The Best of the Poconos and Catskills - PA, NJ, NY

† 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

Both the Poconos in PA and the Catskills in NY are part of the Appalachian Mountain system and are known for their natural beauty and abundance of lakes and streams. During the mid-1900s, the Catskills became home to many resorts for people seeking a get-away from New York City, while the Poconos became known as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World” featuring resorts with heart-shaped bathtubs. The areas remain popular as recreational destinations.

This tour starts in the quaint town of Milford PA, founded in 1796, which will be our home for the next three nights. Our accommodations at Myer Country Motel on the edge of town, are very close to the local bike shop for any last-minute needs. We’ll walk into town for our first group dinner. There will be two loop rides from Milford. One will be to the High Point monument, the highest point in NJ. The other ride, through rolling NJ farmlands to Peter’s Valley Craft School, will be followed by a tour of Grey Towers estate, home to former PA governor and founder of the forest service, Gifford Pinchot.

The next day, leaving Milford, we’ll travel through Twin Lakes and Shohola on the way to the home of author Zane Grey maintained by the NPS. We’ll cross the Delaware River into NY via the historic Roebling bridge with views of the old canal and visit the site of the Minisink Battle Ground from the Revolutionary War. The Blue Fox Motel will welcome us for the next three nights. The first day is a loop ride to Bethel Woods, home of the 1969 Woodstock music festival - one of the largest in history, and synonymous with the counterculture of the 1960s.  We’ll take a step back in time while we tour the music museum. The following day will offer the option of a 5 or 10 mile kayak or canoeing trip down the Delaware River with Landers outfitters or an optional ride North to Damascus PA or Callicoon NY.

Leaving the Blue Fox, we’ll travel to Hawley PA where we will tour the Dorflinger Glass Museum.  Our lodging for the next three nights will be at the historic Settlers Inn.  The ride for the next day offers a long or short version of the 3 Hammers Winery loop which follows Towpath Rd along the Lackawaxen River, through the quiet PA state game lands. A stop at the winery with its beautiful grounds is planned. The second day will offer two optional loop rides: one challenging ride around Lake Wallenpaupack (with 52 mi. of shoreline) or another to Calkins Creamery. There is also the option for a short ride over to a sister property on Lake Wallenpaupack for kayaking, swimming or SUP. On the last day, we return to Milford with a stop at Shohola Falls. During our ride we may see the start of the leaves turning to gold as we welcome the start of the Fall season.

Your tour guides, Gail and Rich, are both locals – Gail grew up near Milford and Rich in Honesdale, so we are anxious to share the history and beauty of our area with you.

Ride Rating:  The ride is rated 2B! While the distances are not long, many of the climbs have short but steep sections with grades between 8% and 13%. This terrain is very challenging - mostly up and down except for flat sections along the rivers. The daily average mileage is 32 with 2310 ft. climbing. The average feet of climbing per mile is 73' which is considered to be very difficult.

Shortest options for each day are as follows:

• Ride to Peter's Valley NJ, and tour Grey Towers in Milford - 31 mi 1878 ft.
• Ride to High Point - picnic lunch at monument - 32 mi 2418 ft.
• Milford to Roebling Bridge, tour Zane Grey Museum, to Blue Fox - 27 mi 2268 ft.
• Blue Fox Bethel Woods loop- Museum tour - 31 mi 2196 ft.
• Optional river kayak trip or ride to Damascus - 29 mi. 2300 ft
• Ride to Hawley, Dorflingers Glass museum - 32 mi 2763 ft  
• Woodloch - 3 Hammers loop - 36 mi 2277 ft
• Cherry Ridge loop - 34 mi 2600 ft.
• Return to Milford via rte. 6 - 33 mi.2091 ft.

*There will be additional longer ride options each day.

GPX Files will be provided for all routes including rest days, and will be available via a Ride with GPS (RWGPS) event created by the ride leader. You will be able to download the files to your computer or navigation device. NOTE: It is up to each rider to know how to use their navigation device before the tour begins! The ride leader will also provide cue sheets and maps.

