BBR_NewYork-56

Start: Hostos Community College, at the intersection of East 149th Street and the Grand Concourse

Length: 19.6-mile loop

Approximate riding time: 3.5 hours

Best bike: Road or mountain bike

Terrain and trail surface: The trail is paved throughout. The terrain has steep hills throughout Fieldston and Riverdale. Check your brakes especially carefully before heading out on this ride.

Traffic and hazards: Most of the route follows on-road bike lanes that run along wide city streets with moderate traffic, giving cyclists ample space. Still, stay alert at all times, especially for turning vehicles. The north section of this route, through Fieldston and Riverdale, runs along steep and narrow curving roads without bike lanes. Traffic is very light here and cars drive slowly. The route requires some urban cycling comfort.

Things to see: Lehman College, Jerome Park Reservoir, Fieldston, Riverdale, Wave Hill, Inwood Hill Park, Harlem River, Yankee Stadium

Maps: New York City Bike Map, Department of City Planning Bike the Bronx map

Getting there: By public transportation: Take the 4, 5, or 2 subway to the 149th Street/Grand Concourse stop. By car: Take the FDR Drive north to exit 18 (at the Willis Avenue Bridge). After crossing the bridge, follow the signs to I-87 N/Major Deegan Expressway. Take exit 5 from I-87 N (at East 161st Street). Go east on East 161st Street where the Concourse Plaza Garage is on your right at 200 E. 161st St. (between Sheridan and Morris Avenues). GPS coordinates: N40 49.108’ / W73 55.636’

THE RIDE

The first stretch of your journey leads northward along an on-road bike lane through residential city blocks, where, during summer months, children play outdoors and fire hydrants are apt to serve as sprinklers. This soon brings you to a busy intersection at East 167th Street, where multiple roads intersect. Stay alert and follow the bike lane onto Edward L. Grant Highway, a broad avenue that passes through a motley neighborhood of charming churches and run-down buildings. University Avenue then leads northward toward Lehman College. Marked by Gothic-style buildings, the college sits just across from the Jerome Park Reservoir, a 100-year-old reservoir that still hydrates parts of the city today. Hugging the reservoir’s eastern edge, you’ll cycle past athletic fields and college yards to Sedgwick Avenue.

Stay alert on Sedgwick Avenue, where you’ll follow an on-road segment a short spurt. When the road splits into three arms, continue straight, along the middle lane, to stay on Sedgwick Avenue. A short stretch of zigzagged biking downhill at West 238th Street soon brings you toward the elevated tracks of the 1 subway and past a much-loved Bronx establishment on your left, S&S Cheesecake. For more than five decades it’s brought cheesecake lovers to the Bronx.

Continuing onward, you’ll catch a narrow, uphill bikeway to your right at Irwin Avenue and continue uphill past Manhattan College, established in 1853, on your right. This brings you into the exclusive neighborhood of Fieldston, a suburban community of stately single-family homes along hilly tree-lined streets. Snake your way through this corner of country in the city.

Then, crossing the Henry Hudson Parkway at West 252nd Street will lead you to Riverdale, another stately neighborhood on a slope. With landmarked estates, it feels far removed from city life. Sitting high on a bluff in the northwestern corner of the Bronx, it affords sweeping views of the Hudson River and Palisades across the water. Independence Avenue then carries you past Wave Hill, a 28-acre public garden and cultural center. Once a private estate, it now houses gardens, walkways through forested terrain, a gallery, and environmental center. It’s a must spot for a mid-route break. (There’s a fee to enter.)

Proceeding en route, you’ll continue south on Independence Avenue and then skirt the edge of Riverdale Park, a slim park on the Hudson River. A steep ascent on West 232nd Street then soon brings you to more throbbing Bronx neighborhoods again. As you wind your way downhill from here, glance into the distance occasionally for far-reaching views of the city skyline. This brings you away from the Bronx’s suburban neighborhoods for good, toward Marble Hill. Officially part of Manhattan, this community is geographically seemingly on Bronx terrain. Just ahead, walk your bike across the Broadway Bridge along the sidewalk to access mainland Manhattan. (Bridge biking prohibited.)

