New York metro area

Here are some of my favorite routes through the New York Metro area

Most of these routes begin at the State Line Lookout off of the Palisades Parkway. The State line lookout is located 10 miles north of the George Washington Bridge off of the northbound side of the Palisades Parkway. Look for the sign that says Restaurant and Cross Country Skiing. Others begin at the Red Apple Rest. It is located on NY route 17 in Southfields, NY, about 8 miles north of I287 and about 3 miles south of the intersection of US route 6. Other starting points are noted at the beginning of the route.

These routes tend to avoid the main highways. So don't miss an opportunity to get gas. They also cover some rather small roads. Don't be afraid to get a little lost. Please don't forget that road contitions, as well as your mileage on these routes will vary.

About the roads I like

Reading my route sheets

The Routes

This will take you to the site of the original Woodstock concert.
Or go up to the town that gave the Woodstock concert its name.
Here is last Spring's NJ_DoD Twist and Shout ride.
This one will show you that there are some great roads Only in New Jersey
You can tour the southern part of New York City's water system East of the Hudson .
To the Ice Caves near Ellenville, NY
Ride the Kittatinny Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania
Venture to the top of Mount Pocono near Stroudsburg, PA
Circle around Westchester and Putnam Counties from the Bear Mountain Bridge
Ride through Orange, Rockland and Sussex Counties to Nowhere in Particular
Discover the upper Delaware and The Roebling Bridge and Zane Grey Museum
Discover some interesting roads in Central New Jersey on Rich Wurth's Mostly Monmouth Ride
You won't get to Paradise But you will see some of eastern Pennsylvainia
Explore Warren County, New Jersey
Ride around Sussex County and explore Sterling Mine
Head up to The Daily Planet in Duchess County New York
Ride a great loop around Mount Pocono on the Pocono Loop Ride
Ride out from the Walpack Inn over Walpack to Wallenpaupack and Back
Cool off at The Quarry Swim Club
Take a ride on the 'dirty' side on Not Quite Paved
Satisfy your need for Bar-B-Que with a trip to Hickory Bill's Bar-B-Que Garden
Visit the town of Jim Thorpe, PA
Trace the route of The Catskill Water System
Find your way to the Croton Water System
Zip around the Upper Delaware water system

Over the last few years I've enjoyed collecting routes through the back roads of New York, New Jersey Connecticut and Pennsylvania. I'm posting them in ASCII for now. Let me know if you'd like them in Postscript formats. Please enjoy them and remember that road conditions as well as your mileage on these routes will always vary.

I'm interested in archiving or setting up links to other routes throughout the country. Tell me about any links you might have.

Jon Kadis / kadis@interactive.net

About the roads I like

I enjoy riding the back roads and the routes that I've included here reflect that. These routes will take you over some very interesting little roads. It takes a little bit of persistence to find them sometimes, so there often seems like a there are lot of turns onto lots of little roads, be patient, they will be worth the trouble. Back roads also implies that the roads will often take strange turns and on occasion have questionable surfaces. Pay attention to what is going on. You may find that you will enjoy the routes more on the second trip over them (once you know where you're going).

Reading My Route Sheets

Here is a typical beginning to one of my route sheets:

  Mileage       
Total  Leg      
 0.0     0.0   BEAR RIGHT      State Line Lookout onto PIP North        
19.1    19.1   EXIT RIGHT      Exit 14  
19.3     0.2   LEFT            At bottom of ramp. Rockland Co. 98       
20.8     1.5   STRAIGHT        Join Rockland Co. 106

The first column is the total accumulated mileage along the route. The second column list the mileage until you do what is listed in the third column. The third column lists which way you should go. The last column lists the road you will be going on to and often will list something to look for. Special things to look for include:

STOP - Stop Sign
T - A T in the road
LIGHT - Traffic Light
EXIT - Take the Exit off of the highway

Also remember to stay on the road that you are on, unless I tell you to turn off of it or stay on the bigger road when you are in doubt of which road to take.