Metro North to the start at Wassaic and to return from Brewster. Pick up a schedule at GCT for all the station times along the route as there are numerous bailouts on the return but trains run every other hour on the Harlem Line above Brewster North so keep an eye on distance and train times.

Additional notes on cue sheet.

Only one real climb but low gearing advisable for Bash Bish.

If you can time it right, dinning at McKinney & Doyle in Pawling is good eating and a walk your bike to the train.

HS 4/5/14

Search high and search low, you will not find another ride with this many unusual road names. John, "The route was spectacular. There is something special about rolling farmland."

Metro North bike pass needed, check for current times. Trains at both stations run every other hour so be mindful of your timing.

HS 4/3/15

15 miles of hard pack. Schagticoke Rd, Macedonia Brook Rd, Keeler Rd, Westwood 2 Rd, Killearn Rd and Crobin Rd are unpaved hardpack roads.  Wires with widths greater than 28c are recommended.

The Harlem Valley line above Southeast runs every other hour.

Can bail out in Dover Plains at mile 44.

"The Dutchess County back roads really are quite special."

HS 4/10/15

Amazing selection of roads. This is a very rewarding route but you must be strong enough for the distance and vertical.

The author increased the difficult factor 0.5 X each mile of hardpack, but this is not factored into the number above. The difficulty factor = 1 X 90 miles + 6700/100 vertical feet + 0.5 X 20 miles hardpack = 167. 6500' vertical gain, (Gray's difficulty factor = miles + vertical gain/100) The hardpack accounts for 20 miles total: Shagticoke Rd, Macedonia Brook Rd, Keeler Rd, West Woods 2 Rd, Deep Hollow Rd, Tower Hill Rd & Corbin Rd.

This route is flat to rolling for the first 40 miles with only a couple of small hills. The last 30 miles includes three moderate climbs of 300-400 vertical feet, but none are steep. The intended food stop at Wassaic, mile 40 appears closed. The route's total distance is a modest 69 miles, with 4500 total vertical feet of climbing.

7500' vertical gain, more difficult than Putnam Ramble 86.

This ride crosses Putnam County then ducks into Connecticut before returning to the Hudson Metro North railroad line. Option for shorter route avoiding Canopus Hill on cue sheet. Map and elevation profile on author's cue sheet download attachment.

A rewarding ride for strong, ambitious riders.

Please see the Metro North Hudson schedule for train times leaving GCT.

HS 3/17/15

Route with 2 endings on the different RWGPS routes. The main link is the Peekskill ending, the Southeast ending is listed just under waypoints, above.

Orchard lunch stop. Did I say beautiful roads and lots of hills? Well, not hilly by John's standards but hilly enough for mere mortals. "Who could ask for anything more?"

HS 3/21/15

A diagonal traverse of Putnam County and back. You will definitely know you aren't in Kansas. JZ: "I removed the CT part of the standard Putnam Ramble. I also took out Mooney Hill and Farmers's Mills and replaced it with 311, Luddingtonville Rd, Horse Pound and Nichols to 301, something a bit different."

Check Metro North schedule for correct times. Don't forget your bike pass. 

HS 3/30/15

A nice 30 mile loop starting and ending in Cold Spring following mostly hardpack roads. While the distance is short, there is much climbing (3000 vertical feet over about 30 miles). About 3/4 of the route is on hardpack roads. Those with good cycling skills won't have much trouble on these roads even riding a road bike; however, many may find them unsuitable for a road bike and might be more comfortable with some kind of wide-tire bicycle. Riders will encounter little traffic. The scenery is spectacular, especially considering New York City is only about 5O miles away.

Metro North both ways. Rail pass needed. 2010 A STS ride

The Word cue sheet has been updated to include the following edit. It is not on the PDF cue sheet:

S - North Street at Roxbury green (avoid Rte 67 which goes L) - 0.1 - 62.8

SL - South Street - 3.7 - 66.5

S - South Street becomes Brown Brook Rd - 2.1 - 67.6

BR - Purchase Brook (don’t BL here on a spur also marked “Purchase Brook" aka  "Spruce Brook" down a big hill) - 2.4 - 71.0