Northeast - Oyster Bay, Long Island

Parked on a bench in front of the water last night, my mp3 player filling the immediate area with Satchmo singing "What A Wonderful World," I couldn't help but think that, if I could only package the vibe of that moment and sell it for a dollar or two, all my worries about money would be gone.

This is an awesome time of year to ride down to Teddy Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay, especially after 5pm. The air is slightly crisp, the water is still and silent, and the whistling of the autumn crickets is hypnotizing.

From Syosset, I've used White Oak Tree Lane, Split Rock Road, and Berry Hill Road. These days, my preferred route is Muttontown Road to 106 into Pine Hollow Road and on to the beach. It's probably the most direct, although there's a little more traffic noise than I prefer.

Arriving in downtown Oyster Bay after 5pm, the choices for a picnic dinner are limited, so bring your own or be sure to stop along Pine Hollow Road. In town, there's a Subway on South Street that stays open late, but all the delis shut down when the Town of Oyster Bay offices close. At the beach itself, you'll find a soda machine and an ice cream truck.

Like summer, this season goes by really fast, so if you're thinking of cycling out to Oyster Bay, do it soon!

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And don't get caught with no light cycling home! The days are getting shorter and shorter :(

>>>>And don't get caught with no light cycling home! The days are getting shorter and shorter<<<

Misjudging the amount of sunlight I've got left has ruined many of my rides, including last night's trip to Oyster Bay.

I never get caught in the dark; instead, I ALWAYS get cheated out of quality time at my destination because I leave too soon, thinking I'm going to get fooled by the fall of darkness. Last night, I left Oyster Bay at about 6:35, just as the sun started to make its way toward the horizon. It hurt like hell because, as I mentioned earlier, it was a priceless moment on the beach and I hated to leave. I felt even worse when I arrived at home by 7:05 and the sun was still shining bright on my driveway.

In fact, it stayed light out for what seemed like an hour after that.

As I paced around the house wondering what to do next (my wife was out tutoring) I decided that, from now on, I will Google the sundown chart for this area before heading out at night. I might also charge my headlight, just in case!

I take into account what would happen were I to get a flat and factor in the 20 minutes it would take to fix it. My after work rides I think are done for the season after tomorrow when I am getting out early. I get out too late and next week am going away. It sure is a short season. Also, you may have lighter roads to Syosset, I generally ride from Westbury High after work and those roads are tree lined and much darker much earlier. I guess I could just ride up and down the service road........nah on second thought that's no fun.

>>>I take into account what would happen were I to get a flat and factor in the 20 minutes it would take to fix it.<<<<<

You are much wiser than I am. In all my years of riding and all the miles I've traveled, I've had two or three flats, at the most...and all have occurred in broad daylight. I'm sure I'm due for one just as the sun is going down one of these nights. Thanks for jinxing me.

>>>>Misjudging the amount of sunlight I've got left has ruined many of my rides, including last night's trip to Oyster Bay.
You're not misjudging at all. Syosset sits at a higher altitude than Oyster Bay, and when sitting in T.R. Park, the hill (as in Mill Hill Road) blocks the sun relatively quickly.
I was in OB on Sunday with a NYCC group. Park was deserted. I guess the triathalon blocked everyone's access to the park.

Theodore Roosevelt Park closes at sunset, so when the gestapo agents come to boot you out, you know it's time to leave.

As for eats, I like the Chinese Restaurant "Happy Garden" on South Street, half a block North of Main St.

For Pizza, I get my slice at Nino's Pizza, 25 E Main St, Oyster Bay, NY‎.

You know the LBS in Oyster Bay: Visentin Bike Pro Shop, 51 Pine Hollow Road.

Yes, the Delicatessens close early in Oyster Bay.

Thanks for shopping locally!

>>>Theodore Roosevelt Park closes at sunset, so when the gestapo agents come to boot you out, you know it's time to leave.<<<<

My wife was away overnight one day last week, so I drove out to TR Beach with my chair, my ukulele, and an eggplant hero from the pizza place in the shopping center on Lexington Avenue (behind the Hess station). I stayed long after sundown that night, strumming away at a bunch of reggae riffs by the waterside while children ran around the park area. Nobody bothered me. I wonder if the beach patrol takes the night off when the temps dip below normal summer evening levels. (cont'd)

>>>As for eats, I like the Chinese Restaurant "Happy Garden" on South Street, half a block North of Main St.<<<

Is that the one around the corner from the expensive outdoor cafe (TR's?). I always shy away from that place because it's typically surrounded by locals who look like they'd steal my bicycle five times in the time it would take me to order a plate of cold sesame noodles. (No, that's not a racist remark. I've seen these guys taunt other bicyclists before, although they were of the tight, bright yellow Lycra variety.) (Cont'd)

>>>For Pizza, I get my slice at Nino's Pizza, 25 E Main St, Oyster Bay, NY‎.<<<<

If that's the place I'm thinking of, any time I've gone in there after 2pm, the pizza looks like it's been sitting around for at least four or five hours. I take it that's not always the case?