On-Hudson.com

Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail & Bikeway Connecting Beacon & Cold-Spring For Recreation

http://www.hudsonfjordtrail.org/

 

 

 

Great Hudson Valley Pedal August 16th - 21st 2011

			Join cyclists from all over the country for the 7th annual 6-day, 200-mile Great Hudson Valley Pedal August 16-21, 2011 through the historic Hudson Valley. The Hudson River Valley has long been celebrated as one of the most picturesque river valleys in the world! The Ride The Great Hudson Valley Pedal is designed for fun and relaxation and to acquaint you with the richness of the Hudson Valley. You don't need to be an expert to participate in this tour but you and your bicycle should be in good physical condition. You'll cover 35-45 miles per day. Elevation changes are moderate. The route has been carefully selected for optimal bicycling but, especially as the tour approaches NYC, some busy roads are inevitable. The Hudson Valley  Home to Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, West Point, the spectacular Catskill Mountains, scenic villages, riverfront mansions, and many outstanding parks and trails, the Hudson Valley is rich in history, culture, wineries, gourmet cuisine and scenic bicycling. And through it all runs the mighty Hudson River. Volunteer - Ride for Free!  Both riders and non-riding participants can volunteer to help out during the ride. Volunteers will receive a discount on the registration fee and riders will still be able to bicycle part of the time. There are many volunteer possibilities available for volunteers including sag and luggage truck drivers, rest stop help, route supervisors, route checking, and more!! You can view the volunteer job descriptions and apply to become a volunteer by printing and completing our Volunteer Application. If you have questions about volunteering, please contact us at 607-423-2769.
				TOURISM SPONSORS Visit these bicycle friendly places: Stay, Play and Bike Columbia 800-724-1846 Simple and Sophisticated. You deserve Dutchess. 800-445-3131 Orange County It's More Than a  View, It's a  Destination 800-762-8687 Rockland County Minutes from Manhattan -  Hiking & Biking  800-295-5723 Ulster County - Ulster County is Alive! 800-342-5826
	29 Elk Street * Albany, NY 12207 * (ph) 518-434-1583 * (fax) 518-427-0067 * ptny@ptny.org Parks & Trails New York is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization as defined by the IRS.

 

15 Mile RoundTrip Bike Ride Along Palisades & Hudson River

http://www.northjersey.com/recreation/110558534_Henry_Hudson_Drive_s_fall_flavor.html

Cycling: Henry Hudson Drive’s fall flavor

THE RECORD

The George Washington Bridge, as seen from the New Jersey side.

The Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey has had many great rides in Bergen County and this is one of the more beautiful.

The 15-mile roundtrip ride is a spectacular rolling route along the Palisades on one side, and the Hudson River on the other that offers a number of great photo opportunities.

The ride begins at the Fort Lee Historic Park. Head south on Hudson Terrace for about 4/10 of a mile to the entrance of Palisades Interstate Park. Turn left into the park and continue for 1 mile (under the George Washington Bridge ) to the circle. Bear left and continue toward Englewood and the Alpine Basins for another 1 1/2 miles to the next circle.

Bear left up the hill for 4/10 of a mile and through the gates onto Henry Hudson Drive. The next 4.3 miles of rolling scenery, and a kaleidoscope of colorful leaves will take your breath away.

When you reach the small bridge at mile 6.2, look left and you’ll see a waterfall. At the next circle make a full turn around and head back to your starting point. It looks completely different on the way back.

If you want to add a few miles you can check out the boat basins and picnic areas along the Hudson River.

For more information, check out our website at btcnj.com

"Cycling" is provided by Ethan Brook, President, Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey.

 

City Bike Enthusiasts Complain About The The East/West BikeWay Disparity

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/27/2010-09-27_blocked_from_37th_to_61st_sts_its_squeezed_potholed_rest_of_way_users_say_e_side.html

East Side bike path is too narrow and full of potholes, riders say

 SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM

Warga/News

Bicyclists ride through a dangerous choke point around 14th St. during a bike tour of the East River greenway bike path.

