From: steve@zx11.cactus.org (Steve Bade)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Bear Mountain, NY Trip Report
Date: 26 Aug 92 00:21:46 GMT
Reply-To: steve@zx11.cactus.org
Distribution: world
Organization: NOT

sysop@elan.glassboro.edu (Supervisor) writes:
>
>9W is a great alternate route to the Thruway, as it winds its way next to
>the Hudson River for most of the way up New York State.  As luck would have
>it, there was a little construction going on, including grooving the road
>for some new layer of 'stuff'.  Riding on grooves was not a pleasant exper-
>ience, what with the bike weaving this way and that, but maybe I'll calm
>down with more miles under my belt.  After that stretch, nothing but great
>riding up to Bear Mountain State Park, our destination.  Most of the roads
>around BMSP are very twisty and hilly, posted at between 15-30 mph, with
>one v-e-r-y nice 15 mph hairpin through the woods.  In 30 minutes, I had
>leaned more than in 500 miles of South Jersey.  This was going to be a
>'crash' course in turning skills.
>
>Got ourselves settled in the Bear Mountain Inn (expensive, but very nice)
>and went out to feed and explore.  Ate in Highland Falls (any Billy Joel
>fans out there?), and did a quick tour of West Point (kinda nice to be
>saluted whilst on a bike), and headed back to the inn.
>
Why do you ask about Billy Joel.  Although the boat that billy
and christie were married on was in Highland falls in the middle
of the river, their place is supposedly actually in Hyde Park.

Anyhow congratulations on finding some of the best most scenic
country in the north east.  I'm a bit biased since I grew up in
Fishkill which is about 45 min north of Bear Mtn.  Sounds like
you stayed on the western side of the river.  Next time
cross the bridge, take 9D north to ColdSpring  (some pretty
good restaruants there, but the namse slip my mind) to
301.  Cross over 301 to the Taconic and head north.
When you hit Rt 44 get off and head away from Poughkeepsie
towards the CT border.  Alternativly, continue up the
Taconic to Bull Creek Road.  Take a left off the ramp and get ready
for some real twisty roads (I used to take it every day in my truck)
to work.  When it ends you are on 9G, take a right and continue to the
Kingston Rhinecliff bridge.  Cross over and then find a good 
map.  There are many interesting roads all over Ulster County and 
north into green counte (I've been on them, but for me what happens
is that I forget road names and go on auto pilot after a few times).

When you hit kingston, you could head south on 9W again to get back
to Bear Mountain.

>                Jockey-type underwear is cutting into my butt something
>                fierce.  Guess I'll try boxers.
Try cycling shorts.  Thats what I wear under the Leathers or Aerostich
and I have no problem.

>Well, thanks for listening.  If anyone has ridden the same area, I'd like
>to hear from you.  Or if you know some great rides a day's ride from NJ, I'd
>like to hear from you too.

While not A days ride from NJ, definatly a weekend trip.  Head into the Fingerlake
region of NY, or alternativly to the middle of the state.  There is an 
AM-JAM in Cobleskill NY every year arround the Fourth.  Pretty wild
crowd of Harley.  The last time I was there the winner of the "wet
T-shirt contest" had just her boots on.  Number 2 was trying to remove
her skil :-).   Another fun trip is to make it to the Unidilla 
Motocross Grand Prix (I think its in the fall only).  Be prepared
to party since it is a ton of fun.  Besides the track is only used 
2 times a year and they let it grow in between.  Interesting to see
practice open and have no one come out for 15 min.  The track changes
so much during practice it takes time for someone to bite the bullet.
After practice the ground is so torn up you would have thought the
farmer plowed it with a tractor.


Steve Bade
"Theres more to life than a bigger office"