George Washington Bridge to Central Park
Where: Manhattan, New York City and the George Washington Bridge across the Hudson River - (with a touch of Bergen County, New Jersey on the west end of the GWB).
Description: 18 miles, gentle to moderate hilliness (700 vertical feet). or 61 miles, if you combine this with GWB to Nyack. It can also be combined with other routes and variations that start at the GWB, such as NYC to Bear Mountain Adventure.
Highlights: Great views crossing the bridge and cruising along the Hudson, the rollers and curves of the Central Park road, the cultural sights of Morningside Heights.
Characteristics: gentle-to-moderate -- more hills than other parts of Manhattan Island.
Hill climbs: Total climbing about 700 vertical feet. Two climbs around 100 feet, one with a section at about 10% grade.
Downhills: At least one downhill with a section around 10% grade.
Traffic: Urban motor vehicle traffic. But also to be taken seriously is the human traffic on the Central Park loop -- the risk of collisions with rollerbladers, runners, oblivious walkers -- and other bicyclists.
Warning: Riding a bicycle on roads has dangers and risks that need to be taken seriously.
Directions to Start
To get to the West end of the south walkway of the George Washington Bridge at Hudson Terrace / Route 505 in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
From New Jersey by car: Starting from NJ Turnpike, I-95 Northbound, or I-80 Eastbound: Get into the Local lanes of the George Washington Bridge approach. Keep working into the Right-hand lanes. Exit on the Right at the "last exit in New Jersey" (last time we were there, it said Rt 67 / Lemoine Ave). At the end of the exit ramp, continue straight (becomes Bridge Plaza South) -- avoid left turn onto Lemoine Ave. Then continue straight East to Route 505 / Hudson Terrace, and find parking some possibilities to consider are on Hudson Terrace (north under the GWB roadway) or in Fort Lee Historic Park (south of GWB).
Alternate start point: Central Park (or many points along the way between Central Park and the GWB).
Cue sheet
Directions on Google Maps