Jones Beach Bike Path - Long Island

[hotbike]

It's been years since I rode to Jones Beach, which is on the South Shore of Long Island.

There is a bike path, about 6 miles in length, that I'm trying to remember the start location of.

Doesn't the Jones Beach Bike Path begin near the WANTAGH Long Island railroad station?

I want to take the train to the start of the path instead of navigating the roads.

[dendawg]

It runs along the Wantagh Parkway. I remember parking in a town or county park and riding from there but van't remember the name of the park. Looking at a google map it might have been Cedar Creek PArk. I'm not sure what the closest train station would be.

[mattyknacks]

It runs along the Wantagh Parkway. I remember parking in a town or county park and riding from there but van't remember the name of the park. Looking at a google map it might have been Cedar Creek PArk. I'm not sure what the closest train station would be.

You are correct. Cedar Creek Park is the start of the Jones Beach multi purpose trail.

Matty in Brooklyn

[zowie]

You are correct. Cedar Creek Park is the start of the Jones Beach multi purpose trail.

Matty in Brooklyn

Closest LIRR is Wantagh, less than a mile north on the other side of a residential neighborhood.

[hotbike]

Okay , I got it.

The path begins at Cedar Creek park, less than a mile south of the Wantagh LIRR Station.

I found it on Google Maps, I typed in "wantagh ny".
I had to use the satelite function of Google Maps, as the path is not shown on the map.

thanks for helping out.

[mattyknacks]

Okay , I got it.

The path begins at Cedar Creek park, less than a mile south of the Wantagh LIRR Station.

I found it on Google Maps, I typed in "wantagh ny".
I had to use the satelite function of Google Maps, as the path is not shown on the map.

thanks for helping out.

The bike path (MUP) from Merrick Rd near Hicksville Rd (Rt. 107) to Bethpage Park is another great choice, and it goes right past the Massapegua train station. Also, the path goes north of Bethpage Park, but is not paved and is very popular with the mountain bike crowd.

Matty in Brooklyn

[hotbike]

I saw an article in The Long Island Press which featured that bike path. It's unpaved, but it goes all the way north to Cold Spring Harbor, on LI's North Shore.

[Eureka]

I believe the path from Cedar Creek down to Jones beach is closed at the bridge or bridges for construction. Might want to check with Massapequa Park Bike Club before you head out.

If it is closed you can go from the Massapequa Park LIRR station and head up the paved path all the way to the Bethpage Park parking lot. From there - as mentioned above - it is trails that go all the way north. You will need a MTB for most of that part.

[mattyknacks]

I saw an article in The Long Island Press which featured that bike path. It's unpaved, but it goes all the way north to Cold Spring Harbor, on LI's North Shore.

Yes, that path is paved from Merrick Road to Bethpage Park(about 8 miles), and unpaved from Bethpage Park to the Long Island Sound in Oyster Bay(about 11 miles).

Matty in Brooklyn

[Turboem1]

Yea the path is from Cedar Creek Park to Jones Beach. Closest train station would be wantagh which is just north of the park. The trail is closer to 4 miles then 6. It is currently closed for construction and they said it should reopen sometime in may.

[JoAnnL]

The Jones Beach Path will reopen in mid May. It was closed last winter for the same reason, a company called Neptune is putting in underground electrical lines that will eventually go under water to NJ. Although it was repaved and reopen last May as the job was said to be done, it was not and they had to break it up and finish the job this winter.

I always loved the Bethpage Path, however, it really got to be a nusance on the weekends with walkers, joggers, roller bladers and mothers with baby strollers. Has anyone else find this to be a problem?

[Eureka]

...I always loved the Bethpage Path, however, it really got to be a nusance on the weekends with walkers, joggers, roller bladers and mothers with baby strollers. Has anyone else find this to be a problem?
I used to find the Bethpage paved path to be a pain in the butt, but with age comes patience and now I take it easy, knowing I am going to encounter all that you mention and more. At least I am on my road bike and out of the cold February winds.

