Difficulty Rating:
3 out of 5
This is an excellent way for strong C riders and slower B riders to do Bear Mountain. Take Metro North to Cold Spring. You start with a 10-mile warm-up ride from the Cold Spring train station and then do the 4-mile climb up Bear Mountain while you have lots of energy. After the descent there are still a couple of shorter climbs before lunch at the Cove Deli. Then it's mostly pleasant side roads and rail trail to get home, with a second snack/ice cream stop in W. Nyack. Ride ends on the NY side of the GW Bridge.
Bring dollar bills to buy cold water from vending machines on the mountain - there's no potable water. Also bring plenty of snack food - it's 25 miles to the first food stop and most of the climbing is in that 25 miles.
This ride can be done by strong C riders, but it does take endurance. There are no bailouts.
cw 9/11/2018
