8-25-2012 Astoria to Coney Island and Rockaway Park (49.3 miles)

This past Saturday was a beautiful day to ride one of my favorite long distance routes, it is essentially a loop around Brooklyn, returning to Astoria using Rockaway Beach, and Woodhaven Blvd.

After becoming familiar with the route to Bensonhurst, I had mapped out this added scenic/recreational route that would take me through some famous areas of Brooklyn as well as offer up some beautiful views from the bridges. I set out around noon with an idea to surprise my girlfriend with a short visit, and refill my water bladder, but I would not seek lunch until I was in Howard Beach where I could get a slice of the famous New Park Pizza.

With temperatures in the low 80's, the air was warm, but the humidity was not a factor, and mostly cloudy skies helped keep conditions fairly mild. I had it set in my mind that I would pace myself for the long ride, and I had hoped that the soreness in my back and shoulder from my fall last week wouldn't bother me too much.

Starting out along Astoria Park, and the East River.

Waterfront route to Goodwill Park.

Skyline seen from Long Island City.

Once I reached the Pulaski Bridge, I encountered something I had never witnessed before, the raising of the bridge to admit passage for a tugboat. This held up all bike, pedestrian, and car traffic for a long 5 minutes or more. Finally rolling down into Brooklyn, I was able to pace a road bike rider from Franklin Ave to Kent Ave. Now following the bike lanes further and further South, passing through the trendy areas of Brooklyn, up passed Prospect Park, and finally I passing the famous Greenwood Cemetery, which will lead me to Dahill Road, and 17th Avenue for my first rest stop.

Descending Pulaski Bridge.

Following road bike rider on Franklin Ave to Kent Ave.

Rapid descent down Mc Donald Ave and Greenwood Cemetery.

When I reached my girlfriends apartment in Bensonhurst I only stopped long enough drink, fill my water bladder, and splash myself with some water before heading South along 17th Avenue again. Turning on Cropsey, I rode until I came upon a small bridge leading to Neptune Avenue. At this point I could see MCU Stadium and Steeplechase not far ahead.

Small Bridge, Steeplechase is seen in the distance, approaching Neptune Ave.

MCU Park and Steeplechase, approaching the Coney Island Boardwalk.

Here I rode up onto the Coney Island boardwalk, first I turned West to ride down to the old Bathhouse, and study it's structure adorned with intricate crumbling decoration. I took a few pictures of this interesting building as well as a couple of pictures of the community garden that grew in the lot next to it.

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

The old bathhouse in Coney Island

Community garden next to the old bathhouse in Coney Island

Community garden next to the old bathhouse in Coney Island

Community garden next to the old bathhouse in Coney Island

Steeplechase and the old bathhouse in Coney Island

Steeplechase and the old bathhouse in Coney Island

Steeplechase and the old bathhouse in Coney Island

Leaving the old bathhouse behind, I resumed my course East along Coney Island boardwalk. As I approached the restaurants and the amusement park the people milled about filling the lane. First I came upon a band playing Latin dance music, and then another area playing dance music as well. Before turning off the boardwalk to pick up Neptune Avenue again I turned to film a boy holding a "FREE HUGS" sign, who then hides behind his sign.

Classic Coney Island bustles with people, lively music, and beautiful Summer scenery.

Now I was headed East on Neptune Ave, and looking for the entrance to the trails that follow the Belt Parkway. Once you pass the Marina (and a Rollin' Roaster) there is a break in a guard rail approaching the Belt Pkwy, where you can enter the trail. This trail leads to a small public beach where I found many people sunbathing, swimming, and kite surfing.

After crossing a narrow, old bridge, the trail branches off from the Belt, and points South again following along Floyd Bennett Field until you come to the foot of the Marine Parkway Bridge. This bridge is also fairly narrow, and the fence around the path feels short. Added to this is the intense winds I seem to always encounter here, makes for a nerve wracking ride over.

Descending Marine Parkway Bridge.

Marine Parkway Bridge.

