Exploring NYC by Bicycle - The Coney Island Loop

Ahhh, sinking toes into sand.

For something completely different we saved the last item on my agenda for the warmest day of our trip: riding to Coney Island by way of the Brooklyn-Queens bikeway section called Ocean Park Greenway. We ate breakfast at Terrace Bagels en route, then my son navigated by Google Maps all the integral turns to get us on the straight 5-mile path to the ocean. 

A mile from the ocean the breeze was noticeably cooler and we smelled the salty air. Conversely, my son wondered whether people who lived by the sea could perceive the difference when traveling to a freshwater body of water, for example, anyone visiting where we live near Lake Champlain.

I walked barefoot, sometimes plodding through the cold water until we arrived at Luna Park. The amusement rides open late May so it was relatively quiet on the boardwalk, however a few concession stands were open.

My son and I retrieved our bikes and returned for lunch and respite from the hot sun.

Thank goodness for umbrella covered tables!

Approaching the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

We considered visiting the New York Aquarium, adjacent to the park, but reviews provided insight into current renovations and suggested waiting until all exhibits were open. In spite of Google Maps not being entirely accurate, their reviews have been very helpful on this trip. And, after our rest, because my son was lagging in the navigation department to get us off the island, I used the GPS locator (my first time!) to backtrack and get us headed in the right direction. It's all well and good to ask locals where to go but for expediency, a smartphone is at our fingertips.

Consulting the paper map ahead of time (and referring to it also periodically) we agreed to return to Park Slope via the Shore Parkway Greenway, which passes beneath the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and should provide nice water views.

The underbelly of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

We reached the path after two miles of riding along a busy road, but once that was past it was a pleasant, if somewhat noisy ride with the Beltway also close to the shore.

Views of  Jersey City and Manhattan.

We both enjoyed the massive tankers plying the waterway.

With a thunderstorm brewing, the temperatures reached 85F as we pedaled inland, riding busy 5th Avenue northward. We took a break for ice cream then braved the last miles to our accommodation and lay down in our, thankfully, cool apartment for while.

Thunderstorm and rain rolled over the city. Later, we ventured out for Chinese take-out and walked back beneath the most amazing sky at sunset. This was our last full day in New York City and it seemed a fitting finale.