Nice Ride In Ny Today, Catskill Park

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Although I've lived right next to the Catskill Park my whole life, there's still a lot of roads I have yet to see. Today I checked a few off the list! I've been conjuring up loops all winter trying to make something for any amount of riding time I might have; a 50 miler, 100 miler, etc.

Today I did a 181 mile loop from my house to Palenville, Phoenicia, Margaretville, Downsville, Livingston Manor, Claryville, Big Indian, Lexington, Windham, and back to Cairo.

Here's the Google map(hopefully I got the embedding thing right!):

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Not only where some of the roads new to me, but so was stopping in the twisties to take pics! I figured if Baileyrock can slow down enough to take some, then so can I... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Here's my favorite entrance to the park, Rt. 23A out of Palenville, freshly repaved last year:
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Halfway up the mountain is "horseshoe bend" where you can see part of the Kaaterskill Fall:
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At the top you roll through Haines Falls, then Tannersville. Outside Tannersville, I took a left onto 214 which runs through a notch down to Phoenicia, it's a popular run for bikes in the area, with food, gas(and bars) at both ends. You can see the ski slopes at Hunter Mountain are still open:
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Cloud cover was heavy today, but the weatherman said 0% chance of rain... lucky for me, he was right.
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Heading into the notch on 214:
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View to the left:
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My personal favorite spot on 214, I love coming down out of the notch into this little area, there is a pool on the right, with a park/sit/picnic area, and a bunch of trailheads, camping and prime fishing here:
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Here's where the new-to-me begins. I've been up & down 214 a lot, and run aways on 28, but never have taken 28 too far west(it's a wide-open 2-laner, not a whole lot of fun, but nice views). Today I rode it out to Margaretville, where it intersects with Rt. 30. I jammed on the brakes to make a picture stop when I saw a decommisioned train on my left in Arkville, but there happened to be a country store across the street, so I pulled in for a coffee before taking pics. Temperatures were in the low to mid 50s here in the mountains, it would climb up to about 66 later in the day.
Good coffee, and a clean restroom! They have a breakfast & lunch menu also, this may become a stop on a future Catskills ride!
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Part of the aforementioned train, this is the Ulster & Dutchess Railroad. They run scenic day tours from late May through August, with special Twilight runs & a staged "train robbery" run. Prices looked good, I'm thinking of bringing my wife and son out for a day ride later this year.
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(ps, anyone know where to get a wide-angle lens for a Konica Minolta Z6??)

On to Rt.30, I was looking forward to this, if you zoom in on the map you can see all the sweepers. Most of them are marked 25-35mph, double that and you have fun factor! Pavement was pretty nice in the direction I ran, the other lane looked a little bumpy...

Fun begins here, first 30mph turn you come to ends on a bridge crossing the Pepacton Res., don't wanna blow this one, it's about 30ft down to the water!
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Can't wait till this starts greening up in a few weeks, it'll be very pretty. Then again, it was desolate today, no traffic to speak of, I like it that way too... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/comp13.gif)

Farther down 30, this is from the other side of the Res, 30 pretty much loops around most of it, 20-30mi of sweepers:
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My turnoff of 30 was actually before Downsville(onto 206), but I saw something through the trees so I kept rolling for another half mile, and found the Downsville Dam:
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Next time I come down I'll check out the other side of this hill:
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I took 206 down to Roscoe, where the map wanted to put me on Highway 17, I thought to myself, nah, screw that! I took Old Route 17, which was a REAL treat, will definitely be back on that one, I flew by at least 3(!!!) covered bridges that were open for crossing, real nice road with elevation changes and nice back-to-back twisties. Things got interesting as I followed a series of county roads that got narrower, and narrower, and dirtier. This varies from the mapped route above in that I did not follow 17 south, instead I headed east from Livingston manor through Depruce and Anderson on the way to Claryville. That was probably the dirtiest pavement I've ever seen, not horribly paved, but dirty from the winter. I was covered in dust when I came off it near Claryville. I have to say though, it was great. Completely desolate, just a couple vacation homes sprinkled through the trees, nice to be alone in the mountains.

