Take My Directions/Route Challenge... NYC to Ludlow VT (fast + beats traffic)

[Stu Gotz]

This is obviously leading to a gumball rally.

it's on bitches.

[SkiDork]

Most times, the absolute best way to 87 is this:
George to 4 to 17 to 87.

I concur captain.

[SkiDork]

* The way I take when there are no other options is St. Nicholas to Amsterdam. After driving on the bridge over 95, take the exit to the right to get on a cloverleaf-style ramp that puts you right underneath the apartments. Believe me, it's very satisfying.

This sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out, not really sure where it is, maybe you can explain further? What "bridge over 95" are you referring to?

I agree that the ramp from the Deegan to the CBE sux. You almost HAVE to be an a-hole, if you do the right thing and stay in the proper lane, like 100 cars will just pass you and squeeze into that lane at the last minute. I wish they had a cop there writing tickets or something, that would be sweet revenge!

This past season, unlike seasons before, the HRD has generally been MUCH worse than the Deegan, though. Even taking into account the ramp to the CB West. Not really sure why.

[steve]

This sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out, not really sure where it is, maybe you can explain further? What "bridge over 95" are you referring to?

Ok picture Amsterdam going north in Manhattan.
95 (AKA Cross Bronx and GWB) goes E/W across Manhattan

Amsterdam crosses 95 just east of the apartments.

Bear right after crossing 95, and turn 270º to merge onto 95, right underneath where you just crossed.

Here's a picture of it:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=4...&t=h&z=19&om=1

[SkiDork]

Ok picture Amsterdam going north in Manhattan.
95 (AKA Cross Bronx and GWB) goes E/W across Manhattan

Amsterdam crosses 95 just east of the apartments.

Bear right after crossing 95, and turn 270º to merge onto 95, right underneath where you just crossed.

Here's a picture of it:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=4...&t=h&z=19&om=1

Oh, OK. Gotcha. THanks.

So do you sometime go: Triboro -> MLK -> St Nicholas -> Amsterdam -> CBE West? That looks like a decent option if the HRD is all backed up.

[BeanDip4All]

how funky do you want to get?

my funk knows no bounds

I believe I almost got you shived at 125th street?

yes, i often reflect back on that terrifying day fondly heh.

I agree with Steve somewhat - however, get your car in Stamford, CT. The express will get you there in 50 minutes, which beats driving. The Hertz car rental is right at the Stamford train station. You can literally fall out of the train on into the cars.

I appreciate everyone's sentiments on getting the rental cars somewhere cheaper, but but NO DICE. We're taking bikes and skis and stuff, ergo must get rental car en la ciudad. My metronorth bike pass doesn't fly at rush hour anyways.

I have other diabolical routes if interested.

Yes, yes I am interested. please expound, kind sir.

if you are down with the I87 approach, i may have a better way for you. i've done the gwb to palisades a lot and its not bad but the approaches to the george can be terrible and its an indirect route. take the lincoln tunnel to rt 3west to 17 north to 87N. my buddy plays golf in sloatsburg and swears by this route, and by google it looks at least 6mi shorter. the roads in jersey can be hit or miss, but i think they are generally better than trying to get the george.

if you don't mind paying for parking for the day or an illegal turn, you can bypass all lines for linclon tunnel using port authority park and ride. (you can also pull an illegal u turn heading up the ramp at your first opportunity to turn left to get straight into the tube) the entrance to the park and ride is on 39th st, heading west its on the right after you pass 9th ave

hmm... interesting.

We're leaving from either UES or UWS fyi... so escape routes out of the top of the city are most convenient.

[Mtn Man]

how funky do you want to get?

I believe I almost got you shived at 125th street, so take my advice under caution.

I agree with Steve somewhat - however, get your car in Stamford, CT. The express will get you there in 50 minutes, which beats driving. The Hertz car rental is right at the Stamford train station. You can literally fall out of the train on into the cars.

Take left out of Hertz and take first right onto Washington Blvd. Go under train tracks. Follow Washington to Longridge Road. Follow Longridge road to end (15 miles?). Very scenic - see how very rich people live. Take left at T stop (Pound Ridge Road). Pound Rodge splits into Y. Take left spur (Old Post Road). In one mile, look for S. Bedford Street on right (at gas station) Take S. Bedford to 684 North. 684 to 84E. 84E to 91N. 91N to crazy VT backroads.

I have other diabolical routes if interested.

This is exactly what one of my housemates does who lives in NYC, saves a lot of money and time taking the xpress to CT. I'd recommend this route.

