Northeast - Henry Hudson Drive, NJ

Anyone familiar with the Henry Hudson Drive from Englewood Cliffs to Fort Lee, NJ?
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2957930
Anything interesting there? Any possible problems with parking a car at the Englewood Cliffs end?
It looks to me as an easy 4 miles round-trip ride.

Very nice ride along the palisades. VERY hilly in some spots, if I remember correctly. Near the end, there's a climb with a nickname something like "The One Mile Ridiculous Killer Climb from Hell."

A Jersey rider can tell you more.

Lots of cyclists go through the Palisades Park. Usually people will ride there (e.g. cross the GWB and into the park).

I have a vague recollection of seeing cars parked at the southern entrance. Even if you can't park there, I'm sure you can find street parking in Fort Lee. There is a parking lot inside the park with a $5 fee.

Very nice ride along the palisades. VERY hilly in some spots, if I remember correctly. Near the end, there's a climb with a nickname something like "The One Mile Ridiculous Killer Climb from Hell."

A Jersey rider can tell you more.

Bicycles are not permitted to ride up the road from the Englewood boat basin, you are thinking of the road up from the Alpine boat basin a few more miles north.

Sharon and I rode the "river road" thru Palisades Interstate Park a week ago on our tandem, and we thought it was interesting and worthwhile.
(I've never seen any person or sign call it "Henry Hudson" except for one old map. I sorta remember there was once a sign by police station at the north end calling it the "river drive".)Last I heard, bicycles are not permitted on the connector road between the river drive and Palisades Av near Englewood Cliffs - (like ckelly49 said).

So there is no round-trip from Englewood Cliffs, and riding the whole "river drive" even just one-way would be at least 7 miles. The north end which is legally ridable connects to Alpine Approach Rd and a traffic light on rt 9W (which I assume is somewhere near Alpine NJ?)


It looks to me as an easy 4 miles round-trip ride.

There's no round-trip on the river road that's "easy". Most of the road is rather hilly.

The big hill at the north end was kind of eroded when we did it. But the rest of the road mostly had a pretty nice surface. The wide sidewalk between Fort Lee Historical Park and the south end of the river road was completed and open.

I think the "easiest" round-trip on the river road would be start by the west end of the George Washington Bridge or Fort Lee Historical Park and go south down the sidewalk, then turn Left onto the river drive. At first it goes east, soon curves north, goes underneath the GWB. A way further, can bear Right and go down to a nice park at the shore of the Hudson river. Then comes the hard part: climbing back up the same way.
If you're able to develop more strength and endurance, and learn some strategies for riding on the roads with more traffic, a more fun way to do it is ride one way on the river drive, and return on some other roads (like on this map (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Nyack-Piermont-to-GWB-sec-2)), and maybe include a side trip to Piermont NY: like this route description (http://www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/r/r/m_nyack/index.htm).Ken

Lots of cyclists go through the Palisades Park. Usually people will ride there (e.g. cross the GWB and into the park).

I have a vague recollection of seeing cars parked at the southern entrance. Even if you can't park there, I'm sure you can find street parking in Fort Lee. There is a parking lot inside the park with a $5 fee.

Do you mean the Fort Lee Historical Park? This one: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2959107 ??

I was parking there before yesterday (Saturday) and no one was asking for any parking fee. It's just across the Museum.

Bicycles are not permitted to ride up the road from the Englewood boat basin, you are thinking of the road up from the Alpine boat basin a few more miles north.

Are you saying that this segment (in the North to South direction):

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2959126

is not allowed for bikes???

I think the "easiest" round-trip on the river road would be start by the west end of the George Washington Bridge or Fort Lee Historical Park and go south down the sidewalk, then turn Left onto the river drive. At first it goes east, soon curves north, goes underneath the GWB. A way further, can bear Right and go down to a nice park at the shore of the Hudson river. Then comes the hard part: climbing back up the same way.

I did the following segment last Saturday: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2959153 (from the Fort Lee Historical Park to the point it goes under the GWB). The hardest part was actually climbing the Main Street back. Climbing up to the park was surprisingly easy. I guess I can making it easier by parking close to the "river drive". Then, when I get the point underneath the Bridge, I can bear Right and continue to the park at the shore of the Hudson River, as you suggested.

I believe this is the trail from underneath the GWB to the park at the Hudson River: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2959234

Do you mean the Fort Lee Historical Park? This one: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2959107 ??
No, there's some boat basin or something inside the Palisades Park that has a paid parking lot and a snack bar.

The "no bikes" section is actually just north of that parking lot, it's just a connector to get out of the park. There's a sign that clearly says "no bikes," you just keep going north towards Alpine.

It's pretty easy and there's few cars. You can just head over there and ride through, it's not a big deal. Bring a map or GPS or whatever; that way, you'd really only get lost if you tried....