East Side bicyclists are green with envy over their West Side counterparts' miles of park and paths on the Hudson.

They ask: Where's ours?

They may not like the answer.

"It's a drama," Joshua Laird, the Parks Department's assistant commissioner for planning, said Sunday.

"There is really no space. That's the issue of the upper East Side," he said while out biking along the East River with members of Transportation Alternatives and City Councilman Daniel Garodnick.

Instead of a contiguous East River Greenway from the Battery up to East Harlem, it's a mishmash of potholed paths and walkways.

"You can't get around the East Side on a bike," said public defender Evan Rock, 31, cycling through traffic on E. 37th St. "The West Side is really nice. This is pretty sketchy."

Joggers don't like it, either. They say the East River path is a danger as they jockey with cyclists for space - especially in the areas where it narrows to barely a few feet across.

Advocates feel shortchanged when they look across the city and see the Hudson River's tree-lined paths and walkway.

And they fume that the city shelled out $130 million to complete the 1-1/2-mile long High Line - a tourist favorite that goes from the Meatpacking District into Chelsea.

The mayor's office insists the biggest sticking points to a similar park along the East River are the UN, the FDR Drive and the Con Edison plant on E. 14th St.

Getting around that would involve complex real estate deals, including the UN giving up two buildings on E. 45th, and a controversial proposal to build part of a contiguous pathway over the water.

"It's just an idea," Garodnick said. "This is a complex deal, but it can happen if the pieces fall into place."

The existing path's most narrow spot, dubbed the choke point, is about 4 feet wide near E. 13th St.

Photographer Lynda Churilla said she always sprints through the choke point fearing being pounded by a bike.

"It's terrible," she said. "Can't they narrow the highway?"

simonew@nydailynews.com

Fort Lee - Manhattan - Bike Route Moderate 25 Mile Ride

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/amateur_adult_sports/102043313_Bright_bikes__big_city.html

Biking Manhattan from Ft. Lee Historic Park

You just bought a new bike. You have a new, comfortable seat. Your helmet fits perfectly. Now you need a place to ride. You're looking to do 25 to 30 miles of moderate to level cycling, and as traffic-free as possible. We have the perfect ride for you. It starts at the Ft. Lee Historic Park, continues over the George Washington Bridge, and before you know it you are on one of the safest and most beautiful rides along the Hudson River.

SPECIAL TO THE RECORD

Members of the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey enjoying the sights during this 25-mile ride that starts at the Ft. Lee Historic Park.

The route is part of the East Coast and NYC Greenways that will take you to the tip of Manhattan. Once on the Greenway you will have almost uninterrupted cycling and encounter very few cars crossing your path. Stay alert and observe the stop signs and traffic lights.

At the base of the Park at Bruce Reynolds Boulevard and Hudson Terrace, head north for a few hundred feet to the entrance of the southern bike path for the GWB. Follow to the end to 178th Street. Right turn to Fort Washington Avenue. Cross the street in order to make a left turn onto Fort Washington Avenue, ride to 181st Street. Left turn to Riverside Drive. (At this point it is also called Plaza Lafayette.) Be very careful here. Steep downhill. Right turn to entrance of a pedestrian walkway on your left.

You have now ridden a grand total of two miles from the start site. At the end of the walkway you will be on the Greenway. Be careful here as the path curves and will take you down another steep hill. Follow the signs that take you under the George Washington Bridge to your first stop of the day, the Little Red Lighthouse. Great photo-op.

From here it's a piece of cake. Beautiful riding. Beautiful views. Just keep heading south. If you need reassurance, look right and you'll see New Jersey watching over you.

Our next turn will come in about 2.5 miles when you reach Riverbank State Park. You will have to bear left and right and follow the path alongside the water treatment plant that sits under the park. Be prepared for some foul odors. Be brave. It will soon be replaced in a few minutes by the wonderful aromas from a nearby barbecue restaurant and supermarket. Right turn and quick left at the end of the water treatment plant. You are now back alongside the water.

