Climbing

Little Tor/ Blanchard/ Perkins/ Cold Spring

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Way Points: 

NJ side of GW Bridge (start)> Hudson Terrace> 9W> Western Hwy> S Mtn Rd> Little Tor> 202> lunch at David's Bagels, Mt Ivy> Camp Hill Rd> Calls Hollow Rd> Blanchard Rd> 106> 7 Lakes Dr> Perkins (Bear Mtn)> Bear Mtn Bridge> 9D> Cold Spring RR Station (end)

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
Hank Schiffman
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
B
Vertical Gain: 
4500
Difficulty: 
111
Difficulty Rating: 
4 out of 5

 Metro North Bike Path required for return. Check time table for current train schedule.

Climb up Gate Hill via Blanchard less steep than Route 98/Willow Grove Rd.

HS 3/28/15

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Wassaic to Poughkeepsie via 3 state, 5 counties & 3 mtns

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Way Points: 

Wassaic RR Station> 81> Clark Hill Rd> Skiff Mtn Rd > West Woods #2> 4> East St> Lucas> Jackson> White Hollow> Salmon Kill Rd> 41/44, Salisbury, CT> 41> Mt Washington Rd, South Egremont, MA> Cross Rd> 344> Copake Depot> 344> 7A, Copake, NY > Empire St> 82> Salt Point Tpk> Poughkeepsie RR Station

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
Fred Steinberg
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
5200
Difficulty: 
168
Difficulty Rating: 
5 out of 5

This route requires determined riders who need to be diligent with their time as the first section is hilly and slow, the overall distance is great and limited hours of daylight are cut by 2 hours of riding time on trains each way. Plus, prevailing westerly winds tend to generate headwinds in final 2 legs. 5500' vertical gain on full route. Metro North bike pass required. Check current train times for both stations. Hardpack sections in first leg till climb up Mt Washington Rd, MA Includes bailout option to Wassaic (81 mile total ride).

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Harriman Hell

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Way Points: 

Peekskill RR Station (start) > Anthony's Nose > Bear Mtn Bridge > 9W > Mott Farm Rd > Rt 106 > Tiorati Brook Rd > 7 Lakes Dr > 17A > Benjamin Meadows > Smithfield deli > Arden Valley Rd > 7 Lakes Dr > Bear Mtn Bridge > Anthony's Nose > Peekskill RR Station (finish)

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
John Z
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
5400
Difficulty: 
116R
Difficulty Rating: 
4 out of 5

This route presents the best hillclimbing of Harriman State Park and its environs. Also a very pretty ride.

As Mine Torne Rd is closed to the public, route now goes back via 7 Lakes Drive.

HS 3/24/15

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Cold Spring Climber Loop

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Way Points: 

Cold Spring(start) > 9D > Snake Hill Rd > Old Albany Post Rd > Canopus Hill Rd > Canopus Hollow Rd > Oscawana Lake Rd > Church Rd > Peekskill Hollow Rd, Rt 301 > Cold Spring(end)

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
Bill Vojtech
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
B
Vertical Gain: 
3300
Difficulty: 
78
Difficulty Rating: 
3 out of 5

Lots of climbing. Beautiful country roads.

Cycle friendly firehouse at 8.9 miles. Deli at 11.3 miles. 

Caution as shoulders narrow quickly and blind curves.

Notes on well-documented map. 

HS 3/29/15

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Garrison-Sherman-Cold Spring/Brewster via E Mtn or Miller Hill

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Way Points: 

Garrison (start) > 301 > E Mtn Rd> E Hook Rd> Hosner Mtn Rd> 52> 216> Barton’s Orchards – apple cider stop> 55> 31> 21> 39 American Pie Co, Sherman> Wakeman> Rt 67 > 66 South/Mizzentop Rd>  311> 292> 30> White Pond Rd> 301> Cold Spring (finish) Link below

Garrison (start) > 301 > E Mtn Rd> E Hook Rd> Hosner Mtn Rd> 52> 216> Barton’s Orchards – apple cider stop> 55> 31> 21> 39 American Pie Co, Sherman> Wakeman> Rt 67 > 66 South/Mizzentop Rd> 311*> 64> 164> 62> 312 > Brewster(finish) http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7397429

Garrison (start) > 301 > Miller Hill > Rushmore > Hosner Mtn Rd> 52> 216> Barton’s Orchards – apple cider stop> 55> 31> 21> 39 American Pie Co, Sherman> Wakeman> Rt 67 > 66 South/Mizzentop Rd>  311> 292> 30> White Pond Rd> 301> Cold Spring (finish) http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7397839

Garrison (start) > 301 > Miller Hill > Rushmore > Hosner Mtn Rd> 52> 216> Barton’s Orchards – apple cider stop> 55> 31> 21> 39 American Pie Co, Sherman> Wakeman> Rt 67 > 66 South/Mizzentop Rd> 311*> 64> 164> 62> 312 > Brewster(finish) http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7397699

 

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
Hank Schiffman
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
B
Vertical Gain: 
6700
Difficulty: 
147
Difficulty Rating: 
4 out of 5

4 variations of this, Pie Ride:

via East Mtn, Cold Spring: 80 miles, 6700', sections of hardpack on East Mtn Rd

via East Mtn, Brewster: 67 miles, 5700', sections of hardpack on East Mtn Rd

via Miller Hill/Rushmore, Brewster: 70 miles, 5900'

via Miller Hill/Rushmore, Cold Spring: 82 miles, 7000'

Plenty of hills on all versions.

