The Great Hudson Valley Pedal Tour

Tuesday August 11th to 16th

 

We support the Great Hudson Valley Pedal Tour. It is a unique bike event, which shows you the Dutch Heritage in Orange and Dutchess county, like the Roosevelt’s and VanderBilt Mansions.
It is also possible that you will meet the descendants, the great,great, great etc. grandson and daughter of Peter Stuyvesant. They are living in Rhinebeck.

Program
DAYS 1-3: ALBANY→HUDSON→HYDE PARK
200 cyclists take six-day, gas-free vacation through Hudson Valley
—5th annual Great Hudson Valley Pedal tour starts August 11 in Albany—

ALBANY, N.Y. – They start out in Albany on Tuesday, August 11, leaving their cars and expensive gas behind.
Some 200 bicyclists from 25 states and Canada are participating in the 4th annual Great Hudson Valley Pedal event, organized by Parks & Trails New York, a statewide not-for-profit organization. The 200-mile bicycle tour ends on Sunday, August 16 in New York City.
“The Great Hudson Valley Pedal is bound to be a fun and exciting event, with four fabulous bridge crossings over the Hudson River,” says Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York. “We have riders spanning ages 6 to 80, plus many volunteers in communities along the route ready to welcome riders and help them discover what makes the Hudson Valley region so unique.”
On the first day of the tour, participants will ride from Albany to Hudson. Some of the day’s highlights include pedaling through downtown Albany and historic riverfront villages, the spectacular panoramic view from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, and a visit to Olana, home of Hudson River School painter Frederick Law Church.
The day’s itinerary also includes two rest stops, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, at riverfront parks, where cyclists will have an opportunity to sit, relax, and take in the scenery. After a full day of cycling, participants will take a sunset boat ride on the Hudson River from the City of Hudson dock.
Cyclists will leave Columbia-Greene Community College, location of the first night’s “tent city,” early on the morning of Wednesday, August 12, to pedal to Hyde Park, where they will be able to visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and Vanderbilt Mansion, National Historic Sites. Along the way, cyclists will enjoy pastoral landscapes RS
and vineyards and may choose to stop at several historic sites, including Montgomery
Place, Wilderstein, and Staatsburgh State Historic Site (formerly Mills Mansion).
The Regina Coeli School in Hyde Park is the location of the “tent city” on August 13 and August 14. Thursday, August 13 is a stopover day. Cyclists can either enjoy the many attractions in Hyde Park or take an optional loop bicycle ride to visit historic New Paltz and award-winning wineries on the west side of the River.
The Hudson River Valley Greenway and Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area are the premier sponsors of the Great Hudson Valley Pedal. Con Edison is the Champion Corporate Sponsor. Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission are the Leading Hudson Valley Sponsors.
Mark Castiglione, Acting Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway and Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area said, “Parks and Trails New York does a tremendous job with the Great Hudson Valley Pedal and we’re proud to be sponsoring it for the fourth year in a row. Participants will enjoy the world class natural and cultural resources that led Congress to designate the Hudson River Valley a National Heritage Area.
What’s more, this event showcases biking as a fun, healthy and viable alternative to the automobile. In the age of $4.00 per gallon gas,-ok it lowers now- and then promoting regional connections and alternative transportation options are key pieces of the smart growth puzzle.”

Parks & Trails New York is a statewide not-for-profit organization working to create a network of parks, trails and open space across the state for all to use and enjoy. Funds raised will help support Parks & Trails New York’s programs.

The Albany to Hyde Park schedule is as follows:
Day 0: Monday, August 10 – Albany
(Overnight Location: Sage College of Albany)
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. - Reception and Orientation at Sage College

Day 1: Tuesday, August 11 – Albany to Hudson
(Overnight Location: Columbia-Greene Community College)
6:00am – 7:30 am – Breakfast
7:45-8:00am – Kick-off Ceremony
8:00am – 12:00pm – Morning rest stop-Henry Hudson Park in Bethlehem
12:00pm – 5:00pm – Afternoon rest stop-Village of Athens River Town Park
2:00pm – 6:00pm – Shuttle to downtown Hudson and Olana
5:00pm – 6:30pm – Dinner at Columbia-Greene
6:30pm – Board shuttle for Hudson River sunset cruise
7:00pm – 8:30pm – Cruise on Hudson River
8:30pm – Shuttle Bus returns to Columbia-Greene

Day 2: Wednesday, August 12 – Hudson to Hyde Park
(Overnight Location: Regina Coeli School, Hyde Park)
6:00am– 8:00am – Breakfast at Columbia-Greene
8:00am – 12:00pm –Rest Stop at Alison Vineyard
1:00pm – 5:00pm – Visits to Hyde Park Historic Sites
5:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner at School
7: 00pm – 8:30pm – Music at campground

Day 3: Thursday, August 13–Hyde Park Stopover
(Overnight: Regina Coeli School, Hyde Park)
6:30am– 8:00am – Breakfast at Regina Coeli School
Two Daytime Options:
1) Loop bike ride to visit historic New Paltz and wineries on west side of river
2) Visits to Hyde Park Historic Sites
5:00pm – 9:00pm – Shuttle to area restaurants

Days 4,5 and 6, Hyde Park – New York City
Day 4
Friday, August 14
Relish the views from the day’s TWO bridge crossings.
Take a special tour of the Walkway over the Hudson, a park in progress that will be the
world’s longest elevated pedestrian walkway, crossing 212 feet above the River.
Visit the Mill House, the oldest house on the National Register of Historic Places in Orange
County, which has been continuously inhabited for more than 280 years.
Relax in Cold Spring, with plentiful antique shops, excellent restaurants, and historical monuments.

Day 5
Saturday, August 15
Walk the paths of generals on a tour ofWest Point, the oldest military academy in the U.S.
Pass through the dramatic and scenic gorge of the Hudson River as it cuts through the Appalachians.
Visit Bear Mountain State Park, the park nestled along the Hudson River that welcomes more visitors every year then Yellowstone.

Nyack to New York City
Relive key events in the fight for independence at several important Revolutionary War sites, including Stony Point Battlefield.
Stroll through Nyack, a delightful river village offering dozens of interesting shops and restaurants.

Day 6
Sunday, August 16
Bicycle under the majestic Palisades Cliffs, part of the Palisades Interstate Park Cross
the GeorgeWashington Bridge and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline
Ride into Manhattan along the Hudson River on the off-road Hudson River Trail
End your journey near Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan, with a fine view
of the Statue of Liberty.
Spend an extra night or two on your own enjoying the sights and sounds of the Big Apple.

www.ptny.org/hudsontour
telnr: (001)5184341583
hudsonontour@ptny.org