Since moving to the NYC area in 1997, I’ve made several dozen trips to Lake Minnewaska NY near New Paltz, and it never disappoints.
Directly south of the Catskills, but a completely different kettle of fish topographically, it’s the outdoor equivalent of a high-end department store with mountain biking, hiking, climbing, swimming, berry picking, and gazing at wild flowers, incredible rock formations, and stunning vistas.
Friends of the Upper Hudson Rail Trail is a group that formed late last year to promote the conversion of the old National Lead rail line in the Adirondacks, into a bike trail.
The trail would follow the line that was used to transport iron from the Tahawas mining operation during World War II. The right-of-way begins in North Creek and makes its way along the Hudson and Boreas River valleys, until it reaches the old mine in the southern High Peaks.
My love affair with Adirondacks started in the 1970s when I began cycle touring the mountains. I loved the views and the water everywhere. But I soon tired of the sections of road without shoulders, and the interaction with traffic in some of the busier parts of the park. This bike trail could provide a 29-mile stretch of beautiful, peaceful Adirondack bike riding.
Northwestern NJ is a great place to live if you like bike riding. There is easy access to great untrafficked roads, both paved and unpaved. The area to the north of town is almost rural. And there’s a surprisingly wide variety of mountain biking, both recreational and technical.
The area is prized by riders of all types. On weekends from April until November, if you are riding in the Sourlands, you’ll see packs of cycling clubs both official and informal, accessing the variety of routes in this part of the state. There are a ton of maps and resources for choosing routes. If you’re from the area, and know it like I do…you just head out and put something together.
For me, today is the official end of weekday riding. With the return of Eastern Standard Time, there is no easy way to get a ride in on a work day. If I was truly motivated I could do a ride in the morning before work. But even with a 5 minute commute…I just don’t seem to get to it.
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