Today's Ride

[Harvey]

 

[Ripitz]

Hopewell to New Paltz on the Dutchess and Hudson Valley Rail Trail.

Empire State Trail to the River to Ridge Trail connector to Mohonk Preserve.

Hike, run, scramble up to Smiley Tower.

69 miles round trip. What a beautiful day.

 

[Harvey]

Still trying to stay out of the sun

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Fahnestock

When I lived in Brooklyn (1997 to 2003) and used to ride in Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, I don't recall Fahnestock allowing mountain biking or if yes, it was very limited. Good to see that it's multi-use.

 

[Teledork]

Empire State Trail to the River to Ridge Trail connector to Mohonk Preserve.
Hike, run, scramble up to Smiley Tower.
69 miles round trip. What a beautiful day.

Sounds epic! Did you have to pay to get into the preserve, or did you find a special secret bike access?

 

[Ripitz]

Sounds epic! Did you have to pay to get into the preserve, or did you find a special secret bike access?

I have a membership that does not include biking, so I rode the River to Ridge Trail to the Pine Road parking area and hiked in. It’s a 1,000ft climb to the Skytop summit from there. I took the Duck Pond Trail aka “Cardiac Hill” to Birchen to Staircliff Path to the Crevice. From the tower I looped down Skytop Road to Fox Path and Woodland Bridge then came down through Kleine Kill Farm. The hike was about 5 miles. Such a cool place.

 

[not2brite]

Rode Stewart State Forest for first time. Place is incredible. Probably not technical enough for most of you guys that been riding awhile but I just got my bike about a month ago. I've riden 909 in Pleasant Valley, Granite Knolls in Yorktown, Elm Ridge (loved it), and Tannersville (hated it, sooo rough it beat the snot out of me). Bought a hardtail so I loved the lack of rocks and roots and I'm old and still fat but working on it, so loved the lack of climbing!! Going on vacation next week and was planning on hitting Peck Hill State Forest in Gloversville, Gurney Lane in Queensbury, and Kalabus Perry in Saratoga. I'm not looking for anything advanced, so does anyone have feedback on those 3 or any other suggestions? I'll be based out Sacandaga Lake and willing to drive little more than an hour each way.

 

[jasonwx]

Rode Stewart State Forest for first time. Place is incredible. Probably not technical enough for most of you guys that been riding awhile but I just got my bike about a month ago. I've riden 909 in Pleasant Valley, Granite Knolls in Yorktown, Elm Ridge (loved it), and Tannersville (hated it, sooo rough it beat the snot out of me). Bought a hardtail so I loved the lack of rocks and roots and I'm old and still fat but working on it, so loved the lack of climbing!! Going on vacation next week and was planning on hitting Peck Hill State Forest in Gloversville, Gurney Lane in Queensbury, and Kalabus Perry in Saratoga. I'm not looking for anything advanced, so does anyone have feedback on those 3 or any other suggestions? I'll be based out Sacandaga Lake and willing to drive little more than an hour each way.

Stewart is a lot of fun...one of the best XC places around.. sorry not familiar with those places..only thing i can suggest is go on trail forks and read the reviews..Also seek out the climbs , embrace the struggle..

 

[tirolski]

Stewart is a lot of fun...one of the best XC places around.. sorry not familiar with those places..only thing i can suggest is go on trail forks and read the reviews...

As Yogi Berra said, "When ya come to the fork in the road, take it."

 

[gorgonzola]

The only one I have been to is Gurney Lane and only rode the newer stuff on the south end, it sounds like it would be perfect for you - buff and flowy with little elevation. I heard they opened up the new trail or two in the last few weeks. I understand the northern section is a bit more technical.