Specifically, route 6 from the peekskill train stop, over the bear mountain bridge, to about woodbury commons. Or is there a better way? If you could point me to a cue sheet, that'd be fine too.
Thanks.
Is Route6 safe for riding?
Mon, 10/17/2005 - 3:19pm
Mon, 10/17/2005 - 6:01pm
#1
Another thought....
I've ridden the Peekskill to Bear mountain bridge route both ways over a dozen times this season. I go through Peekskill, up Division, down highland, and make a left at Roa Hook road to get to Route 9 which turns into 202. Traffic moves at about 35 MPH and I haven't had a problem riding on the shoulder either way. However, you have to feel very confident on the bike to do it.
I've gone via Mine Road (sometimes closed). A longer way - 22 miles total - with more hills is as follows. Once over Bear Bridge, go right on 9W for 5.5 miles, then go south on Hwy 293 for 5.5 miles, then right on Bull Pond Rd for 1.1 miles, right on Proctoria for .93 miles, then left on CR 9 for 1.3 miles, then left on Hwy 32 for 2.1 miles.
It is a 1,200 foot climb up 9w after the Bear Mountain Bridge and then there are rolling hills down 293.
Good luck,
Bob
Addendum:
The following is a route with less climbing and is 24.5 miles from Peekskill to Woodbury Commons.
After going over the Bear Mountain bridge, go south on Route 9 for .4 miles and make a right into Bear Mountain Park on Seven Lakes Drive. Stay on Seven Lakes for 7.7 miles, make right on Arden Valley Road (at Tiorati Circle). Stay on Arden Valley Road for 5.1 miles and make a right on Hwy 17. Stay on Hwy 17 for 4.1 miles to arrive at Woodbury Commons.
There is one significant gradual climb to 648 feet once you get into Bear Mountain Park. After that, it is rolling hills. In addition, there is one point on Seven Lakes drive that you have to enter and exit the Palisades Parkway for about 800 feet, but you can ride on a very wide shoulder on the Parkway - so, you are never really on the Highway. I've done it many times without a problem - just stay alert.
Mon, 10/17/2005 - 6:47pm
#2
?
"Bob;
Have you actually done this: ""right on Bull Pond Rd for 1.1 miles, right on Proctoria for .93 miles?""
It is what I alluded to but should not be mentioned so casually.
""Arden Valley Road (some hardpack dirt, cobblestone, and right through the middle of a very remote hotel resort building - weird, strange, made me feel uncomfortable)""
This is not the Arden Valley Road I know and love. While it is potholed in spots due to poor maintenance, there is no hardpack, cobblestone, nor a remote hotel resort... However, whatever you are describing sounds very, very interesting. Please tell more!"
Tue, 10/18/2005 - 5:23am
#3
Arden Valley Road - Arden Road - Arden House Road
Here is how I found out about Mine Rd closures and Arden Road and Arden Valley road.
I wanted to climb the hill on 9W north and was hoping to go south down 293 and across Mine Road and back to Perkins. However, Mine Road was closed due to parachute training so I turned on my GPS and continued down 293. The GPS routed me to Bull Pond Road, Proctoria, CR-9, Hwy 32, and Hwy 17. All good roads for a bicycle although Hwy 17 did have some potholes on the shoulder.
According to the GPS, the quickest way back to climb perkins was to make a left off of Hwy 17 and onto Arden Road which turned into Arden Valley Road. Looking at the GPS map now on my desktop computer, it was Arden Road that was the strange dirt, cobblestone, hotel path. As soon as I hit Arden Valley road, it was all paved and fine. (I have now set my GPS auto-routing to avoid unpaved roads).
If I had continued south on Hwy 17 for an additional .7 more miles and turned left on Arden HOUSE road instead the road may have been paved and fine. However, I have not been down Arden HOUSE road. Arden HOUSE road turns into Arden VALLEY road. This route would have added an additional 1.44 miles to my trip.
In hindsight, going from Seven lakes, down Arden Valley Road which turns into Arden HOUSE road, and then empties into Hwy 17 may be fine. I just haven't been down the Arden HOUSE road part.
