Let's go walk Broadway
posted September 12, 2011 7:48 PM RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Sat October 8 at 10:00 AM, Northeast side of the Broadway Bridge

The plan: walk the length of Broadway from 225th St to the Battery on Saturday, October 8th. This is a 13.7 mile walk along one of the oldest streets in the US.

There was an earlier plan to do this in July or August but the weekend in question was blisteringly hot so we decided to move it to a later, more temperate date. How about sometime soon?

The general idea would be to meet at 10am on the northeast side of the Broadway Bridge (conveniently located next to the Marble Hill Metro North Station as well as the 1 train 225th St station) and head south, stopping for lunch whenever we get hungry and finishing at the Battery. The northeast side is the side where the downtown 1 train is, the Metro North station is and the random pizza place that I used to get a specific address on google maps is. Since the 1 train is not in service north of 168th St this weekend (I <3 the MTA), you can take the A to 207th and catch the shuttle bus to 225th.

The route? Simple, we just follow Broadway.

Bring things like good shoes, sunscreen and a bottle of water. 13.7 miles is a bit more than a half marathon.

posted by sciencegeek to Meetup (96 comments total)

Unfortunately because I'm mobility impaired walking anything more than 3 miles is totally out of the question for me. However, if you guys have an idea where you might be stopping for lunch, I would love to join you. And I hope those who do go take pictures so I can enjoy the walk in a virtual way.
posted by miss-lapin at 5:52 AM on September 13, 2011

Would like to. Not really sure which weekends I have.
posted by grobstein at 6:00 AM on September 13, 2011

Well, I'll be visiting between 27/9 & 2/10 (or 9/27 & 10/2 depending on your preference) and would be up for some walking. I do have commitments during that time but will keep an eye on this thread in case the dates line up :)
posted by prettypretty at 6:11 AM on September 13, 2011

Dammit! I really want to do this, but I'm not in NY until the 11th October, when it will probably be raining and un-walkworthy.
posted by honey-barbara at 6:28 AM on September 13, 2011

I'm down. Can't do Sundays. Future availability is currently... cloudy. Patchy clouds, mostly sunshine.
posted by Eideteker at 7:26 AM on September 13, 2011

I'm possibly in depending on date. This weekend is out as is Sunday 10/16, Sun 11/6 and the weekend of 11/12. Otherwise I should be able to make it work.
posted by TravellingCari at 11:29 AM on September 13, 2011

I do a similar walk with a different group on the same day as the NYC Marathon (Nov. 6th this year); so later dates are not so bad. We've had pretty good weather for the three times I've walked with them.

The last time we attempted the Mefi version of this, it seemed like Saturday was better for most people.

Is this still true?
posted by sciencegeek at 1:24 PM on September 13, 2011

I am working the weekends of Oct 1/2 and 15th/16th and have a wedding to go to on Oct 22nd/23rd.

So suggested weekends are:

Sept 24th/25th

Oct 8th/9th

Oct 29th/30th

prettypretty: this doesn't line up with your visit and I feel bad about this.
honey-barbera: obviously only the last date would work for you.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:52 PM on September 15, 2011

sciencegeek, that's quite okay. I'm only visiting five days so the window of opportunity is small!
posted by prettypretty at 8:05 PM on September 15, 2011

I want to do this! I can do this on a Saturday! (October dates are better.)
posted by Juicy Avenger at 9:48 PM on September 15, 2011

You can actually stay a street named "Broadway" from Sleepy Hollow down to Battery Park, all 29.1 miles.
posted by yeti at 7:00 AM on September 16, 2011

I'm AOK with the Oct. dates.
posted by TravellingCari at 8:03 AM on September 16, 2011

I'm in!
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:43 PM on September 16, 2011

Oh man, so so sad I'm not in NYC for this.
posted by threeants at 8:45 PM on September 16, 2011

Oct. 15th was the only Saturday I couldn't do (Improv graduation #2, yay!), so I'm good with whatever, at this point. Let's not take too long to decide, because plans have a way of happening...

