MARS rides - Bronx River Parkway

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Directions to start: Bronx River Parkway ride

The meeting place is at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. The Parkway runs alongside the Center, and this point marks the north end of the section that is closed. Parking is available in a lot directly across the parkway from the County Center, for three dollars. The County Center is open during Bike Sundays, and there are rest rooms for changing. The best place to meet is in the shade right next to the parkway itself.

Public transit:
The County Center is about a quarter-mile from the White Plains train station, so city dwellers with MTA bike passes can take the train to this ride. Visit the MTA website for details and schedules. When you arrive, just ask anyone how to get to the Westchester County Center, or the City Limits diner.

Driving:
If you want to use Mapquest for directions, here's the address of the diner across the street from the start:

City Limits Diner
200 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 686-9000

General:

The best way to get to the ride is from I-287 (the Cross-Westchester Expressway, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH I-287 IN NEW JERSEY). This is easy to get to from the Tappan Zee Bridge (the exit is about five miles from the bridge), or by driving up the various parkways from the south. You should be able to find your way to 287 easily by looking at a road map. If you have questions, post them to the mailing list.

This ride is much closer to Manhattan than most of the New Jersey rides; the County Center is more or less across the river from Piermont, and a little bit inland.

NOTE: It's tempting to want to just drive up the Bronx River Parkway before it closes. This is probably a bad idea... if you time it wrong you'll get kicked off the parkway and get lost.

From the south (NYC/Long Island):

Go up the Deegan (I-87) to the Sprain Brook Parkway to I-287, and head eastbound, OR
Go up I-95 to I-287 and head westbound

From the north (CT, Duchess county):

Go down I-684 to I-287 and head westbound, OR
Go down I-95 to I-287 and head westbound

From the west (I-287 eastbound):

Take EXIT 5, RT-100 S/RT-119 E towards WHITE PLAINS.
Stay straight, Exit 5 becomes a ramp.
Merge onto TARRYTOWN RD/NY-100/NY-119

GET TO THE LEFT HAND LANE... you'll be turning left soon. Within 1/2 mile, you'll see the County Center looming on your left, and the City Limits Diner on the right. Look for the sign leading to the Bronx River Parkway. Turn left to pass in front of the County Center. You'll see the parking lot in front of you.

From the east (I-287 westbound):

Take EXIT 5, RT-100. NOTE: As of January 2001, this area was under construction and NOT well marked!!!
At the top of the ramp, turn left.
Go straight to the light. Landmarks: major street, Mitsubishi dealer, Mobil station. This is Rt. 100/Rt.119, Tarrytown Road, and is well marked.
Turn left.

GET TO THE LEFT HAND LANE... you'll be turning left soon. Within 3/4 mile, you'll see the County Center looming on your left, and the City Limits Diner on the right. Look for the sign leading to the Bronx River Parkway. Turn left to pass in front of the County Center. You'll see the parking lot in front of you.