So, I live in the Hudson valley of new york state. There is a bike path called the north & south county trail way that Extends 40 miles and is a great way to avoid traffic and avoid interruption as long as you keep watch for pedestrians. Many of you probably have similar bicycle trails nearby.

https://www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/nort...ways-bike-map/

My problem is, whenever I go riding on the trail, I notice that the rolling resistance on it is TERRIBLE. On flats it feels like I'm riding into a headwind in terms of how much extra effort is needed. I would ride along on it and realize I'm only doing 15-16 mph when I normally do around 18-21 on flats, I would pedal harder, or shift down for a higher cadence and end up feeling like I'm going uphill, even though I'm not.

This makes me often decide to take the roads instead (we have pretty safe drivers around my county & wide roads/shoulders). It's just that whenever I think about using the trail for more than 5 miles or so, I think of how unsatisfying it is to do around 4 mph less with the exact same effort.

Does anyone else have a problem like this in their area? or maybe there are cyclists from putnam & westchester counties that can comment on the trail.

The only thing that keeps me from going fast on the paths around here is all the friggin fruitbooters. If I had safe, wide roads nearby I would probably want to ride those, unfortunately all that's close by is downtown gridlock.

Lamabb -- I know exactly what you're talking about! I'm on the northern end of NYS, and some of the MUPs we have around here feel like they're sucking at your wheel when you ride them. I don't know if it's just softer pavement or what, but it's very noticeable.

Heading north there is typically a %2 grade, it seems flat but my gps says otherwise.

There is a route here in AZ that goes through a indian reservation that's like that. Ever so slightly up hill and if the wind is in your face (as it usually is) it's tough section to get through. Sometimes it even feels like it could be a little down hill but...

+1 to this,
However this should give the OPs ride home much easier time. Is it so?

This is heading north starting just past the bridge that crosses over the reservoir. The yellow dot is where i turned around.

Elevation..jpg

If you're riding it for fun or general exercise, turn off the bike computer and just gauge how fast you are going by feel. If you are riding to train for a race, appreciate how much faster you will be on the road after training on the trail.

Does that uphill feel go both directions?

Also, I may be pulling something out of the air, you aren't getting any draft benefit from traffic on the pathway.

I live at the northern end of the trail, so I'm always heading south, and even going downhill It feels like I have weights on my tires. I think it's because the path isn't as hard packed as roads are. It's just plain not enjoyable to cut your productivity soo much. It's not only the computer, I can feel myself working harder and going slower.

bike paths i come across are never a good choice over roads. they arent as even, have glass and other debris over them, craggy, tree roots pushing out of them etc. where the path runs right alongside the road, i stay on the road and zip past all those freds on the path.