Biking or walking along the shoreline of Western Queens is full of adventure, history, culture, fun, and relaxation, with great views. The best is that the terrain is mostly flat. For all the residential high rises that have sprouted up all along the Long Island City waterfront, with it came lots of parkland including playgrounds, ferry stops, restaurants, and dog runs. Parks stretch from the Newtown Creek area to Gantry State Park and beyond…all the way to Astoria Park.
Vernon Blvd. is the main thoroughfare which has many fine places to eat and drink and also has a bike path. I recently drove to LIC and parked near the Roosevelt Island Bridge and rode my bike around the two-mile-long island. Lots to see, I highly recommend Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park on the south end of the island and Lighthouse Park on the north end. Plenty of parkland, historical sights and spectacular views of Manhattan and Queens, too. Going off the island, if the ramp is too difficult to bike up you can take the elevator.
Proceeding north we come to Socrates Park where artists create sculptures to display. Nearby is the Noguchi Museum and well worth it to see some of the creations from the artist; there is a peaceful, relaxing feeling to his art. Further going north, we come to Astoria Park another great place to relax looking at the East River and RFK and Hell Gate Bridges, and in the summer swim in the pool. Another important point is that all these locations have public restrooms.
In my younger days I would do this ride to and from my home in Maspeth but nowadays I park either at Borden Ave near Vernon Blvd. or near Roosevelt Island or in Astoria Park which has plenty of parking. There are also public parking garages on Roosevelt Island and the F train stops there.
Wherever you decide to start or finish your ride, always observe traffic rules and signal your intentions. Wear the right clothes and have a rain poncho handy just in case. Wear a helmet – our heads are fragile and nobody wants brain damage. Beware of motorized scooters and E-bikes in the bike lane as they are silent and fast. Always have water available to stay hydrated.
Enjoy the ride!
Spring is in the air and time to dust off your bike and give it a little tender loving care.
MAKE SURE:
All screws are tight
Brake pads are in good shape
To lubricate the chain
To check lights and bell or horn
(which are required by law).
Or just take the bike to a bike shop for a tune-up and while you are there pick up a copy of the NYC Bike Map.
