Difficulty Rating:
4 out of 5
Richard Rosenthal’s Climbathon ride is now deeply embedded in the culture of the NYCC. Richard has been leading this ride since conjuring it up in 1992, and countless members have discovered these roads through Richard’s ride and informative commentary. The name of the route is apt. Richard includes a feast of the toughest climbs between the GWB and Piermont, starting with Alpine, the beautiful digression to the river in Sneden’s Landing, Bradley/Tweed to Piermont, Tallman, and to cap things off, a visit to “The Presidents” highlighted by the climb of Eisenhower up to the Esplanade and 9W.
OPTION as an alternative to Bradley/Tweed. At the intersection of Greenbush and Clausland turn right UP Clausland. The first pitch of fifty yards is extremely challenging, especially from a stop. It's more difficult than anything on Bradley which makes it desirable in a perverse way. However, most often Richard takes Bradley>Tweed because overall it is longer, prettier, and less trafficked than Clausland.
An alternative for lunch is The Market on 9W at mile 22.5.
Two cautionary points: at mile 33.3 the final ramp descending from Tweed to 9W is very steep with no run-off before 9W, so be very careful and slow here as cars on 9W will not see you approaching. Then, just after, at mile 33.4, be cautious crossing 9W to make the left turn onto Crescent.
In general make sure your brakes are in good working order – what goes up must come down…sometimes steeply.
RMS 6/15/2020
