Astoria to The Ride of Silence - 5-16-2012 (30 miles)

Last year 21 cyclists were killed on the streets of New York City, and only 2 drivers had charges against them as a result. More often than not, the cyclist is blamed, and society lessens the culpability of a motorist under the guise of protecting people from being too harshly punished for what is perceived as a minor traffic infraction. These sentiments sometimes carry over to the road where malicious motorists, unwilling to share the road, bully cyclists from the relative safety of their cars. While most inner city motorists understand the "dance" between car and bike (I give you 6 inches here, you give me 3 inches there), that keeps everybody flowing smoothly through the streets; a fair amount of animosity still exists on both sides of the shoulder. One small ray of hope in all of this for those of us who prefer to pedal, is the expanding network of bike lanes, our new bike share program, and the greater publicity of cycling concerns in our media; all hopefully serve to keep bikes on the minds of motorists.

With ridership doubling in the last 4 years it's more important than ever to teach riders and drivers how we can all cruise together safely. Bikes are most dangerous to the person riding one. Cars are down right deadly to everyone on the road. Some people have taken this to mean that cars would then be at the top of some food chain, to be feared. When the reverse should be the prevailing logic; because you are deadly, you carry the greater responsibility.

The Ride of Silence attempts to bring this point home to motorists, where they live and drive. From their website,"WHY DOES THIS ORGANIZATION EXIST? To HONOR those who have been injured or killed - To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here - To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD". This ride is performed all around the world on this day; I would describe it as part organized non-violent civil obedience and cooperation, and part memorial for the injured and killed cyclists around the world. This ride was specially dedicated to a cyclist killed in March of this year, David Ortiz, (another surreal example of how in early reports the authorities jumped to shift blame away from the driver, and onto the cyclist), killed when struck by 3 vehicles while on his morning bike commute to work.

The ride is at sundown, so I made sure all of my lights were in working order, and set out with plenty of time to try to arrive a little early, even if rush hour held me up. After crossing into Manhattan I took 2nd Avenue South following a young guy on a fixie (proclaiming his discomfort with Manhattan riding), who nearly runs into an elderly woman who stepped into the bike lane. I used 9th Street (which becomes Christopher Street) to cut across to the West side bike path where I could find the starting point for the Ride of Silence at Pier 40.



Descending the 59th Street Bridge to Manhattan.



Following a fixie rider South on 2nd Avenue.



Fixie rider almost runs over grandma.



Traveling South on 2nd Avenue, I stop for a light, and the fixie rider catches up.



Traveling in a pack of riders on Christopher Street in the East Village.



Traveling in a pack of riders on Christopher Street in the East Village, cont.



Arriving at Pier 40 for the Ride of Silence.

Once you sign in for the ride, you receive a black arm band and are given a flyer with a cue sheet and information regarding the rules of the ride, this also included a small paragraph written by Michael Ortiz, the brother of the cyclist this ride was dedicated to.

There was a photo-op with the ride organizers, and Marshalls. Then a brief speech from the ride leader, and president of the 5 Borough Bike Club Ed Ravin to the ride Marshalls and to the riders. Michael Ortiz spoke of his brother and offered his appreciation to the riders. Soon after, we started the quiet ride South, led by Ed Ravin and Ed DeFreitas (whom I recently rode with along the Old Put and Croton Aqueduct trails). The ride began on a stretch of the West side bike path, and I stop in the path to film the riders silently passing. Riding around 10 mph, using a combination of Warren and Church Street to emerge on 6th Avenue, we commanded the 2 left lanes at our stately pace all the way through the heart of midtown, during a high traffic time of day. Most riders were quiet, and though Ed and I spoke once or twice, I mostly tried to observe the solemn purpose of the ride. A few pedestrians and motorists inquired about the ride and were silently given flyers by the ride Marshalls.

At Radio City I took the opportunity to stop and film the pack of riders I was in, before following them further uptown. Turning on 57th Street we began to head West, back to the West side bike path for the last few remaining miles of the ride. By now, it was almost full dark and the ghostly silent procession appeared as will-o-wisp's following in the breeze, gliding past the West side waterfront landmarks. I paused near a center dividing post in the path, and filmed as the 2 packs of cyclists in the ride pass me. Once the last ride Marshalls pass I sped back up to the front to finish with the leaders, and film the packs of riders as they finish.



Organizers and Marshalls pose with the sign for the Ride of Silence.



