Bike Hudson Valley

[ this page under construction ] 
  

what's here 

• Quick summary 
• What the Trail is like
• more 

info on this page not checked by us since 2001 -- learn more | see Reports

Quick Summary 

This is an unpaved path in the Bronx and Westchester County, New York. We've never ridden the whole trail -- only a long section in the middle -- so the description here is based mainly on that experience.

There are several sections which are mostly-off-road, but significant riding on roads is required to connect those sections, with some navigation required.  The mostly-off-road sections are flat or gentle, but the road connections in between might have some hills.

Even in the mostly-off-road sections, the trail can have frequent intersections with roads and driveways, sometimes without good visibility to vehicle traffic, sometimes with a sharp curb. 

The most helpful resource we know is: 

• Maps and description of OCA trail -- presented by the Knickerbocker chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) 

Our own feelings so far about the OCA trail are that it's fascinating just to know that it's there -- and it's an interesting adventure to ride some of the sections once to see what it's like -- or do a short section of it for variety in the midst of a road ride.  

The qualities of the different sections vary widely, so unless you want the "full adventure", it makes sense to talk to someone experienced about choosing a particular section that might be a good fit for you.   But generally we're inclined to leave this trail for the hikers and joggers. 

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The Trail

[ under construction ]

If you want to try riding on this trail, we suggest: 

• Choose only one or two sections to ride, by talking to someone experienced. 
   
• Learn as much as you can from all the resources below under More. 
   
• Make sure you have some good map-reading and navigation skills (and be on the look-out for posts that vertically display the letters "OCA").
   
• Bring along both the ADK-website maps and the Hagstrom county road maps that include the trail sections you are trying.  

• warning:  things change -- but we have not checked most of the information and links on this page since the date below.

Some trails, roads, intersections might be different since then, or closed. Or some directions or maps might be incorrect. So be prepared to find alternatives -- a good reason to carry a detailed map. Other people may have more recent experiences with some changes which could help prepare: see the Reports page linked below.

info on this page not checked by us since 2001 -- learn more | see Reports

• warning:  Riding a bicycle off-road -- and on roads -- is risky.  See Risks of Bicycle Riding about some of the risks, and see also other ideas for riding.

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more . . . 

For more information:  

• Maps and description of OCA trail -- presented by the Knickerbocker chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) 
      
• Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct -- has maps
   
• the Hagstrom maps of Lower Westchester County and Upper Westchester County (as of when we bought copies in August 2002) show many sections of the OCA -- if you know where to look (the maps on the ADK website could help with this). 
   
• NYC.bicycles discussion group sometimes has trip reports and detailed access instructions
   
• Reports about the trail

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