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New York, NY: Hudson River Rambler

Escape the chaos of Manhattan by crossing the Hudson River into New Jersey on this 52.4-mile loop that serves up endless rollers on cyclist-friendly roads.

Author: Bicycling Magazine
Date: 25 Aug 2007 6:33:56 AM
Activity: Bicycling
State: New York (NY)
Distance: 52.4 mi  (Change units)
Elevation: Total Gain: 1946 ft
Total Loss: 1961 ft
Net Change: -14 ft
Difficulty: 5 / 10
Tags: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, Fort Lee, New Jersey, Brooklyn Bridge, New York, Brooklyn
Rating: Unrated   Rate it

New York City-area cyclists looking to escape busy city streets flock across the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey, where rolling, bike-friendly roads trace the cliffs of the Hudson River for miles. Explore one such road—Henry Hudson Drive (known as River Road to local cyclists)—on this 52.4-mile out-and-back starting in Brooklyn.

From Brooklyn War Memorial park, cross the Brooklyn Bridge and pick up the Hudson River bike path, a multi-use paved trail frequented by runners, cyclists, walkers, and skaters. Follow the path north en route to the George Washington Bridge, where you'll cross into New Jersey and head north on Henry Hudson Drive. The cyclist-friendly road features plenty of rolling hills and culminates with the ride's toughest climb, a 1.4-mile ascent gaining 461 feet (an average 6.2-percent grade.

From the top of the climb, head north to NJ 9W, then follow it to New Jersey's northern border with New York at mile 27. Upon reaching the state line, turn around and head south on 9W; wind your way back to the George Washington Bridge and into Manhattan. Once across, return to Brooklyn via the route you came in on.

-Mapped by Andrew Bernstein

TO TRAILHEAD: This ride starts at Brooklyn War Memorial Park. From the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, take exit 28A and turn right at Cadman Plaza W. Take first left on Prospect St. Turn right at Cadman Plaza E. Park is on right.

Position Format: Datum:
Tracks

Hudson River Rambler

Dist: 52.40 mi Points: 840
Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Distance Instruction   Distance to next
0.00 mi Start Ride east on Tillary St Then go 0.12 mi
0.12 mi Turn Left Turn left at Adams St Then go 1.47 mi
1.59 mi Turn Right Turn right at Centre St Then go 0.06 mi
1.66 mi Turn Left Turn left at Chambers St Then go 0.56 mi
2.22 mi Turn Right Turn right Then go 3.84 mi
6.06 mi Bear Right Slight right Then go 0.46 mi
6.52 mi Bear Right Slight right Then go 0.02 mi
6.53 mi Sharp right Then go 5.50 mi
12.04 mi Turn Right Turn right at W 158th St Then go 0.19 mi
12.23 mi Turn Left Turn left at Edward M Morgan Pl/Riverside Dr Continue to follow Riverside D Then go 0.47 mi
12.70 mi Turn Right Turn right at W 165th St Then go 0.10 mi
12.80 mi Turn Left Turn left at Fort Washington Ave Then go 0.56 mi
13.36 mi Turn Left Turn left at W 177th St Then go 1.62 mi
14.98 mi Turn Left Turn left at Main St Then go 0.23 mi
15.21 mi Bear Left Slight left at Henry Hudson Dr Then go 2.38 mi
17.59 mi Bear Left Slight left to stay on Henry Hudson Dr Then go 1.86 mi
19.45 mi Continue onto Hudson Dr Then go 1.43 mi
20.88 mi Continue onto Henry Hudson Dr Then go 1.43 mi
22.30 mi Bear Left Slight left to stay on Henry Hudson Dr Then go 1.04 mi
23.35 mi Bear Left Slight left toward US-9W N Then go 0.19 mi
23.53 mi Turn Right Turn right at US-9W N Then go 3.42 mi
26.95 mi U-Turn South on NY 9W Then go 8.36 mi
35.31 mi Bear Left Slight left to stay on Sylvan Ave Then go 0.77 mi
36.09 mi Turn Left Turn left at Palisade Ave Then go 0.11 mi
36.20 mi Turn Right Turn right at Hudson Terrace Then go 3.32 mi
39.52 mi Turn Right Turn right at Fort Washington Ave Then go 0.56 mi
40.09 mi Turn Right Turn right at W 165th St Then go 0.10 mi
40.19 mi Turn Left Turn left at Riverside Dr Then go 0.26 mi
40.45 mi Turn Left Turn left to stay on Riverside Dr W Then go 0.02 mi
40.47 mi Bear Right Bear right at Edward M Morgan Pl/Riverside Dr Then go 0.21 mi
40.67 mi Turn Right Turn right at W 158th St Then go 6.41 mi
47.08 mi Bear Left Slight left Then go 3.11 mi
50.20 mi Turn Left Turn left at Chambers St Then go 0.56 mi
50.76 mi Turn Right Turn right at Centre St Then go 0.06 mi
50.82 mi Turn Left Turn left at Warren St Then go 1.46 mi
52.28 mi Turn Right Turn right at Tillary St Then go 0.12 mi
52.40 mi Stop

