Oss has been planning this ride since January and was a bit disappointed that so few had responded. Fortunately, several were able to make last minute changes and we ended up with seven bikes today. Ride start was scheduled for 11am to coordinate with Meathead and the Mrs. (Rob & Brenda) flying the redeye from AZ to JFK and then picking up the rental Gold Wing.
I had ridden up from PA last night, staying in Wayne, NJ. Up and out before first light brought quite a bit of traffic up 287 and then across 87 to the Tappan Zee bridge. I wanted to get a jump on traffic as the bridge gets pretty backed up as it gets later in the morning commute. I ran through some light fog just before daybreak as I made the final leg down 87 towards the bridge. Once across the bridge, Oss' directions were spot on to bring me right where I needed to be. As I rode into town a bit after 7am, I knew it was a bit early to show up unannounced at Ground Zero, so a stop at the nearby Starbucks killed an hour or so scanning the VRCC boards for any last minute updates.
I texted Oss a bit after 8 as he had requested with my arrival time of 10am as an impromptu wrenching session was needed prior to the ride. I had exited the Starbucks and was getting ready to gear up, get some gas and a bite to eat before heading over to his house. I see an Interstate pull into the parking lot and up rode Oss. He had gotten my text and came down to make sure I knew how to get to his house. We chatted for a few minutes and ended with Oss returning home and me topping off the gas tank as well as my belly with some good ole' NY bagels. They really do make great bagels here…… On my way to his house, I noticed a good spot for the obligatory bike pic.
Arrived at Oss' to find Wild6 (Dan) and the bull (Rich) making some serious headway on Oss' bike. He needed to change out his rear shocks as one had been leaking. The shocks were changed out and all that was left to do was reattach his saddle bags. As we were finishing up, BigRig (Dave) and Harryc (Harry) pulled up. We kicked the tires and talked shop as we anticipated Meathead's arrival.
It was time to hit the road as Meathead would catch up with us at one of our stops. The route was modified a bit to get some riding in while allowing Meathead to get in the area.
We headed off, following Oss like a bunch of puppies. He waved at a local LEO he knew as they were writing a cager up for some minor infraction. No handcuffs and no one was arrested, but we all made sure to make a full and completed stop at that intersection.
We wound our way on two lane roads in and around Ossining, heading for Croton Dam and crossing over the reservoir of the same name. Stunning views in both directions as peaceful, calm waters surrounded us and we viewed leaves at this low elevation that had begun to change. Arriving about 15 minutes later, we drove past the barricaded access road to the dam and parked our rides. Walking the short ¼ mile or so to the top of the bridge and across it, we saw the dam and reservoir. The reservoir stretches some 9 miles up this valley. The dam is a very cool hand hewn masonry marvel, which is part of the NYC water Aqueduct system. Oss told us that it was the first aqueduct into the City back in the 1800's. At its completion, it was the tallest dam in the world. We asked but were denied a tour of the inside of the dam as it poses a potential threat to national security. Groups shot and several pics of Croton Reservoir. Check out the spillway – it looks like a giant infinity pool. Amazing how much effort went into the engineering and construction of this dam. I have seen a lot of dams and taken the tours. This one is very unique. Time well spent.
Left to Right: Harryc, BigRig, Valkyrie Crest,Jim@98valkyrie.com, Oss, the bull,Wild6
We walked back and then rode the very short distance to the Croton Gorge Park at the bottom of the dam. Several money shots with bikes were taken and the grandeur of this structure with its cascading water spillway became even more visible from this vantage point.
Leaving the park, we headed out through tree lined roads with canopies of leaves that make you feel being on this planet has a true reason. Quite a few twisties and switchback curves led us up and out to a road that parallels the Hudson River. Grand, sweeping views of this magnificent water way and all the history we will soon see and experience. Crossed over the Hudson at Bear Mountain Bridge. There is a small toll booth that handles east bound traffic. Kind of quaint to see.
Turning the corner, we head up into the Bear Mountain State Park. We ride past the main parking lot heading to the top of the mountain, via Perkins Dr. As we ascend, the leaf colors begin changing pretty quickly in this short distance to the top. We are met with many sporties and a lot of traffic coming down. It seems this is a pretty popular destination during the week as well as weekends. Twisites abound but little uphill traffic to contend with. Finding parking at the top is pretty nonexistent, so we park the Phat ladies all in a row on the left side of the drive. The Milwaukee bikes are parked on the right side of the drive, naturally. Never the two shall meet….LOL
There is a tower at the top of the mountain that Oss thinks is great to climb to the top of, but he is having none of that today.
