Vifam7

Thanks for the reply Papa! I guess we'll find out come Sunday.

It'll be my first ride of the year too. The long winter really dampened the will to go out and ride. I'm totally out of shape.

Papa Tom

Just remember that Nassau County will likely be checking resident ID's starting this weekend at Cedar Creek Park, and that the parking will probably get pretty slim as the day goes on.

GlennR

It's bad on a normal weekend, so don't expect to average over 5 mph for the entire length.

I avoid the path weekends after 9:00am. Too many walkers, skaters, baby strollers and cruiser bikes.

Steve B.

[QUOTE=kaos joe;16773208

Rumors still abound regarding an extension to Captree.......anyone know anything?[/QUOTE]

I just read on a state website they are planning to start construction east to Captree in 2021

https://www.dot.ny.gov/regional-offi...oppath/reports

Papa Tom

But this is where we cyclists sabotage our own experience. Regardless of how fast you go or how sweaty you are when you arrive, you will have gotten there on your own foot power. Isn't that what it's about?

GlennR

It has to do with safety.

I ride 15-20mph and doing so on a path with walkers, stroller and people that don't understand they should step off the path if they are on the cell phone. Or listening to music so they can't hear "on your left" can be very dangerous for you and them.

It's just safer to do it early when there are fewer people or just head north and hit the streets.

It is a "dual use" path and since there is a speed limit of 15mph, which I exceed at times, it's my responsibility to not be on the path when it's too crowed to be safe.

Yes and no... I don't ride for transportation. I ride for the joy of it, the stress relief and the exercise.

Papa Tom

>>>Yes and no... I don't ride for transportation. I ride for the joy of it, the stress relief and the exercise.<<<<

My apology. Actually, I also follow the Bicycle Commuting Forum, and I thought I was posting to THAT one. With regard to using the bike as a form of transportation, it would have made more sense.

Anyhow, I don't think the bike paths around here were built as much for speed as they were for giving people an opportunity to enjoy the natural awesomeness we pay such high taxes to live near!

GRVR6

I've done it. It will be crowded but it's still the way to go.
We'll probably go Sunday too.

GlennR

Agreed.... that's why i'm the one that uses it on off hours and don't yell at people to get out of my way. It wasn't intended for the type of riding I do.

It's a great trail and i look forward to the day they extend it all the way to Captree.

Papa Tom

Right now, I'm just amazed to have seen the day when they extended it to TOBAY!

GlennR

You know the money was allocated years ago to extend it. But somehow it was diverted to something else.

big surprise

Vifam7

Since I'm a Suffolk resident I guess this means I'll have to pay a fee to enter the park?

GlennR

You can park on local streets and walk in.

So add a 1/2 mile to the 5 miles to the beach.

Steve B.

The Tobay extension is open, as BTW

Papa Tom

Yessssss! Have you been on it, Steve?

Steve B.

No, I drove on Ocean Pkwy today and saw cyclists on the path. As well, it was posted on CLIMB that it was open.

Papa Tom

Rode the entire length today (Sunday, May 25) from Cedar Creek to TOBAY and I can't wipe the "I can't believe this sh-t" grin off my face.

OK, so a big part of the excitement came from seeing so many hundreds, maybe thousands, of bicycles lining fences, walkways, sand dunes, everywhere at Jones Beach for the air show. I couldn't stop saying out loud "THIS is how it SHOULD be ALL the time!" Man, the parade of all shaped and sized bikes reminded me of Fire Island or some beach community I've always wanted to be part of.

Yeah, the ride south on the Ellen Farrant was a little slower than usual, but seeing all those parents and grandparents out cycling with their little kids was well worth the price of riding without a breeze in my face. Unlike many of the people here who like to hammer down bikeways like this one, I am so much more satisfied just seeing the thing being used and seeing so many people giving each other that awesome nod that newbie cyclists give each other when they pass in opposite directions. Imagine what it was like when automobiles were new and anyone who could afford one was out exploring the roads of Long Island all day just for fun.

