RBSC Destination Ride: Dutchess County Rail Trail & Walkway Over the Hudson The ride has us biking over to Poughkeepsie/Hudson River where, after spending a little time on the bridge enjoying the view/taking pictures, we’d have lunch at the The Ice House Restaurant , located directly on the river. The last two years’ rides was were well attended and got good reviews.
Date: Tuesday, 06/13/2017 8:30 AM EDT
Name of Ride: Dutchess County Rail Trail (DCRT) and Walkway Over the Hudson
Date: June 13, 2017
Day of the Week: Tuesday
Time: 8:30 am assembly at Ridgefield Bike Shop
Narrative/Description of Ride: DCRT is a relatively new rail trail running from Hopewell Junction in Dutchess County over to Poughkeepsie on the Hudson River, where it links up to the old RR bridge over the river, called the Walkway Over the Hudson. The course is in excellent condition, completely paved, quite flat and has only a few street crossings. Port-o-San type rest rooms are located at the start and along the route
The ride has us biking over to Poughkeepsie/Hudson River where, after spending a little time on the bridge, 200 feet above the Hudson River, enjoying the view/taking pictures, we’d have lunch at the The Ice House Restaurant, on the river. A large elevator takes us and our bikes down to river level from the bridge and it is a short ride from there to the restaurant.
While Poughkeepsie’s “heyday” is well behind it, there is some redevelopment going on, and the old Poughkeepsie Bridge conversion to a pedestrian and bike way is a big part of that. The bridge itself was not only a major engineering feat, in its day, it was also a vital link in the country’s rails system ( 50 trains a day, at one point). We’ll be seeing the top surface, obviously, but when we take the elevator we’ll also get a glimpse of the girder work etc---rusty, but holding up nicely! Quite a large structure, actually. Anyway, if you have time, take a look at the Wikipedia link below for a little history of the bridge, as well as the other websites and the video of the Walkway.
Some related website links below—nice pics on the Facebook page:
http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/DPW-Parks/17081.htm
https://www.facebook.com/DutchessCountyRailTrail
http://www.walkway.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poughkeepsie_Bridge
http://www.poughkeepsieicehouse.com/index.html
Video: https://vimeo.com/164915259
Milage: Rail Trail is about 13 miles, and Walkway adds a mile+, so round trip biking distance is about 28 miles, not counting detour for lunch;
Pace: 12-15 mph
Approximate duration of ride:
8:30 am: Assemble group at Ridgefield Bike Shop/load up car(s)/get coffee
9:00 Depart by car to Hopewell Junction(HJ)
9:45 Arrive HJ, disembark
10:00 Start ride
11:30 Arrive at Walkway—bike over Hudson, take in the view, pics etc
12:00 Drop down into The Ice House for lunch
12:15 Lunch
2:00 Depart back to Hopewell Junction
3:15 Arrive HJ Depot
3:30 Depart by car to Ridgefield
4:15 Arrive Ridgefield
Driving Directions—Ridgefield area to Hopewell Junction Depot ( 30-32 miles):
1-Route 84 West to Taconic State Parkway North
2-Apx 1.5 miles to exit for Route 52---go West( left), toward Fishkill
3-Apx 1 Mile to Route 376 toward Hopewell—right turn
4-Apx 2.5-3 miles on Route 376 to Railroad Ave---past Route 82( you get on and off Route 82 very quickly—about 100 yards) and over RR tracks---Railroad Ave is a straight continuance when Route 376 turns left to Bridge St
5-Depot and parking lot for Rail Trail are straight ahead—look for Hopewell Junction Train Depot signs. The Depot is a restored train station at the trailhead.
Level: All levels welcomed. Given the easy terrain, expectation is that any C rider and better will have no problem with the ride. This is a more social vs competitive ride, and we will be sharing the trail with walkers and casual bikers, especially on the return leg.
Cue Sheet/Map :
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7784090
Carpool options: We’ll be meeting at the shop to start our drive over to Hopewell Junction at 8:30 am. There will be a need for drivers/bike carrying capacity, so when you register, let Joe Boland know by email if you can accommodate additional bikes/bikers in your car OR if you need transportation assistance.
Rain Date if applicable: TBD
Ride Leader: Joe Boland
Email:
jnboland@optonline.net
Cell Phone: 914-450-0473
