Hudson Valley - Catskill Mountain ride Oct 7-10 2016

[The emperor has no clothes]

After the bridge, Google brings you up the Sprain Brook Pkwy.
That's a pretty ride.

Cool ! I had figured it would be all concrete and asphalt .

[baldo]

Ok, last chance to grab a room for this ride. I have a res for two rooms at the Extended Stay America in Elmsford. Fri and Sat nite, $125 per room/night.

I'm going to cancel them tonight, so now's the time. Everything is booked solid.....

Helpfully yours,

Bob

[G-Man]

Right, only the one toll.

After the bridge you have to follow the signs for George Washington Bridge , Cross Bronx Expwy and take the X-Bronx a few exits to get on the Bronx River Pkwy north which will eventual become the Sprain Brook Pkwy and then the Taconic Pkwy just before Oss' exit.

To avoid X-Bronx you can go straight up north off of the bridge on the Hutchinson River Pkwy to exit 13 for the Cross County then exit 6 for Bronx River/Sprain Brook Pkwy North.

[Oss]

What town in the rental place in?

I ask because if its in Nassau County you will actually be better off and safer going up the Cross Island toward the Throggs Neck Bridge or the Whitestone Bridge

The Van Wyck which is what you would take from JFK is a pretty dangerous road (not to scare you) as it has an abundance of trucks and NYC Taxis  but at least at 10mph in heavy traffic it will be a piece of cake for you.

Dont even think about the cross bronx. the odds of no wall to wall traffic are very small that way.  But if you find yourself on that road remember stay in right lane for Bx River Parkway exit, dont blow thru the red light (camera) and like Gman says just stay in the left lane as I told you before

From anywhere in Nassau I would get on the cross island cross at the whitestone, follow signs (straight ahead duh) to Hutchinson Parkway, the ramp for the Cross County is a decreasing radius banked the wrong way turn and GO FUKIN SLOW ON IT, the exit for Sprain/Bx River will be a mile or so down the road and once on the ramp bear Right for the Northbound and then once on the big highway work your way to the left lane (Sprain will be left 2 lanes) and stay there past 287 and continue till you finally pass the Saw Mill split 20 or so miles away from where you got on

Seriously once you have done it once you will be like this is not so bad as political posts  I can make JFK in an hour easily if there are no accidents so you should easily be here by 11. If you will be really late I will text you directions so you can catch up as I will take the group to Croton Dam first in that event then meet you on 9A north

[Big Rig]

Oss,

I will be meeting Friday!!! I may have one or two HD riders with me...if that is ok.

I sent you a txt last night but not sure it went to the right number.

I have your address loaded in my GPS,

my cell number is (six one oh) two four six - five one ate ate

Just need to know a meet time so I can figure out when I need to roll out.

Looking forward to finally meet you and catch some wind.

[The emperor has no clothes]

What town in the rental place in?

I ask because if its in Nassau County you will actually be better off and safer going up the Cross Island toward the Throggs Neck Bridge or the Whitestone Bridge

The Van Wyck which is what you would take from JFK is a pretty dangerous road (not to scare you) as it has an abundance of trucks and NYC Taxis  but at least at 10mph in heavy traffic it will be a piece of cake for you.

Dont even think about the cross bronx. the odds of no wall to wall traffic are very small that way.  But if you find yourself on that road remember stay in right lane for Bx River Parkway exit, dont blow thru the red light (camera) and like Gman says just stay in the left lane as I told you before

From anywhere in Nassau I would get on the cross island cross at the whitestone, follow signs (straight ahead duh) to Hutchinson Parkway, the ramp for the Cross County is a decreasing radius banked the wrong way turn and GO FUKIN SLOW ON IT, the exit for Sprain/Bx River will be a mile or so down the road and once on the ramp bear Right for the Northbound and then once on the big highway work your way to the left lane (Sprain will be left 2 lanes) and stay there past 287 and continue till you finally pass the Saw Mill split 20 or so miles away from where you got on

Seriously once you have done it once you will be like this is not so bad as political posts  I can make JFK in an hour easily if there are no accidents so you should easily be here by 11. If you will be really late I will text you directions so you can catch up as I will take the group to Croton Dam first in that event then meet you on 9A north

Evan, the rental is EagleRider in Howard's Beach. It's really close to JFK. Hopefully the paperwork and loading will go quick. Everything is already paid for, so I see no reason they should take much time. The map program on my iPad says its 45 miles and 1 hour 15 minutes. If we aren't going to make it by 11 I will pull off somewhere and text you. I appreciate you guys waiting for us but I don't want to hold you guys up.  

