I’m in Bellmore, NY on the south shore of Long Island to cheer my wife on as she runs her first marathon (NYC) this weekend. I’ve also got my PT wheel and my cheap road bike, and I’m looking to get in some training while in town. My schedule calls for some long (8’ and 15’) intervals at FT, and given the good weather, I’d prefer not to do them on the trainer. Is there a good place close by to do long intervals on the bike (i.e., minimal traffic and stop signs/lights)? (I’m eyeballing the strip of Ocean Dr. or Bay Parkway along Jones Beach, but I’m not sure of traffic, or even if bikes are allowed to ride there.)
It’s not critical that it’s within easy riding distance, 'cause I could probably arrange some sort of drop-off and pick-up to get out to someplace a bit further away, but the more convenient the better.
You cannot ride the Ocean Parkway, it is illegal, plus there is no shoulder, people drive like maniacs and you will be killed. A better option, although not great, is the Jones Beach bike path which starts in Cedar Creek Park in Seaford (entrance on Merrick Rd.) and travels 4.5 miles down to Jones Beach State Park (and meets up with the before mentioned Ocean Parkway). I say not great because there are usually many roller bladders, runners, walkers, etc. on the path which can make fast riding kinda dangerous. You might also consider doing loops in Cedar Creek park itself, the main road around the park is about 1 mile long, although there is one tight turn that requires you to slow down abit. Further from home, you might want to try a loop I do for LT work - park at Jericho High School located on Route 107 in Jericho (duh) just north of Jericho Turnpike (Route 25), bike north on Route 107 until you hit Northern Blvd (Route 25A), go right (east) on Northern Blvd until you hit Route 106, take 106 south back to Jericho HS. That’s a 9.5 mile loop with good shoulders and minimal traffic lights (by Nassau County standards). Old Westbury College across Route 107 from Jericho HS also has a nice 3 mile loop, but it’s hilly and not great for steady pace work There’s much better places out in Suffolk County, but I’ll quit now and let Suffolk residents pick it up if so inclined.
you could try the service road on the LIE. Almost no traffic if you go out early on Sat. or Sunday. There are traffic lights - but you can get in good steady riding between them.
I’ll second that Hecksher State Park is the way to go. The loop is a bit shy of 4 miles with as close to zero traffic as you’ll find on LI. It’s generally windy, so count on some headwind at some point during the loop.
Closest available spot to you would be Cedar Creek Park and /or the Wantagh Parkway path to Jones Beach. The roadway loop around Cedar Creek is just shy of 1 mile in length, so it’s short but there’s only one moderately severe turn and no lights or “real” stop signs.
If that’s too boring, you can head down the Parkway path, depending on the crowds which vary based on weather and time of day.
Thanks for the replies, everyone! I’ve got the shorter intervals today, so I’ll probably try to hit Cedar Creek Park, but Heckscher Park definitely sounds tempting for the longer set.