FreshNewbie-Cycling on Long Island

[Jo-n-NY]

I couldn't find the thread where you asked me about my favorite roads to ride on LI. Here is a book that we are looking through to find some interesting places to ride. When we rode in Pt Washington I think on Memorial Day we got that route from the book. It is called Short Bike Rides Long Island, Fifth Ed. by Phil Angelillo.

I know one of these Thursdays (maybe this one coming up) we will ride a route to the Hamptons. I know this book has some info on it.

~ JoAnn

[Jo-n-NY]

Marina,
I just found your last post on the other thread. Good For You!!!! 30 miles is great. I know what you are saying about the condition of some of the roads.

Did you get to ride the Bethpage Path? You will notice that parts of the path are lifted a little because of the roots of the trees. I pick up the path at the Massapequa end from Clark Blvd because that is where I get to from my house. My son chooses to put his bike on his car, drive to Bethpage Pk and ride the path from there which would be the opposite direction of the way I ride it.

My husband knows of a route from the Bethpage side to make for a longer ride, but when riding by myself I am just comfortable riding my on little route from my house, the path and back. I am out for a couple of hours, when I get to the park I stop at a bench, drink some gatorade, stetch, ride home and feel like I had a good enjoyable 24 mile ride.

I guess the map you saw takes you off the path. I am curious to see what route it is so if you get a chance can you let me know the link that you found it on.

Talk to you soon!!!

~ JoAnn

[FreshNewbie]

Hey JoAnn!
Thank you for reply, we already got the book and will start checking out the routes. I went for a ride yesterday 30 miles and we averaged about 16mph, on some parts I was going around 18 or 19 mph and that is with my platform pedals. We went to a very nice bike shop .Its small but guys there are professional racers so they know what they are talking about and help you with everything, it's in Bellport.We got me road shoes ( specialized torch for women),they didn't have speedplays in stock but next week they are ordering so i am coming and and they will put it up for me :-) I am very excited but terrified at the same time. I will try to find that website that talkes about that route, and I will let you know. Hope you enjoy your rides,


Marina

[Jo-n-NY]

Hi Marina,

Was your ride out near Bellport. If so, how was the traffic. What a great speed you were going. I ride that at times on the path, but it depends how many other people are on it.

If you want to personally e-mail me instead of going through the board I have my e-mail up all day here at work, joann.lettini@thomson.com so feel free.

I know you will love your speedplay pedals. They will not take you long to get use to them. If you have a trainer just practice on that. I know you will do fine.

I am waiting to hear the weather for this Thursday. If it is going to be nice I will be taking off. Tony (my husband) has an appt at 4:00 so we have we won't have time to go out east as we don't want to go out there when we have to watch the time. We might just do our regular ride Bethpage or Jones Beach. We both need some r&r time also so that will be ok.

Talk to you again soon. I hear your excitment in your postings and it just puts a smile on my face.

Talk to you again soon!

~ JoAnn

[FreshNewbie]

Hey JoAnn, the traffic in that area is ok, but we try not to ride in Bellport often since we have to ride through a bad area where people don't like cyclist of anyone for that matter. Although, all the routes we take are usually are heavy on traffic but the shoulders are very wide and there is a bike path that is very nice. I will def email you tomorrow, by any chance do you work on Fulton street?? if so, i have a friend and my ex working there :-) World is small. Anyway, I hope you get lucky with weather and enjoy your ride. Talk to you soon, and thanx for you wishes.

[Jo-n-NY]

Actually Marina, I work on Hudson street the cross street is W. Houston. I forget where Fulton Street is from here. I walk to Ave of the America's to eat my lunch. There are benches in the middle of the intersection, but I know eat under trees in a McDonald's playground area because there are less pigeons unless some person starts feeding them. ugh.

I went for my short 14 mile ride after work yesterday to visit Tony at work. I expected to ride that at least 3 times a week during the summer but it just never happened. I am glad I have a good amount of vacation days for Thursdays so I can get in a longer ride. This weekend is my only weekend free for this month and so far I don't see rain in the forcast so I will be out there riding both days. Then I will have to wait for Labor Day to get a weekend ride in. Next year I will put less on my platter for sure.

Thank you for the info on Bellport. I hate places that are not cyclist friendly. When we get out east I will for sure let you know where we go.

Ok, I look forward to hearing from you when you have time.

~ JoAnn