Cycling: Taking on hill in Bergen County
The 17-mile-loop ride goes through Fort Lee, Englewood Cliffs, Tenafly and Alpine. It begins and ends at 399 Hudson Terrace where you will find the entrance to Allison Park in Englewood Cliffs. Stay on Hudson Terrace which takes you under the Palisades Parkway. Turn right and park in the lot. There are restroom facilities in the parking lot.
As soon as you leave Allison Park and exit under the Palisades Parkway, turn left onto Hudson Terrace and ride 2.2 miles to the entrance of Hudson River Drive. In about one mile you will be cycling under the George Washington Bridge. Slow down, look to your right across the Hudson River and the lighthouse on the New York side.
This is just the beginning of a beautiful ride and an opportunity to get yourself in shape for the upcoming season. Bear left at the circle and follow Hudson River Drive to the next circle. Bear left again and climb a short but steep hill. From here you will be riding beautiful rolling hills, waterfalls and views of the Hudson River peeking through the trees. When you reach the circle and the sign pointing to Route 9W get ready for an almost one-mile climb to the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police building.
If you show up on Wednesday evenings between 5-6:30 p.m., you will probably meet riders from the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey who will usually climb up and down the hill three to four times to help with their training.
On a weekend there are riders who will do even more. If that is not enough, keep an eye out for three riders on their bicycle-built-for-three moving up that hill. Good news is that there are bike racks in the parking lot, cold water, indoor bathrooms and usually riders to chat with.
Ready to head back to Allison Park? Easy. Turn right toward route 9W as you leave the police station. When you reach the traffic light at 9W turn left at mile 10.5. Follow route 9W to the intersection with East Palisades Avenue at mile 16.2. Turn left and right onto Hudson Terrace and enter the entrance on the left side of the road at mile 17.0.
Ride safely and enjoy the ride.
"Cycling" is provided by Ethan Brook, member of The Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey. BTCNJ meets at the Ridgewood Library on the second Thursday of the month with a special cycling-related program followed by refreshments. Registration is now open for BTCNJ’s signature event, the Ramapo Rally, which will be held Aug. 21. Visit www.ramaporally.com to register. Rides of varying distances ranging from 12 to 125 miles are open to members and non-members. Proceeds are donated to Ridgewood-based Camp Sunshine for disabled children and young adults, as well as to local volunteer EMS squads, cycling-related non-profit organizations, and the local North Jersey community. For more information on group riding, touring, membership, and other upcoming club events, log on to btcnj.com.