So after being totally shocked and awed by the Blue Angels, my wife and I decided to make our maiden voyage on the brand new extension to TOBAY Beach. As I've mentioned before, she's a very casual rider and can barely make it down to the beach and back on a good day, but I suppose the roar of the jet engines inspired her this day. So off we went, intending to only ride until her...you-know-what...started to hurt. The ocean wind was a little rough, but the bikeway is dead flat, so before we knew it, we were pulling into the parking lot at TOBAY. There, we immediately came upon a snack bar and a polyester pants-wearing older man walking his bike and engaging anyone who would listen in a conversation about how he has been waiting for this extension for decades and how he is elated that it was completed while he could still pedal his way down there. I totally felt the guy's joy, as I had been thinking exactly the same way.

The extension ends at the westernmost end of TOBAY's parking lot, so if you have in your head that tedious drive down Ocean Parkway to the turnaround and then the drive back west to enter the lot, you might find that this feels much shorter than driving your car to TOBAY. It was getting late and cool, so we chose not to go down to the water and I forgot to check out the bike parking accommodations. Instead, we walked our bikes right up to the outdoor dining area at the Seafood Shack, leaned them against a post adjacent to our table, and had a very expensive but pleasant lunch.

Alright, so the ride back didn't have any planned stops, which meant I was counting on having to leave my wife somewhere along the road and pick her up with the car. Fortunately, there wasn't as much bicycle traffic on the extension as I had expected, so we were able to ride slowly and coast a little, as she had started to complain about the stuff "down there." When we got back to Zach's Bay, I asked if she wanted to wait there for me to go get the car. Then we saw the traffic heading north on the Wantagh and she decided to take a shot at riding all the way back. Yes, she made it.

Anyway, while I still do not think the TOBAY extension will appeal to the average cyclist, I am really happy to know that it's there. Now, between this and the Bethpage extension, I no longer feel like we have to drive to Westchester to ride a decent bikeway.

Postscript: I know they were working with limited space, but I kind of wish they had zig-zagged this extension a bit. It's kind of dull and, to any newbie you might bring along, it appears to go on and on and on forever.

Vifam7

Great write up Papa Tom. I too went to the beach and airshow today. Took lots of photos of those airplanes! Also checked out the new extension. Yeah, the path is kinda dull but I still appreciate it greatly. As a casual rider, it's just great to be able to ride on and on and on without ever having to worry about a car behind you.

GlennR

Road it today... crowed and the west wind was a killer on the ride back.

Papa Tom

That wind is ALWAYS a killer. What's worse is the shaming look of the riders going in the other direction when you're struggling to make 5mph and they are coasting along with their arms flailing through the air. But that's what makes the ride so sweet when the tables turn and the wind is at YOUR back!

I work for the Town of Oyster Bay and I am going to suggest that they carry a few bike parts at the snack bar. Aside from tubes and patch kits, what else would you guys suggest?

Steve B.

A bike/rental and shop. Do simple repairs as well. They'd make a killing. And you get to sign the petition to get the state to hurry up and finish the Captree portion. I'd then get a license to run a van/bike shuttle service.

At the very north end of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, in Copake Falls, NY is a bike shop. They've been there a few years, kind of out-of-the-way location, but now that the trail is open they are seeing a ton of business. Rentals included which they never use to do and with the trail being extended 20 miles north, I suspect that the business will do OK.

The single biggest item I'd stock at Tobay is aero bars. "Put one of these on your handle bars and get back to the car in comfort". Then locks to keep the bikes safe while you sit at the beach. Water bottles - and not Deer Park or Poland Springs stuff, real bike water bottles and free cold water. Bike pumps. Handle bar bags, rear racks and panniers, saddle bags, chain lube, White and Red LED blinkie kits for road riding. Headsweats, bandana's, padded bike gloves.........

"Build it and they will come" is not just a line in a movie.

GlennR

The wind was out of the west so you had a tail wind going and a head wind on the return. 28mph going, 13mph on the return.

For 5mph it will have to be a tornado.

Papa Tom

>>>>For 5mph it will have to be a tornado.<<<

You get the point.

GRVR6

Nice ride.

Billy1111

yes i did this the other day, it was empty and a nice ride..... on the weekend i bet it will be a zoo