Trans-Long Island route

[thomasmmoran]

I'm considering a 2 or 3-day ride from Rockaway Point, Queens, NYC to Massachusetts via Long Island (taking the New London ferry at the end). Does anyone have any recommendations for a bike-friendly route down Long Island? Or does such a thing even exist?

[Turk]

I did that route in about 1979, the week after Labor Day. It was quiet and we went right down the road that runs along the Atlantic Coast, through the Hamptons and Riverhead. We loved East Hampton. We stayed in a B&B that was built in the early 1600's.

There was almost no traffic on the road when we went, just one huge empty beachfront mansion after another.

I don't remember how far into the city we went. We stayed with a friend in Brooklyn and Labor Day weekend we biked all through Manhattan.

Come to think of it we must have biked out from the city. We went sailing afterwards around Newport. It was lots of fun, except for the hurricane (David?) that went through and we had to stay an extra day in East Hampton.

[wanderingwheel]

I've done similar trips a few times, but starting in Glen Cove rather than Queens.  There also is the Montauk Challenge that goes from Penn Station to Montauk, mainly using Sunrise Highway and Montauk Highway.  Check out it's route for some ideas.

Personally, I prefer the riding on the northern neck of LI rather than through the Hamptons.  Crossing to the north shore will be difficult in Nassau County, maybe 110 will work.  Once in Suffolk County any north/south road should do fine.  You could also stay on the south shore all the way to Shelter Island and then take the ferries across to the northern neck.  If you ride on the northern shore, I prefer 25A and Shore Rd to 25, but either are good rides.

I'm not sure exactly were to stay on the ride.  I've camped at a couple of the state parks on LI, but I can't remember which ones right now.  Motels and B&B's should be easy to find, especially in the Hamptons.  Depending on when you are going, I have been caught out after tourist season ended with no lodging, so check ahead.

Sean

[Jackie]

I recently did the Orient Point/Greenport stretch (coming from the New London ferry). It is flat, easy and very pleasant.  I also spent much of my childhood riding Montauk Hwy heading west as far as Bay Shore and east as far as South Hampton.  I can tell you that the Hamptons ain't what they used to be - particularly in the summer.

Perhaps consider LIRR to Babylon or Bay Shore, Montauk Hwy to South Hampton, Noyak Rd into Sag Harbor & North Haven (check map), cut across Shelter Island and east from Greenport.