How to get to the GWB by bike from Manhattan's West Side*

I would be lying if I didn’t admit that every time I get on a bike in NYC, I am facing down my fears. It’s not just the traffic that frightens me. Sometimes when I start a journey like this, just the idea of getting lost is enough to crush my spirits. Because much as I love exploring, when I get lost I become uncertain. And when that happens, I lose my judgment - and then anything can happen.

For cyclists, riding over the George Washington Bridge is a rite of passage. I’ve heard about it for years, and kind of marveled that anyone would even make this trip. The first ride I took on Lucille was up to the GWB, but I have never understood how to get across it. And every time I ask a veteran rider, they tell me how simple it is. And then give me such convoluted and vague directions that: 1) I can’t follow them and 2) I can’t remember them. And sometimes I hear about stairs.

With every attempt to understand the route, my trepidation has only grown worse. If this keeps on I think, by Spring it’ll be over; I just won't go. For all the cyclists I know who have ridden the GWB, no one has ever volunteered to take me. This is what makes it a rite of passage, I guess; it’s something I’m going to have to figure out on my own. I vow to take this trip myself, and map it for others.

There are of course, many ways to get there. Here is one. I will post others as I find them.

I take the Greenway up passing a sign for 155th Street until finally finding the bike ramp at 158th next to the last concrete tennis court (not well marked unless you know what to look for).

This leads up to 158th and a tunnel going east.

 I keep going until I reach this 5-way intersection. Hmmmm.

I pull over to consult my directions, then spy this cyclist who seems to know what he’s doing. 

I follow him veering left up Riverside Drive, which jibes with my directions...

It expands a bit.

I take it till I arrive at 165th (I pull over once again to verify) and make a right up the hill.

When I reach Ft. Washington, I’m greeted by friendly bike chevrons, and heave a sigh of relief. 

Making a left, I head north to under the Montefiore skyway...

Up to 177th, where I make a quick left downhill, and a right on Cabrini.

Which dead ends a block later. 

OK, now what? Arrows point left, but leave a lot of questions.

Do I take the street - but which way is this street going? Is it a highway on- or off-ramp? I've seen open spaces like this marked off for bikes before - or do I take the sidewalk, which we cyclists are always told is a no-no? And where is the entrance to the Bridge?

This is the moment where an innocent mistake could have dire consequences. And this, of course, is the real issue behind my fear, because I don’t realize it in the moment. There is no traffic, the situation looks completely harmless.

Fortunately, I delay long enough that as I am pondering, my question is answered by this cyclist rounding the corner, coming off the Bridge path.

I take the sidewalk and find the path entrance.

Navigating some hairpin turns (glad I am not clipped in).

Until I can see the Bridge ahead of me.

It is every bit as iconic as the Brooklyn Bridge, something I'm convinced can only be truly appreciated by foot or on a bike. The further up I go, the more compelling the ride. Once I am here, I have no choice but to cross it.

I look to my left and notice the railing is not that high. This is a jumper’s paradise, I think. 

I wonder that there isn’t hurricane fencing, to make such attempts more difficult. But, likely as a concession to the bridge’s breath taking view, the City has relented, and chosen a different way, posting signs like this along the way.

And then the view opens up and I am speechless.

The sheer scope of it is overwhelming. I can only wonder that it occurred to anybody to even build such a structure (Le Corbusier called it “The most beautiful bridge in the world”). After an experience like this, anything is a let down...

But especially this dumpy little path on the Jersey side. This urban track only makes me want to go further however, up the Palisades, whose beauty and scale beckon New Yorkers and challenge cyclists. Light and wind are deterrent enough for one day however. Next time (don't tell Janet), I'll take the subway up to 178th with my folding bike, Lucille - we'll save time and effort and do some real exploring.

As I return, I look down at the path by the River that leads to the GWB.

If you look to the right, you can see the Little Red Lighthouse between the struts of the Bridge.

I retrace my steps home (more or less), arriving with a sense of accomplishment. And with some specific directions to give others who want to make this trip. Here they are:

*DIRECTIONS TO THE GWB FROM HUDSON GREENWAY (no stairs)
Hudson Greenway past 155th St sign, to 158th (beside last concrete tennis court)
Follow bike ramp up to 158th
Go through tunnel and follow to 5-way intersection
Left on Riverside Drive
Merge as Riverside Drive expands
Follow to 165th
Right on 165th to Ft. Washington Ave
Left on Ft. Washington to 177th
Left on 177th to Cabrini
Right on Cabrini
At dead end take left onto sidewalk
Bike/Pedestrian entrance on left in half a block

RETURN
Cabrini, to 177th, and right on Haven
Follow Haven to Ft. Washington
Right on Ft. Washington to 165th
Right on 165th to Riverside
Pay attention to Riverside forking off to left
Follow Riverside to 158th
SHARP RIGHT TURN to 158th, downhill through tunnel
Take ramp down to Greenway

Next rite of passage: Nyack!