The Empire State Trail - Completed Report
06-03-21, 05:37 PM
#26
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 6,997
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 35 Times
in
19 Posts
Thanks for posting this! My wife and I have years of supported tours, but will be doing a short section of your ride on our own. It will be our first unsupported effort. We hope it's a tune up for our planned C&O unsupported adventure later. I love that you posted so may photos!
09-22-21, 06:44 PM
#27
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Prowler
... I prefer early 1800's rail trails that twist and wind more (due to design for shorter rolling stock) but the Maybrook is pretty nice and being well used, even on a quiet Tuesday afternoon.
Is there another portion of the Empire State Trail you'd recommend?
09-22-21, 07:18 PM
#28
Junior Member
The Maybrook section is not arrow straight and it has some elevation, it is fairly new, the blacktop is smooth and sweet. I saw a bobcat while riding it. As for what section of the Empire State Trail to ride? What are you looking for? The trail is paved in different grades from NYC to New Paltz, A gravel railtrail to Kingston, A rolling hill road ride from Kingston to Hudson. Mixed gravel and road, with hills to Albany. West from Albany you are on mostly sections of various iterations of the Erie Canal. The North leg of the EST is a road ride with elevation.
Last edited by Windsore; 09-22-21 at 07:31 PM. Reason: expansion of reply
09-22-21, 08:01 PM
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Maine, USA
Posts: 1,551
Bikes: Corvid Sojourner, Surly Ice Cream Truck, Co-Motion Divide, Co-Motion Java Tandem, Salsa Warbird, Salsa Beargrease, Carver Tandem
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 514 Post(s)
Liked 377 Times
in
197 Posts
From Albany to the Catskills is more hilly and definitely winding and twisting. You may enjoy it. All the way to Kingston or Manhattan if You have the time.
09-23-21, 05:20 AM
#30
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Papa Tom
. Is there another portion of the Empire State Trail you'd recommend?
09-23-21, 05:53 AM
#31
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Prowler
I cannot help much here. The section from Brewster to New Paltz is the only one I'm familiar with. There's been plenty written about that.
09-23-21, 07:09 AM
#32
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Papa Tom
Hmmm...thanks, all. I have ridden many portions of this trailway over the years, but it seems the newer portions are not going to be worth the two-hour drive up there for me. I don't like bobcats or bears!
__________________
I'm slow, go around
I'm slow, go around
09-23-21, 08:07 AM
#33
Senior Member
Originally Posted by arsprod
I don't know what it'll be like in October, but the Erie Canal trail was a really nice trip. One really nice thing is that most of it is close to Amtrak so one could ride almost any section then take the train back to the starting point.
I will only have Saturday and Sunday, 10/16 and 10/17, though, and I'll have to drive up all the way from Long Island. The Erie Canal will be a little too far..
09-23-21, 05:44 PM
#34
Junior Member
Park your car on the correct Metro North line, pick your distance, take the train back to the car. Poughkeepsie has the bike/ped bridge over the Hudson and a train station.
09-24-21, 05:36 AM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 36,192
Mentioned: 205 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16697 Post(s)
Liked 11,830 Times
in
5,650 Posts
Rode the Hudson walkway a few days ago while heading south from Hyde Park to Cuddebackville. It’s nice that they have extended the trail to New Paltz.
Likes For indyfabz:
