Difficulty Rating:
2 out of 5
RWGPS link is northbound route. It is 1800' gain
RWGPS link in Waypoints, futher above, is southbound route. It is 1400' gain.
I have updated the cue sheet that Hannah had originally submitted. So much has been changed on this route that it deserved to be rewritten, from access to added length. Thank you Hannah for getting this on the Ride Library.
Cue sheet includes access from the 242nd St terminus of the #1 train, the Hudson Greenway at Dyckman St/Riverside Rd and the unpaved VC Park bypass in both directions as the cue sheet has this ride in both directions plus potential bailouts.
You will need to add a mile to the end (or beginning if you are going south) from the Brewster MN RR station, traveling on Rt 6. And a half mile to or from the #1 train, more if you are cycling from Manhattan or elsewhere.
The first section, 1.4 miles in length, is in Van Cortlandt Park. After many years arriving at community concensus, it has finally been paved and landscaped by the Parks Department. They deserve a round of applause for sticking with it and doing a wonderful job.
Preferred subway access is the #1 Train to 242 Street, last stop. Exit on the right (east), then down the stairs on the right (south). At the bottom of the stairs is a path going into the park. If you look carefully, it has a green bikeway sign. Follow this path across the park, emerging from under blue bridge, it will go to the left. The path on that blue bridge is the Old Put. Your path will merge with the Old Put, and you are good to go! From subway stairs to the Old Put is all of 0.25 mile. It will be running to the west/ left of the lake. If you take a right fork and go by the boathouse, you have missed the access, instead of the Old Put, you will be on the Pelham Bay bike path.
Perhaps the best access from Manhattan from the Broadway Bridge is by way of Corlear Avenue: follow Broadway north, left at 230th St, then the 3rd right will be Corlear Avenue. It will T out at 240th Street where you make a right and follow Broadway north to the greenway path going east at 242nd Street, noted above. Corlear is direct and not as overwhelming as either Broadway or Bailey.
The Elmsford detour is no more. Be carefull crossing Rt 119. This is the divide between South and North County Trailways. You might have to go over one block to cross at the light at 9A. But still be mindful at the traffic light as motor traffic is not bike friendly here.
The final section is interesting as it ascends the last few ridges, passing over ravines and by reservoirs. The first Word document (Cue Sheet File 2) has a description of the path in its entirety, with detours, caveats and suggestions, yet not a cue sheet proper but contains cue sheet to and from Hudson River Bike Path to start of Old Putnam/Trailways in Van Cortlandt Park in Word.
The Trailways, including the Putnam Trailways on the cue sheet, but not listed as such, now ends just shy of a mile of the Brewster Metro North Railroad Station. So add another mile to the length for the total length.
The updated cue sheet is the second document.
Please note that all cue sheets should reflect the completed section in Elmsford. Which ever direction you approach crossing Rt 119, the entrance to the path on the other side is to your left. If you have any doubts about crossing Rt 119, cross at the light at the intersection of 9A, but this too is a dangerous and confusing crossing. Be mindful of vehicular traffic in all its perumutations at this intersection.
HS 3/7/2021
