Old Croton Aqueduct Trail w/ Chappaqua Start - Recap

Saturday, March 14, 2020 - Recap

Ride has concluded.

A lovely ride in the woods…

48 miles (or less)

Saturday, March 14, 2020

The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail is a great introduction to gravel. It's generally hard pack and easy to ride. A strong, adventurous rider can ride it on fairly skinny (28mm) tires with no problems, but average riders will want 35+ mm tires.

 

This is the route we'll be going…

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30832419 

 

We’ll take the 10:20 MetroNorth train from 125 to Chappaqua. (Make sure you have your MNR or LIRR bike pass, and if you want to start from Grand Central, just let me know.) We start by going through Chappaqua (sorry, we won't be going past the Clinton's place). Then we ride a little bit on the North County Trail and then take mostly quiet streets over to Gate House Bridge on the New Croton Reservoir. We then ride along the south side of the reservoir (much of which is a lovely gravel road) to the dam, which is quite cool. Then we ride down pretty much the entire length of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. 

 

The weather will be chilly, but OK with the right gear. The temp when we get to Chappaqua will be ~43º, but will feel like ~36º due to the winds. By the time you get back to the City it will be ~52º and feel like ~49º. So dress in layers and know where you'll put the layers you take off.

 

There is one point that's a bit challenging in that you have to walk your bike up a steep hill and then manage to get down the other side (easier said than done, but it's worth it). But generally it's a nice relaxing ride in the woods on a generally flat path.

 

The ride is officially 48 miles (which gets you back to Harlem). But you can do less by taking MetroNorth back or the subway once we get to The Bronx. 

 

[This ride is cross-listed with GravelNY on Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/513005/group_events/673682]

Ride Details

Distance 48 miles (or less)
Start Location Sent to registered members
Date Saturday, March 14, 2020
Meet Time Sent to registered members
Start Time Sent to registered members
Level B - Steady Eddy
Speed ~15mph on flat pavement, slower on dirt. 
Ride Organizer Jay H.

Riders

Jay H.

Robin G.

Paul R.

Ted H.

Madeleine E.




Comments:


Heather H.

March 10, 2020


Since I'm coming from Brooklyn, I'll be getting on the train at Grand Central (the 10:10). Will keep a look out for yall.

Madeleine E.

March 10, 2020


Looking forward to this ride! Does anyone know if the Harlem MetroNorth station will be staffed on Saturday morning and able to sell me a bike permit before I hop on the 10:20 to Chappaqua?

Jay H.

March 10, 2020


Madeleine – I'm 90% certain the 125th Street station will be staffed to buy a bike pass. If not, the conductors will sell them. But my understanding is that the ones sold at the stations are good forever whereas the ones sold by the conductors are only good for 60 or 90 days. That said, 90% of the time they don't ask to see them.

Madeleine E.

March 10, 2020


Wonderful, thanks!

Heather H.

March 13, 2020


Darn! I am having some mild cold symptoms, so I have to cancel.

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Speed Freak Fast paceline ride Steady Eddy Moderate paced ride Easy Rider Gentle paced ride


RIDE LEVEL KEY

A - Speed Freak - Fast paceline ride

B - Steady Eddy - Moderately paced ride

C - Easy Rider - Gentle paced ride

The 'Ride Speed' indicates the target cruising speed on flat roads.