I took my Velotric Summit 2 on a 30 mie round trip excursion from Yonkers New York to Orchard Beach in The Bronx!
Exploring the East Bronx: A 30-Mile E-Bike Adventure to Orchard Beach and City Island
What’s up, e-bikers? Today, I’m taking you along on a brand-new route I’ve never ridden before. We’re trading the usual trails for a 30-mile round-trip journey from Yonkers all the way to the coastal vibes of the East Bronx—specifically targeting Orchard Beach and City Island.
It is a gorgeous, 80-degree Sunday. I’m riding my Evelatrix Summit 2 (packing a 48V, 16.7 Ah battery with a solid 40–45 mile range), and I’ve got a crew of about 10 other riders rolling with me on an assortment of electric rides, including a couple of Lectric XP4s.
Here is how the day unfolded!
Phase 1: Leaving Yonkers via the Rail Trails
We kicked things off at Redmond Memorial Park in Yonkers and immediately jumped onto the South County Trailway. The trail was nice, cool, and beautifully shaded. Mostly sticking to dedicated paths, our route took us from Yonkers heading east toward the Bronx.
Along the way, we zipped down the Puddin Greenway and passed by the John Kiernan Trail before hitting Van Cortlandt Park via the Empire State Trail.
Trail Note: At one point, a couple of road bikers flew past us at what felt like 30 mph shouting, “On your left!” So, the next time someone complains about e-bikers being the only fast ones on the greenways, remind them there are all kinds of riders out there!
Phase 2: Navigating the Urban Bronx
About 5 miles in—a third of the way to our destination—the route started to feel a bit more urban. We found ourselves navigating the bikeways along the Mosholu Parkway and cruising past local baseball games.
Group rides always come with a bit of improvisation. Around the corner of Southern Boulevard and Bronx Park East, we actually lost two of our riders (a father-son duo on their XP4s) when we took a tricky left turn. After dropping a pin and sending someone back to scoop them up, we were successfully reunited and back on track.
By the time we hit the Pelham Parkway path, we were 6.5 miles in and my battery was still sitting pretty at 90%, thanks to a lot of coasting on the downhills. My front air suspension fork and Redshift seatpost definitely earned their keep on some of the bumpier, rocky sections of the urban roads.
Phase 3: The Bike Highway to Orchard Beach
As we pushed past Co-op City, we merged onto an awesome stretch of trail that felt like a literal highway for bikes, complete with enclosed cages and winding switchbacks. After crossing a steel bridge, we officially entered Pelham Bay Park.
Just over 10 miles into the ride (and with 85% battery remaining), we caught our first glimpse of the water and the Throgs Neck/Whitestone bridge area in the background.
Soon enough, we arrived at Orchard Beach—the Bronx’s only shoreline beach area. Because signs at the boardwalk state no e-bikes or scooters allowed, the crew responsibly dismounted and walked the bikes up to enjoy the spectacular waterfront views.
Phase 4: Seafood & Small-Town Vibes on City Island
After a quick break at the beach, we hopped back on our e-bikes for the final mile or two down City Island Avenue.
Crossing over to City Island feels like you’ve instantly left New York City and dropped right into a quaint, small-town New England seaport. Though the local bike lanes leave a little to be desired (mostly because they were taken over by parked cars), the coastal breeze and view of the boats coming into the marina made it an incredible cruise.
We rode all the way to the southern end of the island where the road meets the water. Surrounded by iconic local spots like Tony’s Pier and Johnny’s Reef, we finally parked our bikes outside Sammy’s to grab some well-deserved lunch and outdoor seating.
Final Thoughts
With 15 miles down, plenty of battery to spare, and a table full of food, the first half of this experimental route was a massive success. If you are looking for a ride that perfectly blends shaded rail trails, urban navigation, and a coastal payoff, this Yonkers-to-East-Bronx route is well worth checking out.
I recorded the whole thing on Relive, so stay tuned for the 3D route map video! Until the next ride—stay safe and keep riding electric!