For nostalgia buffs, at 132nd Street if you look across the Hudson River to New Jersey, you will see the site where the once mighty Palisades Amusement Park once stood. Continue south toward the 79th Street Boat Basin where you can stop for lunch. Just after 72nd Street, cyclists have to bear left. Continue on the bike path under the West Side Highway until you reach 59th Street. You will now be following the path along West Street and pass the cruise ships terminals, the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, and on to Chelsea Piers.

Continue past Chelsea Piers to a right turn just before you reach Stuyvesant High School. Right turn to end. Left turn at the water's edge. Follow this route past the Irish Memorial (very interesting) until you reach the boat basin. You will have to make a left, right, right, left series of turns to continue south.

Continue south past the Museum of Jewish Heritage to the tip of Manhattan and Battery Park. You have now arrived at your destination. Look across the river and you will see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the old Colgate clock. While you are here you might want to consider taking a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It's free, and you get a fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty. Another option is another free ferry (weekends only) to Governor's Island. It's a seven-minute boat ride, and filled with cyclists.

Ready to return? Real easy. Head north by following the same route that brought you here. There is one difference. Remember those downhills at the beginning of the ride? We have a slogan at the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey. "Half the hills are down." Don't despair if you have to get off your bike for a short walk.

After you cross the pedestrian bridge, there will be some route changes to return to the GWB. Right turn to 181st Street (Lafayette Plaza). Left to Cabrini Boulevard. Right on Cabrini. Left on 180th Street to Fort Washington Avenue. Right on Fort Washington Avenue to 177th Street. Right on Cabrini to T junction (178th Street). Left on 178th Street onto the sidewalk to the entrance of the southern GWB bike path. Left turn at the end of the path to the Ft. Lee Historic Park. You've just completed about a 25-mile bike ride.

Biking is provided by Ethan Brook, President of the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey.

Farmland Cycling Tour September 25 2010

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2156/t/10452/p/salsa/event/common/public/

Sat, Sep 25, 2010

9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

FARMLAND CYCLING TOUR

Pedal from Poets' Walk Park through the beautiful, rolling countryside of Dutchess and Columbia counties. Besides catching occasional glimpses of the Hudson River, you’ll pass working farms Scenic Hudson has helped to protect and farm stands offering fresh produce. After returning to the park, enjoy a fabulous lunch while listening to live music.

Meeting Place: Parking lot at Poets' Walk Park

Ride lengths:  7, 15, 30, and 50 miles.

Cost: $15 donation (payable on day of event) will help Scenic Hudson protect more open space and working farms. Children under 12 are free.

Please bring a bike, helmet, clothing appropriate for cycling and plenty of water for your ride.

Registration is from 8:30 - 9:45 a.m.

Recommended start times:
9:00 a.m. for 50-mile riders
9:30 a.m. for the 30-mile riders
9:45 a.m. for the 7 and 15-mile riders

All riders must depart between 9:00 -10:00 a.m.

Lunch will be served from noon - 1:30 p.m.

Address

River Rd.
Red Hook , NY 12571

Monhonk Preserve A Great Place Tp Enjoy The Outdoors

http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/

Welcome to the Mohonk Preserve!

Longing to get outside and away from it all? Curious about how animals live and forests grow? Eager to stretch your legs, spin your wheels, or climb some rock? 

Then come be part of the Mohonk Preserve. Our mission is to protect the Shawangunk Mountains of New York by inspiring people to care for, enjoy, and explore the natural world. 

We safeguard and manage nearly 7,000 acres of mountain ridges, forests, fields, streams, ponds, and other unique and beautiful places. Education programs for children and adults promote understanding of and excitement about nature. The "living laboratory" of Preserve lands advances scientific knowledge on critical environmental issues.