Yay! Can't wait! Need to buy new boots and start breaking them in so they're good for the whole walk.
posted by Eideteker at 5:23 AM on September 17, 2011

Sorry if I've been a bit scattered, I'm in the midst of my sister's wedding weekend.

Let's call it for October 8th with a rain date of October 29th.
posted by sciencegeek at 3:49 AM on September 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

A friend of mine just pointed out that the 8th is on Columbus Day weekend, if that's relevant to anyone.
posted by sciencegeek at 3:02 PM on September 19, 2011

Ooh! I did this once on my own, and it was very cool. I think I'm in -- what time?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:08 AM on September 21, 2011

Oh. Duh -- just checked above that y'all are meeting at 10. It is gonna be hard for me to get up there in time; I may just head to, say, 90th and Broadway and sit out on the sidewalk at a Starbucks' or something and wait to join you when you all march by.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:57 AM on September 21, 2011

the last meetup i went to was in NYC about seven years ago. my next visit to NYC puts me there at the perfect time to do another. I think the universe is trying to tell me something. Though, last time it there was a bar and johnmc with strange junk food involved. Any stops like that planned? I may not have time in my schedule for a 13 mile walk.
posted by th3ph17 at 8:19 AM on September 21, 2011

(sorry for the misspelling jonmc.)
posted by th3ph17 at 8:28 AM on September 21, 2011

And yet another friend of mine pointed out that this is Yom Kippur.

(I really need to be better about looking at the holiday section of my calendar when I do stuff like this).
posted by sciencegeek at 9:39 AM on September 24, 2011

Sciencegeek, does that mean you'll move this again? Just checking.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:56 AM on September 30, 2011

No, I think we should just walk; I have this theory that walking is a kind of atoning.

Unless it rains, in which case the rain date will apply.
posted by sciencegeek at 11:49 AM on September 30, 2011

I really wish I could join you for this, but I'll be out of town. :( I look forward to seeing if you guys will do something like this again.
posted by TrishaLynn at 3:25 PM on September 30, 2011

Yeah I will be out of town. (Anyone going to walk the length of Broadway while fasting?)
posted by grobstein at 10:17 AM on October 1, 2011

I'm starting to get excited about walking.

Good news: there are no scheduled outages for the 1 or A trains on Saturday and so far the weather report is predicting a sunny day in the 70s.

I ran into a Mefite while I was at work this weekend and we were talking about this meetup. I think it is very much worth mentioning that if you're not interested in a really long walk that meeting somewhere along the route for a shorter walk is definitely an option. The only issue is that I do not have a smart phone and so will not be able to post locational updates in real time. If there is someone who will be with us who does have this capability - and since the rest of the world is less Luddite than I am, I'm going to assume someone will - we can post updates here. For those on the more Luddite end of the scale, please memail me and we can exchange phone numbers.

I'm liking the idea of the magical moving meetup.
posted by sciencegeek at 4:21 AM on October 3, 2011

"The only issue is that I do not have a smart phone and so will not be able to post locational updates in real time. If there is someone who will be with us who does have this capability - and since the rest of the world is less Luddite than I am, I'm going to assume someone will - we can post updates here."

Yeah, that's probably me.

I also live along Broadway, so I may have the opportunity to run to my apartment (in the 150s) if anyone needs anything (or to drop off anything, like that coat you thought you were going to need). I might have some gatorade and water in my fridge, but that should be easy enough to buy at any bodega along the way. I'm thinking more things like an ace bandage (twisted my ankle this weekend; feeling better already, thanks) or what have you.

scigeek, do you have my #? If not, MeMail me.
posted by Eideteker at 7:04 AM on October 4, 2011

I'm going to have to drop out after all -- I just began a new roommate-hunt and Saturday is shaping up to be the First of the Grand Screening-Of-Potential-Roommates days. (If anyone knows of anyone who needs a room in Brooklyn as of November 1st, incidentally, send 'em my way.) Thanks.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:35 AM on October 4, 2011

Should we plan a post-walk meetup? Granted, we don't know when we'll get there, but we could pick a spot (most of that area is usually deserted on weekends; not sure how the protests are affecting that) and keep the thread up to date as we get closer to the end of the walk. Folks could show up at any time and mingle while they wait for us walkers, though. The Whitehorse Tavern is the only place in the area I know that's open for certain on Saturdays.
posted by Eideteker at 9:10 AM on October 4, 2011

Afterwards I am probably going to be ready for a bubble-bath and a foot-rub...

