We will ride the entire length of the Putnam Trailway and the North and South County trails. We'll take the 7:50AM train from Grand Central and arrive in Brewster at 9:15AM and we'll ride the trail back to the Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. First stop of #1 train is right next to the park or you can ride 2.5 miles to Riverdale and take Metro North Train to Grand Central. The last mile through the park is unpaved!

The ride ends when it ends.

You have to be a 5BBC member to join us on this ride.

The route is mostly traffic-free as it runs along paved trailways with very few connecting sections running on roads. The route is pretty flat and going back to NYC we'll be dropping elevation gradually. Except for few nasty hills to climb out of Brewster:)

The ride is very pleasant with long stretches of woodlands, marshes and farms with few small, quiet towns along the way. It passes over streams and rivers, along ponds and reservoirs with several cute bridges along the way.

We'll stop at Stuart's Farm for some fresh fruit. The lunch will be about half way, we'll get food at Taza Cafe in Millwood, and we will carry it 4 miles and eat in a park. PRO TIP: buy premade sandwiches at Taza Cafe to speed things up. They're made daily. 

We'll meet at the Grand Central Station's main concourse, in the vicinity of the round information booth. Please be there at 7:15AM and buy a ticket before boarding the train. We'll be getting on the train early at 7:30AM. This is a popular train and can be packed with cyclists. You can meet us in Brewster too or anywhere along the train route. PRO TIP: Use the restrooms on the train as there are no restrooms at the Brewster Station.

IMPORTANT (EDITED): Only few cars open in Brewster. You need to be in the FIRST FOUR cars. That's one of the reasons we're getting on the train a bit earlier. It will be busy. Other clubs will be taking it too. This is particularly important if you're getting on at 125th station. If you happen to be in the wrong car tell the conductor, they're usually very accomodating and will assist you with switching cars.

WHAT TO BRING

• helmet (REQUIRED)
• MTA Metro North Bicycle Permit (REQUIRED)
• lightweight bike lock
• bungees or straps to secure your bike on the train
• two spare bike tubes
• pump
• two bottles of water or hydration pack
• snacks
• cell phone
• lunch money (please bring cash to speed up the checkout, $20 should be enough)

RIDE CANCELLATION POLICY

Check this 5BBC ride page or the 5BBC Event Facebook page after 9 p.m. the night before to see if the ride is on! A cancellation notice will be posted on both at 9 p.m. on the night before the ride. We will NOT meet if the ride is canceled! If it is raining in the morning the ride is also canceled! DO NOT SHOW UP FOR THE RIDE without checking the status first! If the ride is cancelled the leaders WILL NOT go to the meeting point.

If in doubt email bikerides@a-world.net or text (please do not call!) Adam DZ at 718-757-4102 in the morning after 6 a.m.

If you have registered for the ride on the 5BBC website you will receive a confirmation or cancellation email around 9 p.m. the day before.

RIDE WITH GPS ROUTE
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5790017

PDF CUE SHEET and GPS FILES
http://a-world.net/bikerides/summer2015/Putnam-Trail/