[hotbike]

Closest LIRR is Wantagh, less than a mile north on the other side of a residential neighborhood.

THIS JUST IN:

The official word regarding the reopening of the Bethpage Bike Path:

"The latest word from our Contractor is that the bike path from Jones Beach to Cedar Creek will be reopening Friday, May 25th. The remaining activities they will be finishing is painting the stripes and planting of shrubs. "

Enjoy!

George.

[zowie]

THIS JUST IN:

The official word regarding the reopening of the Bethpage Bike Path:

"The latest word from our Contractor is that the bike path from Jones Beach to Cedar Creek will be reopening Friday, May 25th. The remaining activities they will be finishing is painting the stripes and planting of shrubs. "

Enjoy!

George.

Excellente!

But I'm going to give it at least an extra week before riding all the way out there from Manhattan and maybe finding its closed.

[Turboem1]

when you want to go let me know. i live 2 seconds away and i can check for you to make sure.

[Turboem1]

Just an update. The Jones Beach Bike Path (Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway) is now open. I went down there and rode it today. It is a nice ride. Since it is repaved it is VERY smooth. There are the occasional sharp turns in the beginning to avoid trees but after that you can keep a very fast pace. It wasn't to crowded. The only down sides are there is always a lot of wind since its right on the water and on the way back when you ride next to the bushes it was a nonstop bug fest. My arms were filled with gnats and I swallowed a couple. You really need to keep your mouth closed. Not sure if its always like that though.

[zowie]

Thanks for letting us know.

On weekdays I've been able to fly on that bike path.

The worst time for bugs is usually around dusk. Not a problem during the day whenever I've ridden it. Could be seasonal?

[Scorer75]

Can someone post a link to a Google Map with the starting and ending points?

Thank you.

[Eureka]

The start is in this park - right where the little guy is.

The end is the ocean.
MAP HERE (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.658638,-73.509318&spn=0.001738,0.003498&t=h&z=18&om=1&layer=c&cbll=40.658605,-73.509318)

[spdrcr5]

Here ya go...

[Scorer75]

You guys are the best, thanks.

[Scorer75]

One more question if I may. I know (form personal experience) that in this area it's not very smart to ride on Sunrise Highway. How is riding on Merrick Road?

I'm thinking of riding out from Cedarhurst to this path.

[spdrcr5]

I've ridden both Sunrise and Merrick Roads in that area. Nothing wrong with either road so long as you pay attention to the traffic. They are not that much busier than other roads on the south shore. Sunrise might be a little safer because the shoulder is wider and the north side (west bound) has very little parking along it.

[Eureka]

Sunrise might be a little safer because the shoulder is wider and the north side (west bound) has very little parking along it.
+1

[Scorer75]

I don't know. I was actually looking for an alternative to Sunrise. I ride to Brooklyn at least a couple of days a week and going West in that exact area (near Brand's) was a ver unpleasant experience.

Let's just say taking the lane in that area (and there are areas there with no shoulder) was not a fun experience.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, please enlighten me

[hotbike]

Thanks for the replies to my thread.

As I said, I plan on taking the bike on the LIRR train to Wantagh LIRR Station.

I have an LIRR Bicycle Permit (Cyc-n-Ride pass) no. L007326 to be exact.


The traffic is terrible on Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road.

There are other roads here on the North Shore that I could ride with minimal traffic. If I want to ride on a Bikeway, I'll take the train to the start.

--------OT----------OT----------OT

On Saturday, May 26, there was a triathalon here on the North Shore. The Start/Finish was at the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, and the running was on the trails of Welwyn Preserve (The mansion at Welwyn is now the Nassau County Holocaust Museum).
No, I didn't participate, I was just a spectator. But I did get a free breakfast, there was a buffet table with waffles, bagles, scrambled eggs, home fries and sausage.

I have to start another thread now. Really, I'm going to copy and paste the other thread from another message board. Someone asked about the "slope of Manhattan" , so I used Google Earth to plot an uphill/downhill course.

