Northern Queens Loop - Recap
Sunday, December 27, 2020 - Recap
Exploring Queens
37 or 41 miles (or less with 🚇)
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Once again we're sticking (kinda) close to subways in case the weather is a problem for anyone. This time we're exploring Northern Queens. Here is the route…
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34680997
We'll start at Astoria Park (in Astoria). For those coming from Upper Manhattan or the Bronx you can ride over the JFK / Triboro Bridge from Wards/Randalls Island (though technically you're supposed to walk your bike over).
We'll ride through Astoria, past La Guardia, to the greenway along Flushing Bay. Then we ride to Fort Totten Park and down the greenway along Little Neck Bay. Then we ride to Alley Pond Park where we get on the old Vanderbilt Motor Parkway which connects to the greenway in Cunningham Park. We then go along/in Kissena (Corridor) Park which leads us to the Queens Botanical Garden and Corona Park. We take the greenway down through Flushing Meadows Corona Park then do some surface streets to get to Forest Hills.
At Forest Hills (mile 28) we'll split into two groups depending on people's desired final destination:
- One group will go back to the JFK/Triboro Bridge via Astoria Blvd and Astoria.
- The other group will head back to the Williamsburg Bridge via greenways in Forest Park and Highland Park as well as surface streets in Bed Stuy, etc.
Here's the supplemental route for those headed to the Williamsburg Bridge:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34888334
Of course you can go to the Williamsburg Bridge and then continue north on the greenway to get back to the JFK/Triboro if you want a longer ride. But the Williamsburg Bridge route is mostly designed for those wanting to go back to Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan.
The routes are not finalized (especially the Williamsburg Bridge option), so please wait to download them until right before the ride.
Subways
The 7 line is available at mile 6 and 7. Then there's nothing until a LIRR station near mile 15. Then nothing again until the E/R train at mile 27. Then there are lots of subway options towards the end of each of the route options.
Weather
The forecast is for right around freezing when we meet (don't be late – we don't want people waiting in the cold) with temps going up to the high 30s. Wind chill is forecasted to be in the low to mid-30s. This is a true cold weather ride, so dress appropriately!
Road and Greenway Surface Conditions
It's expected to get up to 60º Thursday evening into Friday morning with fairly heavy rain. That should get rid of a lot of the snow and salt. That said, Saturday is right around freezing all day, so there may be patches of ice. Winds are forecasted to be from the west, so the portions of the route along the water shouldn't be particularly bad. Given the urban nature of the ride, and the fact that flat bar bikes are somewhat more stable in icy conditions, you may want to do the ride on your hybrid (if you have one).
Ride Details
| Team | Winter Riders |
| Distance | 37 or 41 miles (or less with 🚇) |
| Start Location | Sent to registered members |
| Date | Sunday, December 27, 2020 |
| Meet Time | Sent to registered members |
| Start Time | Sent to registered members |
| Level | B - Steady Eddy |
| Speed | ~15 mph |
| Rider Limit |
10 (5 spots left)
|
| Ride Organizer | Jay H. |
Riders
Jay H.
Peter E.
Heather H.
Paul R.
Daniel W.
RIDES AND EVENTS CALENDAR
SUN
05
JAN
SUN
23
FEB
SUN
08
MAR
TUE
10
MAR
WED
11
MAR
SAT
14
MAR
THU
26
MAR
THU
30
APR
MON
11
MAY
SUN
17
MAY
MON
25
MAY
WED
27
MAY
SUN
31
MAY
SUN
07
JUN
SUN
21
JUN
TUE
23
JUN
SUN
28
JUN
SAT
11
JUL
SAT
11
JUL
FRI
17
JUL
SAT
18
JUL
SAT
18
JUL
SAT
18
JUL
SAT
18
JUL
SAT
18
JUL
SAT
18
JUL
SAT
25
JUL
SAT
25
JUL
SAT
25
JUL
SAT
25
JUL
SAT
01
AUG
SAT
01
AUG
SAT
01
AUG
SAT
01
AUG
SAT
01
AUG
SAT
01
AUG
SAT
08
AUG
SAT
08
AUG
SAT
08
AUG
SAT
08
AUG
SAT
08
AUG
SAT
15
AUG
SAT
15
AUG
SAT
15
AUG
SAT
15
AUG
SAT
15
AUG
SAT
15
AUG
SAT
22
AUG
SAT
22
AUG
SAT
22
AUG
SAT
22
AUG
SAT
22
AUG
MON
24
AUG
SAT
29
AUG
WED
09
SEP
SUN
13
SEP
TUE
22
SEP
FRI
09
OCT
SAT
10
OCT
SUN
18
OCT
SAT
24
OCT
SUN
25
OCT
SAT
31
OCT
SAT
28
NOV
SUN
06
DEC
THU
10
DEC
SAT
12
DEC
SUN
13
DEC
THU
24
DEC
SUN
27
DEC
SAT
02
JAN
SUN
10
JAN
WED
20
JAN
THU
04
FEB
MON
01
MAR
SUN
07
MAR
SAT
10
APR
SAT
10
APR
SAT
17
APR
SAT
17
APR
SAT
17
APR
SAT
17
APR
SAT
17
APR
SAT
24
APR
SAT
24
APR
SAT
24
APR
SAT
24
APR
SAT
24
APR
SAT
01
MAY
SAT
01
MAY
SAT
01
MAY
SAT
01
MAY
SAT
01
MAY
SAT
01
MAY
SAT
08
MAY
SAT
08
MAY
SAT
08
MAY
SAT
08
MAY
SAT
15
MAY
SAT
15
MAY
SAT
15
MAY
SAT
15
MAY
SAT
15
MAY
SAT
22
MAY
SAT
22
MAY
SAT
22
MAY
SAT
22
MAY
SAT
05
JUN
SAT
05
JUN
SAT
05
JUN
RIDE LEVEL KEY
A - Speed Freak - Fast paceline ride
B - Steady Eddy - Moderately paced ride
C - Easy Rider - Gentle paced ride
The 'Ride Speed' indicates the target cruising speed on flat roads.