At the Preserve, you can enjoy scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and peace & quiet--all just 90 miles from New York City. There are carriage roads and trails for hiking, running,mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. The internationally renowned “Gunks” cliffs offer world-class technical rock climbing routes. From the Preserve, you can also access a broader network of carriage roads and trails along the Shawangunk Ridge.

By visiting the Mohonk Preserve, becoming a member, or making a donation, you help ensure that generations to come will be able to enjoy this special place.

Manhattan WaterFront Greenway 32 Miles Of Enjoyment

Read more about the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway on our NYC Greenways page.

Tour de Habitat September 26th 2010

http://evansale.com/tour_de_habitat_2010.html

C.H. Evans Brewing’s Albany Pump Station is proud to host the third Tour de Habitat on September 26th 2010
Capital District Habitat for Humanity and C.H. Evans Brewing have something in common: an interest in the continued revitalization of Albany. Until now, both have worked in their own way to make Albany a vibrant and desirable place to live. Now they are working together to further this goal. The Tour de Habitat gives riders a choice of pedaling a 100, 50, 25 or family-friendly 10 mile route to benefit Capital District Habitat for Humanity. All rides start and finish at the Albany Pump Station, with a post-ride Reception featuring food and beer. The 100 mile ride is a challenging jaunt around the Helderbergs and Alcove reservoir area with a total elevation gain of about 5400 feet. The 50 mile route mimics the century route for the first 35 miles, but avoids the major hills and returns to Albany with about 2000 feet of elevation gain. The 25 mile route mimics the longer routes for the first 15 miles and then turns back toward Albany in the town of Feura Bush. These routes start with a sight-seeing tour of the city of Albany, taking riders past many important landmarks as well as houses built by Habitat for Humanity. There are rest stops with refreshments at approximately 25 mile intervals on the longer routes and one rest stop at the turn-around for the 25 mile route. The 10 mile route is flat and uses city streets for one mile to reach the Corning Preserve Bike Path, which riders will follow to Watervliet before turning back for Albany. You can view maps and route slips by clicking the appropriate link: the 100 mile route or the 50 mile route. Please note that these maps can take a while to load. Routes may be ammended slightly. All individuals sponsored for at least $500 will receive an event jersey!
The Gory Details
Ride Start Finish 100 miles 7:30 3:00 - 4:30 50 miles 11:00 2:00 - 3:00 25 miles 11:00 12:30 - 4:00 10 miles 3:00 3:30 - 4:00
The reception will run from 12:30 - 5:30 pm. The above finish times are approximations. Your actual time will depend upon your riding!
*The entry fee for the event is $100. The first $100 of sponsorship money you obtain will be applied toward this fee. The ride goes on rain or shine. NEW FOR 2010: We encourage you to ride as teams! The team captain is responsible for registering all members. See http://www.capitaldistricthabitat.org/ for the details. Your entry fee entitles you to riding a fully supported route, pre- and post-ride meals at the Albany Pump Station, two pints of any Evans beer after the ride and a souvenir T-shirt. All proceeds from this fee go to Capital District Habitat for Humanity. Family and friends are welcome to join you at the post-ride party reception for just $12 per person. How to ride the Tour de Habitat Step 1: REGISTER! Register on line at http://www.capitaldistricthabitat.org/. If you are unable to ride, you can still support the 2010 Tour de Habitat by making a donation. Step 2: GET SPONSORS! Tell your sponsors that their donations will help to fund Capital District Habitat for Humanity. You can set up your own fund-rasing web page! Just follow the links after you register. Step 3: PEDAL! Bring all donations to the sign-in at the Albany Pump Station at the designated time. There we’ll collect sponsor envelopes and pass out T-shirts. Questions? Call George at 447-9000 or e-mail him at George at EvansAle dot com (spam-proof)

21st Annual New-York Century Bike Tour September 12 2010

http://nyccentury.org

The New York City Century Bike Tour is a ride to be proud of. You'll be part of a select group of cyclists who are ready for the adventure of riding in New York City. Proceeds from the tour benefit the bicycling advocacy of Transportation Alternatives. By riding in the New York City Century Bike Tour you're helping make the streets safer for cycling all year-round. 