After the bridge, you’ll skirt the edge of Inwood Hill Park and head south along Seaman Avenue toward Fort Tryon Park. This final stretch of your journey leads along on-road bike lanes on city streets to the Harlem River Greenway. Heading south along the Harlem River, multiple bridges then neatly frame the city skyline in the distance and your journey is flanked by Highbridge Park’s rocky terrain on your right. Follow the greenway as it leads uphill to your right, alongside Harlem River Drive, to reach West 155th Street where you access the Macombs Dam Bridge across the Harlem River. Walk your bike along the northern sidewalk. (Bridge biking officially prohibited.) At the end of the bridge, stay alert. Come to a complete stop before crossing a motor-vehicle access ramp and continuing toward Yankee Stadium. A final on-road section, mostly along bike lanes, then leads back to your starting point.

MILES AND DIRECTIONS

0.0Bike west on East 149th Street. Take the second right onto Gerard Avenue.

1.4Turn left onto East 167th Street.

1.5 Cross Jerome Avenue and turn right onto Edward L. Grant Highway, which later becomes University Avenue.

4.4Turn right onto Strong Street, followed by a left onto Goulden Avenue/Reservoir Avenue. When the road splits, stay right, sticking to Goulden Avenue.

5.6Turn left onto Sedgwick Avenue.

5.9When the road splits into three, take the middle lane to stay on Sedgwick Avenue.

6.1Turn right onto West 238th Street, followed by a quick right onto Cannon Place, and a first left to connect to Orloff Avenue, going left.

6.4Turn right onto West 238th Street.

6.7Turn right onto Tibbett Avenue, followed by a left onto West 240th Street.

6.9Turn right onto the Irwin Avenue bikeway. Exit the trail straight ahead, going uphill on Waldo Avenue (called Manhattan College Parkway at places). Continue straight to stay on Waldo Avenue.

7.4Turn left onto West 246th Street. Continue straight through the roundabout.

7.7Turn right onto Delafield Avenue. Stay left when the road splits, continuing on Delafield Avenue.

8.0Turn left onto West 250th Street, followed by a quick right along Henry Hudson Parkway.

8.2Turn left onto West 252nd Street to cross the parkway.

8.4Turn right onto Sycamore Avenue.

8.6Turn right onto West 254th Street and go uphill. It’s steep! At the top of the hill turn right onto Independence Avenue.

9.1The entrance to Wave Hill is on your right. Dismount, lock up, take a break, and explore. To proceed en route, continue south on Independence Avenue.

9.3When the road ends, turn right onto Spaulding Lane (unmarked, downhill).

9.4Turn left onto Palisade Avenue, with Riverdale Park on your right.

10.2Turn left onto West 232nd Street.

10.7Turn right onto Netherland Avenue.

11.2Turn left onto Kappock Street, followed by a sharp left onto Johnson Avenue.

11.9Turn right onto West 230th Street.

12.0Turn right at Kingsbridge Avenue onto Marble Hill Avenue, followed by a right onto West 228th Street/Terrace View Avenue. Stay left when the road forks to continue onto West 225th Street.

12.6Dismount your bike to walk your bike across the west sidewalk of the bridge. (Bridge biking officially prohibited.) Remount your bike on the other side, going south.

12.9Turn right onto West 218th Street. Inwood Hill Park is at the end of the road. (Explore if you wish.) Turn left onto Indian Road, hugging the edge of the park. Follow the road as it veers left onto West 214th Street.

13.3Turn right onto Seaman Avenue.

14.0Turn left onto Riverside Drive and veer right onto Dyckman Street just ahead.

14.6Cross 10th Avenue to access the Harlem River Greenway straight ahead. Turn right to go south.

16.4Follow the bikeway as it veers up to the right and away from the water.

16.9At West 155th Street, dismount to walk your bike along the northern sidewalk across the Macombs Dam Bridge. (Biking officially prohibited.) Toward the end of the bridge, use the pedestrian crossing to cross the motorist access road. Use caution. There’s no traffic signal here.

17.6The bridge sidewalk leads onto Jerome Avenue, across from Yankee Stadium. Use the pedestrian crosswalk to cross to the east side of Jerome Avenue and continue north on Jerome Avenue.

18.1Turn right onto East 167th Street, followed by a right onto Walton Avenue.

19.5Turn left onto East 149th Street.

19.6 Arrive at your starting point.