Orange County
Bike shops
Wheel and Heel -- Newburgh, NY
Clubs
Bike Routes
Lakes of Harriman Park Near Stony Point -- 27 miles (or more), very hilly. Three (optionally four or five) fine descents in Harriman and Bear Mountain state parks. 2800 vertical feet, 3700 feet in 32 miles with the climb Bear Mountain option).
NYC to Bear Mountain Adventure -- 101 miles, hilly. The great (non-train-supported) bicycling adventure from Manhattan -- lakes with islands, river views, classic descents. But some vehicle traffic situations requiring advanced traffic-handling skills. One section on dirt. Start points Manhattan and Fort Lee NJ; also Allendale NJ, Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks, Stony Point, Nyack. 6400 vertical feet.
Orange Heritage Rail Trail -- 9 or more miles one-way (or more than 18 miles on pavement with return). Gentle. Pleasant riding on a paved path, mostly off-road. A good place to ride for families with children. 400 to 550 vertical feet of hills in round trip, Start points Monroe, Chester, or Goshen.
River Routes -- Bridge to Bridge
Orange County has two bridges across the Hudson River with beautiful views -- the Bear Mountain and the Newburgh-Beacon -- and both are very ridable. A great route is to cross both of them in a great loop route on both sides of the river. Or you can combine them in routes with other bridges.
Bear Mountain Bridge to Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, loop on both sides of the Hudson river -- 38 miles, hilly. Spectacular views of the Hudson River, from every angle. Rocks, trees, castles, two great bridge crossings, and West Point. 2700 vertical feet. Start points Beacon or Cold Spring Metro-North train stations, Bear Mountain State Park, Newburgh.
Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to Mid-Hudson Bridge, loop on both sides of the Hudson river -- 40 miles, hilly. Some fine views over the orchards on the West side, and of the Hudson river. 2800 vertical feet (feels like 3200 feet). Start points Beacon, Poughkeepsie, Highland, Newburgh.
GWB to Bear Mountain Bridge Loop, on both sides of the Hudson river -- 92 miles (or 83 miles), hilly. A great accomplishment, several pretty views of the River, and a great variety of riding. Lots of motor vehicle traffic, requiring advanced traffic-handling skills. At least two sections on dirt. 7200 vertical feet.
Connecting South to New Jersey + Pennsylvania
August 2008: Alternate finish to Easton PA
May 2008: thru Wallkill, Goshen, Sussex NJ, Blairstown NJ, and Portland PA
May 2006: thru Wallkill, Goshen, Sussex NJ, Blairstown NJ, and Portland PA
June 2005: thru Wallkill, Goshen, Sussex NJ, Blairstown NJ, and Portland PA
July 2004: thru Wallkill, Goshen, Sussex NJ, Blairstown NJ, and Portland PA
