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4.45 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.45
12 Reviews

Delaware River - NY-97 (Sparrow Bush to Roebling Bridge)

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By Charles Peterson (115 McR Points) on Jun 05, 2016

Rider Reviews

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Charles Peterson
115 McR Points
June 7, 2016
The John A. Roebling Bridge over the Delaware…
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PaulC
812 McR Points
April 29, 2020
The first few miles north of Millrift are…
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Written Directions

Sparrow Bush is 3-miles north of Port Jervis, New York. The Roebling Bridge crosses the Delaware River 5-miles north of Barryville, NY, 23-miles north of Port Jervis, NY.

Scenery

This 20-mile route east of the Delaware River is part of the Delaware Water-Gap National Recreation Area and is within sight of a beautiful section of the river most of the way. The Pocono Mountains lay beyond the western forested shore. On a hot summer day, boaters in mass can be seen paddling the river. Overall, this ride experience is unique.

Drive Enjoyment

The first 2-miles north of Sparrow Bush ascends to Hawk's Nest and its tight twisties with several pull out vistas of the Delaware River far below. The road then descends for the remaining 18-miles of flat, sweeping curves. Paul Cuddy added on 1/8/2021: Dramatic cliffs, sweeping vistas and glimpses of wildlife can all be found along this very scenic tightly winding route.

Tourism Opportunities

There are several: canoe rentals, camp grounds, restaurants, river pull outs to wet your feet, and a few gas stations. Cedar Rapids Bar & Grill, www.cedarrapidsny.com/, in Barryville, with an outdoor deck has inexpensive, good food. Paul Cuddy added on 1/8/2021: Wonderful winding road, in great condition. Its most famous feature is the Hawk's Nest, a tightly winding section of the road along the Delaware River, located a few miles north of Port Jervis. Paul Cuddy added on 1/8/2021: 33 Restaurants within 5 miles. There's a lot of competition for prettiest country road in the Northeast, but Route 97, which stretches some 70 miles from Hancock, New York, to Port Jervis, is a strong contender.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

Drive across the Roebling Bridge to the parking area on the left for a closer view of the superstructure and read the placards.
 

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Charles Peterson
June 7, 2016
115 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
The John A. Roebling Bridge over the Delaware River is the oldest existing wire suspension bridge in the United States. Historically, the bridge floated coal barges via a trough of water across the Delaware River. The strength of Roebling's wire cable lead to awarding Roebling the contract to build the Brooklyn Bridge.
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PaulC
April 29, 2020
812 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
The first few miles north of Millrift are terrific. Nice twisties, good pavement. Beautiful scenery. Continuing north the scenery is lovely, with wonderful sweeping curves. Great area to pull over and take a picture.
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Harry Silman
July 26, 2020
14 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Standard
I ride a mt-07 with a medium sized fairing, for reference. I hit this route on a Sunday around 8AM. Already by then there was too much traffic to do any spirited riding. The only real twisty part is right near Hawk's nest where the pull off areas are. It's not a bad road though, but you have to find a time with less traffic to really enjoy it. As far as views it's fantastic. And if you want to go back and forth over the 1-2 miles stretch you could have some fun.
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