The ride begins. I pause to film the riders passing.



Approaching the Freedom Tower on the West Side bike path.



Riding East on Warren Street.



Waiting for riders to catch up, I film their approach on 6th Avenue.



Riders gather on 6th Avenue.



6th Avenue passing West 4th Street.



6th Avenue passing 8th Street.



6th Avenue past 10th Street.



Riding 6th past 17th Street.



6th Avenue through Chelsea, approaching the Empire State Building.



Approaching Radio City, allowing the first pack to pass to be filmed.



Turning on to 57th Street, now traveling West.



Arriving at the far West end of 57th Street to return to the West side bike path.



Starting out on the West Side bike path from 57th Street.



Filming the first pack of cyclists pass on the West side bike path.



Filming the second pack of cyclists as they pass, sprinting to catch back up to the front, reaching Chelsea Piers.



The final stretch of the Ride of Silence on the West side bike path, filming the first pack of cyclists as they finish.



The second pack of riders arrive at the finish.

After a few final words from Ed Ravin thanking us for our participation and suggesting a meeting place after the ride (for those interested), many riders slowly disbursed to their separate destinations. I took a chance to say my goodbyes to Ed, & Ed, and made my way back up to 10th Street and followed a few cyclists headed in the same direction. Upon arriving on 1st Avenue I encountered a fixie rider who set off from a light near the U.N. to bomb down the hill and up towards the 59th Street Bridge. Knowing the area well, and seeing only a few cars, I attempt to follow him but am wary of a sedan to my right, and think I've lost him. When I arrive at the second to last light with another rider (who rode mostly no-hands), I find I've caught up to the fixie rider who then runs the light with no-hands man.... Soon I am cresting the bridge, and found few other people were on the bridge at this time, and no other cyclists in my direction were seen. Home again, I settled in for the rest of the late evening, reflecting on the unique significance of the ride I had just partook in.



Following cyclists down 10th Street on my way home.



Chasing a fixie rider down First Avenue past the U.N., towards the 59th Street Bridge.



Descending the 59th Street Bridge back to Queens.

Astoria to Hicksville (57.31 miles)

Yesterday I decided I wanted to try to ride to my friends house in Hicksville again. When I call to make plans, I find out that he had made the decision to purchase a bike, and it was being shipped the next day!

He also informed me that he had the day off from work and that I was welcome to come over anytime I liked.

Soon I was gearing up and finalizing the new route which I would use to hopefully make a successful trip to his place (my first attempt went long/got lost, and fell short ending with my friend picking me up....).

The weather was ideal, breezy in the 60's, mostly sunny the whole way there. The first 3/5's of my route consist of familiar territory. I basically use the same route as if I was going to my fathers house. It's the last 10 miles of back roads and shoulder-less main roads that gets particularly tricky for me. I tried to keep the route as simple as possible, consisting of only 19 turns to get me from Alley Pond Park, to my friends block in Hicksville.


I notice a pesticide sign stating unsafe conditions for humans uncomfortably close to my person. A motorcycle pulls up to the light.


Crossing Roosevelt Avenue Bridge into the heart of Flushing.


Bowne to the entrance to Kissena Park.


Resting near the entrance to Kissena Park, a man stretches while a plane passes overhead.


Kissena Park, along the Brooklyn Queens Greenway.


Rapid Descent into Alley Pond Park, the Greenway ends.


Union Tpke, Creedmoor, and some commentary.

As I made my way into Nassau County, I found the route I had decided on was mostly bike friendly leading up to Herricks Road. Herricks becomes Old Country Road, and turns back North, towards my friends neighborhood. This slight dogleg South then Northeast is necessary to avoid the more complicated, and dangerous roads that run through the middle of Nassau County. Once on Old Country I found some creative use of sidewalks was necessary as the afternoon traffic didn't seem to want to bother with a bike where there often isn't one. This made for slow going heading East, but I was prepared for this as it was my first time riding this road. 87th Avenue, Broadway, and Eisenhower Park were very nice this time of year; many trees in bloom. Also seen was the Oscar Meyer Weiner Truck. With only one wrong turn and a small back track I made it to my friends house in just over 2 hours, covering 26.17 miles.


I stop in some shade and comment on the trip so far.


Broadway through Garden City Park, Westbury.


It's the Oscar Meyer Weiner Truck!!!


Passing Eisenhower Park, Westbury.

