrows forecast is much more favorable, and I hope for a good long ride in the morning.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Astoria to Corona Park and Meadow Lake (18.79 miles)
This is a ride I have done more than a few times now, and has become a personal favorite destination.
Corona Park is huge, and has many great features for all kinds of sports and leisure.
For cycling you can choose to simply tool around the major arteries, or ride laps on Meadow Lake, or Industry Pond.
Meadow Lake is undergoing renovations and the paths around it are old, and in disrepair. It's o.k. for 1 or 2 laps but not much more until they finish the renovation. Industry Pond if more well maintained, and is a decent location for some laps.
After such a long ride yesterday I wanted to take it easy, and ride slowly. I took a lap around the lake and then traced some of the major arteries in the park. Some of my sights include the Worlds Fair Observation decks, the Worlds Fair Globe, Freedom of the Human Spirit statue, Billy Jean King Tennis Center (with shots of court 9), the scenic lookout at the top of Meadow Lake, the Rocket Thrower statue, the Queens Zoo, and Citifield.
Corona Park is huge, and has many great features for all kinds of sports and leisure.
For cycling you can choose to simply tool around the major arteries, or ride laps on Meadow Lake, or Industry Pond.
Meadow Lake is undergoing renovations and the paths around it are old, and in disrepair. It's o.k. for 1 or 2 laps but not much more until they finish the renovation. Industry Pond if more well maintained, and is a decent location for some laps.
After such a long ride yesterday I wanted to take it easy, and ride slowly. I took a lap around the lake and then traced some of the major arteries in the park. Some of my sights include the Worlds Fair Observation decks, the Worlds Fair Globe, Freedom of the Human Spirit statue, Billy Jean King Tennis Center (with shots of court 9), the scenic lookout at the top of Meadow Lake, the Rocket Thrower statue, the Queens Zoo, and Citifield.
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