... ya, didn't think so ;)
posted by rosswald at 11:23 AM on October 4, 2011

I like the idea of a post-walk meet up but it would be hard to get a time for it. Then again, I know that in the past, I've been fairly ravenously hungry at the end of these walks so a place where we could grab a bite and perhaps a beer would be nice.

And since we have the magic of the internet to let people know when we'll be there, this could work.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:36 PM on October 4, 2011

Right, then I'm going to go ahead and call a tentative location of Whitehorse, time TBD (probably around 6 or 7?). Interested parties who can't or don't want to do the walk can watch this thread, and meet us there (and you folks can buy for us walkers).
posted by Eideteker at 3:56 PM on October 4, 2011

NOTE: There will be NO #1 train service to 225th St./Marble Hill. There will be free shuttle buses. Plan a little extra time to get to the starting point in the morning.

Planned Service Changes for: Saturday, October 08, 2011

No 1 trains between 168 St and 242 St
A trains, M3 and free shuttle buses provide alternate service
Weekend, 12:01 AM Sat to 5 AM Mon, Oct 8 - 10

posted by Eideteker at 6:47 AM on October 5, 2011 [2 favorites]

Can't join, but just wanted to wish everyone luck. Having done it myself a few years back, it's a great challenge. The first 150 blocks fly by, but once you reach Midtown... Waiting for lights to change is the killer. But -- have fun!
posted by Capt. Renault at 9:13 AM on October 5, 2011

Something interesting I am noticing:
if you have adblock enabled on the mta.info service changes page, it doesn't show you the service changes and doesn't let you know that there are things on the page that aren't being shown. That's kind of uncool.

Easiest way to get to 225th is to take the A to 207th and get a shuttle bus there. The bus will go along Broadway to 225th. Alternatively, Metro North's Hudson line stops at Marble Hill quite frequently.

MNR Schedules Look-up Results:
Origin Station: GRAND CENTRAL
Destination Station: MARBLE HILL
Travel Date: 10/08/2011

GC               MARBLE HILL        Travel Time    Peak Fares Apply?

7:57 AM 	        8:16 AM 		19 		OFF PEAK
8:20 AM 	        8:40 AM 		20 	 	OFF PEAK
8:57 AM 		9:16 AM 		19 		OFF PEAK
9:20 AM 		9:40 AM 		20 		OFF PEAK
9:57 AM 		10:16 AM 		19 		OFF PEAK

posted by sciencegeek at 9:51 AM on October 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

On the upside, the weather forecast is BEAUTIFUL for Saturday. If you're at all on the fence, I'd go so far as to suggest there may not be a better time to do this walk.
posted by Eideteker at 11:41 AM on October 5, 2011

Shit, I'm in. I'll be visiting NYC from Los Angeles over the weekend, and I'd love to join up with you guys.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 2:02 PM on October 5, 2011

I'm not up for the walking (found out last week that the source of the mysterious pain in my foot was a stress fracture after all) but will be a maybe for the Whitehorse Tavern part of the meetup.
posted by oh yeah! at 5:47 AM on October 6, 2011

In an amazing stroke of luck I am dogsitting at 215th street this weekend. I can see the rendezvous point from the window of the apartment! (Downside: the last thing I will want to do when this is all over is go back up there and walk a dog.)
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:30 AM on October 6, 2011

It looks like the 2 train will get you there unless I'm seriously misreading something.