Unfortunately for me, my ride back from Hicksville did not go as well as my trip there. Trying to follow directions backwards, forgetting to read street signs, and an unfamiliar route, added an extra 5+ miles to the ride home.
The first 5 miles went exceptionally well, I found the traffic at 9:30pm to be light on Old Country Road, and I could ride in the shoulder or extra wide right lane keeping a 17 mph pace. At this point is where I made my fatal error. In my exhilarated state from having made such good time, I rode past my next turn, and rode nearly five miles too correct, and back track my route. After making one wrong turn, a small consolation was footage of an arriving train on Railroad Avenue.

One great thing about night riding this route is the abundance of 24hr stores which can easily accommodate a bike, and carts where you can get food or beverages, not to mention that this particular route includes the Greenway, which features many running water fountains for at least half of the year. I stopped for some trail mix at a 24hr Walgreens with a large entrance, and snacks at a register by the door. Also, I stopped at a Latin food cart on Roosevelt Avenue, and had a delicious Fruit Punch soda for a treat.

Finally reaching the entrance to Alley Pond Park, all was black, and silent. My legs were tired but I refused to walk the hills, resigning myself to spinning as best I could. Flying through the dark conditions on the Greenway is not recommended for safety, but sure is fun. The cool crisp air was refreshing, even as my legs began to complain more and more. Arriving home tired but not too sore, I set my videos for upload, and went to bed.


Making good time on Old Country Road.


From the Majestic Diner to Cherry Lane.


Herricks Road, Mineola.


I pull up to Railroad Avenue just as a train approaches


Bryant becomes 87th Avenue.


Commonwealth Blvd at night.


Rapid descent through the Brooklyn Queens Greenway at night. (Dark footage.)


Following the Greenway through St Josephs Prep and into 188th Street Park.


Kissena Park at night.


Creepy building.


Flushing to Citifield, the 7 train arrives over head.

Astoria to Hicksville (43.65 miles)

Most of my riding has been in an Westerly direction, so I decided to try to ride to a friends house in Nassau County Long Island, in the Town of Hicksville.

Maps show a distance of approx 26 miles using the Brooklyn Queens Greenway to get to the midway point near the border between Queens, and Nassau County. From that point the directions I found had me weaving through side streets that ran parallel to Jericho Turnpike. This proved to be challenging as my familiarity with the neighborhoods involved was very limited, so stopping to check directions every few blocks became tedious at times. After making a couple of wrong turns, and losing my route I decided that I would stop where I found myself (about 3 miles from my destination and ask my friend to pick me up.

After a sandwich and a few hours of good conversation it was decided that I would be dropped off near the entrance to Alley Pond Park and the Brooklyn Queens Greenway and ride home from there (approx 13miles) as I was very familiar with the route form that point. Gliding through the dark and quiet Greenway Trails nearing midnight was thrilling and beautiful. Flushing and Roosevelt Avenue were quite subdued, and I rolled through without incident.

Arriving home at 12:30 a.m. I took a shower and laid down for the night.

I'm hoping to take what I learned from this experience and make another attempt to ride the entire way to my friends house. I believe I might be better off mapping out my directions, and try to come up with a more direct route that involves less weaving between back roads.

Astoria to Wards Island (7.84 miles)

GoPro claimed that the latest camera had improved low light capabilities, and I was excited to put it to the test.

Wards Island, just over the Triboro Bridge, offers gorgeous views of the New York City skyline, and can be a wonderfully peaceful place to ride at night. I felt I wanted to keep my ride short today, and started for home after only a few miles. As I'm climbing the Triboro Bridge towards Astoria, I realize that my left crank arm is starting to feel wobbly. Soon the crank arm goes from wobbly, to almost completely loose, and I realize something is seriously wrong. I was able to pedal with mostly my right pedal to get over the bridge, and scooted my bike home the last half mile. Just as I approached my block, a motorcycle club passed me and I was able to shoot a clip of them. Tomorrow I will bring my bike to my LBS, and hopefully they can just tighten the crank arm, and I won't need to pay out of pocket to get my bike back on the road.

Anyway, some of the videos I shot were a bit darker than I had hoped, and were not worth keeping. In the darkest areas with little to no residual light the picture will go to almost pitch black, but in most areas where there is some nearby direct lighting, or a fair amount of ambient lighting I thought the GoPro HD Hero 2 performed well.

Check it out!