cycleheimer

Bike Sundays is back for it's 41st season. Just in time for spring, Westchester County Parks has announced the return of Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway from Westchester County Center in White Plains to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. The distance between the two points is about 6.5 miles. Bicycle Sundays will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 3, 10, 17 and 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28 and September 13, 20 and 27.

From an August 2010 thread I posted about Bike Sundays on the Parkway:

"The ride is scenic. There are plenty of trees and a couple of waterfalls along the way. The condition of the road surface is very good, and the terrain is pretty gentle. There is a Starbuck's and other places to stop right off the parkway in Scarsdale. The Bronx River bike trail is close by at various points along the Parkway. You can also pick it up at the White Plains end of the ride. It is well paved, and will take you up to the Kensico Dam Plaza, which is Westchester County's "Central Park". There are restrooms, plenty of benches to sit on, and a concession stand and water fountain there. From there you can head up to Tarrytown and catch the North County Trail, which is a rail trail that runs up to Brewster in Putnam County. You can also ride around the Tarrytown Resevoir, and take a ride along route 442 through scenic Pocantico Hills. Plenty of hip places to stop for coffee and/or lunch in Tarrytown. You should not get bored."

Almost forgot to mention there are also quite a few places to stop for coffee and snacks in Tuckahoe and Bronxville, which is on the southern end of the ride. You will find a repair station along the parkway near Eastchester that is operated for the event by Danny's Cycles. You will also see a few Ice Cream trucks along the way, as well as a lemonade stand or two.

You can extend your "Bike Sundays" journey by taking a ride along the Bronx River Bike Path, which runs parallel to the parkway. Great little ride on the bike path along a pond down by Bronxville to the south, and on the loop through Kensico Dam Plaza (Westchester's "Central Park") to the north in Valhalla. Great scenic views of the Kensico Resevoir and Kensico Dam Plaza from the roadway atop the dam. There is a brick roadway you can ride up to the top of the dam. If you still want to ride more you can head up to the Tarrytown Resevoir and the North County Trail. You can also catch Route 22 near the Kensico Dam and ride north up towards Bedford and beyond. It can also be used as part of a north-to-south route to reach Bike Sundays' northern starting point at Westchester County Center. Route 22 is very scenic, but you will encounter some challenging hills.

The parkway is opened back up for cars, and closed to cyclists, after 2:00PM. This means you need to plan your routes and riding time accordingly.


Helpful Westchester County "hiking and biking" link: https://parks.westchestergov.com/trailways

Bronx River Bike Path map: https://www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/bron...hway-bike-map/

Bronx River Bike Path: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/bronx-river-parkway

Route 22 from Kensico Dam Plaza to Bedford, NY: https://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/19...-Route-22.html

2015 Cultural Heritage Festivals (Kensico Dam Plaza): https://parks.westchestergov.com/feat...ebrations-2015

Papa Tom

Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyes!

Not so much because I've ever done Bike Sunday (I prefer riding the Bronx River Bikeway itself), but because this is another sign that Spring will eventually arrive...and now it's just weeks - not months - away.

Thank you for posting. Maybe my wife and I will see you along the BRP!

cycleheimer

Scenic ride...

Papa Tom

We still prefer the adjacent bikeway, but it's a beautiful ride, either way.

Jarrettsin

Will be glad to take advantage of Bike Sunday, it's nice to see how many people it brings out.

aixaix 

I will be riding on the parkway tomorrow, starting at the south end at 10:00AM, when it opens. Being vintage myself, I'll be on a vintage racing bike: a black 1969 Cinelli.
Say hi. I'm generally friendly.

cycleheimer

Maybe can catch up next Sunday!

What a great day out there (5/3/15)!

cycleheimer

More beautiful weather for today's "Mother's Day" ride (May 10th)

Jarrettsin

Yes it was a nice day for riding. I did 2 full loops with an avg of 12 mph which is good for me.

Chriscc63

I too was lucky enough to ride this on Mothers day. Sometimes I don't know which I like more, riding the highway or the challenges of the trail along side.

See you all there on a future Sunday.