During the first years of the tour New York had few greenways and bike lanes. Over the course of the last twenty years, the NYC greenway system has expanded, and each year the ride showcases this growing bike network, encouraging riders to use the NYC Century as a starting point for year-round cycling. 

The first NYC Century in 1990 attracted about 200 dedicated NYC cyclists, most of whom were daily bicycle commuters, fighting hard for better conditions for cycling in NYC. Today the ride draws over 6,000 cyclists. Of course, most still come from NYC but many come from Texas, California, Maryland and as far away as Germany, the UK and Mexico. Many return year after year. 

NYC Century Bike Tour is unlike other rides. The NYC Century works as a means to show riders how they can connect to different neighborhoods and boroughs of the city safely. To illustrate cyclists' rights to the streets, there are no street closings; cyclists ride with traffic along New York City Streets and must obey all traffic laws. 

Rain or Shine Note: all rides end in Central Park or Prospect Park. The 15 mile riders must start in Central Park. Rest stops will provide food, water, first aid and mechanics. There is one flight of stairs along the route on the RFK (aka Triborough) Bridge. 

What's New for the 2010 NYC Century Bike Tour

Due to the overwhelming demand from the borough of Brooklyn, we are testing an additional start location in Prospect Park. Not to worry - we will still have a start location in Central Park; but now you have a choice. Click here to find out more about start times. 

There is a special return ride to Central Park for the 15-mile riders, because you asked for it! We are giving you the option to return over the Queensboro Bridge to return to Manhattan and join us for the Finish Festival. 

The last opportunity for pre-event registration will be on Saturday, September 11 at the T.A. office from 10 am - 2 pm during packet pick-up. Please remember that these times are firm; we have so much to do before ride day and cannot accommodate anyone after we lock the door. 

Choose your distance, Ride your Pace

15 mile: Park to Park: Escorted by T.A. Marshals, this ride is meant for first-time riders and families. Riders travel around historic Washington Park, roll through SoHo, then proceed over to the Brooklyn Bridge. The tour officially finishes in Prospect Park where riders can collect their t-shirts and water bottles or choose to use the Return Ride to Central Park. Leave 8 am. Finish 11 am-2 pm. Central Park Start option only.

35 mile: East River Loop: This ride is for those looking for more than a Sunday stroll. Riders are taken through downtown Brooklyn, around Prospect Park and continue through hip and trendy Williamsburg and up to Astoria Park in Queens. Riders leave Central Park at 7:30 am or Prospect Park at 8 am. The approximate finish time is between 11 am-3 pm.

55 mile: The Waterfront: This route is more miles but since NYC is relatively flat terrain it makes for a manageable ride for someone who is looking to challenge him or herself. This route takes riders along the Brooklyn greenway with views of the Verrazano Bridge and Coney Island and connecting with 35-mile finish. Riders leave Central Park at 7 am or Prospect Park at 7:30 am. Riders finish approximately between 11 am-4 pm. 

75 mile: The Velodrome: This is not for amateurs. Riders travel out to Far Rockaway and beautiful Fort Tilden after Marine Park. The journey takes riders out to serene Forest Park and up to Kissena Park for a spin at the Velodrome. Riders leave Central Park at 6:30 am or Prospect Park at 7 am. Riders finish approximately between 12-4 pm. 

100 mile: Experienced Riders Only. Cyclists head north to Astoria Park along the 75-mile route and then progress into the Bronx. This part of the ride is the most challenging because we saved the hills for the end. Riders enter northern Manhattan and travel through historic Harlem. Riders leave Central Park at 6 am or Prospect Park at 6:30 am. Riders finish approximately between 12-6 pm.