Fall in the northeast is such a treat, and when you get weekends with people you appreciate, hopefully you can slow down enough to appreciate how beautiful life and the outdoors really are. If you blink long enough, fall’s gone. Getting out of New York is both impossible, and easier than staying put. Sometimes taking a weekend in of doing nothing can be so necessary after a draining week of really living the New York dream and working yourself stupid at times. But then again, a weekend of adventure and pushing your boundaries is incredibly indicative of actual personal growth. Personal growth outside the limits of your job, of your city life, and outside your expectations. You don’t really grow unless you hit some pot holes and speed bumps along the way in life, unless you venture far outside of your comfort zone, trust yourself, and get carried away. There’s no better way to encounter the unexpected than by throwing yourself straight into it. What’s the worst that’ll happen?
So how do you escape?? Get yourself and the girlfriend suited up. Head north. Get some breakfast in Brooklyn, get over a couple bridges, get into the city, cut through central park to avoid traffic, head north. Of course, if you can afford the time to, you better stop and see The Royal Tenenbaum’s house. Get out of Manhattan, get into Yonkers, and find one of the best rails-to-trails that leads away from the city, Old Putnam Trail.
Head north!!
Fall in the northeast is such a treat, and when you get weekends with people you appreciate, hopefully you can slow down enough to appreciate how beautiful life and the outdoors really are. If you blink long enough, fall’s gone. Getting out of New York is both impossible, and easier than staying put. Sometimes taking a weekend in of doing nothing can be so necessary after a draining week of really living the New York dream and working yourself stupid at times. But then again, a weekend of adventure and pushing your boundaries is incredibly indicative of actual personal growth. Personal growth outside the limits of your job, of your city life, and outside your expectations. You don’t really grow unless you hit some pot holes and speed bumps along the way in life, unless you venture far outside of your comfort zone, trust yourself, and get carried away. There’s no better way to encounter the unexpected than by throwing yourself straight into it. What’s the worst that’ll happen?
We eventually played some sort of zig-zag between South County Trailway, and the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, and route 9A to 202 to 9D. We stopped along the Croton trail just outside of Sleepy Hollow to stop at a local farmer’s market for coffee, tea, and some goodies to bring back home. Mmm, like some blackberry applesauce…
The part of the Croton trail that leads through Rockefeller State Park Preserve is absolutely beautiful, and if you get a chance to explore that state preserve, you definitely should as it’s a collection of old carriage roads, gorgeous nature preserve, and a handful of rolling green fields you want to lay in until dark.
Riding the final stretches of actual road from the Croton trail reminds you how hilly Hudson Valley can really be, and passing through the tunnel at the beautiful Breakneck Ridge is such a treat. Rounding the corner on Route 9D to see the ridge line, the road tunnel, and the double trail tunnel cutting through the rock is so surreal and you know you’re close.
We finally pull into Beacon, NY with about an hour to spare before sundown, and a killer descent into this quaint Hudson River hugging town. We zig zag and descend over to Dia: Beacon, which is right on the Hudson. With just a few minutes before closing, we wander around and take some photos. Probably looking like aliens who just landed, wearing full kit, helmets, and tap-shoes. The almost 80mile ride finally hits, and were starving. We climb back into the center of town and head over to ‘The Hop’ and get our fill of food. A vegan Reuben, a couple of appetizers, and a much needed beer.
Of course before we hit the train back to Manhattan, we stop and get a couple cupcakes for the train ride. Thanks Ella’s Bellas Bakery!
Cupacake and nap on the train, wake up at grand central and bomb down 5th ave to Broadway back towards Brooklyn, a shower, and home.
Let’s do that again soon!!
Hey, that’s me! Geared up with Cadence Collection, Fairdale Bikes, Vittoria Tires, and a killer Kreuzberg Berlin hat from my friend Mo at Keirin Berlin!