[Oss]

I think its really in Jamaica Queens but no worries.
Maybe you will actually miss rush hour and have no trouble   

Big Rig if you get to my house by 10 you can help me change the shocks on the interstate ( or not)  I dont have time to do it as I am working 12 hr days to make up for being off Monday and Friday

Bring your friends.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think its really in Jamaica Queens but no worries.
Maybe you will actually miss rush hour and have no trouble   

Big Rig if you get to my house by 10 you can help me change the shocks on the interstate ( or not)  I dont have time to do it as I am working 12 hr days to make up for being off Monday and Friday

Bring your friends.

you guys got too many names for your city.

[Big Rig]

If we are there at 10, I will be more than happy to help you change your shocks...

Do I need to bring tools???

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

I will be there on Friday by 10 with no problems and can help as well. A little wrenching among friends is always good!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I will be there on Friday by 10 with no problems and can help as well. A little wrenching among friends is always good!

Jim , I just packed the right side switch in my luggage. Hopefully TSA won't think a Honda wiring setup is something nefarious.  If you guys read about some old bald guy having an incident at the Vegas Airport, you'll know what happened. 

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

[/quote]Jim , I just packed the right side switch in my luggage. Hopefully TSA won't think a Honda wiring setup is something nefarious.  If you guys read about some old bald guy having an incident at the Vegas Airport, you'll know what happened. 
[/quote]
We'll keep our ears to the news!! Just listen for your name to be called over the PA.........Meathead to TSA for a suspious wiring device..... 
Thanks for bringing it along

[The emperor has no clothes]

Jim , I just packed the right side switch in my luggage. Hopefully TSA won't think a Honda wiring setup is something nefarious.  If you guys read about some old bald guy having an incident at the Vegas Airport, you'll know what happened. 
[/quote]
We'll keep our ears to the news!! Just listen for your name to be called over the PA.........Meathead to TSA for a suspious wiring device..... 
Thanks for bringing it along
[/quote]Oh, if I hear anything over the PA I'm running for the plane. 

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

I will be there on Friday by 10 with no problems and can help as well. A little wrenching among friends is always good!

Jim , I just packed the right side switch in my luggage. Hopefully TSA won't think a Honda wiring setup is something nefarious.   If you guys read about some old bald guy having an incident at the Vegas Airport, you'll know what happened.  

We'll keep our ears to the news!! Just listen for your name to be called over the PA.........Meathead to TSA for a suspious wiring device.....  
Thanks for bringing it along!

Sorry, I got the whole quote thing screwed up...................

[The emperor has no clothes]

I will be there on Friday by 10 with no problems and can help as well. A little wrenching among friends is always good!

Jim , I just packed the right side switch in my luggage. Hopefully TSA won't think a Honda wiring setup is something nefarious.   If you guys read about some old bald guy having an incident at the Vegas Airport, you'll know what happened.  

We'll keep our ears to the news!! Just listen for your name to be called over the PA.........Meathead to TSA for a suspious wiring device.....  
Thanks for bringing it along!

Sorry, I got the whole quote thing screwed up...................

[dinosnake]

You staying over or just up for the day?

Plan was for 930 start on Friday

Bear Mtn overlooks, Perkins Drive tower, Fort Montgomery, Cliff Road, Motorcycle Museum, 9D tunnel, Cold Spring,  BBQ, Rt 301, passing thru the Croton Reservoirs and watershed and top and bottom walks in Croton Dam park (money shots)

9am Saturday  That will be the longest long ride thru Harriman, Delaware Water Gap, Catskills and down the Taconic.

930 Sunday  back roads to and thru CT and the covered bridges if time permits up to Mass covered bridge.

Ok, great, thanks for the info.  You'll be starting at what location (just confirming) exactly at those times?

May join up with.

[Oss]

we could be at Fort Montgomery by noon having ridden to Perkins Drive and at the Motorcycle Museum in Newburgh around 1 or so but you never know with a group what you will actually do when, just the planned routes  The museum is 11.00  by the way  But we can always skip it (but it is terrific) if that is what the group wants

Unless the weather totally screws us the big rides will be Sat and Sun

Where you coming from

[Hook#3287]

The Museum is worth the stop, you should do it if you can.

Looks like the brothers from Canada helped us out and Matthew will not be an issue.

Scattered showers on Saturday are forecast, but that won't stop me from making the trip.

Sunday looks like a great sunny day

I hope everyone in FL, GA and SC make the weekend unscathed.

[Oss]

dino

13 Tappan Terrace Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

Its the house with Valkyries in the driveway and american flag flying from front porch

[The emperor has no clothes]

The Museum is worth the stop, you should do it if you can.

Looks like the brothers from Canada helped us out and Matthew will not be an issue.

Scattered showers on Saturday are forecast, but that won't stop me from making the trip.

