This ride is not for the faint of heart as we’ll climb a fair share of hills and fly some fast descents but the views of the Hudson River are worth every inch of every climb! We’ll try to keep a decent pace but we’ll stop often to compress and catch a breath and we will use the point, drop and sweep system. We’ll take the train out of Grand Central Station at 7:43 a.m. and WE'LL GET BACK WHEN WE'LL GET BACK, DON'T MAKE ANY PLANS FOR THAT EVENING;) The ride is 65 miles, on roads with some traffic and with a total elevation gain of around 3500 feet.

This ride is listed as advanced moderate due to the combination of the distance and the hills but the pace will be more like a moderate ride so you don't have to be very fast but you have to be able to deal with long climbs effectively and maintain at least 12mph throughout most of the ride:)

Please meet us at the station no later than 7:30 a.m. We’ll meet somewhere in the Main Concourse area on either side of the round Information Booth. Please don't be late! This is a popular train for cyclists so we'd like to get on the train early to make sure we grab good spots for our bikes. If you arrive late and we're not there any more, just go directly to the track, you can learn the track number from the large displays above the ticket boots. Look for 7:43 a.m. train to Poughkeepsie.

We’ll start riding from Croton Harmon around 9 a.m. and we’ll stop at around mile 20 for a brunch at a deli. Then we’ll circle Hudson Highlands and cross the Hudson River at the Bear Mountain Bridge and stop at the Bear Mountain State Park for a break. From Bear Mountain we'll ride over to the US Military Academy in West Point. If there is enough interest we can stop at the USMA Museum (free admission). Then we will ride through the USMC grounds as the academy is opened to the public on weekends during the Summer. IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ENTER THE ACADEMY GROUNDS EVERYONE NEEDS TO HAVE A GOVERNMENT ISSUED ID (a driver license or a learner permit, green card, military ID, passport). If you don't have an ID you will not be able to continue the ride and will need to go back on your own.

Next, we’ll climb some more hills and stop at the Storm King Highway Overlook to enjoy beautiful views of the Hudson River. Then we’ll continue North along the river to Cornwall where we’ll have lunch at mile 44 at The Trestle Restaurant (http://www.thetrestlecoh.com/menu.html).

After lunch the route will become significantly flatter and easier. We will cross the Hudson River again (hence "Double Cross") at the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge and turn back South, then pass the Hudson Highlands again and finish the ride at the train station in Garrison where we’ll try to catch the 5:24 p.m. train back to Grand Central (arrives at GC at 6.41 p.m.). If we miss that one the next one is at 6:24 p.m.

There will be a bailout option at mile 50 in Beacon, we'll be passing near the train station right after the bridge.

Related Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/267714556748003/

THIS RIDE HAS SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1) YOU NEED AN MTA TRAIN BIKE PERMIT. IT’S $5 AND CAN BE PURCHASED AT A TICKET BOOTH AT THE TRAIN STATION AND IT’S GOOD FOR LIFE.

2) YOU NEED A REAR RED LIGHT. WE’LL BE PASSING THROUGH A LONG, DARK TUNNEL AND WE NEED AS MUCH VISIBILITY AS WE CAN. PLEAS TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY! THIS TUNNEL IS TRAUMATIZING BUT THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT.

3) YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GOVERNMENT-ISSUED IDENTIFICATION TO GO THROUGH THE CHECKPOINT AND ENTER THE MILITARY ACADEMY GROUNDS. IF YOU DON'T YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE RIDE!

TRAIN FARES AND TICKETS

Purchase the tickets at Grand Central Station; they cost more if purchased from a conductor onboard of the train. Also: buy both tickets in the morning as we may not have enough time in the afternoon, unless you plan to bail out early at another train station.

Out: from Grand Central to Croton Harmon: $9.75 (off peak).
Back: from Garrison to Grand Central: $13.75 (off peak).
Bike Permit: $5 (good for life). If you're planning to buy the permit in the morning please have an application ready to save the time: http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/mnrbikepermit.htm

RIDE CANCELLATION POLICY

Check this 5BBC ride page or the 5BBC Event Facebook page after 9PM the night before to see if the ride is on! A cancellation notice will be posted on both at 9PM on the night before the ride. We will NOT meet if the ride is canceled! If it’s raining in the morning the ride is also canceled!

If in doubt email bikerides@a-world.net or call or text 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. on Friday.

MAPS AND CUE SHEETS

Ride With GPS route:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5251268

Cue sheet, GPX/TCX tracks and routes:
http://a-world.net/bikerides/hudson-river-double-cross-65/