can anyone help me out with directions from the gwb to bear mt. where do i get on 9w at after the bridge? when do i leave 9w? if anyone could give me turn by turn directions i would really appreciate it.

Once off the GWB go right (north) on Hudson Terrace. At the stop sign make a left on Palisade Ave. The traffic light is 9W, make a right to go north to Bear Mountain. It will be roughly 38-40 miles from the NJ side of the bridge.

There are more impressive and scenic routes, but that is the most direct.

thanks allot. i was thinking about taking my wife. she commutes daily (weather permitting) from prospect park brooklyn to midtown manhattan by bike, do you think this route is ok for her, or at least a rider of that description, just your oppinion we would use our own judgement of course.

That route should be fine but remember that hills become more numerous and longer once you pass Tallman Mountain State Park so I recommend pacing yourself. There are good rest options as well such as Tallman Mountain and Rockland Lake on the way, especially if you're in no rush to get up to Bear Mountain. If you need to stop and get some food/coffee you can stop off in Piermont (on 9W there will be a small strip mall after the bridge) or further north in Nyack and stop at the cycists favorite: The Runcible Spoon.

Also the stretch of 9W between Sparkill and 9W is narrow and has very little shoulder in parts. An alternative is to make a right on Rockland Rd (at the sign for Tallman State Park) and descend the steep hill to Piermont. You then follow Piermont Ave up to Nyack and make a left one Block to Broadway. Go through Nyack and make a left on Old Mtn Road which will take you back to 9W.

Also, the section through Haverstraw is busy with traffic from strip malls, especially on a weekday. And there's construction now, too, making it a little hairy. I prefer Bike Route 9, even though it has more turns and takes a little longer. It's much better for cycling. Just be careful with the turn off 9W onto Short Clove Road. It's bumpy, there are train tracks, and quarry trucks. You can walk over the tracks and once you go down a short hill you're home free.

Here are links to the Bike Route 9 maps. The on-road signs are pretty good, too.

https://tinyurl.com/yzx8e3c

https://www.nysdot.gov/divisions/ope...outes/rt9.html

Here is the route mapped out with everyone's contributions. Including Bike Route 9 around the sketchy construction (which has been less than enjoyable to ride through).

You can get water, food, restrooms in Piermont, Nyack, Rockland Lake and ultimately Bear Mtn.

https://tinyurl.com/GWB2BMSP

^ This is a good basic route.

I also much prefer going through town in Haverstraw, rather than sticking to 9W. The part along the river at Grassy Point is cool. Last time I went there were a couple of the Bike Route 9 directional signs missing in Haverstraw (northbound), so not a bad idea to at least print out that part of the map.

As Jorge mentioned, the route includes what could be pretty tough climbs for someone whose usual riding is a commute like that. If you're thinking about doing this as an out-and-back, the hills will be tough x 2.

Instead of riding back to the city, you might want to consider crossing the Bear Mtn Bridge and riding a few miles north on 9D to Garrison or Cold Spring, and taking Metro North back. Garrison is closer; Cold Spring has more options for getting something to eat after the ride or to take on the train.
You'd need to both get train passes ahead of time ($5 at one of the ticket windows in Grand Central)... and check to make sure your trip is on a day that's OK for bikes on the train (most weekends & other off-peak times are).

Thanks, those replies will help allot, she gets nervous when i have to ask for directions. and knowing that we can stop for food and water along the way will make it more enjoyable.

yeah i agree about coming back down the east side of the river, which i have ridden all over because of the north/south county rail trail, and having the bike pass for metro north is must, for anyone who rides anywhere near the trains, it can turn a major problem (think derailer sucked into wheel) into an inconvenience. but yeah i feel weird not ever having gone north on the west side of the hudson so i figure go north do some camping overnight and then comeback on sunday. woo-hoo!!

Im not sure i understand.

I am an elastic firecracker.

Hey, one other FYI: the Stony Point bridge is currently closed to construction on 9w. You have to make a right by the diner as you approach it and go up the hill against traffic to get around it. It's no biggie, but can be confusing if the workers aren't around to tell ya where to go.

sorry to bring up an older post. but im thinking about doing this during the weekend. i know how to get there from mapmyride but how do i return? can i take the 9w going with traffic? or do you have to go against on the wide shoulder? thanks for any help!

Always ride with the traffic.

any already routed out directions on how to get back then? thanks!

You can just follow 9w back south, or follow bike route 9 if you want to avoid some of the less bike friendly parts of 9w. As mentioned above, you can also go across the bear mountain bridge and hop on a train or follow roads on the east side of the hudson.