Warning:  There are major restrictions on travel in and through the United States Military Academy at West Point (as of July 2007).  This might require a major alteration of this route.  See Condition Reports under "Orange County" for more details and for ideas on alternate routes.  Before trying this route, check if bicycle travel is permitted from the Thayer gate entrance through the West Point campus to the Washington gate exit. 

• Where:  Loop on both sides of the Hudson river, crossing the Bear Mountain Bridge and the Newburgh-Beacon (also known as "Hamilton Fish") Bridge.
   

• 42 miles, hilly (2700 vertical feet, hill index 4.0). 

• Highlights:   Spectacular views of the Hudson River, from every angle.  Rocks, trees, castles, two great bridge crossings, and West Point.

A great ride at any time of year, but the best views of the river are early spring or late fall -- when there are no leaves in the way.  A favorite time for Sharon and me is early November, on the day of the Army-Air Force football game.  For some photos, see Fred Schaeffer's website. 

One of our favorite rides.

• Characteristics:  Unfortunately, much of this ride is on high-speed roads that get a lot of car traffic.  You might want to start early in the morning to try to avoid the worst of the traffic.  But if you have solid traffic-handling skills, this ride is very worthwhile.  Lots of ups and downs, but nothing truly big and steep. 

Some years the beautiful Storm King Mountain Highway has been damaged or closed.  See Condition Reports. 

Warning:  There are major restrictions on travel in and through the United States Military Academy at West Point (as of July 2007).  This might require a major alteration of this route.  See Condition Reports under "Orange County" for more details and for ideas on alternate routes.  Before trying this route, check if bicycle travel is permitted from the Thayer gate entrance through the West Point campus to the Washington gate exit. 

• warning:  Riding a bicycle on roads has dangers and risks that need to be taken seriously.  For more on those, see our page on risks.

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• Directions to Start

by Train:  Take the Metro North train to the Beacon station.   Inquire first about transporting bicycles on Metro North.

by Car:  Take Interstate 84 to the Route 9D exit -- first exit East from the Hamilton Fish (Newburgh-Beacon) bridge.  Go South 0.7 mile on Route 9D to the second traffic light, where you see a Railroad station symbol, and turn Right on Beekman St.  Go about 0.5 mile and turn Right to take the bridge over the railroad tracks (unsigned, becomes Red Flynn St), then curve Right and go down to the train station parking.

Alternate starting points:  Cold Spring train station, Bear Mountain State Park, Beacon Memorial Park, Newburgh waterfront.

Shorter 34-mile route:  There is a clever way to use trains to make a loop with only 34 miles of riding:  Take the Metro North train to Cold Spring station, follow the route across Bear Mountain bridge and then the Newburgh-Beacon bridge, and finish riding at the Beacon station, and take the Metro North train home.  Metro North bicycle pass required.  

• Maps:  You should have detailed road maps of Dutchess, Putnam, and Orange counties to do this route (see Maps). 
   
• Organized Ride:  Each year Fred Schaeffer usually leads a Fall Foliage Ride following a route similar to this one. 

places: Hudson river valley, New York state, NY

bicycling: bicycle bicycling bike bikes bicycles bicyclist cycle cyclist cycling touring riding rider riders

routes: route routes ride rides tour tours turn cue sheet sheets map maps

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