This is a shortish holiday ride to the awesome winter wonderland outdoor lighting display at the walled Persian garden within Untermyer Park and Gardens in nearby Yonkers NY. You'll want to return for more, plus visit the garden in other seasons.
The Park/Gardens themselves are open year-round with free admission, compliments of their Conservancy. Now through New Year's Eve there's a spectacular holiday display of lighting which brings out the Persian garden's features. No jolly Santas nor leaping reindeer, but yes, gorgeous illumination of the large walled garden's amazing Indo-Persian, Greek, and biblical structural, layout, and sculptural influences. It's awesome, inspiring, calming, magical. And we won't miss their "Temple of the Sky".
They're quite bike friendly; we get to lock bikes to metal fences inside the entrance, near the Conservancy building. Plus there's often free hot cocoa at the entrance, so we have warm-up and good cheer included. We also urge you to consider making a cash contribution to their "kitty" to help support the cocoa and wonderful garden access.
The bike ride itself is short; only 12 miles from the end of the #1 subway at 242St/Van Cortland, mostly straight up Broadway. We'll also get to see the daylighted Saw Mill River, and many neighborhood lights. All paved roads, so all bike types workable (leader is using a multi-geared mtn bike with "35s"). There are definitely some moderate and short urban residential hills, so be prepared to work a tad in places. We return via cycling the Yonkers waterfront with a possible stop for light repast in the increasingly renovated downtown center of Yonkers. Shorter return option is to take MetroNorth back from Yonkers station (check schedules).
DRESS: Layer for the temps, wear or bring shoes OK for walking. A little light "weather" will not deter us, but if anything nasty or unsafe is expected we'll update registered riders.
BRING: The usuals, including very good bike lights, reflective clothing or bands, snacks and bevs, and $ for optional repast stop.
START: East side of Broadway at W244 St, at the public restroom building (just north of the access steps to the overhead #1 subway line). NOTE: Pretty please do consult subway schedules and updated service advisories to allow time to arrive and be prepared for our 3PM start. Park restroom right there, or if needed, the Burger King across B'way.
RIDE LEVEL: Listed as moderate, 'cuz while the distance is not awe inspiring, yes, there are some hills in Yonkers plus some parts we will be on a busy street or two.
Mileage = 12