Palisades Interstate Park - Shad Ba?

I'm rescheduling the ride to May 1 Sat due to current road closures on Henry Hudson Drive - half of it is closed due to storm damage, and the other half is iffy (day-to-day). This past weekend, the entire length of HHD was closed.

Also, food destination is changed. On May 1, there will be a Shad Bake at Alpine Boat Basin & Picnic Area! http://www.njpalisades.org/shad_bake_10.pdf We will check that out, and if we are still hungry afterward, we can get on 9W to Royal Cliffs Diner, as per original plan http://royalcliffs.com/.

This will be a day before Five Boro Bike Tour (I'll be marshaling), so if you are doing the tour, it'll be a good day to warm up your legs and get some fresh air!

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What: Palisades Interstate Park - Shad Bake Ride!

When: May 1 SAT 10AM

Where: GWB Bus Terminal (Ft Washington Ave & W 178th St). Jersians can meet us on the Jersey side of the GWB bike/ped entrance 10:15AM

We will ride over GWB and onto a beautiful, nearly car-free (most of the road should be closed to cars) Henry Hudson Drive beneath the cliffs of Palisades and along the Hudson River. We will take the river road up to Alpine Boat Basin and Picnic Area for the Shad Bake at the Kearney House http://www.njpalisade... !

We can return on Henry Hudson Drive, or get on 9W and stop at a diner on the way back to GWB. It will be a hilly, sometimes windy ride along the river and on top of the cliffs, but the scenery and serenity on Henry Hudson Dr will more than make up for the occasional acid buildup in your legs.

If you need to bail, you will need to ride back by yourself the same way we came to GWB, as there are only two bail out points on Henry Hudson, and they only let you out onto 9W. Henry Hudson Dr is a paved wood road prone to rockslides, broken branches, and possibly mud puddles after rain; there are no stores, no delis, no vending machines, nada, but cliffs on your left, and the river to your right. So pack some snacks as we will make a short snack break by the river. Pack a plenty of fluid, and extra layers of clothing.

Unless you are a strong, seasoned rider, road tires (slicks) are highly recommended (although mountain treads or cyclocross semi-treads may come in handy depending on road conditions). On the way back on 9W, be ready to ride in a paceline and keep up. Also, I need to enforce helmet rules, you lovely people. No helmet, no ride. Bring spare tube(s). 25-30 miles.

***Note***

This ride is being rescheduled to 5/1/10 SAT, as road conditions currently are iffy at best on Henry Hudson Dr. Half of it is definitely closed due to storm damage. The other half is day-to-day. http://www.njpalisades.org/index.html#hhd