Hudson Valley - Catskill Mountain ride Oct 7-10 2016

[Oss]

I have always wanted to put on a ride since I got to host Powwow many years ago

After talking it over with some of you this is the year.

Its columbus day weekend, probably will use LaQuinta as the base about 4 miles south of me unless I can get a better rate from somewhere else.

Up in the Catskills the leaves should be entering peak with reds, oranges and yellows to whet your appetite.

This will showcase the beautiful Hudson Valley, the West Point cliff roads (unless closed for falling rocks), Harriman Park, the Croton Watershed, waterfalls, lakes, some switchbacks, and views one would not expect so close to NYC and of course a tour of the Catskill Mountains.  Planned stops include BBQ and a very cool motorcycle museum in Newburgh NY (not OCC  cant stand that place)

Please let me know if you are interested so I can negotiate rate with the local hotels.  You do NOT have to ride thru or near NYC to get here unless coming from Long Island  Happy to give traffic free directions.

Oss

[The emperor has no clothes]

At the risk of deterring other riders we would love to do that. I will have to check with my wife, job, etc. My wife has always wanted to see NYC. How hard from the ground zero would it be to do a day there ?

[GiG]

Looks like my October Ride 2016 is shaping up as:
NYC - Myrtle Beach, SC - Fall Color Ride....

[Detn8er]

Looks like my October Ride 2016 is shaping up as:
NYC - Myrtle Beach, SC - Fall Color Ride....

Myrtle Beach, SC.......Bring lots of cash....We need the Yankee revenue for road repairs. 

[GiG]

LuLus kin in Murrels Inlet. We were just there and Surfside to make donations, but no one called us Yankee

[Wizzard]

I would if I were not going go Alaska this summer 

[Oss]

You have a choice of either Metro North from Ossining (see my avatar)
or you can simply ride your bike down the Saw Mill Parkway which becomes the Henry Hudson West Side Highway to ground zero
(toll road no ez pass needed, no trucks allowed)

I have in the past arranged a group rate for the Circle Line  but that wasnt in my plans for this year

[Hook#3287]

October is a long way off, but pencil me in.  I'm doing the Adirondacks in June, so 2016 is looking like a NY kinda year.

[The emperor has no clothes]

You have a choice of either Metro North from Ossining (see my avatar)
or you can simply ride your bike down the Saw Mill Parkway which becomes the Henry Hudson West Side Highway to ground zero
(toll road no ez pass needed, no trucks allowed)

I have in the past arranged a group rate for the Circle Line  but that wasnt in my plans for this year

Oss, I worded my question poorly. What I meant was, from the hotel that you are arranging. How hard would it be to get to manhattan ? Doing that on the day after the Catskill ride. Preferably not on the bike but by bus or cab.

[DirtyDan]

do NOT go into manhattan on a bike

really

DONT DO IT !!!

dan

[Oss]

Meathead  From Greenburgh or Hawthorne I would take a taxi or shuttle to Tarrytown and then Metro North to Grand Central Station

Its about 30 miles to Grand Central Station from the LaQuinta
or any of the other hotels in the area.

Are you flying to NY or riding?

I ride the bike in NYC but it is NOT for the faint of heart or not fast reflexes

[bentwrench]

Hey Oss,
Can you get all that riding and a trip to MCpedia in one day?Last time we were there they had to turn out the lights to get us to leave,what a treasure that place is. BW

[The emperor has no clothes]

Meathead  From Greenburgh or Hawthorne I would take a taxi or shuttle to Tarrytown and then Metro North to Grand Central Station

Its about 30 miles to Grand Central Station from the LaQuinta
or any of the other hotels in the area.

Are you flying to NY or riding?

I ride the bike in NYC but it is NOT for the faint of heart or not fast reflexes

Right now it's just hope. Work is going to be the determining factor. But if we do it, it would be riding the bike. Now that I have the new Russell I've got to get my money's worth out of it.  

[baldo]

Oss, this might just be doable....what could possibly go wrong?

[GiG]

do NOT go into manhattan on a bike

really

DONT DO IT !!!

dan

Really?
Why not?
In 2009 - 2010 I worked in Wayne NJ and my Valkyrie was my only mode of transportation.
I spent AT LEAST every other weekend in Manhattan and loved it  
The only bad thing that happened was my 150,000 mile clutch exploded, but I had a guy repair it in his kitchen. I'd much rather have a MC there than a cage!

[The emperor has no clothes]

do NOT go into manhattan on a bike

really

DONT DO IT !!!

dan

Really?
Why not?
In 2009 - 2010 I worked in Wayne NJ and my Valkyrie was my only mode of transportation.
I spent AT LEAST every other weekend in Manhattan and loved it  
The only bad thing that happened was my 150,000 mile clutch exploded, but I had a guy repair it in his kitchen. I'd much rather have a MC there than a cage!

