NYC Cycling

See topic riding in NY..

S/F,
CEYA!

CyclistNYC said:

Anyone know of the best cycling areas around NYC? I really like Prospect Park. Any others?

the whole city is good for cycling! Central Park, the West Side highway, Ocean Boulevard to Coney Island and Rockaway Beach... there's not a bad place to bike!

www.transalt.org for more info!

This is true, as long as you don't mind the extreme misery and danger of fighting for every square inch of space with oversized vehicules very aggressively piloted by undersized brains (often with a distinct hostility toward cyclists). . . I belong to TA, just as a matter of principle, but cyclists rights in NYC often seems like a losing battle. New York is actually a very backward-thinking town regarding alternative trans. or any type of alternative lifestyle.

Anyway, I'm assuming that the original poster's query meant most suitable routes for a serious fast riding, not touring, so here it is: Riverside Drive North (Manhattan) all the way up to 165th St./left to Ft. Washington Ave/left on 176th, follow signs for George Washington Bridge/Cross G.W.B. into New Jersey/left at end of bike/pedestrian ramp, one mile south, enter left onto "River Road"/ Continue North 11mi on a great, hilly roller coaster with a steep climb at end, then onto 9W North/ continue about 35mi to Bear Mt. State Park, explore one of several options among the beautiful and sparcely travelled (on weekdays) park drives. Best climbing is on Tiorati Brook rd. and of course the steep climb to the fire tower on Bear Mt./reverse route and return to NYC the way you came (try to get back before rush hour).

That's right: the best ride in New York City is actually in New Jersey.

There are also some great rides in Westchester County, but to complicated to describe here. The "Gimbol's Ride" on Sunday mornings, is an old and famous (high-speed!) ride through Westchester that I think is still going on after 20 years. But to hold on, you'll need top fitness.

Hope this helps, enjoy your riding in NYC!

saianjuma1 said:

the whole city is good for cycling! Central Park, the West Side highway, Ocean Boulevard to Coney Island and Rockaway Beach... there's not a bad place to bike!

www.transalt.org for more info!

Steelhead said:

This is true, as long as you don't mind the extreme misery and danger of fighting for every square inch of space with oversized vehicules very aggressively piloted by undersized brains (often with a distinct hostility toward cyclists). . . I belong to TA, just as a matter of principle, but cyclists rights in NYC often seems like a losing battle. New York is actually a very backward-thinking town regarding alternative trans. or any type of alternative lifestyle.

Anyway, I'm assuming that the original poster's query meant most suitable routes for a serious fast riding, not touring, so here it is: Riverside Drive North (Manhattan) all the way up to 165th St./left to Ft. Washington Ave/left on 176th, follow signs for George Washington Bridge/Cross G.W.B. into New Jersey/left at end of bike/pedestrian ramp, one mile south, enter left onto "River Road"/ Continue North 11mi on a great, hilly roller coaster with a steep climb at end, then onto 9W North/ continue about 35mi to Bear Mt. State Park, explore one of several options among the beautiful and sparcely travelled (on weekdays) park drives. Best climbing is on Tiorati Brook rd. and of course the steep climb to the fire tower on Bear Mt./reverse route and return to NYC the way you came (try to get back before rush hour).

That's right: the best ride in New York City is actually in New Jersey.

There are also some great rides in Westchester County, but to complicated to describe here. The "Gimbol's Ride" on Sunday mornings, is an old and famous (high-speed!) ride through Westchester that I think is still going on after 20 years. But to hold on, you'll need top fitness.

Hope this helps, enjoy your riding in NYC!

The Gimble's ride used to have to courses, and it is correct you need to be in good condition.

It is called Gimbles because that is where the old Gimble store was at the time. I heard it turned into STERNS.

S/F,
CEYA!

well, Bear Mountain is in New York...

saianjuma1 said:

well, Bear Mountain is in New York...

😕

See what happens when you've been living too long in NYC? I actually forgot Bear Mt. was in New York! (although not in NYC, per the original question). Anyway, it's a great ride (but watch out for a few miles worth of narrow shoulders).

BTW, riding in NYC is only miserable if you're trying to train. It can be fun if you live here and have a second "commuter" bike, and don't expect to do any real "training" type rides. It's a different kind of experience. You actually commute on your bike, run errands, check out humanity, etc. . . stop to smell the "roses."

I use an old racing bike of mine from the 80s (Team Fuji). I put MTB pedals on it and a wheel rack in the back for carrying groceries. Otherwise I use it as-is, Campy Nuovo Record shifters and all. . . I can still ride pretty fast on it, even in flip-flops. . . It's so crusty and dated that theft appeal is low (except for those Campy derailleurs, which I hear are collectors items now).

This is what I posted in the link I provided earlier.

you can ride up in the bronx to Rye NY. Good ride ! you can also do the Gimble's Ride ,if they still do it as well as the George Washington Bridge ride to Bear Mountain. the Long Island ride out to East hampton ..LONG RIDE here.

Also the old Kissena Ride out on the Horace harding Expressway. Try going out to Little Neck .

S/F,
CEYA!