Originally Posted by
macgyver60
Wow, lots of good suggestions there. Thank you. When you say "Ride with GPS" I assume you mean just use Google Maps or Apple Maps and the trails show up on them?
No, Ride With GPS is a free on-line mapping program, mostly cycling oriented, can be used for other things. They have versions for the phone and a tablet, you can pay for a (worthwhile) subscription, or just use the free version online to determine distances on bike paths, etc.... It's a very good program for this. You can as well, generate navigable routes that can be downloaded to a phone with the app, or to a dedicated Cycling GPS device such as Garmin, Wahoo or Hammerhead. That can give you turn-by-turn directions, though you don't really need that when riding a bike path.
As follow on, on the NCT there's also Yorktown, nice stopping point, has deli's, Starbucks, etc.... and a park to stop and take a break.
On the Mario Cuomo bridge path you can detour into Nyack, also a good town for a break.