Palisades Peloton
Follow the Hudson north into some of New York’s more picturesque river towns. From the GW to the Tappan Zee and back again, this loop of the lower Hudson makes for an easy four-season escape.
Ride Details
72 miles
1 day ride
Mostly asphalt with some crushed stone and dirt
You’re likely to find yourself with plenty of company on the first half of this route. The road to Nyack is a staple of the weekend cycling set. They’re easy to spot. You’ll hear the dragonfly buzz of their rear hubs as they approach before swooshing by on their aero bikes, carbon of course. But what you’ll notice more than anything is the lycra, so much lycra, a veritable army of skin tight Spiderman suits atop two wheels in wrap around sunglasses. They’re quite the sight.
NYC <> Nyack
Start anywhere south of the GW. You don’t need to go roundtrip from The Battery. The meat of this ride is all north of the George Washington Bridge. If 72 miles feels daunting for a single day, cut it down to 48 by starting and ending at the 175th Street A train stop.
Ride the Hudson. If you’ve so much as sat on a CitiBike you know the great joy of riding the Hudson River Greenway, NYC’s OG all star bike path. But Henry Hudson Drive is the true unsung hero of riverine rides on this trip. Running due north from Fort Lee Historic Park on the Jersey side, this wonderfully fun and mostly car-free road winds up and down along the banks of the river at the base of the Palisades. The best part of all: the lycra set usually goes straight up 9W from the bridge, so you’ll have the scenic route to yourself. Check out the city view from the Englewood Picnic Area and a little history at the Kearney House (pre-read here).
A note on 9W. It’s not as scary as it sounds. I go to all lengths to avoid riding on the shoulder of fast roads, because there is little joy in it and plenty of danger. As an exceptionally well trodden bike route, this one is an exception. The shoulder is generous, “Share the Road” signs flank the route, and you’ll likely be riding amidst a pack of your newest lycra-clad best friends. Grab a tasty treat at The 9W Market to mark the end of it.
Visit Tallman Mountain State Park. You’ll no doubt welcome this leafy retreat through the woods coming off of 9W.
Welcome to Piermont. This village is a little gem. Woody Allen took over the place in the 80s to film “The Purple Rose of Cairo” and it remains a hideout for celebrities. When I was a teenager I had the pleasure of bussing Bill Murray’s table at the Freelance Cafe. More pertinent to your ride is the view from Piermont Pier, the gear at Piermont Bicycle Connection, and the award-winning bike selfie backdrop of The Piermont Train Station.
Eat in Nyack. The Runcible Spoon Bakery is a long-running institution for the cyclists who frequent Nyack. Unfortunately, it’s gone through a few ownership changes and is no longer particularly good, which is a real bummer. Hit up Turiello's Pizza House as a backup for a slice.
Give a wave to the Nyack Center on your way out. When I graduated from bussing tables to entrepreneurship, my bestie and I promoted local bands here. Björk, another celebrity who called this area home, showed up to one of our events and would you believe she didn’t pay the cover… She literally climbed over the ticket table and refused to pay the $15 entrance. What kind of celebrity steals a few bucks from a couple of broke teenagers?! We’re not fans.
Enjoy the new Tappan Zee Bridge. I’ll give Governor Cuomo (the disgraced kid, not the cherished father) this: he got the bridge built… with a bike path! And what a bike path it is. You literally feel like you’re flying over the Hudson. Two thumbs up.
Take an architectural tour into Dobbs Ferry. After the bridge, the route along Old Croton Aqueduct will take you past some lookers: Lyndhurst Welcome Center, Belvedere Estate, Washington Irving's Sunnyside, Villa Lewaro, and The Armour-Stiner Octagon House.
Straight shot back to NYC. From here, it’s an easy ride mostly along South County Trailway down into Van Cortlandt Park and back to the city.
Cap it off at Pier i Cafe. Burger. Fries. Beer. Fin.