Oh and by the way, if you take the trail to the north end, the top of the dam is now open to cross . Its a manly steep ride up a brick road on the right side of the dam but it offers a great view. Then come down the left side and get pizza or ice cream.

cycleheimer

There's also a decent Chinese takeout restaurant near the dam, as well as a great Indian restaurant.

cycleheimer

Check out the Friends of Westchester County Parks table set up at the northern starting point for "Bike Sundays" near Westchester County Center in White Plains.

"Friends" engages the public to advocate for and invest in the preservation, conservation, use, and enjoyment of the 18,000 acres of parks, trails, and open spaces within the Westchester County Parks system.

You can help out by signing up for a "friend" membership for $25.

• 1 Friends "Bike Sundays" T-shirt

• 10 free-parking certificates for County Parks, Valid for one year. Certificates can be used at County Center for Special Events, Croton Point Park, Glen Island Park, Tibbetts Brook, Blue Mountain Reservation, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, and George’s Island Park...each giving you an additonal place to explore and cycle from!

Membership also includes free admission for 1 to Westchester's Winter Wonderland


Other membership levels available with additional benefits.
You can learn more at the "Friends of Westchester County Parks" website at ...
Friends of Westchester County Parks

cycleheimer

Excellent weather and a fantastic turnout today (June 7th). A free concert with the Chris Brown Band, Michael Friedman Quartet, and Ed Power was also added in for Bike Sundays. The Journal News handed out (many) free bicycle bells. The Westchester Cycle Club provided bicycle safety literature and information on joining. There were quite a few riders from the Westchester Cycle Club out today, as well as a good number of riders from the Yonkers Bike Club. Besides ice cream trucks along the route, a pizza truck and a Greek food truck could be found near the free concert up by Westchester County Center. Sierra Cycles had a repair station set up along the southbound lane by Scarsdale. Again, the weather was excellent and the turnout was fantastic!

Sammin

Hello,

I am wondering if someone would be so kind as to recommend a parking area for Bicycle Sunday that is close to entry to the parkway that requires minimal street riding to get there. I'm going to try Bicycle Sunday for the first time this Sunday with my daughter and we are both amateur bicyclists. Also, how is the incline/decline? Are there sections that are more flat vs. more hilly? We are excited to give it a try, just would like to gather a little info for the best place to start for our first time out.

Thank you

Jarrettsin

Right at the top either of the County Centers parking lots. It does cost $7 but it right there no travel. There's ups and downs but no hard climbs a very do-able course for all level of riders.

Looking good for me making it there this Sunday.

Sammin

Great, thanks for the info! Now I'm just hoping the weather holds up!

cycleheimer

The last "Bike Sundays" event for the year will be held this upcoming Sunday, September 27th. The first two events this month were great, and the weather was fantastic. So far there is no rain in the forecast, and the temperature is expected to be in the low 70s.

TravellingFool

FYI - got the Friends of Westchester Parks news email this past week that announced there will be an October 4th "bonus" Bicycle Sunday. Posted to their FB page too.

cycleheimer

Thanks for the update! I saw the signs out today while I was riding. Excellent!

October 2nd (10:15 AM) update: No rain currently in forecast for Sunday!

Sammin

Thanks....does anyone park in Scarsdale near the train? Is it free to park on Sundays? Looking for an easy/on off spot along the parkway that is relatively flat for young riders without gears.

Jarrettsin

Sorry I have no idea of the parking regs for the Scarsdale train station.

cycleheimer

Parking around the Scarsdale train station is free on Sunday. Meter parking is in effect from monday through saturday. You can always give the town a call to double check. Don't forget to check out Lange's Deli, Starbuck's, and all the other great places in town. Have your lunch in Chase Park. Just don't forget to put your trash in the proper receptacle. The North White Plains train station lot is also free on sundays, and the Bronx River bike path goes right through it. You can ride the bike path right up to the northern starting point of Bike Sundays at the County Center. If you get there at the starting time you can usually pick up some useful free "give-aways" like towlels, water bottles, bells, etc. City Limits diner is also across the street. It's great!

cycleheimer

The ride is the same. Only the dates have changed for 2017!

Chriscc63

Imagine if this were done to other highways. I wish this were done for the whole day and not up until 2:00

Ferdinand NYC

Hell, yeah. It would be great if New York City did something like this: one weekend open up the L.I.E., the next weekend the Grand Central Parkway, the next weekend the Clearview Expressway, etc.