Putnam Trail Ride - 50 Miles from Brewster to Van Cortlandt Park

If you enjoyed the challenge of the Tarrytown ride, perhaps you’d like to take it to the next level on our Brewster ride.

We’re planning to ride the entire length of the Putnam/North Country/South Country trail, from Brewster to Van Cortlandt Park. It’s a glorious ride, 50 miles of rail trail through the woods, with only 2-3 miles of street riding.

This is an advanced Brompton ride due to the long distance and also due to the rolling hills at the start of the route. There aren’t any epic climbs, but the gently rolling hills are pretty consistent. That said, the general tendency of the route is downhill, so especially during the second half, you can enjoy some long extended downhills. (See the attached elevation map.)

What to expect:
• 47 miles of paved rail trail through the woods, 3 miles of street biking.
• The route is generally pretty shady since we’re in the woods.
• The ride is mainly rural, so there are limited places to buy food and drink. Riders should bring enough water and snacks for the ride, or buy it at the start of the ride in Brewster.
• Fun with other enthusiastic Brompton riders!

Food and Drink:
• Lunch/snack stop at the Trailside Cafe in Yorktown Heights, 17 miles into the ride - this is a tiny bike friendly shop serving egg frittatas, smoothies and fresh juices.
• Victory drinks at La Lanterna in Yonkers, 7 miles from the end of the ride.

Timeline:
• 8:45 Meet at Grand Central at the big clock at the information booth (alternatively, meet us at the Brewster station at 10:39am)
• 9:10 Our train departs Grand Central on the Harlem line for Brewster
• 10:39 Arrive in Brewster
• 12:30 Lunch in Yorktown Heights
• 4:00pm (approximate) Victory drinks and delicious food at La Lanterna's wonderful beer garden
• 5:30pm (approximate) Depart for Van Cortlandt Park
• 6:15pm (approximate) Finish at Van Cortlandt Park

If you want to shorten the ride from 50 to 34 miles:
• You can exit the trail near Tarrytown. It's a 3.5 mile downhill ride to the train station and you can take the Metro North Hudson line back to Grand Central.