Mianus State Park before the snowstorm

Carl, Gerald and I were able to get in a couple of hours cycling Mianus State Park before the big snowstorm. Temperatures ranged all the way from 26 F to 29! The ground was frozen and a few patches of ice were about. Conditions were great. Not as well maintained as Huber and Hartshorn, rocks and roots offered challenges but no real dangers emerged under the blanket of fallen leaves.

Easy access from Stamford Metro North granted Gerald and me a warm-up as we met Carl in the parking lot of the Merribrook Lane access.

Dog walkers and runners far out-numbered cyclists.

This venue is a fine option for city dwellers who rely on public transit.

What a great resource this is.

Hank

Huber/Hartshorne Woods

Friday, the temperatures in NYC did not rise above freezing and the winds did blow. Saturday, the winds calmed and the thermometer slowly climbed thru the mid 30s up to the low 40s. The sky was blue and Carl, Gerald, Scott and I drove down to the Atlantic Highlands of New Jersey's coast to ride the trails of Huber and Hartshorne Woods Parks. Except for a few spots of surface mud, the ground stayed frozen. The trails were well-maintained and thoughtfully laid out. I had one of my best days on a mountain bike. Unlike the trails we ride in the Hudson Highlands, there were no unexpected hazards to fear under the carpet of fallen leaves.

Come warmer weather, we will return via train and leave on the high-speed ferry. Public transportation is the way to go. But cold winter logistics require wiggle room to allow waiting for mass transit. Cars permit personal schedules and places to stow extra gear but driving in traffic is less than ideal.

Manitou/ Chimney Rock Trail/ Stillwater Trail/ Cold Spring

Carl got hung up at work, Scott had worked late the evening before, John didn't have his mtn bike so he accompanied Gerald and I on connecting roads as we cycled some hardpack and Chimney Rock and Stillwater Trails in sunny, dry air with temperatures in the low 50s.

I made a navigational error and took the first left off the Chimney Rock Trail going north onto the Moneyhole Mtn Trail to nowhere. Gerald and I forded the stream that feeds Catfish Pond and, after contacting John, decided it was best to back out and take the Chimney Rock down to South Highland to the east of where we entered. We all ascended Dennytown, then John called it a day and Gerald and I went east on Sunken Mine Road to pick up the Stillwater Pond Trail at Wiccopee Road. Trails had a cover of fallen leaves, making steep downhill pitches dicey.

We finished at Cold Spring Depot with a couple of pints of Doghead IPA after a fast descent on 301.

What a pleasure to be back off road in the Highlands on a mtn bike. Looking forward to cycling these and other trails with the group.

Hank

Blue Mtn: 06/14/09

What a great weekend - two mtn bike adventures in row. Just finished the Blue Mtn "Fat Tire" Festival in Peekskill, NY. Talk about slick rock!! Joined a colleague, Seth Reichlin, and explored some great new trails, including the Depew (can't wait to go back) and El Capitan trails (wow! - I'll wait to clean this one when it's dry). The rocks and trails were saturated, which made for lots of slipouts. Seth made it through some real tough courses. Did a lot of the other trails (like SIS) in reverse from what I'm used to. You would never think there was a big mtn bike festival in the park, as there seemed to be no one on those trails that we rode. Festival itself was cool: lots of demo bikes, et,. but just the cameraderie around loads of people enjoying this unique activity.

couple more pics from Saturday...

Great June day in the Hudson Highlands. Hank Schiffman, Scott Blau and I rode a robust 32 miles, with 3540' gain, 4:15 riding time. Probably 8+ mph average. From Manitou rail stop, we rode up South Mtn Pass to old Redoubt Road (double and singletrack through forest and open fields). Then an ascent to the White Rock outlook (above left) with views south to Greymoor, Hook Mtn, Hudson River. We then had a long and descent through the Osborne Loop trail network, with a great view of West Point along the way (the banner above). After a brief stop, we climbed up to hills of Fahnestock SP and rode the Chimney Hill and Stillwater trails.

Long Gap Between Posts

What outdoor rides have I been up to? Since the warm weather started in March through early June, riding has been generally every other weekend and usually on the road.

Here are some of my longer road rides during this period:

3/22/2009: NYC to Rockland County/South Mtn, Calls Hollow/Gate Hill/7 Lakes Drive/Rte 17/US 202 in Oakland/Return to City via Co 512. (90 miles)

3/28/2009: NYC-brewster via US 9/Rte 100/US 202 (55 miles)

4/5/2009: NYC-Danbury-Westport (90 miles)

4/11/2009 NYC to Bear Mtn (via Bradley/Tweed/Hook Mtn/South Mtn/Calls Hollow/Gate Hill/7 Lakes/Perkins/Peekskill (75 miles)

4/25/2009 NYC to Beacon via Harriman/Storm King/Newburgh (85 miles)

5/2/2009: Westport to Poughkeepsie via Easton/Botsford/Sandy Hook/Roxbury/New Preston/Cornwall/Sharon/Amenia/Shunpike Rd/Salt Pt Tpk (109 miles)

5/3/2009 a rainy 5boro bike tour (45 miles)

5/16/2009 Westport/Poughkeepsie Same route as 5/2/09

5/23/2009: Catskill Mtn climbs: Phoenecia, Slide Mt Pass, Blue Hill, Denham Mtn/Red Hill (74 miles)

5/24/2009 Mountain Bike: Stillwell Woods (Long Island) with NYC-Mtn Bike Group (see pics here: http://tinyurl.com/l96yvg