Riding along Beach Channel drive in Rockaway Park, I finished the push East and met up with the Crossbay Bridge. This is the point at which I begin the ride North to re-enter Queens. Stopping for a few photographs, I could clearly hear the band from the bar below playing classic rock tunes out over the water, as people on jet ski's carved the bay. This stretch has had a nice tailwind each time I've rode over it, and has some nice downhill sections to make for a quick push towards Howard Beach and my second rest area, New Park Pizza.

View from the Crossbay Bridge.

View from the Crossbay Bridge.

Descending the Crossbay Bridge.

Cresting and descending the Joseph P Addabo Bridge. Commenting on the trash bags that litter the bike lane.

New Park Pizza, famous Howard Beach pizza restaurant where I stopped for lunch. An impatient motorist honks at me, so they can pull up in front of a hydrant.

After a single delicious slice of pizza, and a small Italian ice I continued North now on Woodhaven Blvd. This is probably my least favorite part of this loop as the roads are not good for bikes, and the traffic is aggressive through these areas. I always proceed extra cautiously up Woodhaven, and I usually don't feel safe until I am through 63rd Drive and Junction Blvd and back onto 34th Avenue. On 34th Avenue I feel I am back on home turf so to speak, and can complete the route passing LaGuardia Airport, and arriving back in Astoria.

A strange safety device protrudes from a cyclists bike.

As I approach LaGuardia Airport, planes pass nearly overhead.

Another plane passes close by overhead.

8-8-2012 East River Esplanade and Central Park

Tuesday I was feeling stir crazy. All of the heat and humidity has kept me from putting in the usual mileage on my bike that I prefer. Though the weather was as hot and humid as ever on Tuesday I forced myself to get out and sweat out my cabin fever.

I decided to do one lap around Wards Island, cross the 103rd street bridge, and do a lap around Central Park, before coming back to Astoria via the Queensborough Bridge. All together this was only 20 miles but in this heat it felt like much further.

I'm still significantly overweight (though cycling is slowly changing that), so the heat is extra debilitating, and at times I felt some mild heat exhaustion. Being acutely aware of this I made sure to hydrate often, stopping where I knew the water fountains were along my route.

Descending the Triboro Bridge to Wards Island.

From Hellgate Bridge to the entrance of the Triboro.

Wards Island, in the shadow of the Hellgate Bridge.

Wards Island, in the shadow of the Hellgate Bridge.

Wards Island Bridge

Wards Island Bridge

Myself in front of the Wards Island Bridge

From here I crossed over to the East River Esplanade and made my way downtown, along the river. As I came around a turn I found a girl on the side of the path trying to dab at the skinned elbow of a little boy who had just fallen off his bike. I pulled over and offered the use of my first aid which is always in my backpack. After applying some triple antibiotic with pain relief and large a Tegiderm pad to his elbow I suggested that they all wear helmets and said goodbye.

After patching up a young boy's elbow I suggest that they wear helmets before bidding them good day.

I then continued to a scenic point overlooking the East River where one can view 3 iconic bridges with Roosevelt Island at your feet. Fortunately I was able to capture a nice progression when a tugboat and police boat passed right in front of me.

The East River Esplanade at 80th Street

The East River Esplanade at 80th Street

The East River Esplanade at 80th Street

The East River Esplanade at 80th Street

The East River Esplanade at 80th Street

The East River Esplanade at 80th Street

The East River Esplanade at 80th Street

The East River Esplanade at 80th Street

The East River Esplanade at 80th Street

From here I continued to the foot of the Queensborough Bridge at 59th Street. A sculpture park sits in the shadow of the bridge and offers more beautiful views of the city and the East River.

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

In the shadow of the Queensborough Bridge

Leaving the sculpture park I made my way across town to enter Central Park near Columbus Circle. By this time the heat was beginning to take a toll and my pace and energy levels were decreasing in concert. I had decided to keep my time in Central Park short only just completing one lap before exiting the park to head back towards the Queensborough Bridge, this time with a mind to cross it and cut my usual path through Long Island City and back to my apartment in Astoria.

Descending the Queensborough Bridge.

