Sprain Ridge Park
Sprain Ridge Park
Sprain Ridge Park in Yonkers is less than 30 minutes away from the Jersey side of the GWB (traffic permitting) The Park has some of the best riding I have experienced on the East Coast There are plenty of drops, jumps, obstacles, and skinnies. Making this a great place to practice and get your riding skills together before heading to a Freeride park like Diablo or Hunter. Most of the technical features have an alternate ride options or bypasses similar to Blue Mountain.
I have now ridden Sprain Ridge in multiple conditions from Sunny and hot to Rainy and cool. The ride is a workout and the Heat and Humidity can make it difficult so make sure you have plenty of water and food to keep you going. After a week of rain I was pleased to see that the park drains well and was not too muddy. But be careful of the wooden bridges and log hops they can be treacherously slick.
The single track begins right at the trail head and seemingly never ends although there are a few fire roads. The trails are twisty and technical but with more flow than Ringwood. While Sprain ridge offers miles of trails for free riders, it has its physical challenges as well. There are some long somewhat steep climbs and undulating trails to test the legs and lungs of even the most seasoned XC rider.
This is a great place to ride or train. There are a few sections I want to point out:
Roller/Drop right at the beginning of the trail head.
A long rock ridge with a steep roller or drop (This is about ¼ of the way into the trail (See video and GPS).
An open area that is filled with drops, step-ups, skinnies, and jumps (After the Lions Back Ridge you will go down some tight switchbacks then climb to this open area which is a good place to take a break have something to eat and mess around)
A narrow walled downhill section (see video rider coming down with dog)
Wooden Bridge drop Beginner Trail - start off in the bus parking lot. to get there you need to enter the main entrance of the park from jackson ave, go straight and through the opened gate and turn on your first right turn and park where the buses are. The trail starts at the sign opposite of the buses and is called "otter ramble" Intermediate Trail - start off in the main parking lot. to get there you need to enter the main entrance of the park from jackson ave, follow the road, bear left and make the right into the 1st open lot you see. park in one of those spots and the trail starts at the corner of the lot to the left of where you came in up a big hill/boulder combo. this trail is one of the main trails people start with called "north brother's loop". if you follow the map you can head north, then east, then south east and enjoy the terrain as it loops back, expect to spend 2-3+hrs on your first time out just to find your way around
Directions from New Jersey:
GWB to 87 North
Sprain Ridge Park in Yonkers is less than 30 minutes away from the Jersey side of the GWB (traffic permitting) The Park has some of the best riding I have experienced on the East Coast There are plenty of drops, jumps, obstacles, and skinnies. Making this a great place to practice and get your riding skills together before heading to a Freeride park like Diablo or Hunter. Most of the technical features have an alternate ride options or bypasses similar to Blue Mountain.
I have now ridden Sprain Ridge in multiple conditions from Sunny and hot to Rainy and cool. The ride is a workout and the Heat and Humidity can make it difficult so make sure you have plenty of water and food to keep you going. After a week of rain I was pleased to see that the park drains well and was not too muddy. But be careful of the wooden bridges and log hops they can be treacherously slick.
The single track begins right at the trail head and seemingly never ends although there are a few fire roads. The trails are twisty and technical but with more flow than Ringwood. While Sprain ridge offers miles of trails for free riders, it has its physical challenges as well. There are some long somewhat steep climbs and undulating trails to test the legs and lungs of even the most seasoned XC rider.
This is a great place to ride or train. There are a few sections I want to point out:
Roller/Drop right at the beginning of the trail head.
A long rock ridge with a steep roller or drop (This is about ¼ of the way into the trail (See video and GPS).
An open area that is filled with drops, step-ups, skinnies, and jumps (After the Lions Back Ridge you will go down some tight switchbacks then climb to this open area which is a good place to take a break have something to eat and mess around)
A narrow walled downhill section (see video rider coming down with dog)
Wooden Bridge drop Beginner Trail - start off in the bus parking lot. to get there you need to enter the main entrance of the park from jackson ave, go straight and through the opened gate and turn on your first right turn and park where the buses are. The trail starts at the sign opposite of the buses and is called "otter ramble" Intermediate Trail - start off in the main parking lot. to get there you need to enter the main entrance of the park from jackson ave, follow the road, bear left and make the right into the 1st open lot you see. park in one of those spots and the trail starts at the corner of the lot to the left of where you came in up a big hill/boulder combo. this trail is one of the main trails people start with called "north brother's loop". if you follow the map you can head north, then east, then south east and enjoy the terrain as it loops back, expect to spend 2-3+hrs on your first time out just to find your way around
Directions from New Jersey:
GWB to 87 North
Take Exit 6A (Stew Leonard Drive)
Continue toward Corporate Dr
Turn left at Corporate Dr
Turn right at Sprain Rd
Turn right at Jackson Ave
For additional Information: http://www.westchestergov.com/parks/Directions/Individual/SprainRidgePark.htm
Continue toward Corporate Dr
Turn left at Corporate Dr
Turn right at Sprain Rd
Turn right at Jackson Ave
For additional Information: http://www.westchestergov.com/parks/Directions/Individual/SprainRidgePark.htm
Pictures:
Video from various rides at Sprain Ridge
GPS Links:
Labels: Rides
posted by Michael at 11:13 PM
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