With both races and group rides put on hold by COVID-19, we’re spending long hours indoors grinding away on Zwift. We’ll have more on our indoor training strategies soon, but at the same time we’re hopeful that in the months ahead we’ll be able to return to some of our favorite rides in the NYC area. With that in mind, we’re publishing a throwback post to the fall of 2019 when some of the squad took in a combination of dirt roads, fall leaves, and delicious donuts.

Dirt, Leaves and Donuts from NYC

Fall is my favorite season. With it comes peak foliage peeping, crisp yet still warm temps, and apple cider donuts! It’s also the perfect time to enjoy my favorite leaf-peeping ride closest to NYC.

Sure there are lots of great leaf-peeping rides a car/train ride away. But, my favorite local leaf peep route is a 50ish miler which incorporates as many (legal) off road trails as one can string together from the GWB all the way to Peekskill. You can double the mileage and avoid the train by continuing the loop back down the East Side of the Hudson (e.g. via the Old Croton Acqueduct or the North County Trailway). This ride is totally doable on road slicks (25mm+ preferred), but parts might be more comfortable on a cx or gravel bike. The other benefit to this route is that it by-passes the bigger climbs and narrow shoulderless stretches along the traditional 9W route to Bear Mountain. Win-win in my book.

For the best foliage viewing sections (paved & unpaved):

• River Road (Henry Hudson Drive): a well known route that passes under the GWB and is largely free of vehicular traffic. This is a favorite for many rides year-round but especially so in the fall when the leaves are colorful.

• Optional extra section: take the footbridge over Palisade Parkway to State Line Lookout. This optional section is not included in the map below and contains a short walking stretch but adds great Hudson River views and a fun stretch along Old 9W.

• Optional extra section: from 9W just past the 9W Market, take the Tallman State Park dirt path (via the parking lot on the right) that ultimately connects to Piermont. This trail can be crowded with walkers (and dogs) so please exercise caution around other trail users. Note that this is not included in the Ride with GPS map below.

• Joseph B. Clarke Rail Trail: access this Piermont-Nyack trail either via the intersection of Piermont Ave and Highland Ave (as in the Ride with GPS map below) or via the entrance midway up the Ash Street climb in Piermont.

• Nyack Beach State Park Path: after arriving in Nyack, follow Broadway until it dead-ends into Nyack Beach State Park. This is a beautiful stretch of trail along the Hudson River, though again the initial stretches can be crowded when the weather is nice so please use caution around other trail users.

• Haverstraw Trail: while following Nyack Beach State Park the trail forks. Going left will lead you to Rockland State Park, a popular turnaround point for the for the return trip to NYC. Going right continues to follow the Hudson River before dropping you off in Haverstraw.

• Jones Point Path Trail: exiting Haverstraw will eventually put you on 9W. If you stay on 9W you will climb over Jones Point before arriving at Harriman State Park. Alternatively, if you take a right on River Road before that climbs begins, you will dead-end into James Point Path. This sparsely used path can be overgrown and rough in sections, but provides a vehicle-free alternative to the base of Harriman State Park.

• Bear Mountain Bridge to Anthony’s Nose climb (Rt 202/6): crossing over the Bear Mountain Bridge and taking a right provides great elevated views of the Hudson River. The only downside is that Route 202 sees relatively heavy vehicle traffic and has a very small shoulder. Important: once you crossover the Jans Peeck Bridge and turn right, take an immediate right onto the Annsville Creek Walkway into order to arrive in Peekskill via Old Pemart Avenue, which has minimal vehicle traffic.

Of course, we treated ourselves to brews, brats & pretzels at the Peekskill Brewery and chunky apple cider donuts from Homestyle Desserts Bakery before hopping on the express train home.

Enjoy our leaf peep gallery collab & the route below.