Fall in the Mid-Hudson River Valley

This ride is a fixed-base or semi-fixed-base ride, please read the ride description for more details.

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW

“Fall in the Mid-Hudson River Valley” is a self-directed, fixed base, bicycle tour that features rides through scenic roads of the Mid-Hudson area of NY.  Rides will be on the east (Poughkeepsie/ Rhinebeck area) and west (New Paltz/Kingston) sides of the Hudson River.

The Hudson River Valley is not flat, with the Shawangunk (the “Gunks”) and Catskill Mountains on the west, and the Taconic Range on the east.  Daily routes allow riders to choose from 2-3 distances and elevation gains, with shorter routes 2B rated and longer routes often exceeding 2B.

Our base will be New Paltz, NY, a college town (SUNY New Paltz) with lots of interesting places to visit nearby. Historic sites include the FDR Library/Springwood Home, the Vanderbilt Mansion, the D&H Canal museum, Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, and the arts community of Woodstock. Outdoor pursuits off the bike include rock climbing in the “Gunks”, Minnewaska State Park (hiking, mountain biking and swimming), and riverboat cruises out of Kingston. Foodies can visit the Culinary Institute of America, and there are several wineries and a distillery open for visitors.

Since this is a fixed-based trip, there are no mandatory riding days. Routes have been planned for riding Monday through Thursday. After checking out of the hotel on Friday, you may optionally choose another ride before returning home, however there will be no support on Friday.

The designated set of rides for the next day will be announced at Happy Hour the day before. Weather will play a large factor in deciding which set is chosen for a particular day.  The sets include:

• “Gunks” Crossing day – For climbing enthusiasts, the signature ride is over the Shawangunk Mountains ridge, across the Rondout Valley and back over the Gunks. For those wanting less climbing, don’t worry - a 2B route is available.
• Wallkill Valley day – rolling rides, with a few climbs that follow along both sides of the Wallkill River and the farms alongside it.  Views of the Gunks along the way. Options to stop at 1-2 local wineries, depending upon ride chosen.
• East Hudson day – riding on the Walkway Over the Hudson (longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world), then riding to the FDR/Vanderbilt historical sites or staying on bike paths.  Remote starts possible for those wanting fewer miles.
• Ashokan Reservoir day – The Ashokan provides the water for NYC and also scenic riding in the Catkills.  Riding through Woodstock is an option on this day. This is a remote start day.

Optional, unsupported Friday Rides before heading home:

• Packed dirt/gravel rail trails - Wallkill Valley Rail Trail (accessed in New Paltz) or O&W Rail Trail (accessed in Kingston). Hybrid or mountain bike is recommended (can be rented in New Paltz).
• Any of the rides you didn’t do on days 1-4.

The designated set of rides for the day (Monday through Thursday) will have leaders riding and an emergency-only SAG for that day’s routes. Participants may decide to ride something outside the selected group, understanding that there will be no leader or emergency support. Since this is a fixed-based trip, there are no mandatory riding days.

RIDE RATING:

The ride is rated 2B overall, as each day will have at least one 2B (or lower) ride available, with option(s) for more mileage (some in the “C” category) and/or climbing (some in the “3” category).

CUE SHEETS, MAPS, GPS FILES:

GPS data, cue sheets, and routes details will be accessible in Ride Leader Docs for this trip on the BAC web site.  GPS tracks (.gpx format) will be provided for all routes, but it is up to you to know how to download the .gpx files and upload to your GPS device before the trip begins. Each participant will also receive a cue sheet/map book detailing all possible rides at the welcome dinner. 

WEATHER:

Fall weather in New York’s Mid-Hudson River Valley is unpredictable. Generally, daytime temperatures range from mid 50’s to 70’s. There may be cold spells or a fall heat wave. Rain is always a possibility.  Plan to dress in layers.

LODGING & MEALS:

We will be staying at the Hampton Inn in New Paltz, NY.  They have a free breakfast, with a variety of hot and cold choices. Also available is a fitness center, indoor salt water pool, Wi-Fi in all rooms and free self-parking. Coin-op laundry available on-site.

Trip fee includes 5 nights of lodging (Sunday through Thursday nights), 5 breakfasts, 2 group dinners (Sunday and Thursday) and 5 Happy Hours. Other meals, housekeeping gratuities, breakfast gratuities, and alcoholic beverages at group dinners are not included.  There are many restaurants in New Paltz, and lunch opportunities along the rides each day will be discussed at the Happy Hours.

LOGISTICS:

You can fly into Albany or Newark/LaGuardia/Kennedy airports, or the smaller Stewart International in Newburgh, and then rent a car.  You take Amtrak to Poughkeepsie, but will then need to take a taxi/rent a car to get to the hotel. You will also need a car for remote start rides.  The Hampton Inn is right off the NY Thruway (I-87) at Exit 18.

The first meeting is Sunday, September 19, 2021 for happy hour followed by a welcome dinner. The last full ride day is Thursday with a farewell dinner that evening.  The trip ends Friday morning, September 24th after breakfast when we move out of our hotel rooms. You may choose to ride on Friday, but there will be no ride support that day.

We plan evening happy hours where we will discuss rides and options for the following day, enjoy some beer/wine/soft drinks, appetizers and share experiences.

If you want to arrive early or stay later, you can make arrangements directly with the Hampton Inn, New Paltz (internet under www.hilton.com, searching for New Paltz, NY)‎, or by calling 845-255-4200.  September is a very busy time in the Mid-Hudson, so if you are thinking of adding days, make reservations early.

Note that the Hampton Inn does not have enough storage space to accept shipped bikes.  If you are shipping your bike, please contact Ride Directors Claire or Jean for further shipping instructions.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:

In addition to the $50 non-refundable BAC fee, the estimated tour cost is $1,000 per person based on double occupancy and includes 5 nights lodging, 5 breakfasts, 2 group dinners, 5 happy hours and cue sheets/.gpx tracks.  A $500 deposit will be required upon your acceptance onto the ride.  The balance will be due by June 1, 2021. A limited number of single rooms are available for a single supplement of $425.

Note - at this time, rental bikes are NOT available due to bicycle shortages during the pandemic and local bicycle shops not being able to replenish their inventory.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY:

It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until April 30, 2021 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $425 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leaders will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY:

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leaders. While on the ride, support your Ride Leaders with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. If it isn’t, you should purchase additional travel medical coverage. BAC maintains a policy that provides coverage for expenses related to medical emergencies and repatriation when members are on tours outside the US and their home country. The policy ceases to be applicable if a member makes a personal deviation (e.g., makes a side trip not related to the planned BAC tour), has limits on expenses covered for family members and only applies for 45 days following departure from home. There is also limited coverage for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by US residents when on tours within the US. None of the policies maintained by BAC will cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). If travelling outside your home country you may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date. None of the policies maintained by BAC will cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated (e.g. COVID or similar).

COVID-19: We will follow any mandates placed by the state of New York and Dutchess/Ulster counties with respect to COVID-19. We will notify tour participants of the anticipated safety precautions to protect participants from COVID 60-90 days prior to the tour start date. These mandates may include wearing a face mask when social distancing is not possible, having a negative COVID test within 3 days of the tour start, following specific hygiene procedures, etc. We will provide the specific mandates to participants at least one week before the tour, following NY State and County mandates.

SIGN-UP:
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List (note the Ride Directors Comments at the top of this Ride Description).  You will then receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit ($500) by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leaders, "click" the names at the top of this Ride Description.