Also, we'll be going past Zucchotti Park! This will give the opportunity to buy falafels for the Occupy Wall Street crowd.
posted by orrnyereg at 10:51 AM on October 6, 2011

The 2 train will NOT get you to 225th and Broadway.

It isn't that far from the 207th St A station to 225th if you look at the map.
posted by sciencegeek at 11:45 AM on October 6, 2011

Well I was really hoping to participate - but a blown out knee means I can't gimp along. A shame because this will be fun. Have a great day.
posted by TravellingCari at 10:11 AM on October 7, 2011

I am going to have to put myself as a maybe now. Some familial stuff came up...
posted by rosswald at 3:54 PM on October 7, 2011

It looks like it is going to be absolutely beautiful outside tomorrow. If you've been on the fence about walking, what about just joining us for a few blocks?

Hopefully we will be posting locational updates as we move.
Alternately, memail me your phone number and what block you'd like to be phoned from.
posted by sciencegeek at 6:34 PM on October 7, 2011

since you guys are basically going to WALK PAST MY HOUSE I feel I should join in for a bit, depends when I wake up
posted by The Whelk at 7:06 PM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]

In theory I would go to the end bit as the White Horse is my local but in reality I will prolly just stare creepily from across the street and then run home to hide under the bed.
posted by elizardbits at 8:03 PM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]

people staring creepily from across the street is our core demo.
posted by The Whelk at 8:36 PM on October 7, 2011

Please come to the end bit, and bring your bits. You can run away afterwards.

I'm fully charging my devices and lazurs and am prepared for the updating of the masses along the way. Looking forward to this, even though I am still vaguely plaguey.
posted by Eideteker at 5:30 AM on October 8, 2011

I'm coming! En route to the other end of the world, ie, Marble Hill.
posted by Salamandrous at 5:33 AM on October 8, 2011

Good luck gang! I cannot be there but I am cheering you on!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:43 AM on October 8, 2011

My Luddite devices are charged, I'm about to go find some bandaids and duct tape to put in my backpack, the cat is confused about all this activity at this time of the morning, and the sun is shining.

I am also one of those people who at one point stood on the other side of the street looking at the group of people: from the other side of the street we look much shiftier than from up close. Come for five minutes - that's shorter than the amount of time you spend stuck in a subway car with that guy who plays Greensleeves so winsomely on the pan pipe.
posted by sciencegeek at 5:50 AM on October 8, 2011

We are on the NW side of the Broadway bridge.
posted by sciencegeek at 6:44 AM on October 8, 2011

I don't see you guys. I'm by the shuttle bus stop.
posted by orrnyereg at 6:50 AM on October 8, 2011

I'm wearing an orange shirt with a black hoodie.
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:55 AM on October 8, 2011

I'm on the shuttle bus, almost there!
posted by Salamandrous at 7:03 AM on October 8, 2011

Ok I don't see anybody. Where are you??
posted by Salamandrous at 7:07 AM on October 8, 2011

On the bridge. The side with theconstruction
posted by sciencegeek at 7:08 AM on October 8, 2011

Actually on the bridge? Do I have to go up to 130 something to go up?
posted by Salamandrous at 7:12 AM on October 8, 2011

Head toward Chase & TARGET.
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:15 AM on October 8, 2011

And we're off!
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:24 AM on October 8, 2011

I'm swinging by now to pick up any stragglers. Wll be making spedy progress to meet rest of the group.

if you want to meet us, mefi mail me your number so I can txt you our location.
posted by Eideteker at 7:43 AM on October 8, 2011

Caught up w/the group @ 163rd. Heading downtown!
posted by Eideteker at 8:33 AM on October 8, 2011

Stopping near 137 for lunch soon
posted by sciencegeek at 8:55 AM on October 8, 2011

We are at Flor De Broadway at 138th
posted by sciencegeek at 9:05 AM on October 8, 2011

Stopped for lunch @ Flor de Broadway / 138th & Bway.
posted by Eideteker at 9:06 AM on October 8, 2011

Okay I'm up,
posted by The Whelk at 9:29 AM on October 8, 2011

when you get close to 80 let me know
posted by The Whelk at 9:42 AM on October 8, 2011

