you never were on this path were you?
-courtesy Tranalt.org
Ah winter .. the great equalizer. Thanks for coming back old pal and clearing the Williamsburg bridge bike paths of all the seasonal bikers and runners who so obnoxiously clog up that artery during the warmer months. The population in Williamsburg has skyrocketed since I first started riding my bike over there in 1998 to see an old girlfriend. This massive influx of exercise minded California transplants coupled with the city's newfound revitilization of bike paths, see Hudson Greenway and the East River paths, has lead to a massive amount of congestion and traffic. The NY Times reports that bicycling in NYC has quadrupled from 2000 to 2008.
The Williamsburg bridge bike path used to begin slightly underneath the bridge (Manhattan side) where you would have to carry your bike up a massive 88 step flight of stairs which lead to the first part of the path. The begins of the path were a rickety old boardwalk complete with loose boards, some of which would pop out a bit after your tire crossed over them. You don't remember this, do you Williamsburg kids? After a sharp left and a sharp right turn you would reach the main part of the path which is pretty much the same, except not as smooth, as the one you find now. Then down the treacherous south ramp (the north one wasn't built yet). I wish I had some pictures of "the boardwalk path" to post here.
The cold front last week when temperatures plunged into the single digits at night were glorious, no track bikers! no fixed gears! where were the hardcore Williamsburg faithfull who all ride the same bikes and carry the same locks in their back pockets? Too cold I guess, I did pass 2 mountain bikers on the snow covered bridge one night who were all smiles and greetings.
Please don't let it get warm anytime soon!
