Guys, thanks for the spat. It's instructive to me who hasn't riddend out there. Let's put it this way, I want a pretty direct route and sightseeing won't be my first priority, yet I still want more than just pavement and trash. A tall order. I don't mind adding a few miles to the ride to avoid some awfulness.

Wondering what my mileage is liable to be if I take the start of Lightningguy's route (http://www.mapitpronto.com/index.cfm...de&rideID=4400) but scoot up to Syosset to do Papa Tom's route to PJ. I'll map it.

I like the idea of starting south toward Long Beach, mostly because I know it well, but it must be adding several extra miles.