I've never been to NYC but that has been my experience in all the big cities I've been in. I feel more comfortable in my ability to get out of the way and maneuver on the bike. But I would have my wife on the back and probably pulling a trailer. I would not enjoy it ! I'm definitely more of a defensive rider with her aboard. I'd be tensed up the whole time. 

[Hook#3287]

do NOT go into manhattan on a bike

really

DONT DO IT !!!

dan

A buddy and I did it in Jan 2002, went to "Ground Zero".  Parked at Battery Park with about 2 dozen other bikes.  We had no issues, but got out ASAP.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Meathead  From Greenburgh or Hawthorne I would take a taxi or shuttle to Tarrytown and then Metro North to Grand Central Station

Its about 30 miles to Grand Central Station from the LaQuinta
or any of the other hotels in the area.

Are you flying to NY or riding?

I ride the bike in NYC but it is NOT for the faint of heart or not fast reflexes

So here is my question to you now  ? In approximate times and dollars , how long and how much would it cost a poor, uneducated, country boy from AK. to get from the hotel and back ? Is a day enough time to get to the city do the touristy thing and get back ? No offense but this is going to be one time thing for me. She would like to see the Times Square, Ground Zero, and do a play. If I'm going to be there I would like to see Wall St. but it isn't a big deal. Thanks

[GiG]

Time Square & a play - 1 day
Wall St & Gnd  Zero - 1 day
I think OSS commute to the City is about 1/2 hour

[The emperor has no clothes]

So really 2 days are needed ?

[NewValker]

Oss, count me in.
Craig

[Hook#3287]

So really 2 days are needed ?

Rob;  it all depends on how much site seeing you want to do.  You could spend days or hours in NYC.  You could see Wall St. in a drive by on the way to Ground Zero in the morning.  Have lunch somewhere around Times Square and catch a late afternoon or early evening show. It would be a full day.

Transportation to and from Ossining would be the biggest challenge.

Myself, I try not to go to NYC, but I've seen it.  If I'd never had been there, I'd want to go.

[Hook#3287]

Oss, count me in.
Craig

Hey Craig;

ROAD TRIP!

[NewValker]

Yup, enjoy Oss' ride reports and figure I need to join in!
Craig

[The emperor has no clothes]

So really 2 days are needed ?

Rob;  it all depends on how much site seeing you want to do.  You could spend days or hours in NYC.  You could see Wall St. in a drive by on the way to Ground Zero in the morning.  Have lunch somewhere around Times Square and catch a late afternoon or early evening show. It would be a full day.

Transportation to and from Ossining would be the biggest challenge.

Myself, I try not to go to NYC, but I've seen it.  If I'd never had been there, I'd want to go.

Thanks Bill, that's exactly what I was thinking of. To be honest I could go all the way to the Catskills and not see NYC. But it's something my wife has wanted to do as long as I've known her.  If she is willing to ride 5500 miles it's the least I could do. Right now it's just a hope. We each only get 3 weeks a year and the grandkids get half of that with Seaworld and Disneyland. I sure am going to do everything I can to get out there and ride with you guys 

[Oss]

Its 4 hard 10 hour days from your house to here  You could take more days or not ... also you could ship bike home if need be

Maybe consider flying your wife to Westchester airport (its very close) so she will be rested and happy, at least one way anyways.

My wife would not enjoy four consecutive 10 hr days  even on the Russell Day Long seat, but she would be ready to ride if I flew her to my destination. Just sayin.

[Karen]

Oss, If I hadn't already committed to a WAC Band Reunion in Alabama that same week, I'd join you. May see you at Americade, if things fall into place.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Its 4 hard 10 hour days from your house to here  You could take more days or not ... also you could ship bike home if need be

Maybe consider flying your wife to Westchester airport (its very close) so she will be rested and happy, at least one way anyways.

My wife would not enjoy four consecutive 10 hr days  even on the Russell Day Long seat, but she would be ready to ride if I flew her to my destination. Just sayin.

Yeah I hear you. If we do it we will be at least 5 days each way maybe 6. She's done a few pretty good rides now but I don't want to ride her hard and put her away wet  I was thinking about the flying her out thing, but I really enjoy having her ride with me and I think if I did that, it would end up that way most times. She's pretty good at 500 a day but 5 of them in a row each way might be too much. She's really excited about already though, so we will see. I think work is going to be the determining factor. If they will let us off that much. I am so ready for retirement. 

[Bighead]

Been to NYC and you couldn't pay me to go back. But hey that's just me. If you like crowds and congestion it is for you.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Been to NYC and you couldn't pay me to go back. But hey that's just me. If you like crowds and congestion it is for you.

