Destination: Fort Totten Park

Part of the excitement of cycling comes from the fact that it's inherently a little risky. With the ever-present threat of suddenly-stopped buses and constantly opening car doors, even a short trip down a major road can be like a game of Grand Theft Auto in the highest-def conceivable.

But sometimes, it's nice to just relax, without having to wonder when the next leather-clad thug, or, in the case of Little Neck, grocery-wielding parent will decide to haphazardly leap out in front of you.

I chose Fort Totten as this week's destination, in part because I hadn’t been, by bike or otherwise. Even on the map it looked pleasant; a knob of land surrounded by that pale blue color specific to map-water.

The other appealing aspect of the ride was the road: The map showed an unbroken green line extending from the trail's beginning on Northern Boulevard all the way to the park, indicating a protected bike path. This meant that there would be very little to worry about by way of road-hogging SUVs and overly aggressive trash trucks. It also meant that just last week I had suffered a ride on the horror that is Bell Boulevard – which is currently a recently-milled nightmare of jagged edges and pot holes larger than most craters on the moon – for absolutely no reason.

Departure time (from Little Neck LIRR): 12:42 p.m.

Arrival Time (at park entrance): 1:10 p.m.

Miles: 5.2

The Ride: When you have the luxury of riding a protected road like Joe Michael's Mile (JMM), I've found it's best to take your time. JMM picks up on Northern Boulevard right around the entrance of Cross Island Parkway, which it then parallels all the way to Fort Totten. This, to me, adds to the experience, with the threat of fast-moving cars so close, yet so far away. Like looking at a poisonous snake through a glass tank, it's exhilarating to be in the presence of something that could so easily kill you save for the intervention of a protective, if thin, barrier.

The ride along JMM is lovely and affords gorgeous views at every turn. Certain stretches of the pavement are scarred and bumpy, but the delight of the passing gulls and placid sail boats bobbing in the gray water of Little Neck Bay make this a nominal irritation. Fishermen perch in the distance. A man in a business suit leans against his car, taking in the scenery while puffing a cigar. It's all extremely pleasant.

Something that seems odd, however, is that the path is split right down the middle, with pedestrians free to meander lackadaisically on one side, while all directions of fast-paced bike traffic are packed into the other. The better solution might be to divide the bike portion into two lanes, leaving pedestrians a slightly narrower but still perfectly adequate walking path. This only seems fair, as walking is one of the least dangerous activities a person can engage in, second only to sitting.

The Destination: Fort Totten itself may be among the most perfect biking destinations on Earth. A wonderland of winding, largely car-free paved roads leads you past both old, beautifully restored buildings and old, less-than-restored buildings, still beautiful in their own right. The park is also home to a swimming pool, the Bayside Historical Society and, reportedly, and extensive network of underground tunnels.

Throgs Neck Bridge stands sentry across the water, making any patch of grass in its vicinity an excellent picnic spot. Or so I imagine. Poor planning forced me to improvise with a squashed package of Wintergreen gum. Pro tip: Definitely bring a sandwich. A real one, not just two pieces of gum you put together in attempt to trick your mouth into thinking you're chewing two minty slices of bread. It will not be fooled.

This ride is great for:

Families looking for an outdoorsy way to pass the day.

People who like pausing to contemplate the scenery.

People with sufficient foresight to pack a sandwich.