[Eureka]

I don't know. I was actually looking for an alternative to Sunrise. Let's just say taking the lane in that area (and there are areas there with no shoulder) was not a fun experience.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, please enlighten me

Sorry, I for one, was seconding the choice of Sunrise over Merrick because of the shoulder as mentioned by spdrcr5. Neither is great.

I know it's not what you are looking for but my favorite east/west road is the LIE service road. Nice shoulders, fairly quiet (at the right times) and always someone to ride with.

[Scorer75]

Agreed, the LIE is an almost perfect place to ride in NY as there is.

What about a good East-West road on the South shore?

[ConstantinosYEA]

Agreed, the LIE is an almost perfect place to ride in NY as there is.

What about a good East-West road on the South shore?
Yeah, that is a great question. I have the same question, especially since i am looking to try to get from East Meadow to Hewlett on bike without having to take Hempstead Tpk to Peninsula Ave. I figured i could take Merrick Ave down to Sunrise of Merrick Rd and go west from there but they are problem roads.

Does the Southern State have a service road that anybody is aware of? Maybe some of the other larger parrallel roads below sunrise or merrick?

[spdrcr5]

Honestly, riding East/West in Southern Nassau County is not a fun ride. I can't think of a main road that this can be done on "safely". The Southern State has no place for bikes anywhere. Taking side streets would be an option if you knew them well enough. Suffolk it is safer riding on Merrick/Old Montauk Highway or Sunrise (in certain areas).

The North Shore is much more bike friendly as it isn't nearly as congested on the roads.

I have ridden Sunrise from Babylon to Oceanside numerous times and I prefer it the further East I am. Can't stand it or Merrick west of the Meadowbrook. It's no picnic East of the Meadowbrook, but it's doable safely.

Getting to Hewlett I'd recommend getting even further South, take Newbridge to Merrick. Then once you hit Freeport head down to Atlantic Ave, then when you get to Oceanside work your way to Atlantic Ave there. The two Atlantic Avenues don't connect directly unfortunately. You can easily map it out, basically you'd turn left on Sunnyside Road after Atlantic turns into Brower. Then you'd wind through a few turns until you hit Altantic. From there you can take Atlantic into the 5 Towns as Atlantic turns into East Rockaway Rd.

HTH

[JoAnnL]

I don't know. I was actually looking for an alternative to Sunrise. I ride to Brooklyn at least a couple of days a week and going West in that exact area (near Brand's) was a ver unpleasant experience.

Let's just say taking the lane in that area (and there are areas there with no shoulder) was not a fun experience.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, please enlighten me

At Wantagh Ave & Sunrise (Brands Bike Shop) there is a back road you can take just north of the train tressel. It is called Park Ave. Take that east, make a right at 7 Eleven (Ithink that is Beech St.) cross Sunrise Hwy. Ride through the developement at bit making a left down any of the streets then a right and you will wind up at Merrick Road across from Cedar Creek Park. Go through Cedar Creek Park and you will see the entrance on of the bike path on the right side.

Sorry for not giving you all the street names, but I never remember to pay attention when I am riding. (bad habit, I know).

I hope this helps.

~ JoAnn

[zowie]

I prefer Merrick to Sunrise. Traffic goes slower esp. when turning in and out of shopping centers. I'm more comfortable taking a lane where it seems like a good idea like where there are parallel parked cars. I don't think that's a safe option on Sunrise. The part that freaks me out is where they cross in Lynbrook or Rockville Center.

I haven't ridden Hempstead Turnpike in quite a while, but my recollection is that it had a decent shoulder.

[ConstantinosYEA]

Honestly, riding East/West in Southern Nassau County is not a fun ride. I can't think of a main road that this can be done on "safely". The Southern State has no place for bikes anywhere. Taking side streets would be an option if you knew them well enough. Suffolk it is safer riding on Merrick/Old Montauk Highway or Sunrise (in certain areas).

The North Shore is much more bike friendly as it isn't nearly as congested on the roads.

I have ridden Sunrise from Babylon to Oceanside numerous times and I prefer it the further East I am. Can't stand it or Merrick west of the Meadowbrook. It's no picnic East of the Meadowbrook, but it's doable safely.