These next pics are of Frost Valley Rd, Rt. 47. The end that I started on was rough, winter definitely took its toll here, but wit hany luck the April rains will clean it up well enough for some sport riding later in the year. Real nice corner here, middle of nowhere, nothing but the birds & bees around(and one Dodge pickup).
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The road got clearer and cleaner as I went on, due to larger amounts of traffic pushing and blowing the dirt away. Saw this huge private house, must be nice!
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Farther along, you get some nice views of Doubletop Mtn. as you start to head up Slide Mtn., road was clean enough for a little PACE action, coming down was real fun, especially this little number:
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I finished out Rt.47, turned back onto 28 for a couple miles to Big Indian and picked up Rt.42, heading through Deep Notch back into familiar territory. Spotted this Ukranian temple/mosque place near Jewett:
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I had a shock as I walked around the bike to get a better angle, I figured out why the back end was feeling a little funny! Cords!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)
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At that point I was very happy that I made it through all the rough roads without incident, and kept the throttle in check for the rest of the way home. I took one last picture at the Five State Lookout on Rt. 23, when I pulled in there was a small group of squids hanging out, I shot some bs with them for a few minutes.
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Then I finished out the last couple miles to my house and pulled the rear wheel off the bike. Threw it and another used Diablo in my truck and walked inside to order a set of Avons. The used Diablo that came off my F4i will get me by for a few days till the Storms come in.

Hope you all enjoy the pics, I enjoyed taking them!

To my friends in Canada, riding season's coming!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Nice pics, and nice route! It looks like a very scenic ride. I'm guessing in a couple of months it will be even more beautiful.

nice trip. man it still looks cold up there. common green stuff, come on spring!

nice trip. man it still looks cold up there. common green stuff, come on spring!

Great report, Seb! I'm really glad that you stopped to take a bunch of pics. I'm looking forward to getting back out there.

That tire looks scary. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

turtlecreek, Apr 20 2008, 09:40 PMnice trip. man it still looks cold up there. common green stuff, come on spring!

Actually, it was in the 80's most of last week! My lawn & flowers are growing. My house is at about 500', the mountains I was riding in were about 2000', an hour south of me everything is green, the bush in my front yard turned green overnight, spring has definitely sprung! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

PhatPat33, Apr 20 2008, 09:49 PMGreat report, Seb! I'm really glad that you stopped to take a bunch of pics. I'm looking forward to getting back out there.

That tire looks scary. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I'm looking forward to collecting that beer! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

The tire did scare me, I haven't done that in years! Usually I pop them off early and sell them, dunno why I ran these out, but I think the rough roads with all the dirt and pebbles helped to kill it. I gotta say, that Diablo stuck like glue right to the bitter end! If only it got better mileage... 2600mi doesn't get me through a season... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/comp13.gif)

Nice pictures as I have ridden Rt. 30 the last few years and i always enjoy the area. I did want to wander onto some other roads so i thank you for the information.

Thanks for the ride report, those pictures were making me kind of homesick. I used to live in Ithaca, and I have family in Cooperstown, Rochester, Binghamton, and Oxford. My folks used to live in Armonk, NY so I've put a lot of miles on the 17 with frequent stops at Roscoes "World Famous" Diner.

I'm in California for my career, but I really do miss that part of the world. Please keep the pics coming this summer, I'll be looking for them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

I need to go up there again.

Beautiful pics and nice ride. I really want to check that out ... ride down from Canada to you. Very nice... thanks for sharing.

KeystoneVFR, Apr 20 2008, 10:21 PMI need to go up there again.

Might want to hold off on that for a couple months, given your sand-phobia. Seriously, some of these turns had to be taken in the width of a car track because of dirt & pea gravel everywhere else.

I will keep the pics coming! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

sweeeeet, thanks for the pics & the maps! I'm finishing up school in Rochester later in May, I might try to hit up the park on the way back home to Vermont.

duderadidea, Apr 21 2008, 08:51 AMsweeeeet, thanks for the pics & the maps! I'm finishing up school in Rochester later in May, I might try to hit up the park on the way back home to Vermont.

Let me know when you'll be coming through, I'm taking my wife to Vermont at the end of May, maybe I'll have you return the "tour guide" favor... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

Nice! I'll probably be coming through on the 26th. I live 5 miles outside of Burlington... I'll be in touch, for sure.

Top stuff Seb...

It's true what you say about the Diablo, sticks like glue but lasts 5000 km max. Take care with the gravel and sand... that bike is immaculate, hate to see it rashed up!!

Sorry I missed it man. Count me in for Saturday! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

Man I love it up there. I used to date a girl in Delhi (near Oneonta) and I would drive up from Baltimore every other weekend. It was worth the 350 miles each way. At some point I'll load up the VFR and take it up there for week. So, why wouldn't I ride it up there?... Because the state flower of Pennsylvania is the truck tire retread and my wife's brand new Subaru needed bodywork due to one that was spit out the back of a truck.