I don't but.... There is not much my wife hasn't done for me and there is not much I wouldn't do for her. 

[Bighead]

Undestood the food is excellent 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Been to NYC and you couldn't pay me to go back. But hey that's just me. If you like crowds and congestion it is for you.

I don't but.... There is not much my wife hasn't done for me and there is not much I wouldn't do for her. 

Did Lion King this past year and highly recommend for the wife 

[Hotrodwing]

Oss I plan on attending always wanted to see your side of the river and Croton dam.

[Alpha Dog]

Oss this one sounds good.  If you are riding north to the Headless Horseman and Rip Van Winkle area I will try and make it.  Not interested in NYC, been their done that, and this aging hinterlander is not fond of concrete jungles and masses of crowds moving slowly.

For MEATHEAD, man that would be some ride.  Another option is the Eagle Rider rental program. Just fly in and rent a bike.  One in Queens Village and Howard Beach, NY and another on other side in NJ, Belleville.  Prices are quite good and a huge selection of bikes to choose from including several Harley models, Goldwings, Honda ctx700, Kawasaki tourers, and a real comfy and safe one for the wife, Can AM Spyders.

http://www.eaglerider.com/reservation/motorcycles

Chuck

[G-Man]

Its 4 hard 10 hour days from your house to here  You could take more days or not ... also you could ship bike home if need be

Maybe consider flying your wife to Westchester airport (its very close) so she will be rested and happy, at least one way anyways.

My wife would not enjoy four consecutive 10 hr days  even on the Russell Day Long seat, but she would be ready to ride if I flew her to my destination. Just sayin.

Yeah I hear you. If we do it we will be at least 5 days each way maybe 6. She's done a few pretty good rides now but I don't want to ride her hard and put her away wet  I was thinking about the flying her out thing, but I really enjoy having her ride with me and I think if I did that, it would end up that way most times. She's pretty good at 500 a day but 5 of them in a row each way might be too much. She's really excited about already though, so we will see. I think work is going to be the determining factor. If they will let us off that much. I am so ready for retirement. 

That's what I do.  I fly the Mrs. to the closest airport to our destination and then enjoy the few days together, then ship her back off to home.

From that hotel OSS mentioned, it's a 5 to 10 minute cab ride to the station in White Plains.  Figure $10 - $15 for the cab including tip (but the hotel may have a shuttle).  If not, I live right there and could possibly drive you guys to the train.  The train fare to the city is a little less than $20 each way per person to Grand Central off-peak.  Grand Central is as south as you can go in Manhattan so you'll need a cab or take the subway downtown to Ground Zero.  Subway is $2.50 per person but you can purchase multi ride fares for a slight discount.  Cabs in the city aren't cheap and you pay for the time the cab isn't even moving as well.  Then do the reverse to get you back up to Grand Central and you're three blocks from Times Square and the theater district. 

While in the city, the subway is the best bang for the buck.  Cabs are most convenient but a lot more expensive.  They also have those rent-a-bikes but if think a Valkyrie in the city might be too much, try riding a bike and see what vulnerability really feels like.

I wanted to do a loop around the Manhattan island with Roger when he was here for the Stormville Pow Wow, but that never happened.  Could come down like OSS said, to Ground Zero, go through the Battery Tunnel and around Brooklyn, Belt Pkwy to the Cross Island through Queens, then over the Throgs Neck Bridge back into the Bronx, and then back up to Westchester.  Leaving early Sunday morning after breakfast and stopping for lunch could take about 4 - 5 hours and we'd hit every borough in NYC except Staten Island but we'd ride under the Verrenzano Narrows bridge (longest expansion bridge on the east coast) which goes there.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks G-Man 

[jdp]

Are we talking about a NYC ride or a ride up 9w going north up to the Catskills , I always wanted to ride up the river from the GW bridge

[Hook#3287]

Are we talking about a NYC ride or a ride up 9w going north up to the Catskills , I always wanted to ride up the river from the GW bridge

jdp, Oss listed places (not NYC) he wants to visit in his original post.  Meathead is asking about a side ride (NYC) he wants to take after the weekend.

[Oss]

Why 9W?  Apart from a stretch over Storm King Mountain its boring IMHO

From the TZ bridge until you are a few miles from Bear Mountain there are at least a 50 or more traffic lights and only a single lane. 

The stretch from the NJ line to the Thruway is just ok, would not waste the groups time on it as the host hotel will be in Westchester County on the east side of the river

The ride will NOT be a NYC ride as Hook correctly just posted

[biguglyman]

Starting a new job at work next week. No way to tell for sure at this point if I can make it. I would love to try! I think I have relatives in Newburgh.