We instead walk to the overlook and view the Hudson River Valley, with its many shades of green and ever increasing color changes. There is a notch in the hills out to the Southeast, which affords a view of the City, but today's hazy skies makes that difficult. I spend a few minutes talking with a lady who has set up her easel and is painting the aforementioned Valley. She is early on in the process and we talk about the different mediums we both work in. She is here today as part of a region wide event capturing the area as each artist interprets. I take her picture and it's time to ride once again.
Meathead has called and will meet us at the bottom of the mountain once we descend. We look around the main parking area that we passed as we headed in, but fail to spot him. Pulling up further we spot him in the traffic circle, directly across from us. He spots us as well and frantic hand signals are exchanged in an attempt to meet in this giant cluster. Well, obviously the signals got crossed and Meathead followed a couple of Gold Wings he thought were with our group. He ended up donating to the State of New York for their fine bridge repair fund (See toll booth from before). As the six of us are now single file and parked along the busy edge of the traffic circle, Oss walks back to see if Meathead has turned around. BigRig is directing traffic so the Valks stay safe and no accidents occur, requiring at the very least forms to be filled out in triplicate.
Once Meathead returns and the group is now whole! We cross a short bridge over the Popolopen Creek and enter the Fort Montgomery State Park. Bikes are parked, and new friends are introduced all around.
If you have never been on a trip in this area with Oss, you need to. This is my first time, and his knowledge of the history is amazing!
He brings the times and events to life and we walk the trails of the park, ending up at the Grand Battery facing the channel.
The Revolutionary forces were hard at work keeping the British from invading and sailing up the Hudson. There is so much cool history here! Read more about it here
Read more about it here
http://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/28/details.aspxAfter a quick stop at the museum we mount up again heading for Cliff road. Oss tells us that this road can be closed at any time and we might not be able to travel past the gate near one of the entrances to West Point. We find the gates open and Oss raises a triumphant fist in celebration. We climb above the Hudson, sheer rock walls to our left and substantial drop offs to our right. We have been forewarned that there is a very small parking area at the top and a scenic lookout over the river.
As we approach the parking area, it is filled with magnificent vintage Jaguars and Porsches. They are mostly right hand drives and are participating in the Pan American Friendship Rally.
Oohs and ahhs are all passed around as we all enjoy each other's bikes and cars and we discuss their adventures and our shared love of the open road. It is time for them to leave, but not before a couple of photos of the vintage cars and the Phat ladies. We linger, taking in the magnificent views up and down the Hudson River as Oss points out spots across the river that we will see later.
Meathead (Rob & Brenda)
The bull left us and will return tomorrow to catch the Catskills ride.
We let Wild6 lead as he has the GPS with the long/lat in place for our lunch stop. We meander down the hill and pass through a couple of small towns, taking some back roads that lead us through the communities and into Newburgh. We locate lunch and park in front of Billy Joe's Rib house, right smack dab on the banks of the Hudson. Service was a bit slow, and Oss got his typical Admin applicant pic. Stories were told and plans were made for the remaining part of the day. Harryc and BigRig left us here, so we were down to four bikes.
Crossing back over Hudson, we enter into Beacon. Traversing the streets of this small town, we find ourselves heading back South along the Hudson headed for Cold Springs. It is a leisurely ride as one of the locals thinks that going 20 under the speed limit is appropriate. Oss does not. Enough said.
We pull off and enter Cold Springs, heading through this charming town with bustling shops along the main drag. Many people out and about today, enjoying the warm clear sunshiny day. We locate the Harbor, park the steads and walk out onto the huge deck that is constructed here. There is a wedding shoot going on, and we see the bridal party taking part in all the photo activities.
We stop once again to take in the beautiful views up and down the Hudson River, seeing where we were a couple of hours ago and viewing West Point from the vantage of the river.
Oss spots the Moo Moo Creamery just across the street and announces that it is time for ice cream. What a perfect topping to the finish this ride off. We all enjoy some ice cream although Oss got a bit carried away with his sundae and couldn't finish the whole thing.
We mount up and ride the remaining 25 or so miles back to Ground Zero as the daylight only shines on the most direct of spots. It won’t be long before nightfall, as many area are in shade now.
We will all meet once again tomorrow at Ground Zero for a much longer ride through the Catskills and many more sites to see.
EDITED Here is the link for the pics I took this weekend.
https://98valkyrie.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Rides/Hudson-River-Ride-2016/n-9cPj4m/i-h7Fzxpw
Password is VRCC (Case sensitive)
Let me know if you have any issues. All of the photos should be available for downloading.
