Twenty Training Miles in the Middle of Manhattan? Let's Go!
Central Park is "the" New York City's outdoor training loop. Long before sunrise, Park Drive fills with everyone from recreational riders, walkers, dog walkers, runners, sightseers, and elite racers. Plenty of "traffic furniture" to keep you focused. As you zip by skyscrapers, the track will offer a challenging workout: rolling terrain, fast sweeping turns, steady climbs, scenic views, and enough distance to build a quality ride.
The main loop around Central Park measures approximately 6.1 miles. Add a few scenic detours through the northern section of the park, and you'll finish with having put 20 miles in your legs in just over three laps.
The Route
It's always a good idea to take a few minutes to get used to the surroundings. It's not like riding out on the open road, or through the streets of your local town or city. New York is, well, New York, and yes, it has its own challenges…even in the park. Enter Central Park from the West Side at West 86th Street. Follow the Traverse Road east past the Police Precinct, turn left onto Park Drive, and start your ride.
You will traverse north along the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, passing the East Meadow and skirting along the North Meadow. A few blocks north of East 102nd, your first hill awaits, winding you past the Davis Center, through the North Woods, past Blockhouse, taking you east to west, then south still in the North Woods, past the Great Hill and on down to the Ravine, Loch, and The Pool.
Next, stretch your legs on this nearly flat section but watch for pedestrians and the speed limit of 20 MPH…. This stretch takes you back past the North Meadow, West 100th Street, the 97th Street bypass, and the Tennis Courts, and along the West Side of the reservoir.
Just south of West 90th Street starts the next stretch of uphill. You will pedal past the Swedish Cottage, Shakespeare Garden, Bank Rock Bay, and The Lake, ending the uphill section, then past the famous Strawberry Fields. Keep traveling south past Tavern on the Green, down to Columbus Circle, where you will swing east for a short while before heading back north, past the Chess & Checkers House, the Carousel, and a slow right-hand curve, then a left-hand bend offering a great view of the Mall.
As you pass the East Green, it can get quite congested, so slow the pace past Pilgrim Hill, gearing down for the next uphill stretch past Cedar Hill, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Great Lawn, back to where you started. One loop down and two to go….
From there, go back up and around, like you are starting the 4th loop; you can exit on the west side of West 86th Street where you entered the park. Boom, 20-mile ride. Take a look at the bike-specific map, courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy.
View Central Park Bicycle Map (PDF)
The Collective's Notes:
Landmarks Worth Slowing Down For
Even on a training ride, it's difficult not to appreciate the park's iconic scenery.
- Central Park Zoo
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
- Great Lawn
- The Loch
- Great Hill
- North Woods
- The MET
Each lap offers a slightly different perspective as the morning light changes across Manhattan.
Harlem Hill: The Best Climb in the Park
Ask any New York cyclist where to test your legs, and the answer comes quickly — Harlem Hill.
Located on the northwest corner of the park between approximately 102nd Street and 106th Street, Harlem Hill is the signature climb of Central Park. The grade averages about 5–6%, with short pitches approaching 7%.
Local racers often use it for:
- Threshold intervals
- VO₂ max repeats
- Low-cadence strength work
- Sprint finishes
By the third lap, you'll know exactly why Harlem Hill has become legendary among New York cyclists.
Stay Hydrated
Central Park is one of the easiest urban training venues anywhere for staying fueled and hydrated.
The park contains 21 public restroom facilities, many with drinking fountains or nearby bottle-filling stations. Additional fountains are located throughout the park, making it easy to refill bottles without ending your workout.
Twenty Miles Never Looked So Good
Few cities in the world offer a cycling venue like Central Park. One moment you're climbing beneath towering elm trees; the next you're looking across the Reservoir with Manhattan's skyline rising above the treetops.
Whether you're training for a century ride, preparing for a gran fondo, or simply looking for an unforgettable morning ride, Central Park delivers one of America's greatest urban cycling experiences.
