It’s almost Halloween and there may be no candy this year. However on a brisk Fall day we can celebrate Halloween by visiting the home of Washington Irving. He's the famous early 19th century author who wrote “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” with its infamous character the Headless Horseman, now part of Halloween lore. 

We'll ride north through the scenic Hudson River towns of Yonkers, Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry and Irvington. We’ll stop at Sunnyside to see Washington Irving’s meticulously restored home (Tours are currently not available.).

From Sunnyside we’ll head north through Tarrytown and stop at the Statue of the Headless Horseman and the Old Dutch Church, where the Headless Horseman is supposedly buried. In the adjoining cemetery we’ll see the grave of Washington Irving. He’s buried with other famous people, including Andrew Carnegie and Walter Chrysler.  We’ll also stop at the Headless Horseman Bridge.

Then we’ll head south on Broadway for lunch in Tarrytown. After lunch we'll cruise on the scenic Riverwalk as it winds through Lyndhurst, and we'll see its outdoor Halloween decorations.  From there we’ll ride back to the Bronx.

N.B.  Part of this ride is on the unpaved Old Croton Aqueduct, but the portion on which we'll be riding is suitable for street bikes. As a bonus we'll see some colorful Fall foliage on the OCA.

This is a Moderate ride, not a Happy Face ride -- we'll keep a brisk pace.  Please do not sign up if you can’t keep up.

Helmets are required on all 5BBC rides. Carry a spare tube, water and money for lunch. We're still in a pandemic so wear a face covering and keep social distance.

Registration is limited to 12 riders. Everyone else gets wait-listed. 

Participants will be emailed the cue sheet the day before the ride.

Please call or send an e-mail if you can’t make the ride so wait-listed riders may join us. 

Halloween masks or costumes encouraged, but not required.  Free lunch for best costume.

RAIN CANCELS THIS RIDE.  Check the 5BBC website the morning October 24.