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The New York area, Outdoors

Long Island Harbors Ride

Registration is still open for Bike New York’s Long Island Harbor’s ride. The June 27th route takes riders through several of the nicest towns and harbors of the North shore. 15, 27, 53, 80, or 105 miles routes are available and according to Bike New York, “Yes it’s hilly but you can do it!”

Camping in Brooklyn

The NY Times Frugal Traveler has a nice writeup about what it’s like camping at Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field out in Jamaica Bay. Yosemite it’s not. Apart from a pretty colorful description of the bathroom situation it does sound like FBF might we worth checking out if you have kids or if you really want to take the subway to a campground (though going rogue in Prospect Park might be a better bet).

My only experience with FBF was riding by on my bike on the way to the Rockaways. In the summer the fields fill with various events including some pretty well attended cricket matches.

In NYC

40°34’52.12”N,  73°53’18.00”W

Just off route 27 near Napeague in the South Fork there is a small state park worth visiting for a hike. The walking dunes are a set of large sand dunes that drift (or walk) over time. The short hike through them includes some great views of Napeague bay as well as some pretty strange scenes where entire stands of trees have been buried by the dunes as they have drifted. The hike isn’t more than a mile long and the trail is well marked so no real gear is required. About 1.5 hours from NYC  41° 0’44.24”N   72° 2’9.89”W

Just off route 27 near Napeague in the South Fork there is a small state park worth visiting for a hike. The walking dunes are a set of large sand dunes that drift (or walk) over time. The short hike through them includes some great views of Napeague bay as well as some pretty strange scenes where entire stands of trees have been buried by the dunes as they have drifted.

The hike isn’t more than a mile long and the trail is well marked so no real gear is required.

About 1.5 hours from NYC

 41° 0’44.24”N   72° 2’9.89”W

South Fork Long Island Trail Atlas

For a few of the hikes you might still want a topographical map, but the parks on the South Fork are mostly so small you can get by with just the book.

Clothes for City Biking

If you want something you can wear to work but that won’t snag on your gears on the way, take a look at Outlier’s line of city biking clothes. They flex, they don’t get dirty and they are designed to fit well but still wear straight into a meeting. They are also designed right here in NYC.

A kiteboarder sails past as seen from the cliffs of Shadmoor State Park About 2.5 hours from Manhattan 41° 2’13.63”N,  71°55’31.62”W

A kiteboarder sails past as seen from the cliffs of Shadmoor State Park

About 2.5 hours from Manhattan
41° 2’13.63”N,  71°55’31.62”W

Looking north from the top of Mount Colden. 4715 feet above sea level and an easy day hike from as far away as the Adirondack Lodge. The hike takes only a couple of hours once you reach the base of Colden. A ranger we met in the area said most rescues involve “busted knees or lightning strikes”. 5 Hours from NYC44°1’26”69N, -73°9’58”94W

Looking north from the top of Mount Colden. 4715 feet above sea level and an easy day hike from as far away as the Adirondack Lodge. The hike takes only a couple of hours once you reach the base of Colden. A ranger we met in the area said most rescues involve “busted knees or lightning strikes”.

5 Hours from NYC
44°1’26”69N, -73°9’58”94W

Fancy Commuter Bikes in Tribeca

Ladies, get your fashion bike on at Tribeca’s Adeline Adeline a bike shop dedicated to rides that will get you to brunch or the office.

One of the best neighborhood bike shops around, West Village’s Hub Station is back open (for now in a vacant lot) on Charles and Washington st. Stop by on a sunny day and pet Scout the dog. In NYC on Charles and Washington

One of the best neighborhood bike shops around, West Village’s Hub Station is back open (for now in a vacant lot) on Charles and Washington st. Stop by on a sunny day and pet Scout the dog.

In NYC on Charles and Washington

The scene on any Saturday or Sunday morning at the Runcible Spoon Bakery. If you have ever wondered where all the bikers riding up 9W from the George Washington bridge are going, this is the place. There are wide shoulders the whole way and once you get to Piermont the ride scenery is really nice. About 25 Miles from Manhattan  41° 5’31.80”N,  73°55’4.62”W Do it on a road bike, bring a cliff bar and be in decent shape

The scene on any Saturday or Sunday morning at the Runcible Spoon Bakery. If you have ever wondered where all the bikers riding up 9W from the George Washington bridge are going, this is the place. There are wide shoulders the whole way and once you get to Piermont the ride scenery is really nice.

About 25 Miles from Manhattan

 41° 5’31.80”N,  73°55’4.62”W

Do it on a road bike, bring a cliff bar and be in decent shape

North and South County Bike Trail

Trying to find more rides around NYC and i’ve been pondering if it’s worth it to take metro north up to Brewster and bike back on the South County Bike trail. Going by the map it seems like a no brainer but i’ve heard a couple of people say it’s filled with strollers and people out for walks.

Seems like a long way to ride if you aren’t moving very fast.