The OCA: A Celebration of Weird
I was first introduced to the OCA, short for Old Croton Aqueduct, back in 2013 before gravel was cool. It is best described as a weird patchwork of dirt trail that travels from NYC to the Croton Reservoir 30 miles north of the Bronx. It’s weird because the trail literally winds its way through a couple of schools and people’s front and back yards. I was warned, “if dirt, gravel, mud and crud are your thing, you'll love it. If not, you won't.” Oh, and curbs, roots, rocks, several detours, and sometimes glass and debris that comes with the urban landscape, is fairly common. When you ask folks on the team, they either hate it or love it. I’m an OCA lover, so I’ll tell you all the reasons why, and you can check it out and decide for yourself.
History
According to the Friends of Old Croton Aqueduct, the gravity fed tube of brick and stone was built in response to the fires and epidemics that plagued NYC in the 1800s, due to its inadequate fresh water supply and contaminated wells. By 1842, the OCA was bringing cold water from the Croton Reservoir to reservoirs in NYC, one of which was located at the current site of the Great Lawn in Central Park. The trail was then built to provide maintenance workers and security easy access, though it eventually drew recreational use. As the population of NYC grew, the New Croton Aqueduct was built to allow for expanded capacity, and the OCA was retired south of Ossining. In 1968, the State turned 26.2-miles of the OCA’s 41 mile route into a multi-use linear park. When you ride along the OCA today, you can still see remnants of the large cylindrical chimney like structures which ventilated the aqueduct, and larger Weir chambers, which regulated water flow.
The Route
I think one of the primary reasons folks dislike the OCA is because it’s challenging to navigate. The trail will abruptly end and pick back up a few blocks up and over. Sometimes there is a sign, but often the only indication of its existence is an inches wide worn in spot on what otherwise looks like someone’s front lawn. You have to be proficient at hopping all heights and angles of curbs in order to avoid stopping or getting off your bike, and slow to look for cars at street crossings. One summer, I focused on practicing curb hopping on my road bike after every ride solely so that I could move more smoothly along the OCA. More recently, curb cuts and ramps have been appearing, lowering the barrier to entry. But still, the weirdness keeps many riders away, so the path is never very crowded.
You can start on OCA dirt as far south as Coogan’s Bluff at Edgecomb and W158th St in Manhattan. Though, most folks opt to ride through the city on surface streets and ride the paved South County Trailway from the northern tip of Van Cortlandt Park before actually jumping onto OCA dirt at the N Broadway entrance in Yonkers. Below is a route that follows *most of the actual OCA from Manhattan all the way to Croton Reservoir, should you ever feel extra adventurous and want to experience the whole thing.
I’ve noted along the route some points of interest and a few gnarly sections you should be aware of. Also noted are places to pee, refill fluids & get snax, natch. The other great thing about the OCA is that you’re never far from a MNRR Hudson Line train station, should you need to bail.
Once you reach Croton Reservoir you’re done with the OCA portion of the ride. From there, you have a myriad options to get to Peekskill to hop on the train home (all of which will involve some climbs and some road riding). Alternate Peekskill endings could include some fire roads & single track via the Briarcliffe Trailway & Blue Mountain Reservation, or a slightly more direct (and climby) but less scenic route to Peekskill via Mt Airy Rd. Or, if you want a bigger day and put off the brews till the end of the ride, you could: ride over the Bear Mountain Bridge and back via 9W, take the OCA in reverse (trending downhill is always super fun), or continue along Croton Lake Road to take the North/South County Trailway back.
Notable Views & Snack Stops
A few notable places to soak in the view and get yummy snacks along the way:
The Highbridge in The Bronx - a beautiful recently renovated pedestrian bridge
Red Barn Bakery in Irvington (slightly off the route) has great pastries
Irvington Farmer’s Market (Main St School - seasonal Sundays only) has a little bit of everything but I like to get iced coffee or tea and recommend the risotto ball stand.
Lyndhurst Estate Bowling Pavillion & views of the TappanZee Bridge (the above route includes this detour but you can bypass by just staying on the OCA)
Tarrytown backyard trails - you will feel like you’re trespassing, but it’s all good
Croton Dam
Homestyle Desserts, Peekskill (great pastries but close early on Sundays)
Peekskill Brewery (they have online ordering & payment now!)
Taco Dive Bar, Peekskill
Hudson Creamery, Peekskill
Peekskill Coffee House (a bit off the beaten path but another option with crepes & paninis)
Gear
If you are comfortable riding road bikes off road or otherwise have good handling skills, you could get away with riding a road bike on the OCA on 25mm or wider tires. But a gravel or cyclocross bike would be the ideal rig. There are plenty of big and small roots, small rocks, sand, various urban or natural debris, and if there’s been rain, there might be a few muddy or boggy bits in some areas, though the OCA generally drains really well. Given the diverse terrain you’ll encounter, it’s good to have a hand/frame pump and flat fix supplies! I also recommend having a bell or just slow a bit and give a friendly “hello” to warn other trail users you’re approaching. If you wear sunglasses, bring a set of clear lenses because the OCA is very shaded (a good thing!) and you’ll want to be able to see the varied obstacles on the trail.
Conclusion
The OCA won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think everyone should check it out at least once. It’s just one of those NYC adjacent staples that you should have in your ride repertoire, and it will always be an adventure.
I am a New Yorker who rides bikes of all kinds, sometimes runs, loves cats, and nerds out on transit justice issues. I am an advocate at heart and a member of the All Powerful Bicycle Lobby, though opinions here are my own.
Instagram: @luciadlite
Twitter: @luciadlite
E-mail: lucia@tobedetermined.cc
