New York City isn鈥檛 exactly known as a premier mountain biking destination, but you can still聽blaze trails in and around the city. For recommendations about where to go, we asked Joe Nocella, owner of , a bike shop in Brooklyn, New York. He leads a weekly mountain bike ride聽and聽told us about his favorite spots for shredding.
Cunningham Park, Queens, New York
What to expect:听Your best option for riding right in the city is . Great for beginner to intermediate riders, this two-wheel playground features six and a half miles of well-maintained trails, a dirt jump park with a pump track, and rock features in the woods. 鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty flowy鈥攏ot very technical鈥攂ut it鈥檚 immersive鈥 says Nocella.聽鈥淵ou forget you鈥檙e in New York City, which is kind of the point.鈥 You won鈥檛 get a lot of climbing (the total elevation change of the whole park is 40 feet), but Cunningham is a great option for聽sharpening your skills.
How to get there: Take the F train to Jamaica/179th street station, pedal about 15 minutes to the trailhead at 210th Street and 67th Avenue. By car, take the Long Island Expressway to the Clearview Expressway South, then take the next exit (73rd Ave). Turn left at the light, the left again at 210th Street.聽
Stillwell Woods, Long Island, New York
What to expect: 聽offers moderately-challenging trails that are sandy and smooth. Beginners will enjoy sweeping segments with little elevation change鈥攊deal for practicing the basics. More advanced riders can speed along singletrack, blast through berms, and test their skills on technical features. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good place to get miles in, get a workout, and get that full-suspension bike bouncing around,鈥 says Nocella. The beginner and intermediate trails often intersect so you can easily change your mind if you get in over your head. 聽
How to get there: You鈥檒l need a once-in-a-lifetime, five dollar 聽for the Long Island Railroad (see LIRR鈥檚 bicycle policy ). Hop on a Port Jefferson branch train at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn and get off at Cold Spring Harbor (around 40 minutes). Pedal for a mile and a half to the trailhead.聽
Blue Mountain, Westchester, New York
What to expect: For intermediate to advanced riders, boasts 15 miles of rocky, technical trails that are fast, flowy, and fun. 鈥淣orth of the city, you鈥檒l find pretty severe geology changes so it鈥檚 definitely more challenging,鈥 says Nocella. You鈥檒l get a taste of rock gardens, carriage trails, big rollers, and drops as well as some leg-and-lung burning climbs just an hour train ride away.聽
How to get there: Hop on the Metro North Railroad Hudson Line to Peekskill with your bike and a one-time, five-dollar . Then pedal about two and a half miles to the park.聽
Six Mile Run, Franklin Township, New Jersey
What to expect:听聽singletrack trails cut through meadows and dive into woods鈥斺測ou鈥檒l see red clay, pine forests, and farm fields,鈥 says Nocella. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really pretty cool.鈥 Mostly fast and flat (with the exception of a few climbs), it鈥檚 a great place to push your pace. 聽
How to get there: This one is tough to get to by public transportation, but it鈥檚 just over an hour away by car.