If you've got a car and you like short rides with low traffic by the river, you might also try:

* Nyack Beach State Park (in New York) -- north from Nyack NY, park near or along Broadway, or at the north end of Broadway, and (on a non-wet day) ride north along the river, then back the same way.

* Piermont NY: can ride east out to the end of the "pier" of Piermont -- though it's a bit tricky to find the non-private start of the road. Or can ride south from Piermont into Tallman State Park and explore (and there's other parking areas for Tallman).

Ken

P.S. parking in Fort Lee near the GWB for non-residents can be tricky, read the signs very carefully. If you don't see any sign restricting parking for non-residents, then look more carefully.
Also they have been known to lock the parking lot of Fort Lee Historic Park at night, and especially on a cloudy or rainy evening, the park administration's interpretation of "time of sunset" might be earlier than what you'd read on an astronomy or weather website.

Bicycles are not permitted to ride up the road from the Englewood boat basin, you are thinking of the road up from the Alpine boat basin a few more miles north.

"Cycling is permitted on Henry Hudson Drive from River Road in Edgewater up to and including Alpine Approach Road."

(http://www.njpalisades.org/cycling.htm)

"Cycling is permitted on Henry Hudson Drive from River Road in Edgewater up to and including Alpine Approach Road."
Yes, but there is a specific spot where the road splits. Riding from the south, bikes are not allowed on the part of the road that turns left, which heads up and out of the park, and it's marked with a "no bikes" sign. The other direction heads towards Alpine.

No, there's some boat basin or something inside the Palisades Park that has a paid parking lot and a snack bar.


It's either "Englewood Boat Basin" (N40°52′42″, W73°56′44″) or "Alpine Boat Basin" (N40°56′44″, W73°55′10″):

http://www.njpalisades.org/boating.htm#ebb

"Cycling is permitted on Henry Hudson Drive from River Road in Edgewater up to and including Alpine Approach Road."

(http://www.njpalisades.org/cycling.htm)

I was referring to the road that takes you out of the boat basins up towards 9W that Papa Tom mentioned. The road out of the Englewood boat basin up to 9W is closed to cyclists, the one from the Alpine boat basin allows cyclists.

Yes, but there is a specific spot where the road splits. Riding from the south, bikes are not allowed on the part of the road that turns left, which heads up and out of the park, and it's marked with a "no bikes" sign. The other direction heads towards Alpine.

Is it "Dyckman Hill Road" by any chance?? (I cannot find the road on Google Map)

"Bicycles are not permitted on the upper portion of Dyckman Hill Road." says here:

http://www.njpalisades.org/hhdrive.htm#Henry

Probably

Since you can just ride straight through the park, I don't bother to figure out the specifics. It really is not difficult at all to navigate -- I mean, it's not Queens or something. ;)

Upper Dyckman Hill is the Bike Verbotten road. Of course I have done it, but I also know one person who has paid a fine for doing it. Its reminds me of the switchbacks in the alps.
The problem is that it simply too narrow for two way car traffic in the turns, so we would make life only harder.

A nice round trip ride is to start at the GWB (or the Historical park, head north on Hudson Terrace to Palisades Ave to 9W, and continue north on 9W to the Alpine Approach road (the northern terminus of River Road. You can then take River Road, south through the park to the southern end in Fort Lee, turn right on the new bike path and climb the hill back to the bridge. About 16 miles round trip. I find the climbs a little easier heading south than north.

Ah, River Road :love:. I'm typically up there twice a week. Great riding, especially if you like hills. Bagel, that little bit you did was just the tip of the iceberg. Further up, there are... hills! And, some great views, waterfalls, and plenty of flora & fauna. I've encountered all the usual suspects (chipmunks, woodchucks, rabbits) plus pheasants & turkeys... and last Thursday, a fox. That was cool.

There are 3 parking areas along the river. The furthest south is the Ross Dock picnic area (Bagel, you have this pictured in a link). Next up is the Englewood Basin, and the furthest north is the Alpine Basin. There is also a parking lot at the top of Alpine Approach (the big hill) - at the park police/administration building.

Not sure what the deal is re/ parking fees - they may just charge on the weekend. If you're concerned about this, call the park office (201 768-1360) during business hours - you can get a real, live person on the phone.

The MS Bike Tour NYC goes up that direction. I guess they must change the rules for the tour because we rode all the way up River road, through the park into NY state. Awesome, awesome ride though. We call the one hill in the park the "Widow Maker". It will definitely test your climbing skills. I'll be there in Oct assuming the route stays the same.

I find the climbs a little easier heading south than north.
But I find the descents more fun heading north than south. Especially the longest one by Alpine, and especially now because its surface has lots of erosion. (and 9W is kinda more fun in the South-bound direction)

Near as I can tell, the big organized events (e.g. MS, ENY) take the River road in the North-bound direction.