B)

[Raps]

you are gimped up again? wtf dude you need to stop playing full contact wii

sure, drink is good, this week is not, how about some day next week? I'll PM ya. hope packing is going well... what are we going to do the hellhole known as "cabin fever" closed! YES I will finally be able to sleep through the night without barflies waking me up singing at 4:30am on Wednesday mornings.

Haha yeah hots dogs are on me at Cabin Fever

I'm gimped due to the same ailment as last year - the ol' ankle........just got the screws out so time to put this guy behind me for good!!

[retirwntm]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...02393&z=8&om=1

[jgb@etree]

If this is turning into a gumball rally, count me in

My jeep leaves for Okemo every winter Friday @ noon from the parking lot attached to the Sheraton on 52 + 7, and I'm always ready for a good race.

There a a variety of great ways out of the city, but the only way to get them out of me is to either get me EXTREMELY drunk, or to ride with me and convince me not to blindfold you to protect my secret routes.

So far, points goto the person who advises taking MNRR > Stamford and then up High Ridge or Long Ridge to 684 > 84 > 91 for creativity. Thats definitely a decent plan. MNRR to New Haven is also interesting.

If you get out of the city before 1PM on a non-holiday friday and the traffic gods declare either 95 or preferably the Merrit clear sailing still, that's your quickest route. If you leave the city > 1 or hear that 95 + 15 are jammed, head up 87.

[Aldo]

The key to driving the Taconic is to have a decoy in front of you, that is, somebody blows by you at 65-70, latch on to them a 1/4 mile back.

So, to re-cap- GWB-Palisades-BMB-9-301-Taconic-up to 22-7-30-100. under 4 hours with no stops. Good luck in Ct.

[BeanDip4All]

bump because i am figuring out how to take the lincoln tunnel out tomorrow.

had an interesting adventure coming back in to NYC from CT last night.

95 S, clogs up to a stop. I decide "f this" and get off somewhere in the bronx. next thing i know i am riding UNDERNEATH THE 6 TRAIN. "well," I figure, "I know the 6 goes into NYC so I can just follow this." Driving under the train was nuts. People just weave in and out with no real lanes or semblance of order. There totally needs to be a movie car chase scene on that route. It was a neat combination of fucking scary/cool.

Anyways, I followed my nose and found the 3rd ave bridge, which took me into the city.

Hurrah for not dying in a car fire in the bronx!

[gravitylover]

FDR or 1st Ave to the Willis Ave bridge (go right not onto the Major Deegan!) follow around and under the highway to the left not into Hunts Point, stay in the right lane and get on the Bruckner. Stay in the center lane and get off second exit for the Bronx River Pkwy when you come down the ramp scoot right into the right lane immediately. The BRP turns into the Sprain Brook turns into the Taconic. If you're going to western VT stay on the Tac to the last exit before I90 (Rd #?) go left on Rt 22, right on NY7 & that turns into Vt Rt 9 or take the cutoff around Bennington (297?) to 7 north, etc. For eastern VT or NH/Maine get off on the Saw Mill Pkwy that turns into I684 North then on to 84E, etc.

At all costs avoid I95 and the NYS Thruway unless you're headed for the Catskills. Even if you're going to the 'dacks don't use the thruway, take the Taconic to the top and then go west 1 exit on I90 to the cutoff that drops you south of Lake George on the Northway.

[BLESS]

Court,

When i was growing up and we had a place at Okemo, we used to take 684 to 84 and then up 91 from Hartford. Ludlow is only 20-30 min off 91 via 103.......brings back the ol' memories - plus there is a Vermont Country Store on 103 with really good gummy bears......

And no matter what you are going to fight traffic getting out of the city but i usually take the FDR to the Willis Avenue Bridge and then up

P.S. - you around this week for a drink? I am a gimp again but i can make it to our local bar for a drink....i'm only gonna be in NYC 3 more weeks!

that vermont country store is fuckin great.

[laseranimal]

I don't live in NY but I can say that I would much rather drive up 91 and come in from the east then have to travel from Troy to Bennington (god that road SUCKS!) then on route 9 out of Bennington to 100 and up. That trip could take substantially longer if there is an accident/grampa drivers on the road (well, any trip could take longer, but this is a two lane road). I kinda like the idea of taking a train into CT, but what the fuck do I know? I'm from New Hampshire!

Plus, once you hit 91 its 3 and 4 lanes all the way up to Springfield isn't it?

