Taking your bike with you aboard the Jitney (whether east- or westbound) is a great way for cyclists to avail themselves of areas beyond your usual home routes. I’ve picked out three routes on both ends of the line for riders of varying skill levels to try on your next excursion.
Note that a beginner’s route can be stretched into an expert’s and vice versa…but you riders knew that! As always, helmets and hydration are key; and regardless of the existence of marked cycling paths, keep the eyes in back of your head open.
Long Island - Gary P. Joyce
Beginner
The North Fork is rampant with rides suitable for beginners due to its relatively flat terrain. Here’s a good and scenic beginners ride that will take you from Mattituck through New Suffolk to Cutchogue and back to Mattituck for an approximate 10-mile loop.
The Jitney lets you off near Bay Ave. in Mattituck (residents can start at the intersection of Main Road and Love Lane). Hop onto Main Road East for a quick trip to New Suffolk Avenue (just before the big turn in Mattituck) and follow the signs for New Suffolk and Cutchogue. Make a left in New Suffolk where New Suffolk Avenue turns into New Suffolk Road to take you north to Cutchogue. A right onto Main Road and a quick left onto Depot Lane will take you all the way up to Middle Road for your return back to Mattituck (make a final left onto Love Lane to get back to Main Road).
Along the way you’ll get some soft hills, plenty of seaside scenery, stop at the place where the US Navy’s submarine concept came to fruition, and see some beautiful views of Peconic Bay (and private Robins Island). You’ll pass several hotspots to stop for breakfast or lunch (the Cutchogue Diner for the former; Legends in New Suffolk for the latter) and more. Farm stands abound (as do vineyards), so you might want to mount some panniers (bags or baskets for you beginners) as well. And, of course, you can always spend some time on Mattituck’s famous Love Lane.
Intermediate
This is a long (about 13.5 miles, one way) intermediate ride that starts on the waterfront of Riverhead town and ends at the mighty Atlantic Ocean on the west side of Shinnecock Inlet. It includes one hard - but relatively short – climb; the Ponquogue Bridge.
Exit the Jitney at the second Riverhead stop (locals can start at the Riverhead waterfront) and head east directly down the road by the stop to the traffic circle and take the first exit to head southeast on Route 24. You’ll clear all but sporadic civilization after a few miles and ride through about four miles of Pine Barrens. Ride until the road ends at Route 27A (Montauk Highway) in Hampton Bays. Head east and follow the signs to “Ocean Beaches” (right on Ponquogue Ave., left on Shinnecock Rd., right on Foster Ave., continue over the bridge). You’ll be rewarded with views of the Atlantic, pass some of the best seafood joints around and get a look at real seaside community. With the exception of the bridge crossing the journey is fairly flat.
The adventurous can head back along Dune Road west, cross the bridge in Quogue and meander west and north to Route 31 and head back to Riverhead effectively doubling the distance. Otherwise, plan accordingly and catch your return Jitney in Hampton Bays and call it a day!
Expert
What true cyclist hasn’t wanted to do a ride to Montauk Point? This isn’t a century ride (though it wouldn’t be hard to make it so) but it’s a solid round-tripper of 50 miles if you start in Bridgehampton. The terrain for the early stages is relatively flat, but once you’ve cleared the “wind tunnel” (the stretch from Amagansett to the Lobster Roll - a famous restaurant outside of Montauk for those not in the know), you’ll have the option of taking a right fork uphill through Montauk State Park (and downhill into Montauk proper), or taking the rolling, short up-and-downs of old Montauk Highway to town. It’s not steep uphill out of Montauk, but it is fairly long, and then it’s on to the lighthouse, the first in New York State (completed in 1796) and the fourth oldest active one in America.
You’ll pedal through Wainscott, East Hampton and Amagansett. Side roads off of the main route (Montauk Highway/Route 27) can extend this ride and open up some wonderful seaside vistas. A must-do for serious cyclists.
New York City – Christopher A. Keating
Beginner
Bicycling in New York City can be an intimidating venture for the beginner. There are, however, several good spots for the newbie to get in a ride. Central Park provides riders with an excellent starting point. Getting there is a cinch (head west from any Jitney stop from 61st Street or higher and you’re at most a block from a Park entrance) and rental shops are easily found near the park. Riding to the park from other points in the city can be done via the main avenues of the city, many of which now have dedicated bike lanes and clearly marked signs.
Once in the park, riders are able to travel at their own pace while they enjoy the beauty of Olmstead’s design. The loop around the park offers riders an opportunity to cycle without the stress of street traffic. The entire loop is about six miles and does contain a few hills. Although it is a safer alternative to riding in the street, riders must be aware of pedestrians, horsedrawn carriages and other riders. A helmet is always a must on any city ride.
Intermediate
A bike ride along the Hudson River is a great way to explore the West side and see the sights that usually whiz by as you travel by car. The city now boasts a clear path beginning in Battery Park City and continuing to the Cloisters in Manhattan’s Northern tip. Along the way, riders will see Lady Liberty, the U.S.S. Intrepid, as well as the George Washington Bridge.
From point to point, the path is just over 10 miles and has several access points at the city’s main cross streets. The path is narrower than Central Park’s, but is well-marked and maintained. Riders must yield to traffic at some intersections and should be patient with pedestrians on sunny days. Those riders who make the climb up to Fort Tryon Park will be treated to a chance to visit a unique museum and see a spectacular view of the Palisades.
Expert
The East side of New York City is a good place for more experienced riders to test their mettle without having to challenge the city’s gridlock. Starting just south of the U.N. and riding along the East River path, cyclists can get a good look at the industrial edge of the city. Some of the ride is sheltered by the FDR Drive and eventually leads to the city’s three southern bridges. The Brooklyn Bridge tends to be crowded with sightseers, but the Williamsburg and Manhattan Bridges have wide paths with few obstacles.
Once on the other side, riders can travel along the river’s edge through DUMBO, Williamsburg and Greenpoint. On weekends, commercial traffic is less frequent and there are few pedestrians. This side of the river has some of the best views of Manhattan, accessible in several of the parks on the route. Riders who make it back over the 59th Street Bridge will have travelled about 20 miles in all.
