DCRT/WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON RIDE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2020
EVENT DETAILS:
RBSC Destination Ride: Dutchess County Rail Trail (DCRT) & Walkway Over the Hudson: The ride has us biking from Hopewell Junction over to Poughkeepsie/Hudson River. After spending a little time on the bridge enjoying the view/foliage/taking pictures, we’ll gather for an informal, bring your own meal/snack at the West side of the bridge at the outdoor Ulster County Welcome Plaza and return to HJ afterwards.
To manage COVID risk:
We will not be doing a restaurant group luncheon this year.
All riders should carry a mask and maintain social distancing
Pods will be 4-6 riders each, maximum
Name of Ride: Dutchess County Rail Trail (DCRT) and Walkway Over the Hudson
Date: October 7, 2020
Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time: 9:30/9:45 am assembly at Hopewell Junction Depot
Membership: Note that only RBSC Members are invited to Club Destination Rides
Maximum Number of Riders: 18
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, now called the Walkway Over the Hudson. The course is in excellent condition, completely paved, quite flat and has only a few street crossings. An inside rest room is available at the Hopewell Junction Depot start point and Port-o-San type facilities are located at several points along the route. Restrooms are also at both ends of the Bridge.
The ride has us biking over to Poughkeepsie/Hudson River, in pods of 4-6 riders each, where we’ll spend some time on the bridge, 200 feet above the Hudson River, enjoying the view/taking pictures, then enjoying a socially spaced “bring your own lunch or snack” over at the Ulster County Welcome Plaza on the west side of the bridge. Afterwards, we’d return on the DCRT to Hopewell Junction.
To mitigate COVID risk, this year we will not be doing the usual group restaurant luncheon on the River. Please do bring your own lunch/ snack for a socially spaced outdoor gathering on the Ulster County side of the Walkway which has 15 outdoor tables. There is at least one possible option for individuals to pick up pre-ordered lunch….Lola’s… adjacent to the East end of the Bridge. Details to follow.
The old Poughkeepsie Bridge conversion to a pedestrian and bike way is a big part of the City of Poughkeepsie’s redevelopment effort. 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)! Quite a large structure, and 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://hudsonvalleyrailtrail.net/index.php
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;
Pace: 12-15 mph
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
Approximate duration of ride:
9:30/9:45: Arrive Hopewell Junction Depot----RBSC not arranging carpooling
10:00: Start ride
11:30: Arrive at Walkway—bike over Hudson, take in the view, pics etc
11:45/12:00: Gather at Western end of Bridge at Ulster County Welcome Center pavilion for lunch or snack carried in by the individual riders
12:45/1:00: Depart back to Hopewell Junction Depot
2:15: Arrive HJ Depot
2:30/45: Depart by car to Ridgefield
3:30: 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.
Rain Date if applicable: TBD
Ride Leader: Joe Boland
Email:
jnboland@optonline.net
Mobile Phone: 914-450-0473
