HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Biking along Route 28: Delightful or Dangerous?

I rode my new bicycle along about 10 miles of beautiful and challenging Route 28 today, from West Hurley to Ashokan. It felt invigorating to bicycle off my familiar route.  I usually only bike about 1-2 miles so it was a challenge for me, but I was very proud of myself for finishing 11 miles. When I told my husband that I had been bicycling along Route 28, he looked at me as if I had bungee jumped off the bridge. "You what?!" He then went on to list all the reasons why it is the most dangerous road to ride your bike. (Car accidents, high-speed tail-gaters, truck traffic).  "You got people driving 50 miles per hour in opposite directions. All you need is some idiot to be texting and driving to swerve who doesn't see you, and bam!"

Well, I appreciate his concern for my safety, but I feel more comfortable bicycling along Route 28 than Route 212 through Woodstock. The bike path on Route 28 is quite wide, don't you think? Well, after he scolded me, I have a feeling he will take the same route I took tomorrow. What do you think? Is Route 28 dangerous or delightful? What is your favorite bike path in the Hudson Valley?

Overlook Mountain Bikes: Bike rentals, sales & bike geeks!

 
 
 

Overlook Mountain Bike is a cute bustling bike shop in Woodstock.  There were a few hard core bicyclists in full gear yesterday while I was checking out the bikes. Maybe they were gearing up for the Trooper Biathlon happening tomorrow? (That is is an awesome event by the way! I participated a few years ago). My husband has been talking about buying a new bike for awhile now and we decided to shop local instead of going to the mall. Craig at Overlook Mountain was very helpful. These guys are very knowledgeable (obsessive) about biking. They have a nice selection of adult and kids bikes there.  The shop also offers half and full day bike rentals. For more info on Overlook Mountain Bikes visit their website.

Hudson Valley Fall Weekend idea: Adirondack Mountain Club' s Fall Outing

"Hike, Canoe, Bike with the Adirondack Mountain Club"

Back in 1996 when I lived in Queens and my husband (then boyfriend) lived in Manhattan, I discovered the Adirondack Mountain Club. Our first weekend getaway together was a Spring trip to the Adirondack Mountain Club camp site.  I will try dig out a photo of that trip to post here. In the meantime, here is information on an upcoming Fall Outing the club is hosting in a few weeks. Register now so you don't miss out! Deadline to register is September 4th. Here's the info from the Adirondack Mountain Club: In September 1609, Henry Hudson and the crew of the Half Moon explored the magnificent Hudson River. Now, 400 years later, you can make your own voyage of discovery during the Adirondack Mountain Club’s “Fall Outing 2009: Discover the Lower Hudson Valley.”  Fall Outing, Sept. 25-27, features a full schedule of hikes, canoe and kayak trips, bike rides and other events highlighting the scenic beauty of Harriman State Park, Sterling Forest and other natural areas. The 32 events even include a hike in New York’s Central Park.  Preregistration is required and the registration deadline is Sept. 4. The registration fee for the weekend is $25 per person. There is an additional $35 fee for the Saturday buffet banquet. The event is open to Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) members and nonmembers.  Fall Outing headquarters will be the Holiday Inn, 3 Executive Blvd., Suffern (Thruway Exit 14 B). The hotel is holding a block of rooms for Fall Outing participants until Sept. 1.  For general information about Fall Outing, contact Noel Schulz, at (201) 445-6445 or noelschulz@verizon.net. To register, contact Janet Sibarium, at (212) 254-0738 or janet@adkny.org. More information is available at www.adktravel.org/fallouting.htm. The Adirondack Mountain Club  (ADK), founded in 1922, is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the New York State Forest Preserve and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation. ADK has 25 chapters in New York and New Jersey and about 30,000 members.