Getting to Hewlett I'd recommend getting even further South, take Newbridge to Merrick. Then once you hit Freeport head down to Atlantic Ave, then when you get to Oceanside work your way to Atlantic Ave there. The two Atlantic Avenues don't connect directly unfortunately. You can easily map it out, basically you'd turn left on Sunnyside Road after Atlantic turns into Brower. Then you'd wind through a few turns until you hit Altantic. From there you can take Atlantic into the 5 Towns as Atlantic turns into East Rockaway Rd.

HTH

Yeah that is great. I was actually thinking about Atlantic Ave as well but i thought it ended at some point before the 5 towns. Maybe the rest of you guys could also use this route to get around the south shore instead of merrick or sunrise.

[NYC_999]

Hello, does anybody here ride out to Long Island proper from the Prospect Park area? My usual loop around the rockaways is getting tired, and going over the GWB takes so much patience getting through Manhattan. Thanks alot.

[hotbike]

Hi again,

I started this thread, so I should report back, now that I have completed a ride on the Jones Beach Bike path.
I took the LIRR to Wantagh. Rode thru the back streets untill I saw the path in Cedar Creek Park, then realized it was on the other side of a fence. rode north to Sunrise Highway, made a right into the park.

I like the way it is marked. The bike path has arrows for north and south, double yellow lines where there are curves, and dashed yellow where there is straight line visiibility.
The new pavement is exceptionally smooth. There are also marks to tell you how far you went, 1 mile, 2 mile, 3 mile and 4 mile. The marks are not in the same places N-S, so I reckon the path is 4 and a half miles.

When you get to the beach parking lot, there is a huge area filled with , must be, estimate 40 bike racks to lock your bike.
Then there is a 'no bikes' sign, but I ignored it. I went down the path , thru the tunnel and found another bicycle rack and locked my bike to it.
The parks commision put two beutiful [sp?] bike racks just south of the water tower, south of the traffic circle. They are cast iron with green powder coat or porcelain finish. Actually, they were donated by private individuals , and they have a brass plaque "in memory of..." I forget the name.

I guess the no-bikes signs are a liability thing, and I wouldn't want to crash into a pedestrian (Be very careful.) But to get to the nice bike racks , you have to go past the grungy ones.

Back on the bikeway, the path is very narrow over the bridges. The signs say "walk your bike". I actually had to stop to let other bicyclists thru the other way.

Back at the Wantagh train station, I just missed the train back to Jamaica. Wantagh does not have elevators ( the Babylon branch is elevated) , so looking at the schedule, I could see that Bellmore , the next station west, has elevators, because it's handicapped accessable.
I think I could've used the quiet street north side of the tracks, but I braved traffic on Sunrise.
I was able to get the bike on the elevator up to track level (I rode a recumbent).
The LIRR has new electric trains, known as M7's. They have space for a wheelchair, as required by law.
This time there was an actual man in a wheelchair using the space, so I couldn't use it.
I opted to stand the bike in front of the door and I stood for the journey. I should've went to the next car.
I'm back home , so I just thought I'd give this report.

[Turboem1]

I like the way it is marked. The bike path has arrows for north and south, double yellow lines where there are curves, and dashed yellow where there is straight line visiibility.
The new pavement is exceptionally smooth. There are also marks to tell you how far you went, 1 mile, 2 mile, 3 mile and 4 mile. The marks are not in the same places N-S, so I reckon the path is 4 and a half miles.

When you get to the beach parking lot, there is a huge area filled with , must be, estimate 40 bike racks to lock your bike.
Then there is a 'no bikes' sign, but I ignored it. I went down the path , thru the tunnel and found another bicycle rack and locked my bike to it.
The parks commision put two beutiful [sp?] bike racks just south of the water tower, south of the traffic circle. They are cast iron with green powder coat or porcelain finish. Actually, they were donated by private individuals , and they have a brass plaque "in memory of..." I forget the name.