Points of Interest

Brooklyn War Memorial Park

Location: 40.696193°, -73.991080°
Start at the south end of Brooklyn War Memorial Park and take the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan. Though wide, the pedestrian path on the bridge has two-way foot and bicycle traffic and can get busy at times.

Brooklyn Bridge

Location: 40.712439°, -74.004850°
At the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, the pedestrian path veers sharply to the right and abruptly ends. Use the traffic light to merge into the road before making a quick left onto Chambers Street. Follow Chambers across town, cross the West Side Highway and take a right onto the Hudson River Bike Path.

Hudson River Bike Path

Location: 40.717314°, -74.013208°
Head north to follow the bike path to the 79th Street Boat Basin. Proceed with caution: The path is frequented by cyclists, runners, walkers and skaters.

First Climb

Location: 40.835031°, -73.949425°
You'll hit the ride's first real climb here, but gaining only 254 feet over 2.6 miles; the ascent is mild at best.

165th Street

Location: 40.841030°, -73.944683°
Turn right into 165th Street to climb a steep but short one-block kicker before turning left onto Fort Washington Avenue.

177th Street

Location: 40.847840°, -73.939533°
Turn left on 177th Street to cross the George Washington Bridge on the southern bike path. The northern path involves carrying your bike over five staircases.

Cabrini Boulevard

Location: 40.848217°, -73.941381°
Turn right onto Cabrini Boulevard before turning left onto the sidewalk at the Henry Hudson Parkway on-ramp. The entrance ramp for the bike path is the first left you'll reach.

George Washington Bridge

Location: 40.849268°, -73.941537°
Take the left onto the bike path, which climbs hairpin turns up a steep incline. Be mindful of two-way traffic during your ascent.

George Washington Bridge Tower

Location: 40.850388°, -73.946512°
The bike path will significantly narrow as you pass by one of the two tower-structures on the George Washington Bridge. Again, be mindful of the two-way traffic here.

NJ 505

Location: 40.853940°, -73.963628°
At the end of the George Washington Bridge bike path, turn left on County Road 505.

Bigler Street

Location: 40.852441°, -73.964263°
From NJ 505, bear right onto Bigler Street.

Henry Hudson Drive

Location: 40.847677°, -73.965508°
Descend Main Street and bear left to hit Henry Hudson Drive, which you'll follow north until reaching the New York border at mile 26.3. You'll encounter rolling hills and two-way traffic on the way up, so stick to the right side of the road.

First Traffic Circle

Location: 40.857915°, -73.958663°
Follow the circle and turn right to stay on Henry Hudson Drive.

Second Traffic Circle

Location: 40.875819°, -73.946799°
Bear right at the traffic circle to stay on Henry Hudson Drive.

Bear Right

Location: 40.880966°, -73.946169°
At the top of this small climb, bear right to stay on Henry Hudson Drive.

Ranger Station Climb

Location: 40.939928°, -73.921627°
Gear up for the hardest climb of the ride: a 1.4-mile churn that gains 461 feet at an average 6.2-percent grade. This ascent culminates at the Ranger Station at the top of the hill.

Ranger Station

Location: 40.953231°, -73.920747°
At the top of your climb, the Ranger Station offers restrooms and water. From here, continue heading north on Henry Hudson Drive toward NJ 9W.

NJ 9W

Location: 40.956577°, -73.921275°
Running parallel to the Palisades Parkway, NJ 9W features spacious, bike-friendly shoulders. Expect to encounter other cyclists on this popular route.

State Line

Location: 41.002666°, -73.911735°
The New York-New Jersey state line marks the turnaround point for this ride. Head south on NJ 9W to begin your trek back to Brooklyn.

East Palisades Avenue

Location: 40.880530°, -73.951265°
Exercise caution as you merge into the left-turning lane at this major intersection.

Hudson Terrace

Location: 40.879516°, -73.949586°
Turn right on Hudson Terrace and head south.

George Washington Bridge Bike Path

Location: 40.854011°, -73.963574°
Reconnect with the George Washington Bridge bike path and head east into New York City.

Home Stretch

Location: 40.848197°, -73.941422°
After crossing the George Washington Bridge and re-entering Manhattan, retrace the route you came in on to return to Brooklyn.

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