Weather: Daytime temperatures should range in the 60’s and 70’s making for pleasant riding. September is usually a drier month, although rain is always possible. Nighttime temperatures are usually in the mid 50’s although it can dip into the high 40’s, so bring some layers.  

Lodging & Meals:  Our lodging in Milford will be at the Myer’s Country Motel, featuring spacious cabins with porches. In Tustin NY, we will be at the Blue Fox Motel, offering a combination of cabins and King rooms and an excellent restaurant. In Hawley PA, we will be at the historic Settlers Inn (with Queen rooms and suites) and enjoy their farm-to-table menu.  Our last group dinner will be a specially prepared outdoor feast in their Grant’s Woods setting.

There are 9 breakfasts, and 7 group dinners included. Two picnic lunches will be provided on route. Vegetarian options will be provided at each meal. NOTE: Please contact the ride leader before signing up if you have special dietary needs.

Logistics:  The tour begins and ends at Myer Motel in Milford.  We will meet for our first BAC Happy Hour and meeting Wed, September 17th at 5PM. The tour will end by early afternoon as we ride back to Milford on Friday, Sept. 26th. Those wishing to stay an extra night or arrive before the tour can inform the tour leader and then book directly with the Motel. (call Mika at 570-296- 7223). Cars and bike boxes can be left at Myer Motel during the tour at no extra charge.

The closest airport is New York Stewart (45-minute drive) served by limited airlines. Wilkes-Barre Scranton (Avoca) is a one-hour drive. Newark airport is an 80-minute drive. Uber andLyft are available with prices from Newark Airport starting at $118.00 up to $180.00 for larger vehicles that can transport bicycles.    Public transportations are possible but logistically difficult with a taxi type service reuired for the last leg.  Depending on need, the tour leader may be able to arrange an airport shuttle (to Avoca) which would be in addition to the tour cost. 

Bikes: Please make sure your bikes are in good working condition. Lights are advised. There are no good options for rental bikes. One of the local bike shops may have rental bikes available by the time of this tour, but there are no guarantees. If you plan on riding an e-bike or tandem, please contact the Ride Leader before you sign up.

Cost & Administration:  Estimated cost per rider is $2280, plus the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee of $85, and includes: 9 nights lodging (double occupancy), 9 breakfasts; 7 group dinners, 2 lunches; daily route review meetings and BAC Happy Hour with wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks; gpx files, cue sheets, and maps; luggage van expense; and expense reimbursement for the Ride Leader and Co-Leader. A deposit of $1140 is due at sign-up. The remaining payment of $1140 is due April 30, 2025.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: The additional cost for a tour participant who does not wish to share a room (a solo) is $1011 and is due by Mar 30, 2025. Due to room limitations, a maximum of 3 solos can be accepted onto this tour. It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, singles who are accepted but waiting to find a roommate will have until 4/30/25 to do so. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and payment processing fees) or pay the $1011 Solo Supplement cost 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 Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.

Solo supplement payments may be made in one of two ways:

1. By check made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. Checks should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.
2. By Zelle. This is how to use Zelle for a solo supplement payment:

• In your online bank account, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org
• Initiate a payment
• In the Message block enter the name of your ride

If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett (nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org ) or Ernie Coose (erniecoose.bac@gmail.com ).

NOTE: Only solo supplement payments may be paid via Zelle. All other tour payments must be made by credit card through the BAC website.

HEALTH and SAFETY: Vaccinations for Covid are recommended, but not required. Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride.  A plan will be in place and communicated in advance of the tour start date to all ride participants regarding steps that will be taken should someone’s health become compromised during the tour, thus jeopardizing the group’s health and safety.  The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

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 Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader 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.

INSURANCE: Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents. This coverage applies when touring inside the US, regardless of your nationality. It’s assumed that members’ personal insurance will cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, so these have not been included in the BAC policy. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible. You may want to consider personal coverage for emergency evacuation, as this is not included. The costs of treatment or quarantine for Covid and other unexpected illnesses are not covered. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. If you are accepted onto the ride, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At that time, you’ll receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable $85 BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $1225 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the tour’s Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.