A Traffic Haters Ride to Massapequa!
A Blast from the Past!
"All American, a drive up hamburger stand in Massapequa has been a part of Long Island since its founding in 1963. All American is what McDonald’s used to be: A good, high quality hamburger stand run by people who take pride in what they do and care about the food they serve and the customers that eat it." as written on the website "Loving Long Island." http://www.loving-long-island.com/long-island-restaurants-all-american.html
Do you want to take a trip back in time when hamburger stands like this were scattered throughout the United States? Let's take a trip to All American Burger, https://www.allamericanhamburgerli.com/ We'll start at the Mineola LIRR station and travel through the towns of Garden City, Uniondale, East Meadow, North Bellmore, Wantagh, and Seaford until we reach our destination in Massapequa.
On our way back, we'll bike back on the Bethpage Bikeway through the Massapequa Perserve up to North Massapequa where we'll head west through Levittown, Salisbury, Uniondale, and Garden City back to the Mineola LIRR Station.
We meet at the Mineola LIRR train station on the south side of the station at Station Road and 4th Avenue. The station is closed on the weekend and so there is no bathroom at the start. You can use the bathroom on the LIRR train, if coming that way. Don't worry, there is a bathroom stop 3 miles from the start at Grove Park.
If you're coming via an LIRR train, then check online at the LIRR website or visit the MTA TrainTime app on your cell phone for schedules (best to select Arrive by 9:30 AM) and tickets. Bike permits are no longer needed. Board the train car that has the wheelchair symbol to stow your bike in an accessible area. Bungee cords recommended to secure your bike. Be considerate of handicapped passengers who might need the space.
Here are the common stations that people will board an LIRR train:
Pennsylvania Station: 8:29 a.m. Ronkonkoma bound train arriving in Mineola at 9:06 a.m.
Forest Hills: 8:44 a.m. Ronkonkoma bound train arriving in Mineola at 9:06 a.m.
Kew Gardens: 8:46 a.m. Ronkonkoma bound train arriving in Mineola at 9:06 a.m.
Atlantic Terminal: 8:21 a.m. Jamaica bound train arriving in Jamaica at 8:42 a.m. switching at Jamaica to the 8:51 a.m. Ronkonkoma bound train arriving in Mineola at 9:06 a.m.
Grand Central Terminal: 8:35 a.m. Huntington bound train arriving in Mineola at 9:15 a.m.
Woodside: 8:47 a.m. Huntington bound train arriving at Mineola in 9:15 a.m.
Jamaica: 8:57 a.m. Huntington bound train arriving at Mineola in 9:15 a.m.
You can get to the start by automobile. But, station parking and parking garages there and nearby are not free, even on a Saturday/Sunday. There is free street parking Saturday/Sunday on 14th Street, 15th Street, Suffolk Lane, and Cherry Valley Avenue which are all about two blocks south of the Mineola LIRR station. I double checked when I scouted the ride but make sure you double check the parking signs to ensure you don't get towed or receive a ticket.
And here is our route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43488549
Important Requirements: A reminder that you must register for the ride. Please 'unregister' if you cannot make the ride so wait list folks can move up and take the slot. All riders should come equipped with a helmet - REQUIRED, mask, hand sanitizer/wipes, two spare tubes, tire levers, a tire pump, your filled water bottles, snacks, cell phone, sunscreen, money for possible bailouts, and a bike in good condition, as well as being familiar with the current criteria for riding with the Club.
Ride Cancellation: Check this page for possible ride updates. Inclement weather or messy roads will cancel. Cancellations can happen as late as 2 hours before the start of the ride. If you have registered on this page, you will receive any and all updates, including cancellation notice(s).
Mileage = 37