Gravel grinding at Mohonk-Minnewaska in Hudson Valley

[Tony T]

I ride though Blue Chip a lot.
I rode to the Sam's Point entrance a few times this year (nice 2000 ft climb).
2 years ago I continued to Sam's Point on a day there wasn't too may hikers. Bikes are not allowed to be ridden past the entrance, but I wanted to make to the rock at least once

[staggerwing]

That first shot, with the weeping willow, almost has to be Bates Lane.

Sadly, I had heard there was a cyclist killed on Bates 4-5 years back. Don't know the full story.

[AJosiahK]

Those photos wow. what a great place

My wife grew up just down the road from mohonk. Her local MTB / CX trails cut in and out of the Mohonk preserve.

Such a beautiful place.

I fell hard for that area, but not as hard as I fell for that woman.

[Tony T]

Originally Posted by staggerwing

That first shot, with the weeping willow, almost has to be Bates Lane.

Sadly, I had heard there was a cyclist killed on Bates 4-5 years back. Don't know the full story.

Yes.
Didn't hear about the cyclist that was killed. Bates Ln has almost no traffic, surprised to hear about that death. (I would not be surprised if it were route 9)

[BumbleBeeDave]

Originally Posted by trener1

How about a little group ride up there, maybe in December?.

. . . depending on the specific day, and the weather report.

Weekend of Dec. 2-3? 9-10? 16-17?

BBD

[AngryScientist]

It's a great area, for sure.

I made it a point to spend a bunch of weekend day trips there and the lower catskills in general this summer. awesome riding for days both on tarmac and off.

i'm close enough to blast up there in an hour or so. Would definitely be down for a group ride, provided the temps are over 35 or so. i'm a pretty big cold weather wimp.

[Tony T]

There used to be a ride called the Gunks 10,000 (10,000 feet of climbing in 100 miles) Never rode it, and I don't think it's done anymore, but one of the older routes is on ridewithgps.

Also good routes south of what you posted.
Here's a nice view just over the ridge on 52:

[pitonpat]

Dave, the 'mattresses' are used as landing pads, not unlike gymnastic mats, for so-called boulderers. These people are an aberrant sub-group of the already nutty people who rock climb (including me); note: tongue firmly in cheek!

Boulderers climb short, often extremely difficult, climbs typically on detached boulders strewn about the landscape, often starting from a sitting position to get the most moves possible. The 'sport' evolved from regular rock climbers who trained on boulders, to become the distinct group of people who rarely climb anything but boulders.

[IFRider]

Originally Posted by BumbleBeeDave

. . . is up by the tower?

As I rode along there, more than a few of the folks coming/going to the routes seemed to be carrying foam mattresses, about the size of a single bed mattress or smaller. Any idea what those are for? Just relaxing between climbs? Seems like they would be way too small to serve as anything more than a very rudimentary safety aid.

BBD

If I recall it up towards the tower. I think the tower was off limits. We were more focused on get to the climbs.

Those mattresses are crash pads for bouldering. Did not exist back when I was there but very popular for rope free climbing close to the ground where a fall could be landed safely.

We used to boulder a lot when late in the day to wind down or in the winter when the days were short and windy up higher.

Warren

[trener1]

Originally Posted by BumbleBeeDave

. . . depending on the specific day, and the weather report.

Weekend of Dec. 2-3? 9-10? 16-17?

BBD

I think I can make 12/3 as of now.
Should also be able to make some of the later weekends in December.
My caveats are, not to early of a start, I need to drive up from Brooklyn, would like the temps to at least be near 30.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Looks like forecast at this point for that day is high of 35, partly cloudy, and 10% chance for precip. But I recognize this far in advance that would be pretty tentative.

But I'm up for it. Will be cold, but misery loves company!

BBD

[MrCannonCam]

I have a buddy that lives in Kingston, have ridden some of the roads in that area they are truly great!

[pat3967]

I live in Fishkill and I've biked Moronk since I was a kid (I'm 50 now). It's a spectacular area especially in the fall. Another great area is Annandale-on-Hudson. It's north of Rhinebeck and Bard College is there. Fantastic trails and gravel roads all over. I work in New York City and it always blows my mind the contrast between NYC and these areas, it's wild. Good thread.

[AngryScientist]

check out this thread:

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...70#post2270470

[Redbasso2]

Another thanks for the great posting. As a new cross bike enthusiast who loves the gravel and fire roads, I'd definitely want to check out the area. I'm just 2 hours south in NJ and remember how pretty upstate NY is, I went to college in central NY.
Fantastic photos, very inspiring!