The Walkway over the Hudson has been a huge success and thousands of visitors have enjoyed it's towering views. The approaches to the bridge get less attention, but are a wonderful attraction in their own right. In my mind I have often envisioned a continuous cycle trip from our home, across the river and onto New Paltz and the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. With the last mile of the Dutchess rail trail completed, it was time to make the trip.
In my youth I made some long distance bike tours, and being young and broke, we always camped. This trip was both my birthday present and anniversary present. We would go in style. All we carried in our panniers was a change of clothes, toiletries and repair equipment. Our destination would be the recently restored 1850 House and Tavern in Rosendale. Our route would connect some of the best that Dutchess and Ulster has to offer.
The Dutchess Rail Trail follows the route of the old New Haven Railroad's Maybrook Line. The trail's last leg was completed last year, opening up a continuous linear off road bike ride. One of the highlights of the trail is the new bridge crossing over Wappingers Creek and Route 55 in Lagrange.
 |
| Route 55 Bridge |
We tooled along at a modest ten miles an hour as we headed west toward the Hudson. The trail was well used by bikers, joggers and walkers, but we were amazed at the number of people enjoying the Walkway over the Hudson during the middle of the week.
When you reach the western shore the pavement continues, but you are now riding on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. This 4 mile section was the first part of what is now becoming a regional rail network. The trail ends at Tony Williams park where we started our road riding. The shoulder on Rt. 299 into New Paltz is wide, but the 55 mile per hour traffic can be a bit intimidating after the relative quiet of the trail. The heavy traffic in downtown New Paltz had us walking our bicycles and enjoying the unique shops and interesting people. Our first destination however, was the
The Gilded Otter brew pub. We have been enjoying the fine beer and food here since it's opening in 1998. A word of warning, riding with a belly full of pizza and beer will slow you down!
 |
| Caramelized Pear and Bacon Pizza |
The
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is directly adjacent to the Gilded Otter, and with our appetites satiated, we continued our journey northward. The track here is crushed stone and cinders and we rode in quiet solitude through a green tunnel. We crossed over the trails' namesake river on a wooden decked bridge and were soon rewarded by an amazing view of the "Gunks".
 |
| Wallkill River Bridge |
 |
| "Gunk" View |
The trail follows an old New York Central Railroad line that headed north from the Maybrook Yards into Kingston. Until recently the official route ended at the New Paltz border, but a recent acquisition has extended the ride north past Rosendale.
 |
| Rosendale Trestle |
The huge 900 foot Trestle at Rosendale has been restored and is a miniature version of the Poughkeepsie Bridge. It overlooks the Rondout Creek and the eclectic village of Rosendale. Not sure how to get down off the trestle, we asked a young lady who was riding with her friends. She directed us to the Binnewater Road parking lot which took us downhill into town. Rosendale, is similar to New Paltz with a laid back and inviting atmosphere. We checked in to our room at the
1850 House where our hostess lead us to our room. The inn has been recently updated and the rooms have a pleasant minimalist style that is accentuated by large reproductions of old local postcards. The image in our room was of main street Rosendale in the twenties.
After a refreshing shower we headed downstairs to the tavern which was stocked with local beers. The young lady who gave us directions into town was on the waite staff, she had been getting some exercise before she had to get to work, a strange coincidence.
 |
| View from trestle. |
1850 House
Dinner
 |
| The Alternative Baker |
