Make sure you plan for this ride. Average riding speed and time spent at the four rest stops should be calculated carefully to estimate your time of arrival in Montauk. Also, there is very little shade on this route so watch the temperature, humidity, and rain forecast carefully Cue sheet 1 is in pdf format as odometer does not reset, meaning the total keeps running for the whole ride to the end. There are 6 maps all in pdf: 5 legs plus a map of Montauk. Check LIRR schedule for return.

Long Island features rarely among NYCC rides yet it offers beautiful rides nonetheless, e.g., Tim's Necking on Long Island ride and the Montauk Century. This ride explores the North Fork starting from Port Jefferson zig-zagging to Orient Point and then heads via Shelter island over to the South Fork to Montauk from where you take the train home. Important: - There are very few trains on the Montauk lines which take bikes. However, trains marked on the train schedule as bike trains do allow bikes also on summer weekends, despite what you hear.

Route sheet has no distances. Start at old Statue of Civic Virtue site; return via E, F, M, R train to Manhattan. Excel cue sheet by Matthew Simmons, 6/2008

cw 5/7/15

6100' to 7050' of vertical gain 5 sections of unpaved road, some for over 5 miles. Outrageous grades on a number of ascents, as a 23% section of Long Hill Rd. This is no route for a 39x23. 2 traffic lights; one at the start, the other at the end. Note: crosses Taconic Parkway. Road bikes are fine but 25 mm tires or greater are advised. Be mindful of washed out surfaces. Especially on the downhills. Be prepared to average a very low speed due to sketchy hardpack on the descents.

Metro North to Garrison and returning from Southeast. Includes hard-packed dirt roads. Metro North bike permit needed.

HS 4/5/15

4 variations of this, Pie Ride:

via East Mtn, Cold Spring: 80 miles, 6700', sections of hardpack on East Mtn Rd

via East Mtn, Brewster: 67 miles, 5700', sections of hardpack on East Mtn Rd

via Miller Hill/Rushmore, Brewster: 70 miles, 5900'

via Miller Hill/Rushmore, Cold Spring: 82 miles, 7000'

Plenty of hills on all versions.

HS 4/5/15

Out and back, Out, north and east of Rt 22. Back is east of Rt 22, crossing to west at Harlem Valley/Wingdale. Metro North to and from Brewster. Many optional earlier return points listed in cue sheet.

Metro North bike permit needed.

Trains north of Southeast run every other hour, Check current time table.

HS 4/2/15

A new version of ‘A Ridge to Far’ the old all-class route to Kensico Dam Plaza. This ride travels some of Fred's classic roads, a fabric woven with great threads. Optional Bailout Armonk to White Plains MNRR Ride With GPS route is to Cold Spring via Sprout Brook Rd adds 4 miles but is well worth the effort.

Climbs Dennytown Road and ends with a 5 mile descent of Rt 301 to Cold Spring. Much nicer and more bike friendly than Rt 9 north of Peekskill. 

HS 4/6/15

Long Island Sound to the Hudson River, but from distant railroad stations. You can't say that every day! Metro North bike pass needed. Check train schedules for current times. Possible bail out in Wassaic, near Sharon, CT. But this train runs every other hour. The cue sheet can sometimes be difficult to follow. Here are some observations: "I think 136 ends in a "T". You go right and then 57 will be a bear left." "I don't think there was any marking or direction change when you are on Botsford Hill Rd, I think you just run into Toddy Hill Rd.

Check Metro North time tables for current train times. Best to start ride on first bike train as you will be spending the better part of 4 hours on trains for this ride. After stop in Salisbury, CT, continue on Rt 41 0.5 mile then BL TRO Rt 41. The next stop is in Copake Falls, NY at The Depot which is on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. The ascent up Mt Washington Rd is the featured climb. The descent on the other side back into NY State at Bash Bish Falls should be approached cautiously as it is steep and has switchbacks.

cw 3/29/15