I'm forwarding this email from Tom McMahon. Tom leads this ride every Fall. I did it last year and it was a lot of fun. If you live in the greater NYC area I encourage you to join us.
Jamie Swan Centerport Cycles Inc. Northport, New York, USA http://www.centerportcycles.com (mapped) http://www.limws.org http://www.liatca.org
>>
>>
>>
>> Hey gang, fall is officially here, so it's once again time for
>> another Fall Classic: the Fifth Annual NYC-area iBOB/CR Ruff Stuff
>> Ride on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, on Sunday, October 12th.
>>
>> The OCA trail is a dirt path set atop the 1830's aqueduct that
>> runs from the Croton Resovoir down to NYC. It's flat, almost all
>> hardpack and gravel, peaceful and pretty. It runs about 30 miles
>> long, one way. Lots to see - ruins, mansions, forests, suburban
>> backyards, Son of Sam's secret seance spot, Sing-Sing Prison,
>> Sleepy Hollow, the magificent Palisades, and more. Google it for
>> lots more history, or e-mail me for what little I know.
>>
>> The itinerary will be the same as always. We'll meet at 8am at the
>> info kiosk in the center of Grand Central Station, then take a
>> 30-40 minute ride on the IRT 4 subway to Woodlawn Station in the
>> Bronx. We'll pick up the trail in nearby Van Cortland Park, and
>> start heading north. We'll grab some lunch to-go at a deli in
>> Ossining, and carry it up the trail another 5-6 miles (bring bags
>> or a musette), until we literally hit the wall at Croton Dam Park.
>> There, we'll picnic a while, and later head back down the trail
>> back to Ossining or maybe Tarrytown for the Metro North train back
>> to Grand Central.
>>
>> Equipment? Though it's far from "technical" MTBing, there are
>> scattered rough spots and scree patches, some exposed roots and
>> loose branches tossed about, and a lotta curb hops - so a set of
>> reasonably chubby tires are a good idea. Other than that, anything
>> goes - road, 'cross, MTB, new stuff, old stuff, one gear or
>> 30...whatever works for ya.
>>
>> The pace? Social. The trail is actually designated as a NY State
>> Park; shared with hikers, dog walkers, runners, and even the
>> occasional equestrian. It's by no means crowded, but if you're
>> looking to hammer, you'll get frustrated fast. That, and the
>> flurries of street crossings, pretty much keeps things together.
>> No one gets dropped. Also, since the trail runs pretty much
>> parallel to Metro North's Hudson Line, there are lots of entry/
>> exit options available. We're never more than a few miles from a
>> railroad station. You oughta have a $5 MTA bike pass (on rare
>> occasions, the conductor asks to see it). If you don't have one,
>> I'm pretty sure you can purchase on the train, or at GCT earlier
>> that morning.
>>
>> It's always a good time, and I'm sure that tradition will
>> continue. Note - heavy rains that leave the trail really muddy
>> will cause postponement. I'll post any updates here.
>>
>> Hope to see you there!
>>
>>
>> Tom McMahon
>> New York City
>>
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