Cycling the Hudson Valley - Carmel to Brooklyn (Days 4 and 5)

 

Day 4 (Aug. 8, 2025), Carmel to Ardsley-on-Hudson

 

Early on Day 4, the terrain was still rural south of the small town of Carmel. But after we crossed the New Croton Reservoir, you could tell we had entered more dense suburban infrastructure. The North County Trailway still passed through woods but soon entered suburbia. We turned off the trail and stayed in Mercy College in Ardsley-on-Hudson. I took the comfort option and stayed in a dorm room (with private bath and air conditioning!).

 

Trailside memorial, Ardsley

Waiting for a restoration, El Camino, Ardsley

Ardsley Acres Hotel Court, 560 Saw Mill River Rd, Ardsley

 

Day 5, Mercy College to Manhattan 

 

Day 5 was an abrupt cultural and scenic change. The terrain was suburban along the South County Trailway in Mount Hope and Yonkers. We biked through Van Courtland Park in the Bronx, and abruptly, we were in the city. 

Our first rest break was at Tread Bike Shop on Dyckman Street in New York. They were very nice to us, did minor repairs as needed, and provided restrooms, munchies, and cold water.

 

Cooling off at Tread Bike Shop

Checking the scene, Dyckman Street

From Tread, we biked west to the Hudson river and turned south on the Fort Washington Park Greenway. There were crowds everywhere. People on the trails were using bicycles, unicycles, tricycles, scooters, roller cross-country skis, and electronic devices. 

 

George Washington Bridge (opened 1931)

Battery Park at the south end of Manhattan was a madhouse with thousands of tourists on the paths and walkways. We worked our way round the tip and up though some local streets to access the Brooklyn Bridge Bicycle Path. 

FDR Drive, Manhattan

Serious joggers, FDR Drive

Woolworth Building

World Trade Center from John Street

The Brooklyn Bridge Bicycle Path is on the road level but is separated from cars by a concrete barrier. It was narrow and fender to fender crowded. An occasional tourist lost battery power and stopped abruptly, causing spills and a real mess. No time to look around. But it was fun, and we made it across to our designated trip end point at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

 

Brooklyn Bridge from Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn

Loo with a view, East River, New York

This ends the Cycle the Hudson Valley 2025. Great fun! Fantastic weather with no rain. You can follow the day-to-day route on the ridewithgps link.

Thanks for riding along! 

 

Camera Note

 

I took most of the pictures on Kodak Portra 160 film with a Canon Canonet GIII QL17 fixed-lens rangefinder camera. The Canon 40mm ƒ/1.7 lens is contrasty. and high resolution. No complaints on the optical qualities of this modest camera.  

 Zack's Camera Repair in Providence, Rhode Island, overhauled the camera and repaired the battery contacts for the light meter. I used a Wein Cell, which provides the same 1.35 volts as the original mercury battery. 

 

The modest but top optical quality Canonet GIII QL17 camera