Belleayre, NY: Jan 7-8 2023 E-Bike Ski Trip

[jasonwx]

this all sounds great..gonna look into a gravel bike this summer, to supplement my mtb

 

[Benny Profane]

Just make sure it has a good battery, or your garage could burn down.

 

[tirolski]

Thanks Dom. It is really cool to see how far they have come. I remember when converting these abandoned rail beds and linking them was just an idea. Now, they are very much a reality. A few years ago we had a friend ride up from NY City to stay with us for a couple of days. He was not an avid cyclist and rode an entry level ebike. No shits given, just went for it. He stayed one night at a Bnb in Westchester on the way up and rode all the way back over 50 miles in one shot. He spoke very highly of the route and the journey. His description of it was extremely inspiring.

I myself have experience riding the miles between Patterson and Cottekill. There is only one short road section with a bike lane that detours New Paltz. The Walkway over the Hudson is a key piece to the puzzle and is truly a remarkable destination on it’s own.

The trails are part of the Empire State Trail that go from the tip of Manhattan, loosely following the Hudson, all the way to Canada. The northern section follows country roads. In Albany you can go west and ride along the Erie Canal all the way to Buffalo. The western section is almost entirely off road.

The trails traverse some wild areas. Even near my place, where there is more development, I often wonder where I’m at. The rail grades are very well suited for biking and pass through many towns. Credit card touring would be very easy to do. I have long daydreamed of creating a string of campgrounds along the way. Maybe 20-30 miles apart. A distance that could be achieved even for families. They could be self-pay with tent platforms, water, solar powered electricity, bathrooms and vending machines. Old rail cars could be converted to house the necessary infrastructure. Sometimes I have to pull myself out of the rabbit hole of online auctions of decommissioned trains. Kids young and old love bikes and trains. Creating a simple system could make low cost adventure touring accessible to anyone. I can’t think of a better way to see the wonders of our beautiful state.

There is an abandoned rail line that runs near my home that is slated for a connecting trail. My family owns a small piece of property adjoining it. Maybe someday I can implement a version of my kooky idea. In the mean time I encourage everyone to get out for a walk or ride, enjoy the fresh air and stretch the legs.

Home

empiretrail.ny.gov

Ya might be interested in this if ya haven’t seen it yet.
May 2020 Amendment to the 1996 Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor Unit Management Plan (Final EIS)

 

[Peter Minde]

Daaaaaaammn, Rip. Chapeau. Setting a new standard for badass-ness.

 

[Q*bert Jones IV]

Thanks Dom. It is really cool to see how far they have come. I remember when converting these abandoned rail beds and linking them was just an idea. Now, they are very much a reality. A few years ago we had a friend ride up from NY City to stay with us for a couple of days. He was not an avid cyclist and rode an entry level ebike. No shits given, just went for it. He stayed one night at a Bnb in Westchester on the way up and rode all the way back over 50 miles in one shot. He spoke very highly of the route and the journey. His description of it was extremely inspiring.

I myself have experience riding the miles between Patterson and Cottekill. There is only one short road section with a bike lane that detours New Paltz. The Walkway over the Hudson is a key piece to the puzzle and is truly a remarkable destination on it’s own.

The trails are part of the Empire State Trail that go from the tip of Manhattan, loosely following the Hudson, all the way to Canada. The northern section follows country roads. In Albany you can go west and ride along the Erie Canal all the way to Buffalo. The western section is almost entirely off road.

The trails traverse some wild areas. Even near my place, where there is more development, I often wonder where I’m at. The rail grades are very well suited for biking and pass through many towns. Credit card touring would be very easy to do. I have long daydreamed of creating a string of campgrounds along the way. Maybe 20-30 miles apart. A distance that could be achieved even for families. They could be self-pay with tent platforms, water, solar powered electricity, bathrooms and vending machines. Old rail cars could be converted to house the necessary infrastructure. Sometimes I have to pull myself out of the rabbit hole of online auctions of decommissioned trains. Kids young and old love bikes and trains. Creating a simple system could make low cost adventure touring accessible to anyone. I can’t think of a better way to see the wonders of our beautiful state.

There is an abandoned rail line that runs near my home that is slated for a connecting trail. My family owns a small piece of property adjoining it. Maybe someday I can implement a version of my kooky idea. In the mean time I encourage everyone to get out for a walk or ride, enjoy the fresh air and stretch the legs.

Home

empiretrail.ny.gov

This summer, I'm (hopefully) going to do a Niagara Falls to Rhinecliff trip almost fully on the Empire Trail. Not sure if you'll have the business up by then though.

Ulster County is building a new rail trail from Big Indian to High Falls. It's being designed by the same folks who did the Ashokan Rail Trail. So next time you do the trip...

 

[Ripitz]

Daaaaaaammn, Rip. Chapeau. Setting a new standard for badass-ness.

Thanks Peter. I am very much still on the recreational level when you consider the monsters out there. Jay Lemos recently set the new local standard for badass-ness on Mt. Beacon.

 

[Peter Minde]

Thanks Peter. I am very much still on the recreational level when you consider the monsters out there. Jay Lemos recently set the new local standard for badass-ness on Mt. Beacon.

View attachment 17441

Is that Breakneck Ridge?

 

[jasonwx]

As bad ass as that is. And it’s total savage!!!
Nothing compares to David Goggans and Cam Hanes.

 

[Ripitz]

Is that Breakneck Ridge?

It is Mt. Beacon from the parking area at the bottom of the abandoned incline railway to the top where the casino was. The upper section is part of the old Dutchess ski trails.

 

[tirolski]

Thanks Peter. I am very much still on the recreational level when you consider the monsters out there. Jay Lemos recently set the new local standard for badass-ness on Mt. Beacon.

View attachment 17441

Beastern.
The only hills I ran around there were trails at cross country meet in Middle skool at a cross county meet in Wappingers Falls with legs that were about 2 feet long.