Advice for New York city

[Stringcat]

Hi. I'm finishing a coast to coast ride next week (probably on Tuesday 8 September) in New York. Does anyone have any good tips/suggestions/routes for riding into the city, ending up in Manhattan?

In particular, is there a good way to come through the suburbs from the west or north west?

Many thanks

[John Hunka]

Please provide more information.  Are you coming from North Jersey, or South Jersey?  What town are you near today?  And, what is your ultimate destination?  I live in the East Village in Manhattan.

[Dreux]

I just completed the TA west to east. I came across Washington Crossing, PA, into NJ. A nice area to check out George Washington Museum. Stayed the night near the bridge, there's a park where I stealth camped. From there I took the rail trail which gets you to Trenton, from there across northern NJ to Asbury Park. I checked out the area, visited The Stone Pony and then went to Atlantic Highlands, 7-8 miles north to take the high speed ferry ( around $35) Midtown Manhattan on the Eastside. The is a bike path right off the ferry.

Good luck with your adventure.

Dreux

[Stringcat]

Thanks, Dreux.

Jkhunka: I'm just having a few days visiting friends after six weeks on the road from San Francisco. But Friday morning I'm setting off again from just east of Pittsburgh PA. I plan to come through NJ from about the Delaware Gap, so probably enter New York City from the north west (ish). I've booked a Manhattan hotel for a couple of nights (post-ride treat!). But I assume the ride into the city will be a lot of urban roads and some might be less cycle-friendly than others.

Andrew.

[Dreux]

Hi Andrew - That's the same area I came from. In PA I took Route S from Wheeling, WV to Washington Crossing, PA. This runs the full length of PA. There is info Penn dept of transportation. The route is marked out but you have to pay attention to the turns. Lancaster was a real treat, special area.

[John Hunka]

The most enjoyable route into Manhattan would be slightly circuitous.  Route 9W skirts the west bank of the Hudson River north of New York City.  It has far less traffic than the other thoroughfares leading into Manhattan.  Route 9W crosses the river on the George Washington Bridge, giving you stunning views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.  So, that's what I recommend.

[Stringcat]

Hi Andrew - That's the same area I came from. In PA I took Route S from Wheeling, WV to Washington Crossing, PA. This runs the full length of PA. There is info Penn dept of transportation. The route is marked out but you have to pay attention to the turns. Lancaster was a real treat, special area.

Thanks. I just found those PA DOT routes. One runs parallel to interstate 80 most of the way and that fits really closely to where I'd planned.

[Stringcat]

The most enjoyable route into Manhattan would be slightly circuitous.  Route 9W skirts the west bank of the Hudson River north of New York City.  It has far less traffic than the other thoroughfares leading into Manhattan.  Route 9W crosses the river on the George Washington Bridge, giving you stunning views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.  So, that's what I recommend.

Thanks, that sounds great. I hope on my final day that it will be a shorter ride than normal, so a circuitous route is fine. I wasn't sure which bridges take bicycles so that's good to know. I've picked up a city map so I should be able to follow what you suggest without too much hassle.

[marti jacobs]

Hi. I'm finishing a coast to coast ride next week (probably on Tuesday 8 September) in New York. Does anyone have any good tips/suggestions/routes for riding into the city, ending up in Manhattan?

In particular, is there a good way to come through the suburbs from the west or north west?

Many thanks

Hi, there is a beautiful rout name Manhattan Waterfront Greenway. The longest is the Hudson River Greenway, running along the West Side, from Dyckman Street in the north to Battery Park in the south, mostly through Hudson River Park and Riverside Park, with a small gap in West Harlem where users must use streets.

This is the most heavily used bikeway in the United States. Most is near Hudson River water level, except the portion north of George Washington Bridge where it climbs to approximately 160 feet (50 meters) and includes Inspiration Point.



Sometimes you have to book a private transportation service, particulary I use this one https://shuttlewizard.com/. Book ahead of time and tell them you will be traveling with oversize luggage, they will be able to provide the right vehicle for your needs. Also be conscious of your arrival time - arriving at 2am vs. 11am, can effect your transportation options. Hope this work for you!