Yesterday, Saturday, Gerald and I took River Road south from just below the police station. As we emerged onto the road Andy Finkelstein on his road bike appeared, cycling up Alpine Hill. His assessment that River Road was not suitable for a road bike, but fine for a mtn bike proved to be correct . For the most part, a snow plow might prove the best means of clearing the road.

A few caveats:

Gates are closed in places, preventing motor traffic, as expected in the off season. 

Small limbs are fine on a mtn bike but there are stones/rocks of varying sizes strewn about. Otherwise, rolling over arboreal litter is mildly pleasant. 

2 sets of fallen trees in the southern third require bike hauling. All other downed trees can be circumvented.

We rode through White Plains up 22 to Whipporwill yestserday-  two opportunities to cyclocross through the woods to avoid blocked roads due to downed trees and powerlines.  After Mt. Kiscoe, the trees got the better of us, and we had to abort, turn around, and take the train back from Ossining.  I'd avoid anything other than the main roads for a while.

Jay's LoHud Ride meets at 9:45 on NJ end of GW Bridge--see upcoming rides sect for details & sign up.

Has anyone ridden through queens into the Rockaways via CB or MP bridges? How about Shore Front Parkway? I'm thinking about riding out tomorrow to bring some supplies to my parents. Not sure if I can get through the Rockaways or if I'm best off riding through Queens->Nassau->Far Rockaway.

Finished my ride this morning and figured id give an update on the conditions.

Piermont is closed to everybody except residents (police are actively enforcing this). So anyone planning on head to Nyack should plan on going around Piermont.

9w Market is open (to some extent).  no electricity/water/heat but the people there have brought muffins and hot coffee.  Id encourage to stop by and say hi/thank you and tip well.

9w itself is rideable, although lots of debris on the shoulders.  Traffic is very light/no existant (almost creepy quiet) so id recommend riding in the road far right so you are not constantly avoiding sticks, etc.  no traffic lights were working once are about a mile or two on 9w so be cautious when approaching them with traffic

The Marathon runners and others have gotten organized to help out today and particularly tomorrow.  Stay safe.  - Derek

https://www.facebook.com/Nyc2012MarathonOfRelief

http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2012/oct/30/how-help-hurricane-sa...

https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkRunnersInSupportOfStatenIsland

Ive already assembled one bike from parts off ebay etc. Now im itching to design and build a bike from scratch.  Was wondering if anybody had any tips or experience to give.  this guy does a pretty decent job documenting how he built his. LINK

figure ill spend the next couple months researching and prototyping before i begin the carbon process. 

After speaking this evening with folks/friends living on/near Sunday's planned route, their unanimous comments were something like... are you crazy?... downed trees all over the place... big piles of sand--and boats--on the roads... here and there damaged or missing road segments.

Too dicey an undertaking for a group; doesn't seem like fun. Sorry, the ride is canceled.

FYI, Jack Rabbit Sports is asking donations of energy bars...