8-2-2012 Astoria to Throgs Neck Bridge (46.6 miles)

Last week I had made plans to ride with my friend Juan on Thursday. He had expressed interest in riding with me up to the Throgs Neck bridge for a training ride and so I could show him the Brooklyn Queens Greenway as it stretches North, and East.

We set the time for 10:30am and the place would be the Wards Island/103rd Street bridge. We both arrived at about the same time, and were anxious to set out on our journey.

The temperature at this time was just over 80 and the humidity had only just begun to rise so conditions were as good as they were going to be all day. After a short discussion regarding the route I thought it would be good to show Juan around the Wards Island Loop before setting off for the Throgs Neck Bridge.

Descending the Triboro, using the Wards Island loop to reach the 103rd Street bridge.

Meeting Juan on the 103rd Street bridge.

Giving Juan a short spin around Wards Island before heading off to the Throgs Neck.

Stopping on our way over the Triboro Bridge we pause so I may take some Panoramic pictures. (Unfortunately none of those pics came out good enough to share). Afterwards we made our way along my usual route past LaGuardia, Citifield, and through the heart of Flushing, entering the Greenway trails at Kissena Park.

Driver cuts us off, so I film his license plate number.

Passing in front of Citifield, crossing the Roosevelt Island Bridge.

Kissena Park.

Passing through the parks that the Greenway connects few people clogged the lanes as we continued East. I try to name the points of interest to Juan as we pass through, and name the different towns to give him an idea of where he is on the map.

Slowly the heat and humidity climbed, slowing my progress and forcing me to pace myself so that I do not succumb to cramping. Juan, being more than 10 years younger than I, kept trying to inspire me to push harder, and I had to remind him that this was likely not a good idea, and cramping would make a slower ride turn into a dead stop if I had to nurse my legs on the side of the road.

St Francis Prep.

Stopping just short of some steps in Alley Pond Park.

Emerging from the Greenway trails in Alley Pond (after becoming somewhat lost and dragging poor Juan through some crappy trails), we followed the well marked bike lanes that continue to weave North and East, and soon connect to the Joe Micheals mile which is the last stretch of Greenway before we reach our turn around point, Little Neck Park, and the Throgs Neck Bridge. At this point I realized my rear tire was losing air at a rather alarming rate and decided that I would have to stop at the small bike repair shop on Roosevelt Ave near 108th street.

The Joe Michaels mile.

Little Neck Park.

Little Neck Park continued.

Little Neck Park.

Little Neck Park.

Little Neck Park.

Little Neck Park.

Now heading back along the same path we arrived upon I stopped for a cola at a fast food restaurant to get a quick infusion of caffeine, and a quick cool down. At this point I was feeling even more sluggish as it was the hottest part of the day and the humidity did not seem to be improving. The Joe Michaels mile is fully exposed for the most part offering no relief from the blaring sun so I was relieved when we were following the Greenway once again.

Heading back along the bike lanes we reached Alley Pond once more, and I entered where I was confident that I would not lose track of the trail, and we quickly found the Long Island Motor Parkway again. Here is where I was able to show Juan why I enjoy this section of the Greenway so much as the succession of rolling hills allows you to cruise at high speed while cresting each hill that follows.

Rapid descent on Long Island Motor Parkway to 188th Street park.

One of our planned rest stops was to be at the famous Lemon Ice King of Corona and we both looked eagerly forward to the sweet cool treat we could find there. Reaching Roosevelt once more I rolled up to the little repair shop and let Juan conduct most of the business for me as the mechanic seemed to only speak Spanish. It turns out, I not only needed a new tube, but I had broken spoke as well!

2 ride a BMX on Roosevelt Avenue.

With a new tube and spoke installed, Juan and I finally made it down to the Ice King of Corona where I purchased a Pina Colada ice and Juan bought a cherry flavored one. Soon after devouring our treats and grimacing from the brain freeze, we were back on the road and into Astoria where I pointed Juan towards the Triboro and headed back home where I changed into swim trunks and had a relaxing dip in Astoria Park pool.