I guess the no-bikes signs are a liability thing, and I wouldn't want to crash into a pedestrian (Be very careful.) But to get to the nice bike racks , you have to go past the grungy ones.

Back on the bikeway, the path is very narrow over the bridges. The signs say "walk your bike". I actually had to stop to let other bicyclists thru the other way.

I'm back home , so I just thought I'd give this report.

I have rode the path about 10+ times already and have had the same experiences as you. The path is 4.5 miles so its marked 1, 2, 3, 4, on the side you are riding but at half mile marks you can look at the opposite sides, 1, 2, 3, 4 and see you are at .5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5.

I didnt go past the no bikes sign. I guess it kind of scared me although I saw people go past it. Next time I will continue down and take a look around.

As far as the bridges. The third one (farthest south) is soooo narrow. When two people meet one has to stop and let the other go by slow.

Other then that it is really nice and VERY SMOOTH!

[hotbike]

I have rode the path about 10+ times already and have had the same experiences as you. The path is 4.5 miles so its marked 1, 2, 3, 4, on the side you are riding but at half mile marks you can look at the opposite sides, 1, 2, 3, 4 and see you are at .5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5.

I didnt go past the no bikes sign. I guess it kind of scared me although I saw people go past it. Next time I will continue down and take a look around.

As far as the bridges. The third one (farthest south) is soooo narrow. When two people meet one has to stop and let the other go by slow.

Other then that it is really nice and VERY SMOOTH!

Okay, I'm just checking the math. We should add, and you will know you're at 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5. Am I right?

As for the southernmost bridge, that is too narrow. I am scared my handlebars will catch the chain link fence. I think someones going to get killed. They should take the fencing down, and leave handrails; that way handlebars can protrude a little over the handrails. I don't think anyone would hike four miles to jump off a bridge, I assume they are worried someone will commit suicide by jumping. Someone's going to get seriously injured there. I stopped before getting on the bridge to let two wheelchairs finish crossing. I stopped and leaned into the fence to let a cycliist go by mid-span, and on the return I stopped , leaned, and let by two more cyclists.
And this was a freaking weekday! (Monday). What is it like on a weekend?

[JoAnnL]

That third bridge (far south) is a temporary bridge which has been this way for about 10 years. That is how long it is taking them to make the permanent bridge. I know they had trouble midstream but this has become a never ending project.

[Scorer75]

Hello, does anybody here ride out to Long Island proper from the Prospect Park area? My usual loop around the rockaways is getting tired, and going over the GWB takes so much patience getting through Manhattan. Thanks alot.

I work near the junction and live inthe 5 towns, so I can recommend a few different routes.

Let me know what you have in mind and hwere you want to go and I'll try to recommend something for you.

[Eureka]

Hello, does anybody here ride out to Long Island proper from the Prospect Park area? My usual loop around the rockaways is getting tired, and going over the GWB takes so much patience getting through Manhattan. Thanks alot.
What about taking the LIRR out of Flatbush to different stations and riding from these different spots? This way you don't have to contend with some crazy roads and get to see more of LawnIsland.

[zowie]

Hello, does anybody here ride out to Long Island proper from the Prospect Park area? My usual loop around the rockaways is getting tired, and going over the GWB takes so much patience getting through Manhattan. Thanks alot.

Dean St all the way to the end (need to detour around a 2 block housing project at Rochester Ave. This a nice fast ride out to near the Queens border if you don't mind the last mile or so being in a very depressed neighborhood.

At the end, go one block south and pick up Liberty Avenue heading east.

After your cross Cross Bay Blvd, bear right onto Rockaway Blvd.

Across from Aqueduct, left onto Linden. This will take you out to Nassau County.

Near the county line is Elmont Road which you can take north or south to get to your choice of the major east-west routes running through Nassau. If you're heading to Jones Beach, you'd take it south Merrick Rd (my preference) or Sunrise Hwy and take those out to Wantagh.

There are numerous alternates but this is among the most direct that doesn't have intolerable amounts of traffic. There's a few sections of hectic traffic but also many miles of low traffic (by NYC standards).