[chaudette]

Fellow NYC Mountain Bikers - You out there?

My boyfriend & I are looking to meet new people/sporty couples to ride with + explore new trails!

We venture out about 5 times/month to the Westchester area (Blue Mtn, Graham Hills). It seems as if we're the only MTB riders leaving the city to take advantage of the nearby trails. I looked online, but can't seem to find any local MTB organizations....

Any suggestions?

Cheers.

 

[BobKreyole]

Check out the following web sites for rides and info. There is a lot going on in the NYC area. If you take Metro North to Blue Mountainon the weekend, you should meet dozen of riders in the train car. By the way where are you located in NYC.

http://www.visionmtb.com/forum/portal.php

http://5bbc.org/

http://www.amc-ny.org/amcnynj.shtml

http://www.climbonline.org

http://www.wmba.org/

 

[nygeo]

do you go east to LI? Those are the gems! Rocky Point, Cathedral Pines, Calverton etc.
-g

 

[chaudette]

We are located in Manhattan (75th) and take the train from Grand Central via Metro North. It's crazy, but we have yet to see any MTB riders on the train! I will defn' check out those websites - thank you!

QUOTE=BobKreyole]Check out the following web sites for rides and info. There is a lot going on in the NYC area. If you take Metro North to Blue Mountainon the weekend, you should meet dozen of riders in the train car. By the way where are you located in NYC.

http://www.visionmtb.com/forum/portal.php

http://5bbc.org/

http://www.amc-ny.org/amcnynj.shtml

http://www.climbonline.org

http://www.wmba.org/[/QUOTE]

 

[chaudette]

do you go east to LI? Those are the gems! Rocky Point, Cathedral Pines, Calverton etc.
-g

Just found C.L.I.M.B online - you're right, LI has alot going on. *Any LI trails that are easy to get to from Manhattan via train?

 

[Tame Ape]

I'm in NYC and ride Westchester a fair amount! Been riding solo a great deal lately and am looking to break that trend.

I generally don't ride LI for a couple of reasons;
1.) I'm from Fairfield County,CT orignally and can't get past that!
2.) The parks are narrow and small for the most part and not so challenging as aerobically stimulating.

I am planning on heading out to Blue this Sat. for some fun in the mud!

 

[chaudette]

I'm in NYC and ride Westchester a fair amount! Been riding solo a great deal lately and am looking to break that trend.

I generally don't ride LI for a couple of reasons;
1.) I'm from Fairfield County,CT orignally and can't get past that!
2.) The parks are narrow and small for the most part and not so challenging as aerobically stimulating.

I am planning on heading out to Blue this Sat. for some fun in the mud!

Hi Tame Ape,

Should be muddy alright. I'm heading back home for a few days, my boyfriend wants to go riding this w/e - maybe you guys could hook up. We've been going to Blue Mtn alot lately, we love the challenge of the rocks & roots. We defn' prefer Blue's level of difficulty.

 

[Tame Ape]

Hi Tame Ape,

Should be muddy alright. I'm heading back home for a few days, my boyfriend wants to go riding this w/e - maybe you guys could hook up. We've been going to Blue Mtn alot lately, we love the challenge of the rocks & roots. We defn' prefer Blue's level of difficulty.

Sure, that could be good. I am on the slower side. Send an email ethanbenton at hotmail

 

[The Weasel]

LI has alot going on. *Any LI trails that are easy to get to from Manhattan via train?

You can ride to Bethpage park in about 3 minutes from the station (head east on Powell Ave). You can link the park up with the greenbelt and also Stillwell, but as others have noted, I'd rather spend my time in westchester or yonkers.

 

[stephen11364]

Mtb On Li?

If you like Blue Mountain LI will be very disappointing. I rode Rocky Pt., Cathedral Pines, and Stillwell for years. They are not technical. They do not even compare to Blue, Graham, or Sprain! The only thing they are good for is an aerobic workout, maybe. Let me know when you want to hook-up.

