Andy Morris grew up in Queens, but his parents had a Hamptons home. He attended Southampton College with his now-wife and business partner at Electric Bikes A Go Go, Mary Anna Morris. So you can say he’s been around the block a few times on two wheels. He loves biking in the Hamptons for the history and beauty, but there have been some bumps in the road.
“The infrastructure actually is not very good,” Morris says. “Montauk is a great place to go riding. Hampton Bays has some good roads…Connecting them is a little tricky.”
Morris helps people do that with guided Hamptons tours via e-bike. Yet, if you want to go the self-guided route via mountain or traditional bike, that’s possible. You just need to find the right path. It should include a few stops, too.
“You definitely want to have a destination, like a coffee shop,” Morris says. Sag Harbor has a bunch of coffee shops, and Westhampton has several. It’s also a good idea to have a spot for lunch.”
Morris shared a few top spots to ride a bike in the Hamptons and why, and we fleshed out some routes to get you there.
Southampton
Getting started with a ride through Southampton doesn’t require reinventing the wheel.
“Just head to downtown Southampton and pick a parking lot,” Morris said.
There are several to choose from along the bustling strip of independent boutiques and restaurants.
Head south on Main Street and turn right onto Gin Lane, where you’ll find St. Andrew’s Dune Church, about a half mile up the road on the left. If you have more in the tank, consider a 12.7-mile journey to Dune Road, which includes sweeping vistas of the bay. While it’s a trek, Morris says it’s well worth it and beginner-friendly.
“It’s interesting to look at the architecture, and by the water, the terrain is flat,” Morris said. “It’s easy riding.”
A right on First Neck Lane and a left onto Hill Street will take you to Montauk Highway, where you’ll cruise for 5.5 miles. From there, turn left onto Ponquogue Avenue. Ride for 1.5 miles and make a left on Shinnecock Avenue and right onto Foster Avenue. Continue onto Lighthouse Road and the Ponquogue Bridge. Beach Road and Dune Road will be on the left, about a mile up the road from the bridge.
Camp Hero
A trip to this 754-acre park at The End, once the site for the Montauk Air Force Station, leads guests down a path to a treasure trove of history, landmarks and paved roads. “Even if you get slightly lost in the place, it’s fine because you make discoveries,” Morris says. “However, you can’t really get too lost because it all comes around the circle.”
Morris’ favorite route starts at a landmark you likely know well. “The lighthouse,” Morris says. “It’s iconic.”
Morris recommends taking a trail that begins at the lighthouse and heads toward the cliffs. You’ll eventually come to some military bunkers that overlook the ball fields and an abandoned old housing area.
“They have these embankments where they held the artillery years ago, and there are signs and maps all over the place, which helps,” Morris says.
Shelter Island
Morris divides Shelter Island into two areas: The North and South ends.
“The North end is the best place to ride,” he says.
“The North end has the oldest houses, gingerbread houses and a lot of vistas overlooking the water. It’s almost made for biking.”
If coming from the North Fork, get started in the North Ferry parking lot in Shelter Island Heights. Morris loves to cruise down back roads with his clients, letting them take in waterfront and architectural sights and sounds along the way. Sylvester Manor is about 1.5 miles away. The straightforward route — down the Route 114 bicycle path — is about a 10-minute ride. Hop off and explore the 243-acre estate and surrounding antique gardens and waterfront by foot. Though Shelter Island is known for its hills, this route is relatively flat.
Sag Harbor Mountain Trail to Cedar Point
Morris notes Sag Harbor has its share of mountain bike trails, though he says they’re best left to advanced riders. If that’s you, Morris said a ride to Cedar Point Park can be lovely. One route, rated “intermediate” by the website Trail Forks, begins at the Northwest Woods trailhead between Sag Harbor and East Hampton Village. The hilly, out-and-back 17-mile route features Cedar Point Park as the turnaround and features bluffs and beaches. Bikers will use trailblazes for Foster’s Path, Northwest Trail and Paumanok Path as their guides as they make their way to the park and back.