Troy to Bennington isn't that bad now that theres the 279 bypass

as for hoosick street in troy, it can sometimes be faster as you're coming off of Alternate 7 to take the first left onto oakwood ave, go through Frear park, onto North Lake, then turn right onto rt 142 which spits you out at the top of Rt 7(next to the Stewarts)

Its not always faster, but you can avoid the stop and go nightmare that is Hoosick street

[Danno]

oooh, oooh, I know the answer! My parents have a house 8 miles from Ludlow. Going 95 to 91 isn't as bad as you make it sound, but the traffic is the problem. The way to go is the Taconic, but it's difficult to describe from there. Take the Chatham/E Chatham Exit, and ultimately make your way to Rt 22 (you go around Queechee Lake), making your way to Rt 7 and Bennington, take 7 to Manchester, 11 to Londonderry, and 100 to Ludlow.

As for getting out of NY, we lived on the West Side, so I can't help you other than to say get to the Henry Hudson as fast as possible and take the Saw Mill up to the Taconic.

[BeanDip4All]

FDR or 1st Ave to the Willis Ave bridge (go right not onto the Major Deegan!) follow around and under the highway to the left not into Hunts Point, stay in the right lane and get on the Bruckner. Stay in the center lane and get off second exit for the Bronx River Pkwy when you come down the ramp scoot right into the right lane immediately. The BRP turns into the Sprain Brook turns into the Taconic. If you're going to western VT stay on the Tac to the last exit before I90 (Rd #?) go left on Rt 22, right on NY7 & that turns into Vt Rt 9 or take the cutoff around Bennington (297?) to 7 north, etc. For eastern VT or NH/Maine get off on the Saw Mill Pkwy that turns into I684 North then on to 84E, etc..

this is $$$$, thanks eric

we're leaving from midtown west which is why i am thinking the tunnel

also, heading to lake placid this time not VT, so anything that dumps on 87 is good.

this thread is the tits

[Danno]

that vermont country store is fuckin great.

the one he mentioned isn't the "real" one, the real one is in Weston and kicks ass.

[gravitylover]

this is $$$$, thanks eric

we're leaving from midtown west which is why i am thinking the tunnel

also, heading to lake placid this time not VT, so anything that dumps on 87 is good.

this thread is the tits

No.

Jersey = BAD

I just have a thing against the Thruway too. If you go my route up the Tac to the Northway cutoff off I90 the time is about the same.

Hey Laseranimal (or any Capitol area mags), does that road go all the way through yet or is there still a section on local streets?

[Duffman]

Whoever said the Lincoln tunnel>495>3 almost wins the award, but they left out a few details. Having lived at 10th and bleeker and 25th and 8th (yes, apparently I like living in gay neighborhoods, not that there is anything wrong with that) by far the fastest way to 87N avoiding traffic is the batcave 30th st entrance (go down 9th ave, make a right immediately before 30th st) which wisks you into the lincolin minus most traffic, then 495 becomes Rt 3, but then exit at Rt 120 at giants stadium which meets up with 17N, cutting out a few annoying miles of lights and slow intersections. Then 17N to 87N... done. Also with the Bennington bypass being finished, the 787-7 route is now the best way to go to most Vt destinations quickly. If the tunnel traffic is horrid or Rt 3 is bad (gints game, etc) then HH>GWB>4>17 is the best alternative.

Edit: to add the additional possibility of a Stilettos pit stop on 120, thoroughly making this the superior route. (the Bada Bing on 17 doesn't compare since it is on 17 south and requires a time wasting U-Turn)

[Danno]

I would take the Taconic over the Thruway, much less traffic.

[Buster Highmen]

Can't you use the heli you normally use to commute from the Hamptons to the Street?

[BeanDip4All]

Can't you use the heli you normally use to commute from the Hamptons to the Street?

yeah right. although my boss did once take a private jet to mount snow. i almost died when he did that.

[Buster Highmen]

yeah right. although my boss did once take a private jet to mount snow. i almost died when he did that.

Yeah... ugh...Mt Snow.

[laseranimal]

No.

Jersey = BAD

I just have a thing against the Thruway too. If you go my route up the Tac to the Northway cutoff off I90 the time is about the same.

Hey Laseranimal (or any Capitol area mags), does that road go all the way through yet or is there still a section on local streets?

which road?

if you mean the bypass you still have to drive on rt 7 out to the VT border, which is about 25 minutes from the top of Hoosick St(rt 7 in Troy)

but you don't have to drive the 8 or so miles on rt 9 into downtown Bennington to get to Rt 7 going North

if I had to guess I'd say it saves 10-15 minutes worth of driving time since my house to K-mart used to be 2:15 and is now a shade under 2:00 and Magic used to be 1:30 and now is 1:20

they appear to be working on the West/East portion of the bypass now, which is good news for Mt Snow