Looking for a good Manhattan - Westchester County, NY route.

[Bclayden]

Can someone suggest the best route from Manhattan (Hudson River Greenway) to join the Old Putnam Trail/S. County Bikeway in the Bronx?

I understand the Broadway Bridge is the only cycling friendly bridge crossing at the north end of Manhattan?  Is that right?  What is the best route approaching the bridge from the West side/Hudson River Greenway and once across, through the Bronx to Van Courtland Park where the trail begins?

I see many Google route options and various roads..some with bike routes and others without..and can pick my way through but, as we know, local knowledge is better than any Google search/Map will come up with. 

Thanks.  -Ben

[Mcesaro]

NY.gov dept of transportation has wonderful free maps for numerous bike routes through NY.  Nothing electronic but tons of useful info... hotels, hostels, campgrounds, bike stores, etc., and elevation changes. I suggest Bike Rt. 9. Takes you from GW bridge to Canadian border. All relatively quiet, safe roads with good shoulders. Very helpful with bridge access as well.

[litespeed]

Right. Once you get to the GWB going north on the Hudson River Trail go over a few blocks to Broadway (Route 9) then about 3 or 4 miles north to Van Cortland Park. This was my route going north to visit my brother when he lived in Dobbs Ferry.

[TokyoNose]

Hi Ben,

I might be a little bit late with this, but here goes…

Follow the WSH path to the end. You will have to walk your bike down the stairs and bear left to take you under the WSH overpass. You'll be following Riverside Drive. Use caution crossing the onramp to the WSH.

Turn left (north) onto Staff Street. Follow it downhill (steep) to Dyckman Street.

Turn right (east) onto Dyckman Street. Follow it for 3 blocks to Seaman Avenue.

Turn left (north) onto Seaman Avenue. Follow Seaman for 4 blocks to 207th Street.

Turn right (east) onto 207th. Take it to Broadway/Rte. 9 and turn left (north). This will get you over the Harlem River. Be really careful around here: the road is beneath the train tracks and the steel columns that support them line both sides of the roadway. It is noisy and there are cars and pedestrians coming from every which direction. It is not a bike-friendly place to ride, and as of a couple of weeks ago when I last rode it, the top layer of the road had been peeled off for resurfacing. I'm guessing and hoping that by now that job has been completed.

When you have had enough of this, turn right (east) onto 233rd Street. This will take you over I-87 to a T-intersection with Bailey Avenue. Take a left (north) on Bailey. It will curve right and then left as it approaches Van Cortlandt Park South. Van Cortlandt Avenue West will approach from the right. Go straight across this intersection. You will soon see the offramp from the I-87 interchange on your left. Just past this, bear left onto the road which will take you under I-87. You will then be at the north end of the pond in Van Cortlandt Park. You will pick up the path on the west side of the pond. There will be an indistinct path through the grass where other cyclists and pedestrians have cut through from the road/parking lot to the path.

The first mile or so of the path is overgrown and rather rough. You might have to pull over to pass other cyclists and runners going the opposite direction.

I hope that this doesn't seem too confusing. You are basically making your way north and east, and avoiding some of the worst of the riding where possible (although the worst is the unavoidable section on Broadway/Rte. 9. You'll be fine as long as you are very careful.)

Greg

[Bclayden]

TokyoNose, not too late.  Thanks for the detailed route advice. Local knowledge is always best.  Much appreciated. 

[TokyoNose]

I hope that it helps. Best wishes!