Walkway over the Hudson!!
05-17-10, 07:50 AM
#26
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Location: Hudson Valley New York
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This page
describes one route that connects with the Walkway, and gives
links to 4 other longer routes that connect with the Walkway.
My opinions: (a) The Walkway really is special.
(b) If you're going to ride over the Walkway, then you might as well also ride the 4-mile loop described on that page - (except cyclists who can't handle riding on streets with motor vehicle traffic).
You could also connect the Walkway to one of the longer loops. Or you could just finish the little loop early (before there are so many walkers that it becomes difficult to ride across the Walkway. Then drive to somewhere else in Dutchess or Ulster counties for some other great ride -- with a different feel from Long Island -- which does not need to connect with the Walkway.
Ken
describes one route that connects with the Walkway, and gives
links to 4 other longer routes that connect with the Walkway.
My opinions: (a) The Walkway really is special.
(b) If you're going to ride over the Walkway, then you might as well also ride the 4-mile loop described on that page - (except cyclists who can't handle riding on streets with motor vehicle traffic).
You could also connect the Walkway to one of the longer loops. Or you could just finish the little loop early (before there are so many walkers that it becomes difficult to ride across the Walkway. Then drive to somewhere else in Dutchess or Ulster counties for some other great ride -- with a different feel from Long Island -- which does not need to connect with the Walkway.
Ken
I just wanted to take this oppertunity to thank you for all the work you have done, collecting and documenting all these routes in the Hudson Valley. Super work!!
05-17-10, 11:50 AM
#27
Senior Member
>>>Ken,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the work you have done, collecting and documenting all these routes in the Hudson Valley<<<
I'll second that.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the work you have done, collecting and documenting all these routes in the Hudson Valley<<<
I'll second that.
05-17-10, 02:22 PM
#28
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Updating this thread rather than starting another one...
On Monday I was in Poughkeepsie on business, so I did the bridge on the Dahon folding bike that I keep in my wagon. It was a glorious ride! Trees are leafing out, and the picture is totally different from my last visit to the bridge in January when the single digit temps and ice flows on the river literally took my breath away.
And because of the bridge, a lot is changing. We now have a bicycle rental shop at the Pok side. They rent tandems, cruisers, kid trailers, adult trikes, etc. I told the guy I'd come to work for him as the shop wrench, as he admitted that fixing what breaks isn't his forte. He even asked me how a presta valve worked!
A local restaurant guy was doing surveys of bridge users. He is thinking of buying the old auction house across the street for a sitdown restaurant, and setting up outside dining at the bridge parking lot.
On the Highland side, they held groundbreaking ceremonies last weekend to complete the trail segment going from the bridge to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in the village, that heads towards New Paltz. There is also a small snack bar running on the Highland side.
Downside? They want to begin charging $5-$10 per day to park in the lots at the trailheads!!! And still no word about securing the rights on the Pok side to join the bridge to the Dutchess rail trail a mile away near Dutchess Community College.
On Monday I was in Poughkeepsie on business, so I did the bridge on the Dahon folding bike that I keep in my wagon. It was a glorious ride! Trees are leafing out, and the picture is totally different from my last visit to the bridge in January when the single digit temps and ice flows on the river literally took my breath away.
And because of the bridge, a lot is changing. We now have a bicycle rental shop at the Pok side. They rent tandems, cruisers, kid trailers, adult trikes, etc. I told the guy I'd come to work for him as the shop wrench, as he admitted that fixing what breaks isn't his forte. He even asked me how a presta valve worked!
A local restaurant guy was doing surveys of bridge users. He is thinking of buying the old auction house across the street for a sitdown restaurant, and setting up outside dining at the bridge parking lot.
On the Highland side, they held groundbreaking ceremonies last weekend to complete the trail segment going from the bridge to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in the village, that heads towards New Paltz. There is also a small snack bar running on the Highland side.
Downside? They want to begin charging $5-$10 per day to park in the lots at the trailheads!!! And still no word about securing the rights on the Pok side to join the bridge to the Dutchess rail trail a mile away near Dutchess Community College.
There was a recent lottery for food vendors and permits have been issued. There are food options at both ends now.
There is a bike rental on the Poughkeepsie side - basically balloon-tired beach cruisers and tandems. Bikes were new and look good.
Good progress on the trail on the west side of the Hudson - more mixed news on the east side. CSX still holds the immediate portion of the trail in Poughkeepsie and they have shown no inclination towards an accommodation. It will happen....eventually. They've started work on the third section of trail, a nearly seven-mile piece in LaGrange. They still have elevated road crossings to deal with at some point.
The connected trail system has the potential to be amazing if they can put it all together. (The ability to ride from Hopewell to New Paltz on a trail...spectacular.)
Also, we were at an event this past Saturday night to unveil the new Walkway lighting system. Eventually, the Walkway will be open some evenings. (Budget permitting.)
The annual members' meeting will be held this Sunday - will likely know more after that.
05-18-10, 08:56 PM
#29
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Most of the road crossings are now marked with 'Road Construction' signs, and a number of the barriers have been moved. I even saw some equipment stationed near the Rt-376 crossing. They were too quick to pull down the stone viaduct at Manchester Bridge (Page Lumber), but at the time widening Rt 55 was the one and only priority. That is going to cost a pretty penny to replace.
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