To celebrate 70 degree weather, we take our bike off the island today and travel to Brooklyn on what we call the Bridges Loop, cuz we go over bridges!
We begin, as always, hauling our beastly bike down to street level. This time we head south on 2nd Ave, toward Chinatown.
2nd Ave heading south
In the distance, we can see Confucius Plaza, a huge apartment building that is the heart of Chinatown.
Confucius Plaza and entry to Manhattan Bridge
The Plaza is right at the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge, which connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. It is the only bridge that is used by NYC subway trains. All the other subways go through tunnels under the rivers.
Jing Fong Dim Sum Palace
Before we get on the bridge, we look longingly across the street to Jing Fong. This is where we go for DIM SUM! The entire top floor of the building is a huge, open restaurant full of dim sum peddlers and hungry people, like US!
Manhattan Bridge bike path
As you start across the bridge, a big sign says “No bikes!!” We ignore that.
Chinatown from the bridge
There are great views of Chinatown and the downtown towers from the bridge. The interesting building to the left is part of the Civic Center. We end up there later.
View of Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan Bridge
Here’s the view from the middle of the Manhattan Bridge. From here, we descend into Brooklyn. The bike path loops around for a couple of blocks before you find yourself on the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. Thank goodness we only have to be in Brooklyn for a few minutes!
Heading onto the Brooklyn Bridge
The weekend crowds on the Brooklyn Bridge are INTENSE! And the people, in their awe, always wander obliviously into the bike lane. But it’s pretty spectacular.
View of Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn Bridge
There’s where we came from, the Manhattan Bridge, with the city behind it. We love this view.
Lower Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge bike path
Not too many tourists today cuz it’s Friday afternoon.
City Hall Park
After you land back in Manhattan, you are plop in the middle of the Civic Center. The bike path here goes through City Hall Park, right behind City Hall (naturally).
World Trade Center site
As we trundle carefully through the streets of Tribeca, we pass the construction site where the World Trade Centers used to be. And soon we reach the Hudson River. Ahhh.
Hudson River looking north
At the River, we are back on the bike path that we’ve been on before and head north.
Bike path on the Hudson River
Today, things aren’t so green cuz last week was winter and snow, so everything’s dead. But it should be green and verdant once you guys are here.
Heading into Greenwich Village
When we hit 10th St, we turn into Greenwich Village and head east until we get home.
