I have a split personality. Whenever I spend too much time road riding I start craving the trails, and vice versa.
I'm familiar with Blue Mountain (Westchester) and Stillwell Woods (Long Island). The former is reachable by train, is steeper, rougher and more varied. The latter requires driving to and is overall easier. I'm willing to explore other places as well.
Any takers?
Ori
Technical Mountain Biking Anyone?
Fri, 12/12/2003 - 4:31pm
Fri, 12/12/2003 - 7:51pm
#1
Maybe Next Weekend
We were going to ride Blue Hills tomorrow, but decided to postpone a week given we were unsure of snow depth. We are planning on Blue Hills+ next Saturday. Stillwell woods in early January. BTW, Stillwell is very accessable by train (Syosett LIRR).
Sat, 12/13/2003 - 5:34am
#2
now we're talking
Hey Ori,
We seem to share the same outlook on riding, I get real cagey if I ride either exclusively. I started carving single track and then got into road, they're both great.
A couple of more local trails that you can get to by train are Graham Hills and Sprain Ridge in Westchester and Bethpage (turns into Greenbelt Trail which ends in Stillwell). There are a handful more that I haven't tried yet.
I used to think about leading a mtb ride for NYCC but there just didn't seem to be the interest. So if your interested I can show you some of these trails.
Ted
Tue, 12/16/2003 - 10:18pm
#3
Let's ride!
Ted,
Got time for a ride this week-end? (If not, I'll be doing the A19 on Saturday.) The weather looks good on either day.
Turns out it's possible to ride the LIRR to Syosset. I'd like to explore the Green Belt as well.
Ori
Sat, 12/13/2003 - 10:03pm
#6
Lots
"Look here:
www.wmba.org/maps.html (westchester)
www.climbonline.org/trails.shtml (LI)
Both club sites got maps and directions to the trail head. That covers a major portions of the ""good"" (technical single track) trails around the city. Not to mention riding buddies.
There're some GREAT trails in Ringwood State Park in northern NJ. I don't have the link off the top of my head. But there's a very active club in northern Jersey. Once you hook up with them, you'll be shown a vast network of some of the best (I guess I mean most technical) riding east of the Rocky! A car would be helpful, though.
"
Fri, 12/12/2003 - 4:46pm
#7
LI
The Greenbelt is also reachable by train. LIRR to either Syosset or Cold Springs Harbor.
Fri, 12/12/2003 - 7:04pm
#8
Pace University - Pocantico Hills
On Route 117, just east of the junction of 117 and 9A in Westchester County, is an area with trails. I don't know its name, but the Westchester County Parks and Recreations dept. should have info on it. I haven't ridden it.
You could get there from Tarrytown train station -- actually the Thornwood station on the Harlem line should be closer.
Sat, 12/13/2003 - 7:50pm
#9
Graham Hills in Westchester
I have found the link:
http://www.co.westchester.ny.us/parks/brochures/Trailways/GrahamHills.htm
This will get you to the page, and you can get a PDF map.
you can also access blue mountian and other destinations with
http://www.co.westchester.ny.us/parks
Sat, 12/13/2003 - 8:23am
#10
Report on Jersey Shore Trail
"Since I didn't get any takers on my proposed 6:30 am off-road ride this morning, I went exploring by myself. After entering River Road, I quickly found a convenient spot to get down onto the trail, but it took me about two hours to reach pavement again. ""Trail,"" I'm afraid, is a bit euphemistic. I don't think I spent five minutes without getting/falling off my bike, and I did not see another human being the entire time. The ""trail"" abounds with rocks and tree trunks. However, aside from the garbage washed up by the River, the scenery is very beautiful, with several lively little waterfalls."
Sat, 12/13/2003 - 12:14pm
#11
Hannah, that trail has always been marginal at best. Another you might want to try is from the north pedestrian path of the GWB. When we're forced to use that side of the bridge, we exit the last stairway to the left. If you go right there is a hiking trail that many of us have used for mountain biking. A word of caution though, it's illegal to bike 0n the trail. SHHHHHH.
Tue, 12/16/2003 - 10:20pm
#12
Thanks for the directions
My thanks to all who contributed to this thread with suggestions and directions.
Ori
Wed, 12/17/2003 - 8:07am
#13
Dec 27th?
I am up for Blue Mountain on December 27th. I would also like to explore a trail near Fahnestock Park at the top of Indian Brook Road. We would use Old Albany Post Road to get from Indian Brook to Peekskill (mostly hardback, very rolling). I originally want to do ride off-road this Saturday, but I need to get some long, hard miles in. Too much holiday merriment...
Wed, 12/17/2003 - 8:07pm
#14
Blue Mountain/Fahnestock
John,
I'll do Blue Mountain any day of the year. I've also been curious about Fahnestock. You're a tough one to keep up with, though. Will you wait for me at the top of the climbs?
Ori
Thu, 12/18/2003 - 6:10am
#15
We're On!
Let's plan then on a December 27th ride. The one trail I have in mind in Fahnestock I have never ridden and want to explore. There is also Old Mine Road, which is a very, very beat-up old road that is only moderately technical in spots, but offers some stunning scenery and is worth it for the scenery alone. Should we all agree (and I hope others will join) on these two options, we will be well, well warmed up by the time we get to Blue Mountain.
Thu, 12/18/2003 - 11:47am
#16
I might be in
Do you have approximate mileage and altitiude gain for this ride? Amount of food and water needed? I might think about risking life and limb if I'm in town next weekend.
Thanks,
Chuck
Thu, 12/18/2003 - 12:21pm
#17
Ride Description
If we do it all (Indian Brook Road (hardpack), Old Mine Road (very beat up road, almost no surface, many ruts, erosion), Indian Brook Trail (singletrack), Old Albany Post Road (hardpack), Blue Mountain (singletrack), South Mountain Pass (hardpack) its like 50 miles and 5000 vertical feet, depending upon how much climbing is done in Blue Mountain. One can always return via Peekskill, saving about 6 miles and 600 vertical feet. However, South Mountain Pass is very scenic and should not be missed. The descent is also fun.
As for food and water, I would bring a couple bottles of water and some power bars or such. We can stop in Peekskill get more water and food before Blue Mountain, but I am not planning on any sit-down eating. Target the 7:53 train to Garrison. That mean we get to Garrison around 10:00. The first half of the ride Indian Brook Road, Old Mine Road, Indian Brook Trail, Old Albany Post Road will take about 3 hours. We then stop briefly in Peekskill to refuel then head to Blue Mountain for 3 hours of more fun! We will return on a train around 5:00 PM. Could even ride to Cold Spring for beers...
