What’s up, fellow E-Bikers! If you are looking for an epic, scenic, and slightly grueling day ride that hits just about every type of terrain imaginable, grab your helmet. Today, we’re recapping an incredible 47-to-50-mile journey that takes us out of Tarrytown, down through the Bronx, across Manhattan, and over the Hudson River not once, but twice!
Here is how the ultimate dual-bridge loop went down.
The Ride & The Rig
For this trip, I brought out my heavily customized Rattan Ultra, packed with a massive 40 amp-hour battery. Since I’ve upgraded almost everything—new fork, pedals, seat post, tires, and brakes—it’s easily one of my most comfortable rides for taking a beating on long distances.
The goal for the day? Enjoy a great ride with a crew of five buddies, and put this battery to a real-world range test.
Leg 1: Tarrytown to the North Bronx
We kicked off just after 11:00 AM on a beautiful, hot June Sunday. The weather was already a sizzling 85°F as we rolled out of Tarrytown.
Our route started smoothly as we jumped onto the South County Trailway (Westchester County Trailway) heading south. This part of the trip was incredibly efficient. Cruising at around 17 mph in pedal-assist mode (PS2) and doing plenty of coasting, I was barely sipping the battery.
We breezed past Elmsford (where we saw some crazy county stunt skid marks), cruised along a nice park area under the highway, and wound past Yonkers. By the time we hit the North Bronx near Jerome Park and Lehman College, we were already 19 miles in.
Leg 2: Braving Manhattan Traffic to the GWB
Navigating a Sunday in the city is always an experience. Around mile 22, we neared the city bridges. Traffic was light, making it feel almost like a car-free day, save for a few chaotic moments! Between dodging a stray pigeon and squeezing past tight city mirrors at Broadway and 181st, the adrenaline was definitely pumping.
Unbelievably, 23 miles into the trip, my battery was still sitting at 100% thanks to the flat terrain and steady coasting!
Then came our first major crossing: the George Washington Bridge (GWB). Rolling across the newly built North Walk path offered those classic, breathtaking views of the Hudson River.
Leg 3: Navigating the Palisades & Piermont Hills
After a much-needed lunch stop, we headed north down Route 9A and 9W, charting a course toward Piermont alongside the beautiful Palisades. We zipped through the shaded canopies of Tallman Mountain State Park, enjoying a few fast downhills to escape the midday heat.
But what goes down must come up. As we entered the gorgeous little town of Piermont, we encountered some brutally steep hills. Forcing the bike into higher assist levels to conquer the inclines finally started eating into the power, bringing the battery down to 60%.
Leg 4: The Urban Jungle to the Tappan Zee
Leaving the pavement behind, we picked up a dirt trail that felt like an absolute urban jungle, complete with dense bamboo shoots and a vibrant tunnel of leaves.
Before long, the second giant of the day appeared through the treeline: the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (but let’s be honest, it’ll always be the Tappan Zee to those of us who grew up here).
Crossing the Tappan Zee is a massive 3-mile trek. As we made our way across the water, the air got beautifully cool, the wind picked up, and the roar of traffic kept us company. Halfway across, I noticed my speed drop by about a mile and a half as the battery hit the 50% mark.
Heading Home: The Tarrytown Reservoir
We finished the bridge crossing and left the Cuomo Bridge behind at around 4:30 PM. We were a little behind schedule due to a few trail stops and a buddy experiencing some battery issues, but we were in the home stretch.
For the final leg, we cut through the woods along the stunning Tarrytown Reservoir. With kayak rentals scattered on the water and a pleasant, cool breeze, it was the perfect aesthetic end to a massive day.
Final Ride Stats
We rolled back into the commuter lot at 4:40 PM, completely dusted but thrilled.
- Total Distance: ~49.4 miles (Just shy of a 50-mile piece!).
- Total Time: ~5.5 hours (including a 1-hour lunch and stops).
- Terrain covered: Dirt trails, paved greenways, city streets, steep hills, and massive bridges.
This loop truly has it all—killer water views, varied terrain, and an awesome workout for your legs and your e-bike motor. If you have a high-capacity battery and a free Sunday, I highly recommend giving the Two Bridges loop a spin!
Thanks for riding along! Have you crossed both of these iconic bridges in one day? Let me know your favorite Hudson River routes in the comments below!