Tips and Tricks for Bike Riding on Fire Island
During the summer months, you will find good times are in excess on Fire Island. From boogie boarding and surfing to shopping in ocean beach, and great seafood at Ocean Beach and the surrounding town’s restaurants, you’ll be hard pressed to run out of things to do.
However, if you’re looking for more of an adventure than a stroll through one of the towns provides, Fire Island offers some excellent opportunities for bike riding throughout the Island.
Even if you’re just looking for a leisurely adventure, the weekend is a great time to take out the beach cruiser and hop on some of the famed concrete and wood paved walks that bring you close to blueberry bushes and local greenery between the great South Bay and the ocean worth of many small alcoves. Some paths provide twists and turns, will others are smooth and straight, so you can pick which one is best for the kind of ride you’re looking for.
Here are our tips for getting the best out of your Fire Island biking experience.
Be Prepared
Many of the passenger ferries prohibit bringing bikes on board. If you’re bringing your own, check the freight ferry schedules for passage. Please note, most of the freight ferries charge a fee for bringing your bike along with you. We also suggest you equip your bike with fat tires or tires meant for the sandy terrain. Otherwise, your bike ride will consist of a lot of walking.
It is also important to keep in mind that not all towns allow bikes riding within the town limits, as Fire Island is mostly pedestrian foot traffic. Be sure to check in with each town you enter or enter the island nearest to the bike trail you are headed for.
If you aren’t bringing your own bike, there are several locations near the trails where bikes are available for rent.
The Trails
Our first recommended trail passes the 1858 Fire Island Lighthouse, which looks out over the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Start at the Robert Moses Park Field 5 lot. If you don’t have tires equip for sand, ride north towards the main road and then east towards the Fire Island Light House.
If you have a bike that can handle loose sand, head south towards the beach. From here, you can ride along the beach the whole way. Be sure to avoid riding over the wooden boardwalks around the lighthouse, as they are for pedestrians only.
If you are looking for an easier ride, start near the town of Kismet. After this point on the island, the main road, which allows for bikes, is a much easier ride. This path will take you all the way to Fair Harbor, and you won’t have to worry about trekking through loose sand.
After you reach Fair Harbor, you’ll encounter another half mile of loose sand that leads to Ocean Beach.
The sunken forest is also a wonderfully scenic ride, located between Point o’ Woods and Sailors Haven. Much like the beach riding, though, be prepared with tires that can handle loose sand and off-road environments.
The best part of riding your bike on Fire Island is you can’t possibly get lost! The island is a slim strip of land with only 2 real directions to go. If the paths become impassable using a bike, you’re going the wrong way. Happy riding!
Comments
Can I get further information and a map or two for Fire Island bike rentals and riding? Thank you!