Ken

The road surface on the northern most hill is terrible. I rode the brakes pretty much the whole way down--pretty sketchy, especially in the shadows of the trees. I would say 9W south bound is safer even with the traffic.


But I find the descents more fun heading north than south. Especially the longest one by Alpine, and especially now because its surface has lots of erosion. (and 9W is kinda more fun in the South-bound direction)

Near as I can tell, the big organized events (e.g. MS, ENY) take the River road in the North-bound direction.

Ken

Ah, River Road :love:. I'm typically up there twice a week. Great riding, especially if you like hills. Bagel, that little bit you did was just the tip of the iceberg. Further up, there are... hills! And, some great views, waterfalls, and plenty of flora & fauna. I've encountered all the usual suspects (chipmunks, woodchucks, rabbits) plus pheasants & turkeys... and last Thursday, a fox. That was cool.

There are 3 parking areas along the river. The furthest south is the Ross Dock picnic area (Bagel, you have this pictured in a link). Next up is the Englewood Basin, and the furthest north is the Alpine Basin. There is also a parking lot at the top of Alpine Approach (the big hill) - at the park police/administration building.

Not sure what the deal is re/ parking fees - they may just charge on the weekend. If you're concerned about this, call the park office (201 768-1360) during business hours - you can get a real, live person on the phone.

Then the following bike route will get me from the parking at the entrance to Henry Hudson Dr/River Rd (whatever it's called) to Ross Dock picnic area, right?

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2963289

Do you know by any chance if that parking is free or allowed to out-of-the-town visitors?? I remember doing some hiking in that area with my wife and we parked right there, but it was a couple of years ago.

If I'm not mistaken, also this segment, between Alpine Picnic Area and Palisades Headquarters, seems permitted to cyclists:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2963367

Quite a steep ascent though! But if I park the car at the Hudson River in the picnic area, at any point of riding the bike up the hill I can turn around and get back.

If I'm not mistaken, also this segment, between Alpine Picnic Area and Palisades Headquarters, seems permitted to cyclists:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2963367

Quite a steep ascent though! But if I park the car at the Hudson River in the picnic area, at any point of riding the bike up the hill I can turn around and get back.

Or just park at the top by the police station. That will force you to make the climb back to the top! :-)

Is this route going to be too hilly for a 3-speed? I'm planning on riding from 34th st up to the GWB and then up to Orangeburg along the NJ side.

I'm from Boston so I don't know the terrain around there.

Thanks!
Matt

Is this route going to be too hilly for a 3-speed? I'm planning on riding from 34th st up to the GWB and then up to Orangeburg along the NJ side.

I'm from Boston so I don't know the terrain around there.

Thanks!
Matt

Which route?

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2963367

That one?

If yes, according to my calculations, you'll have to deal with 400 feet ascent in 1.5 miles. Haven't done that, but that's what the pedometer is telling me.

Or just park at the top by the police station. That will force you to make the climb back to the top! :-)

Actually, driving from the police station to the Alpine Picnic Area will give me pretty good idea what's ahead of me when riding the same path from the bottom to the top of the hill.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, in the first half a mile from the Picnic Area I'll have to deal with 200 feet difference in elevation. The remaining full mile is another 200 feet. Altogether 400 feet. But it's all in theory after examing the Gmaps Pedometer elevation diagrams (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2963367).

It's a great stretch of road to ride on despite the stretches that need to be repaved. None of the climbs are leg killers if you pace yourself accordingly. Most of the riding you find around these parts isn't incredibly difficult with few climbs that force you to have to walk your bike.

according to my calculations, you'll have to deal with 400 feet ascent in 1.5 miles.
Most of that climb is at least 40% steeper than those numbers would suggest -- assuming you're talking about the hill at the north end of the river drive in Palisades Park which finishes at the Alpine Approach Rd.

Anyway if you get there and find the hill is too steep to ride up, getting off and walking likely won't require more than 15 minutes extra travel time.

Calculating steepness using topo software is tricky and error-prone for some hills -- especially ones in dense trees in cliff areas. (Calculating steepness of steep curvy roads by most other methods which are not time-consuming is also trickier than it might seem.)

Ken

Is this route going to be too hilly for a 3-speed? I'm planning on riding from 34th st up to the GWB and then up to Orangeburg along the NJ side.

I'm from Boston so I don't know the terrain around there.

Thanks!
Matt
If you follow county road 501 to 340 it will be mostly flat getting there. On the return trip you will face a pretty steep climb at some point getting back to the bridge. I ride a 10 speed triple. I'm not sure about attempting it on a 3 speed, though I do see riders out there on fixies once in awhile.

Thanks for all the info, I'm looking forward to this ride. I'm going to ride my touring bike instead of the three speed because I managed to fix the issues it had. See you out there!

Matt