 

[chaudette]

Thanks guys!

Thanks for all the helpful info!

 

[SpinWheelz]

I'm pretty new to mountain biking, but a couple of friends and I are trying to get into a semi-regular riding routine. Been up to Blue Mountain on Sunday afternoons, riding 'til dusk or so. Needless to say, we'll venture to other parks soon enough.

Looks like you'll never be short on company.

 

[tatdotcom]

If you like Blue Mountain LI will be very disappointing. I rode Rocky Pt., Cathedral Pines, and Stillwell for years. They are not technical. They do not even compare to Blue, Graham, or Sprain! The only thing they are good for is an aerobic workout, maybe. Let me know when you want to hook-up.

Can you tell me which specific spot in Westchester is better than LI, specifically Stillwell? I have riden Stillwell many times and I cannot imagine a place with the fun factor that it has. People complain about the sand and erosion, but I always seem to have a good time there until I run out of gas. The trail is awesome since there is not a single uphill that is too long for the aerobically challenged (like me) and by riding this trail as fast as you can, you really get a rush. Let me know about the places people boast about in Westchester. If these are better than Stillwell, I would be pretty happy. Thanks!

 

[The Weasel]

simple answer

Can you tell me which specific spot in Westchester is better than LI, specifically Stillwell?

All of them!

 

[Tame Ape]

All of them!

Ha! So true. Its like asking if ice cream is good.

 

[tatdotcom]

Ha! So true. Its like asking if ice cream is good.

Guys, thanks for your 2 cents, but please be more specific like...where to park, enter on what street/path, trial maps, etc.

Thanks!

 

[Tame Ape]

Guys, thanks for your 2 cents, but please be more specific like...where to park, enter on what street/path, trial maps, etc.

Thanks!

I'm generally on bike already, but I found all my directions through the sites listed above. You can always hook up with someone when you get to the park to give you a quick run about.

 

[The Weasel]

Guys, thanks for your 2 cents, but please be more specific like...where to park, enter on what street/path, trial maps, etc.

Thanks!

the WMBA site will be of particular good use. They are all sanctioned trails so there are no secrets you need to be told. It will provide all the info you need to have a very enjoyable ride.

 

[stephen11364]

Sprain Ridge Park

My advice would be to start off at Sprain Ridge Park. Sprain is the Jackson Ave. Exit off of the Sprain. Head west on Jackson Ave about one mile and the enterance will be on your left (clearly marked). Sprain is relatively short. There are two "trailheads" in the first parking lot. The main difference between Sprain and Stillwell are the rocks (which make Sprain much more technical). There are also two hills which are very challenging (near the back of the pool area). Compared to Stillwell, Sprain is just much more technical. I think you will need to get off the bike because you won't clear certain things. No offense, I don't clear them either (like some of the logs). Just take a gamble and try it. It will only cost you $8 in tolls.

 

[Mark62]

Anywhere in Westchester

My advice would be to start off at Sprain Ridge Park. Sprain is the Jackson Ave. Exit off of the Sprain. Head west on Jackson Ave about one mile and the enterance will be on your left (clearly marked). Sprain is relatively short. There are two "trailheads" in the first parking lot. The main difference between Sprain and Stillwell are the rocks (which make Sprain much more technical). There are also two hills which are very challenging (near the back of the pool area). Compared to Stillwell, Sprain is just much more technical. I think you will need to get off the bike because you won't clear certain things. No offense, I don't clear them either (like some of the logs). Just take a gamble and try it. It will only cost you $8 in tolls.

Steve is 100% Absolutely on the mark. I started Mt. Biking 4 years ago, and learned in the Westchester area as well as Stewart. I was told about Rocky Pt. and Stillwell, went and was not very impressed. If you're interested in improving your skills and becoming a better and stronger rider, you must do Sprain, Blue, Graham, Ninham, Stewart. Some of the best riding on the east coast.