Hyper-Local Note: Syosset to Oyster Bay
 

For anyone who has made White Oak Tree Road a part of your route between Syosset and Oyster Bay over the years, be advised that the off-road portion after the WOTR dead end is in really bad shape this year. Between overgrown brush and a huge tree that has fallen across the path, it's really no place for a road bike or a hybrid anymore.

Someone did cut a new dirt path to the right of the hill that leads onto the old path. It's rideable with a mountain bike (feels like the Greenbelt for a few minutes) but count on being a muddy mess when you get to the end.

If anyone knows of any other "secret" routes between Syosset and Oyster Bay (no Berry Hill or Split Rock Roads), please let me know.

I thought I answered but maybe I navigated without hitting send. Anyway, how about making a right off South Woods on Cold Spring then a left to Cove Rd or Laurel Hollow?

Or.......Muttontown Rd, past the preserve, right on Brookville, all the way down to Chicken Valley, right, right again at Glen Cove/Oyster Bay Rd, right at Oyster Bay/Glen Cove, Left Mill River, Lex to main etc?

>>>>I thought I answered but maybe I navigated without hitting send. Anyway, how about making a right off South Woods on Cold Spring then a left to Cove Rd or Laurel Hollow?<<<<

Not following you there. What I do is make the right off Southwoods onto Cold Spring, then a left onto White Oak Tree which, after the woodsy section at the end, becomes Cove Road. Oh...I see now. Are you suggesting that I take Cold Spring to 25A and make a left on Laurel Hollow Rd to Moore's Hill to Cove? That works, but it adds a lot of extra miles to a ride that I usually do when I've only got time for a short one. What I may just try is following Cold Spring to 25A, negotiating that horrible left turn, then backtracking on 25A to Cove Road. (cont'd)

>>>Or.......Muttontown Rd, past the preserve, right on Brookville, all the way down to Chicken Valley, right, right again at Glen Cove/Oyster Bay Rd, right at Oyster Bay/Glen Cove, Left Mill River, Lex to main etc?<<<<<

Now you're just messin' with me :) Actually, when I do the route you're describing, it's usually to get out to Glen Cove/Sea Cliff or now, Dana's Island. These are both good suggestions for days when I've got time to screw around and see the sights, but those days are rare lately.

Perhaps we just need to organize a work party to clean up the woods behind White Oak Tree Road?

Is the former White Oak Tree road still a public right of way or private property?

I'd be happy to help you do it. Never went that way but let me know. I can round up a posse

>>>Is the former White Oak Tree road still a public right of way or private property?<<<

White Oak Tree Road now comes to a dead end before it reaches 25A. The area beyond is now some type of nature preserve, but I'm not sure who runs it or if bicycles are technically allowed to ride through it. There used to be a paved path that was in decent condition, but now it's all a mess.

>>I'd be happy to help you do it. Never went that way but let me know. I can round up a posse<<<

I was only half serious...maybe a quarter serious. My guess is that, if they closed the road off, they don't want any of us low-life, white trash cyclists going through there under any circumstances. Going in there with rakes and chain saws is likely to upset a few people.