Bob
Tue, 10/18/2005 - 6:00am
#4
Bob;
“…going from Seven Lakes, down Arden Valley Road which turns into Arden HOUSE road, and then empties into Hwy 17 may be fine. I just haven't been down the Arden HOUSE road part.” Yes, this is quite nice. I think, however, that “Arden House Road” no longer exists, at least in the context you are describing. I have been up Arden Valley many, many times and I do not remember the sign on Route 17 reading “Arden House Road.” If I am wrong, somebody please tell me, as I have several cue sheets that need correction.
Regarding Bull Pond – Proctoria, keep in mind that technically this road is never open to the public, unlike Mine Torne Road. In addition, going east – west requires climbing a half mile, 15% plus grade hill. However, traffic is very, very light…
Tue, 10/18/2005 - 5:51pm
#5
Bull Pond Road
I used to regularly lead a club ride over Bull Pond Road from east to west. We never had a problem with road closures. We did have a problem with the angle of the road. As more and more people heard of the road, turnout for the ride proportionally decreased. Eventually I gave up. Maybe it's time to revist Bull Pond Road?
Mon, 10/17/2005 - 3:40pm
#6
Route 6
That would be a dangerous ride over the mountain from Peekskill to the Bear Mountain Bridge. A lot of turns that car drivers tend to treat like a Le Mans race track.
Might be better (safer)to take Rte 9 to Garrison and take Snake Hill Rd (left at the golf course) to Rte 9D (take a left) to the bridge. The first few miles of 6 is also the Palisades Parkway so you cannot ride there. So after the bridge you have to take 9W north till the 1st traffic light (1 mile?) take a left and go to the bottom of the hill and go up (and I do mean up) Mine Road to Rte 293. Take a left on 293 which will lead you to Rte 6 West. Down the hill and you are at Woodbury Commons.
There may be other routes but I would never myself ride Route 6 from the Annesville Circle (Peekskill) to get to the Bear Mtn Bridge.
Mon, 10/17/2005 - 4:46pm
#7
More Ideas
The section of Route 6 from the Bear Mountain Bridge circle southwest to the Seven Lakes Drive exit is also the Palisades Interstate Parkway and bicycles are technically not permitted. More important, this section of Route 6 is very fast moving and would not be a pleasant riding experience.
From Peekskill to the Bear Mountain Bridge circle is rideable (I was on it twice last month), but some my find it intimidating due to a narrow shoulder. Route 6 from Seven Lakes to Central Valley is also rideable. While there is fast moving traffic, there is a wide shoulder. On the descent to Central Valley, concrete barriers present a chute effect some might find intimidating. There is an interesting way of avoiding Route 6 into Central Valley, if you don't mind a small climb.
Robert's suggestion of Mine Torne Road and 293 to Route 6 is excellent, especially this time of the year. However, unless you have a specific reason to start in Peekskill, start in Garrison and simply take 9D south to the bridge; otherwise, you are doubling back and route 9D is really quite nice.
Arden Valley Road should also be considered for part of the route, especially this time of year.
Mon, 10/17/2005 - 6:23pm
#8
Arden Valley Road
Hi John, I have never heard of Arden Valley road which is somewhat embarrassing because I was born in Peekskill and grew up in Highland Falls. Where is this road and what does it connect with.
Also, starting in Garrison sounds like the best option of all.
Wed, 10/19/2005 - 9:25am
#9
Arden Valley Road
In reality, Arden Valley Road is one of the nicer cycling experiences near to the city. It is very lightly traveled with great scenery including lakes, glacial erractics, impressive Hemlock stands and a small waterfall. A switchback is an added plus. When descending, attention is required due too a poor road surface in a couple spots. Arden Valley Road connects Seven Lakes Drive with Route 17. From Seven Lakes Drive, Arden Valley Road is found at Tiorati Circle.
Given my fondness for Arden Valley Road, my suggested route to Central Valley is to start in Garrison then head south on Route 9D and cross the Bear Mountain Bridge. Go around the Bear Mountain Bridge circle and head south on 9W a short bit to a right turn on Seven Lakes Drive, just past the Bear Mountain Inn. Then take Seven Lakes Drive all the way to Tiorati Circle (caution at the Route 6 circle) and make a right on Arden Valley Road, which is a rolling descent of about 5 miles. Arden Valley Road tees on Route 17 where you will make a right. Follow Route 17 maybe 4 miles to Central Valley – Woodbury Commons. This weekend and next weekend should offer peak foliage.
