June 26 evening
The bike part of the trip is now complete as is this trip blog.
Great ride over GW bridge.
Down the west side of Manhatten with a stop and fee unlimited tickets to a day at the Natural History Museum.
Then a ticket from a Parks official for being in a pedestrian and not bike lane. Did not spoil my day, thought pretty funny.
Finished at lands end, battery park, as planned.
Now in Charley's sort of B and B.
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Ride into NY even better than hoped. Taking an unneeded break just to enjoy the river.
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June 25
Early start to ride up the 2 km grade of near mountain. That and to bear the heat forecast for today.
The Nyack hill was harder about a mile long but steeper.
Bike shop closed on Monday in Nyack but met riders and got route advice.
Strong headwind crossing the Palisades. Had to pedal downhill, a fitting finish. Doubt I could have done todays ride two weeks ago. Much stronger rider now. Even enjoyed doing Bear Mt today.
Stated the night in Fort Lee as no room in NYC until tomorrow. Next is over the bridge and into the city but that is for another day.
Trip mileage to date is just over 700 miles. 15 days on the road.
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June 24
Another perfect day for weather.
Sam and Michael both suggested the East side path to Cold Spring so I slogged the seven miles back over the Neuburgh bridge, the long bridge part is great as is the downhill into Beacon.
Locals explained that the town was run down in the 50's but restoration grants were applied to the old buildings and that led to the charming revival.
At Near Mt. Bridge met a woman walking the Appalacian Trail from West Virginia to Maine.
The park is jammed. Thoufanfa using as is appropriate. Nznt rowers in rented row boats.
Had to stay at Overlook lodge as main 1915 bld. Is being renovated.
Good walk ride around the lake.
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June 23
Leaving from Hyde Park the FDR home is a must. That and the summer Sat. Farmers market. Would only sell me honey by my calling their shop. Lost a sale.
Visitor center and library far too commercial and expensive. Designed for tours by bus. Better to walk or bike the grounds. Many views blocked by trees as his will stipulated that no trees could be trimmed. Good story of steps. All for show and hiding infirmaty.
Good ride onto Beacon at the bottom of a long hill. Back up it after lunch as the bridge is North of here.
Real Tea shop for lunch. Good older town.
Met rider coming over the Newburgh bridge and rode with him to west Neuburgh and the Hilton. Sam and Mike called staying nearby so biked over to meet them for dinner.
Wishing them a good journey back as I get to continue.
Also a very congratulatory note and best wishes to Marv and Mary Lou who are celebrating their 60th today. Sorry to miss the party, goph that the QB could make it.
Libby please pass on my best as they may not be reading the blog tonight.
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June 22
Good tourist day.
Oleana historic home of Frank Church of Hudson School fame.
Claremont historic site. Home of livinston one of the signers of the declaration of Ind.
Both sites would be goph for several hours of foot wanderiung.
Tivoli a pretty town on the Hudson. Good late first eating here.
This is the second chilly day in a row. Almost need a jacket when resting in the shade.
Bard college with its outstanding campus in the woods.
Drank ice cold apple cider from a roadside stand. Perfect. Also fresh peach.
Vanderbiult mansion just before Hyde park.
Very friendly motel with library nearby and ability to search for resting places. Not easy for the weekend. Will have to go to Newburgh near airport.
Dinner at Culinary Institute restaurant. Excellent interesting menu well served and digested. In a strip mall.
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QB saved the day, atleast the next day. Nary a room near
Rheinbeck. Called 20 plus places. QB found me a place for tomorrow in Hyde Park.
Hilly but charming ride through the country and Hudson Valley.
Town of antiques, old city charm as it used to be a major area on the Hudson, real estate at good low price points, hilly, Federal Architecture, and many good eatires. Expresso places but nothing like the Zito approximation of Little Italy in Schenectady. That loaf sustained me all day.
Staying in 1830
Federal Greek house. Library of history books of the area and Presidents. No office. Call a number and speak to owner has several houses refurbished but no breakfast.
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Jeff,
It was great to get your phone message about Medina connections when we
return home after Yellowstone. Beef on weck (pronounced wick of course)
rules!
I can't confirm that I have seen the bridge in the photos sent here, but I
have seen one just like it.
We have many hundred of Yellowstone photos to share in future. At some
point, all geysers look the same (especially in the dark).
libby
June 20 evening
Wonderful cool day after the big storm last evening. Cool and a little overcast. Perfect even with the winds.
Rode the long but pretty way along the Mohawk. Through
Cohoes and waterford. The South and over the bridge here. No hotels in Albany as the legislature is in session. Had to bike out of my way to find a motel. The econolodge was fully booked. Found OK place a few miles North.
Wanted to bike a bit further south but no places within 15 miles.
Was excellent riding on the Hudson. Tomorrow more with some big hills.
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June 19 evening
Got here just before the "severe thunderstorm" meaning 58 plus mph winds. Hail of good size. It was following us but unseen until a few hours after checking into a holiday inn.
Very warm but good ride among the rolling hills and very special Mohawk Hudson Bikeway. Unlike the earlier part the MHBikeway is all paved.
Sam and Michael needed to make haste to the Hudson River so we parted. Hope they have a good trip and do some writeups. Will miss riding with them, good companions.
Was able to zoom today. No clear idea why. Highest ave. speed in reasonable distance bursts. Just felt good.
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