Bear Mountain

[lizbids]

Has anyone biked to Bear Mountain from the NYC area (George Washington Bridge)....:confused:

[Pedal Wench]

I've never done it on bike, but I know many folks who have. I believe they take 9W all the way up.

(Don't live there now, but grew up in that area)

[ccnyc]

I have. From the Central Park Boathouse. I took the train back to the city from Cold Spring on the East side of the Hudson. It was a total of 75 miles. I believe riding round trip would be a little over 100 miles. Might be shorter if taking 9W both ways.

Carol

[LadyinWhite]

Is that 9 that crosses the Bear Mtn bridge?

From the bridge to Cold Spring seems like it would be a pretty hairy ride. Narrow winding roads, lots of traffic and lots of areas w/ no shoulders. I have a g/f in CS and I drive it all the time. ccnyc: did you find the road into CS safe?

[lizbids]

Yeah, CCNYC...I had heard somewhere about someone doing this online and saying you needed "advanced" trafficking skills. Most cars don't go above 35mph where I am in Brooklyn, so there is a small part of me that is a little fearful of the trip? Should I be?

[ccnyc]

LadyinWhite:
I believe it is 9 that crosses the Bear Mt. Bridge and goes up to Cold Spring. It was the 2 lane road closest to the Hudson. The traffic wasn't too bad... the drivers behaved themselves. I was riding in a group of about 15 riders so it wasn't really scarey.

lizbids:
The traffic on most of the roads I used didn't go above 35 or 40 mph. They go faster on 9W (45-50 mph) but there are very wide shoulders for most of 9W. Route 9 has skinny or no shoulders. You should have basic skills for riding with all kinds of traffic if you're going to ride on any road.
I ride on these kinds of roads all the time. I hate "in the city" traffic. That's what really scares me. I learned by riding with the NYCC and participating in their Spring training series. Highly recommended.

Carol

[lizbids]

CC--
I've never ridden terribly far, esp. solo, but do you think it's poor judgement to bike up to Bear Mountain alone? I know lots of people who have done it, but I'm just trying to get an accurate portrayal of the realities of this trip. Most people seem to enjoy it. One local fitness shop harbored a male cyclist who was adament about never traveling alone...so I'm not sure if he was biased in his request that I find a riding buddy...

[ccnyc]

lizbids:

If you haven't ridden very far, especially solo and with suburban traffic, perhaps you should try a slightly shorter ride first. Maybe up to Piermont or Nyack or even River Road. There is only one bail-out that I know of, so if you get into trouble (bike problems, fatigue, darkness-it's a long ride) you won't have any other way to get home besides the bike.
I would also recommend riding with someone who can pull some of the way and keep you company.

I wouldn't recommend an unexperienced rider tackling this by themselves.

Carol

[alforfun]

Route 9W in on the west side of the Hudson, Rt. 9D is on the east side, where Cold Springs is (also Route 9 is east of the river), and the bear Mountain bridge goes between. Bear Mtn Park is on the west side. I haven't driven route 9d or 9 much, but 9W is a twisty road with beautiful views of the Hudson on sections of it. There can be a lot of traffic depending on time of day, and going north of the Bear Mtn Bridge ( I don't know how far up you want to go) it is known locally as a dangerous highway. It would be very scenic to bicycle to the park though, but LOTS of hills :eek:

[DebW]

I've walked across the Bear Mountain Bridge. It's part of the Appalachian Trail so hikers cross it all the time. There was a pedestrian lane (sidewalk) separated from traffic, if I remember right, but it was partially blocked by construction when I was there. I wasn't thinking about how to cross the bridge by bike, but if it looks too hairy, you could walk your bike in the pedestrian lane (just stay upwind of the hikers).

[lizbids]

Thanks so much for your input, gals. I guess I will have to find a detailed map...I like the idea of walking my bike on a pedestrian path as an option. You know, to come to think of it, I think my LBS guy went up there a couple of times. I'll be sure to pop in when he's not busy and chat :)

[ccnyc]

lizbids:
If you are determined to do it, check out the ride library of the NYCC. They have a couple of different routes of various lengths and difficulty.
Carol

http://www.nycc.org/rl_db/ride.aspx?id=119
http://www.nycc.org/rl_db/ride.aspx?id=93
http://www.nycc.org/rl_db/ride.aspx?id=184