100th St!
posted by Eideteker at 10:35 AM on October 8, 2011

93rd!
posted by Smart Dalek at 10:49 AM on October 8, 2011

stopped for Italian ice. Moving again @ 90th St.
posted by Eideteker at 10:52 AM on October 8, 2011

I'll be at the corner of the apple bank right before Verdi square, at Verdi square you can get gelato. I will be getting gelato.
posted by The Whelk at 10:58 AM on October 8, 2011

84th!
posted by Eideteker at 10:59 AM on October 8, 2011

(orange shirt, brown leather jacket) also you guys are a block away form The Best Bar In Manhattan
posted by The Whelk at 11:00 AM on October 8, 2011

Stopped @ B&N for potty break. Bathrooms are being cleaned for next 15 min. Meet us here?
posted by Eideteker at 11:07 AM on October 8, 2011

my phone died after gelato so I went home to nurse my hangover, good luck!
posted by The Whelk at 11:50 AM on October 8, 2011

@ Columbus Circle.
posted by Eideteker at 11:55 AM on October 8, 2011

Entering Times Sq. Our next gathering point will be the Northwest corner of Union Sq.
posted by Eideteker at 12:13 PM on October 8, 2011

@w35th
posted by Smart Dalek at 12:30 PM on October 8, 2011

Just got to 17th Street for a Mister Softee break.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 12:52 PM on October 8, 2011

Correction: South side of Union Sq. behind the horse's ass.
posted by Eideteker at 12:53 PM on October 8, 2011

Looks like we're 3 miles from battery park. Even if we amble, we're on schedule to be @ te Battery aroundsunset. Anyone looking to join us @ White Horse can plan on 6:30ish.
posted by Eideteker at 1:02 PM on October 8, 2011

We stopped @ the Strand, said hi to jonmc.
posted by Eideteker at 1:29 PM on October 8, 2011

Between Duane & Reade!
posted by Eideteker at 2:05 PM on October 8, 2011

Contribute some angry chanting for me!
posted by The Whelk at 2:16 PM on October 8, 2011

Aaaaaaaand... We made it. We're @Battery Park for sunset, then to the Whitehorse Tavern!
posted by Eideteker at 2:27 PM on October 8, 2011

Sunset was loverly, now @ Whitehorse.
posted by Eideteker at 3:34 PM on October 8, 2011

Whitehorse has food, but only til 3pm on Sat. We ordered a pizza.
posted by Eideteker at 3:53 PM on October 8, 2011

So is anyone meeting us here?
posted by Eideteker at 4:27 PM on October 8, 2011

THAT WAS FUN. SO TIRED. SOOOO GOOD THOUGH.

Seriously, thanks guys. That was a lot of fun. It helps that we had a great group.
posted by Eideteker at 6:40 PM on October 8, 2011

I am at home. I am tired.

Thanks to everyone who came and walked, that was so much fun.

To those of you who couldn't make it: you missed a great walk/meetup/thingie.
posted by sciencegeek at 7:08 PM on October 8, 2011

The feeling in my legs is starting to return!

Thanks, everybody, for a great adventure. I've started putting together my photo set here. Not entirely sure about the placement on the map of some of them, but you'll get the idea.
posted by orrnyereg at 6:17 AM on October 10, 2011

Hope you don't mind, but I'm annotating your excellent (and thorough) photoset. (Also added it to the sidebar.)
posted by Eideteker at 7:49 AM on October 12, 2011

*blushing* Of course I don't mind!
posted by orrnyereg at 7:58 AM on October 12, 2011

Sad I missed out! Hopefully we can do it again sometime.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:31 AM on October 12, 2011

I'd love to make it an annual tradition.
posted by sciencegeek at 3:31 PM on October 12, 2011

This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments

Let's go walk Broadway posted September 12, 2011 7:48 PM RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Let's go walk Broadway
posted September 12, 2011 7:48 PM RSS | iCal | +googleCal