From a training perspective, which of the following 2 areas of NYC would you recommend?
Harlem, preferably “morningside heights,” or somewhere closer to Columbia.
Brooklyn, park slope? I don’t really know brooklyn, but have heard lots of good things about it from folks who do.
Just looking for some feedback on proximity to good running and cycling. I’ll find a pool somewhere, so not too concerned with that.
Thoughts on training via Brooklyn or Harlem? Any other neighborhoods you’d recommend?
Are you moving to the city?
Personally, btw Harlem & Park Slope, I’d go with Harlem. I’m not too familiar with PS, but in Harlem you’re close to Central Park, which has a pretty solid 10k lap for running and/or cycling, and Asphalt Green is at 91st & York, and has the only 50m pool in Manhattan.
That’s why I liked the idea of Harlem. Sort of middle ground for cycling and running.
Yes, the plan is to move this summer. The one concern I had with Harlem was that my g/f would be coming home on the subway late (1, possibly 2 am) from theatre rehearsal. Any safety concerns at that hour in Harlem? Or has it pretty much cleaned up? Or, like anywhere in the world, are there certain blocks to avoid?
Thanks.
Totally depends on where. Technically Harlem goes south to like 92nd or 96th st. I have a few friends that live up there, and it’s pretty residential. I wouldn’t spend a TON of time outside and alone north of maybe 100th street, but that’s probably a bit unfounded (I live downtown, and am not up there much).
If you’re looking at the Harlem area, I would look at the E 90s, maybe low E. 100s. The 4/5/6 train stops at 96th & Lexington, so if you’re near there you shouldn’t have a terrible walk.
Morningside and Harlem (at least Harlem proper) aren’t the same thing. The former is south of 125th and west of Morningside Park. I’d take that over Park Slope every time. Not only do you have Central Park, but you’re a few blocks from Riverside Park and the West Side Path, where you can run all the way down to Battery Park. But the real draw is that you’re close to the GW Bridge, which connects you to 9W - hands down the best riding in the area. If you’re in Brooklyn, you’ll still want to be riding 9W - it’ll just be a slight hassle to get there.
And I wouldn’t worry at all about safety in and around Morningside.
I would go with Harlem over Bklyn even though I was born in Bklyn and spent many years there. Harlem offers you great proximity to Central Park where you have a nice 6 mile loop with plenty of hills and racing (run & bike) on the weekends. I have seen plenty of guys on Tri bikes headed to the park from the northern part of harlem (above 125th Street). Depends where in Harlem you are talking about as far as safety. I have noticed more people (not native Harlem residents) moving further into harlem (above 125th Street). Safety is such a relative term in NYC, you have to have your wits wherever you are in the city at 1AM!
Morningside and Harlem (at least Harlem proper) aren’t the same thing. The former is south of 125th and west of Morningside Park. I’d take that over Park Slope every time. Not only do you have Central Park, but you’re a few blocks from Riverside Park and the West Side Path, where you can run all the way down to Battery Park. But the real draw is that you’re close to the GW Bridge, which connects you to 9W - hands down the best riding in the area. If you’re in Brooklyn, you’ll still want to be riding 9W - it’ll just be a slight hassle to get there.
And I wouldn’t worry at all about safety in and around Morningside.
Absolutely. Morningside should be fine for your GF.
Who wants to be B&T anyway?
Morningside and Harlem (at least Harlem proper) aren’t the same thing. The former is south of 125th and west of Morningside Park. I’d take that over Park Slope every time. Not only do you have Central Park, but you’re a few blocks from Riverside Park and the West Side Path, where you can run all the way down to Battery Park. But the real draw is that you’re close to the GW Bridge, which connects you to 9W - hands down the best riding in the area. If you’re in Brooklyn, you’ll still want to be riding 9W - it’ll just be a slight hassle to get there.
And I wouldn’t worry at all about safety in and around Morningside.
I live in Brooklyn (Ft Greene) - great area (tons of “awards” from the newspapers) - Prospect Park is 7mins away. BUT - I would vote for some area north of Central Park for the reason already mentioned - easier access to NJ (9W). It takes me an hour to get to NJ on my bike, so I am mostly stuck with Prospect laps (which are a great thing to be stuck with) or my trainer (tacx i-magic is not so bad). Ft Greene is an incredible area, but if you have no particular attachment to any area (i.e. all my friends from home are neighbors in Brooklyn) then look up north.
I agree with FIFO. Morningside is definitely distinct from Harlem, and it is a great place to train. It’s a straight shot up Riverside to 9W, and you’re much closer to Central Park and Riverside. I’d advise you to get as close to the park (i.e., as far south) as you can between CPW and Riverside.
From a training perspective, which of the following 2 areas of NYC would you recommend?
Harlem, preferably “morningside heights,” or somewhere closer to Columbia.
Brooklyn, park slope? I don’t really know brooklyn, but have heard lots of good things about it from folks who do.
Just looking for some feedback on proximity to good running and cycling. I’ll find a pool somewhere, so not too concerned with that.
Thoughts on training via Brooklyn or Harlem? Any other neighborhoods you’d recommend?
I would go with Harlem/Morningside. I live in Harlem and am in grad school at Columbia and it’s perfect - I am a few blocks from Central Park and also right next to school. Also, not true that Asphalt Green has the only 50m pool. Harlem has Riverbank Park, which has a 50-meter public pool that pretty much no one uses. You can use it for $2. Best deal in the city.
Also, NYC has about a zillion tri clubs and they pretty much all train in Central Park, so Harlem would also be more convenient for group workouts and whatnot.
Ah…I stepped out to get a cup of coffee and the votes are IN. Thanks all. Maybe I can catch some good recession deals in Morningside. That seems like a great place to be.