Ft. George (NYC)

[ejm876]

It's the steepest hill in New York City.

[Air]

Here? (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Fort+George+Hl,+New+York,+New+York,+New+York+10040,+United+States&sll=44.39158,-68.80637&sspn=0.010657,0.016458&ie=UTF8&cd=2&geocode=0,40.859100,-73.926580&ll=40.859201,-73.926401&spn=0.022558,0.032916&z=15&iwloc=addr&om=1)

[Renato]

Wow... checking it within the Google Earth application, and using the "Terrain" option, one can actually see it from its side. It's steep and at .3 miles pretty long too. There are some killer hills on the LIE service road, specially about 30 miles from the city.

Hills are great!... when you're going down. :)

[Air]

There are some killer hills on the LIE service road, specially about 30 miles from the city.

Like around Huntington? That sucker is huge!

[Renato]

yeah.. I can do steep, but steep and very long is another beast.

[ejm876]

Does anyone know about riding up the LIE service road? I might do it sometime.

[jyossarian]

Ft. George also borders the mtb trails. That's right, I said mtb trails. They're in Highbridge park.

[sukram]

Does anyone know about riding up the LIE service road? I might do it sometime.

Egads, spare yourself the pain if you're planning on riding the Queens or even western Nassau part. Early weekend mornings aren't too bad, but when traffic builds on the LIE and it overflows into the service roads you're talking about heavy and speedy traffic (unless traffic is really bad and it slows them down). Coupled with lousy pavement in sections and the parked cars in areas it can make for less than enjoyable riding. When there isn't as much traffic the cars speed along the service road like it's the highway.

You will find a moderate number of cyclists escaping the city on it though, but it's not the most friendly of roads.

[Renato]

True. The LIE service road is my weekly route, but it does get a little crowded (and dangerous). I leave from Little Neck (Exit 32) and go for about 20 miles, then return on the Westbound side. Weekend mornings are good thou, during the warm season, there's a few BIG rides such as the GBSC with dozens of riders.

http://www.bicyclelongisland.org/gbsc/

One trick is to start early on the LIE service road going east and returning thru back roads, avoiding the LIE after it gets busy.

I did 15 miles each way today, in the middle of the day, and it was kinda scary at times :(

..:R

[Lucky07]

Grades from the NYCC: http://nycc.org/resources/re_regional_grades.html

[Ken Roberts]

That NYCC list is definitely helpful for somebody like me who seeks out hills, but I'm not finding the Fort George Hill on it.

Am I just missing it under a different name?

Ken

[ejm876]

I believe that its the last one under the Manhattan category.

It's the hill adjacent to the Dyckman St. subway station, if that helps.

[roadiejorge]

I grew up in Washington Heights/Inwood so I'm familiar with the hill and would ride it often. It's certainly a challenge but there's always something about the southbound hill in Central Park (cardiac hill) that I found tougher.

[Ken Roberts]

I believe that its the last one under the Manhattan category.
It's the hill adjacent to the Dyckman St. subway station, if that helps.
Yes I see now, that looks right.
Thanks.

Ken

[Stacy]

Does anyone know the 'average grade' for the greenway, where it rises from the lighthouse up to the terrace, in Fort Washington Park?

[Eureka]

Does anyone know about riding up the LIE service road? I might do it sometime.Actually I think it is a pretty good ride. I start at the hill mentioned (exit 49) and head towards the city. On a weekend morning it is very quiet, great shoulders, lots of bikers, and varied terrain. Problem is as you get near the city line you run out of shoulder and the pavement can be tough at times.

Still a fine ride. And you can always head up into Old Westbury and then north from there for quieter roads and new home shopping!