HS 4/5/15

 

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Wingdale-Dover Plains 83

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Way Points: 

Wingdale RR Station (start)> 55> Dog Tail Corners> Schagticoke Rd> 341> Macedonia Brook Rd> 2> 343> 44> Perry's Corners Rd> 64/McGhee Hill Rd> Skunk's Misery Rd> 199> Pulver Rd> E Ancram Rd> 3> 82> 7> Hall Hill Rd> Hoffman's Rd> 83A> 199> Pine Plains, lunch> 83> Bangall-Amenia Rd> 44> Shunpike Rd> Very Large Farm Rd> 44> 343> 22> Dover Plains RR Station(end)

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
John Z
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
5100
Difficulty: 
134
Difficulty Rating: 
4 out of 5

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

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Putnam Pleasure

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Way Points: 

Peekskill ending:

Peekskill RR Station (start) > Rt 6 > Albany Post Rd > Canopus Hollow > Peekskill Hollow > Rt 301 > White Pond > Rt 55 > Rt 216 > E Hook Cross > Hosner Mtn > Farmers Mills > Rt 301 > Peekskill Hollow > Oregon Rd > Peekskill RR Station (finish)

(GPS link further below)

Southeast ending: 

Peekskill Metro North station (start)> Sprout Brook Rd> Canopus Hollow Rd> Peekskill Hollow Rd> Nimham Rd> 301> Gipsy Trail> Leestown Rd> Hosner Mtn Rd> Rushmore Rd> Shenandoah Rd> lunch> Townsend Rd> Hosner Mtn Rd> 52> 216> 55> Grape Hollow Rd> Mtn Top Rd> 52> White Pond Rd> Farmers Mills Rd> Horsepound Rd> 52> 311> 164> Farm to Market Rd> Southeast Metro North station (end)

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7256418 route with southeast ending

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
John Z
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
5300
Difficulty: 
137
Difficulty Rating: 
4 out of 5

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

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Putnam Ramble 86: Garrison/Pawling/Cold Spring

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Way Points: 

Garrison RR Station(start)> 9D> 301> Farmers Mills Rd> White Pond Rd> 52> 55> Pleasant Ridge Rd> 21> lunch, Pawling, NY> Dutcher Av> Harmony Rd> 292> 311> Ludingville Rd> 52> Horse Pond Rd> Nichols Rd>Gipsy Trail Rd> 311> Peekskill Hollow Rd> Wiccopee Rd> Canopus Hollow Rd> Old Albany Post Rd> Snake Hill Rd> 9D> Cold Spring (end)

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
John Z
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
6800
Difficulty: 
152
Difficulty Rating: 
4 out of 5

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

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Poughkeepsie-Hunter Loop /w options: east & west side access, 23A or Devil's Kitchen ascent, Mohonk & bypass

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Way Points: 

Poughkeepsie RR Station (start) > east & west sides of the Hudson options> Saugerties > Devil's Kitchen/Clove Platte Rd or Rt 23A ascent options > Tannersville (lunch) > West Shokan > Mohonk/Mohonk bypass options > New Paltz > Poughkeepsie RR Station (finish)

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7246216 east of Hudson access, Devil's Kitchen, Mohonk

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7247919 west of Hudson access, 23A, Mohonk

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7247725 west of Hudson access, Devil's Kitchen, Mohonk

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7247856 west of Hudson access, 23A, Mohonk bypass

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
Ron Roth
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
7500
Difficulty: 
185
Difficulty Rating: 
5 out of 5

There are 5 route variations of this route. 4 of these are labled following waypoints, above. the labeled RWGPS link is the original route: east of Hudson access, Rt 23A ascent, Mohonk on return. 

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Hudson Highlands:Cold Spring/Rt 301/Harriman SP/Beacon

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Way Points: 

Cold Spring RR Station (start) > 301 > Dennytown > Old Albany Post > 9 > Anthony's Nose > Bear Mtn Bridge > 7 Lakes Dr > 17A > Benjamin Meadows > Smithfields deli > Arden Valley Rd > 7 Lakes Dr > Rt 6 > 293 > 218 > Mtn Rd > 9W > Beacon RR Station (finish)

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
John Z
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
7200
Difficulty: 
159
Difficulty Rating: 
5 out of 5

7200' vertical gain. Map included on original cue sheet. Water stops not listed on this cue sheet are in carosel or in Bear Mtn Inn and Tiorati Circle.

Check Metro North for up to date train times.  This clever route includes great climbs on both sides of the Hudson. The hard pack section of Old Albany Post Road on this route is virtually unchanged since Washington marched his army on it. Look for original mile marker on the right.

Bull Mtn Pond/Proctoria/Lake Frederick Rd is closed so RWGPS route goes directly onto Rt 293 from Rt 6. 

HS 4/3/15

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