May is National Bike Month! So get out your bikes and hit the trail. Biking is great family and outdoor exercise. Check all your equipment before taking off and make sure your child’s helmet fits properly. Take along water and a snack and have fun. Try biking at these area locations.
Just Learning
The Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla has extra wide paved paths that are ideal for the youngest cyclers. It’s a popular place for children just experimenting with training wheels. The Plaza is open seven days a week. Permanent park lighting was installed in 2014 making the Plaza available for all until 10 p.m. in the summer.
The Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla. 328-1542. parks.westc
A Linear Pathway
Running adjacent to the Bronx River Parkway is the Bronx River Reservation, the oldest park in Westchester, and home to the Bronx River Pathway. This paved linear path has three segments, a 1-mile loop, a 4.6-mile section and a 5-mile portion that connects with Kensico Dam in Valhalla. See the website for a Pathway map.
The Bronx River Reservation, Bronx River Pathway. 723-4058. parks.westc
A Longer Ride
The North County and South County Trailways are paved multi-use trails ideal for family biking. The North County Trail spans north for 22.1 miles through Westchester to the Putnam County border. The South County Trailway runs from central to southern Westchester for 14.1 miles. See the website for parking locations along the North County Trailway. The North County and South County Trailways. 866-7275. parks.westc
Mountain Biking
If you’d prefer the challenge and off-road experience of mountain biking, visit Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill. The Blue Mountain bike trail offers 20 miles of marked trails geared toward three levels of skill: beginners, intermediate and advanced. There is a parking fee of $5 for Westchester County Park Pass holders, $10 without.
Blue Mountain Reservation, 45 Welcher Ave., Peekskill. 862-5275. parks.westc
– Jean Sheff