BTW- It was pretty tempting to reply with your pics attached and take the server down (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Thanks for the PIC's.. It's crazy how its still so brown up their. The pollen has been crazy here in NC.

I noticed my tire hit the tread marker to the bottom of the tire when I got back Saturday. I guess I will have to get some new rubber next week.

Seb,

Great pics...made me "home" sick also, as we lived in the Washingtonville/Cornwall area for 2 1/2 years, and I've ridden 55, 209, 17, etc...

Moved to sunny northern Florida about 6 months ago. Love the all year riding season, but the roads, while nice and smooth, are unbearably straight...5 miles, and maybe a hint of a turn, another 5 miles, and another hint of a turn...I know now why most ride cruisers down here...

Couldn't help but notice the leafless trees...seemed like it took forever for spring to arrive (won't miss that). I will miss the roads, however, and the beautiful fall in the Hudson Valley. If you get a chance, swing down to the Cornwall area and ride 218 between Cornwall and West Point. The road is literally chiseled out of the side of Storm King mountain in places. I used to take it on the way home from work from time to time. It probably isn't open yet, as they close it for winter (ice and mudslides...). You can then swing on down to Fort Montgomery and stop in at the Ducati shop...then take 9W back...

Thanks again for the pics...I'll be looking forward to seeing some spring and especially fall pics!

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RE-Agent, Apr 21 2008, 08:37 PMBTW- It was pretty tempting to reply with your pics attached and take the server down (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

BTW - they're not hosted here, so unless you keep clicking on this thread, the server will be fine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

You and vfroj and anyone else are welcome to come up anytime for a tour. I will be hosting a Fall Ride again this year, third year going and should be a great time once again!

Been meaning to get down to West Point and Bear Mountain also, there's some roads in Ulster county that I want to ride again as well, the one featured on the cover of this year's VFRD calendar, for example. Thanks for the tip! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

August - September are the best times to ride up here, the heat is only bad around lunchtime, and everything is green!

SEBSPEED, Apr 21 2008, 10:02 PM

RE-Agent, Apr 21 2008, 08:37 PMBTW- It was pretty tempting to reply with your pics attached and take the server down (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

BTW - they're not hosted here, so unless you keep clicking on this thread, the server will be fine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

You and vfroj and anyone else are welcome to come up anytime for a tour. I will be hosting a Fall Ride again this year, third year going and should be a great time once again!

Been meaning to get down to West Point and Bear Mountain also, there's some roads in Ulster county that I want to ride again as well, the one featured on the cover of this year's VFRD calendar, for example. Thanks for the tip! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

Seb give me a call when your looking to come to Bear Mt, I am up there just about every weekend riding

Will do Anthony, hope the beemer's treating you well.

Thanks for the feature Mods!

SEBSPEED, Apr 21 2008, 01:53 AM

PhatPat33, Apr 20 2008, 09:49 PMGreat report, Seb! I'm really glad that you stopped to take a bunch of pics. I'm looking forward to getting back out there.

That tire looks scary. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I'm looking forward to collecting that beer! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

The tire did scare me, I haven't done that in years! Usually I pop them off early and sell them, dunno why I ran these out, but I think the rough roads with all the dirt and pebbles helped to kill it. I gotta say, that Diablo stuck like glue right to the bitter end! If only it got better mileage... 2600mi doesn't get me through a season... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/comp13.gif)

Great report.

Great tire! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) 2600 miles are not enough .........I am still looking for the perfect tire.

Could have been worse with Diablo..................the wife could have been along. Then you really feel .................bad!! And a tough one to explain. Been there tooooooooooooo! Ugh!

Really enjoyed the report, like how you got the VFR in with the scenery (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif) .. is she a fair weather bike? I wish the roads around where I live were so deserted.

vfr_steve, Apr 22 2008, 05:50 PMReally enjoyed the report, like how you got the VFR in with the scenery (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif) .. is she a fair weather bike? I wish the roads around where I live were so deserted.

Thank you, glad you liked it!

Fair weather meaning no snow or ice? Yep! I will ride rain or shine from now till it snows again though! The truck just doesn't do as well with mpg's... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/comp13.gif)

NICE pics SEB!! I was afraid you would forget how to ride over the winter after you got clinically depressed with the white stuff. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Looks like you got the goody out of that rear tire. I'm taking mine off too soon...(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I moved to feature, looks like the roads are as dirty as Colorado. wont be swept or clean till mid June around here.

Nice report, Seb. I was in that same area a few years ago and never stopped for pics. Hope to make it back sometime.