Sunday looks like a great sunny day

I hope everyone in FL, GA and SC make the weekend unscathed.

yeah, it's looking like they are going to get hit hard.
See you Saturday Bill  

[G-Man]

Used to live in Howard Beach. 

It's right off of the Belt Pkwy and next door to the airport.

Take Belt Pkwy east.  Pretty quickly you will have to follow the signs for Nassau Expwy.  Once off the exit, follow the signs for the Van Wyke.  Not as scary as OSS thinks.  Newly paved going north, but there may be traffic as it is the major route to the airport.

Van Wyke to Whitestone Expwy.  Whitestone Expwy to the Whitestone Bridge.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Used to live in Howard Beach. 

It's right off of the Belt Pkwy and next door to the airport.

Take Belt Pkwy east.  Pretty quickly you will have to follow the signs for Nassau Expwy.  Once off the exit, follow the signs for the Van Wyke.  Not as scary as OSS thinks.  Newly paved going north, but there may be traffic as it is the major route to the airport.

Van Wyke to Whitestone Expwy.  Whitestone Expwy to the Whitestone Bridge.

Thanks 

[Big Rig]

I will be there on Friday by 10 with no problems and can help as well. A little wrenching among friends is always good!

Sent you a PM...

What is your planned route and are you riding up tomorrow morning?

[dinosnake]

The Museum is worth the stop, you should do it if you can.

The only "problem" is that the place is not a "stop" - you can spend most of a day there.  Yea, it's that big   So, if you love bikes, get there with lots of time to kill!!

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

I will be there on Friday by 10 with no problems and can help as well. A little wrenching among friends is always good!

Sent you a PM...

What is your planned route and are you riding up tomorrow morning?

Just replied....

[baldo]

Oss,

I'll be there tomorrow, but later in the day. Some last minute gotta do's. I've got your cell, I'll keep you advised and hook up later in the day.

Bob

[dinosnake]

Thank you Oss, very kind of you!  

[Big Rig]

Oss,

Great ride today....Thanks for setting it up and I hope the rest of the weekends weather is as beautiful as today was.

I had a great time, made good time getting home until I was between exit 4 and 3 on the NJ tpk...accident, cost me an additional 45 minutes.

Jim, Harry, Meathead, Mrs Meathead, Dan and Rick, It was a pleasure to meet ride with you all.

I will be checking the Go Pro footage this evening.

Ride Safe and have a HUGE time

Peace out
Big Rig

[Harryc]

Oss rules ... great host, great day. I am sure the rest of the weekend will be spectacular. It was good riding with and meeting you Big Rig. Ride safe.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Oss,

Great ride today....Thanks for setting it up and I hope the rest of the weekends weather is as beautiful as today was.

I had a great time, made good time getting home until I was between exit 4 and 3 on the NJ tpk...accident, cost me an additional 45 minutes.

Jim, Harry, Meathead, Mrs Meathead, Dan and Rick, It was a pleasure to meet ride with you all.

I will be checking the Go Pro footage this evening.

Ride Safe and have a HUGE time

Peace out
Big Rig

Oss rules ... great host, great day. I am sure the rest of the weekend will be spectacular. It was good riding with and meeting you Big Rig. Ride safe.

It was great to meet and ride with you guys today.  We turned in early, 36 hours straight is about all I could take. Looking forward to tomorrow.

[Oss]

The route was back roads to the Croton Dam  (as Meathead was still on the road) and then up the goat trail and thru Bear Mtn park to the top of Perkins Drive
It was about as perfect a day as you could ask for with temp in the 70's no wind clear blue skies
Meathead sort of caught up to us at the Bear Mtn circle after a slight detour and then we went to Fort Montgomery and walked to the cannon emplacements with their commanding view of the river that the redcoats were sailing up back in 1778.
Then we rode up 9W to 218 the cliff road and had a great stop at the overlook where a 1952 Jaguar and an ancient Porsche were parked  Bull left from there.
Jim got a whole lot of terrific pics and he will upload them I am sure
Then to a BBQ place right on the west bank of the Hudson
From there we said goodbye to BigRig and HarryC
and Rob/Brenda, Jim, Dan and I continued to Cold Spring where we had some good ice cream and then east on 301 to some back roads and the final 20 minutes down the Taconic as I knew Meathead was fading.

Who is in for tomorrow? Have a full tank  The gas station at North State rd  light *the one before Chappaque rd lite * is the cheapest gas 229 for cash regular grade 87 octane

[Hook#3287]

Who is in for tomorrow?

Count me in, bikes cleaned and gassed, extra undies are packed, alarm set for 5:00am.

See you at 13 tappan terrace 8:30 ish.

[Harryc]

My plans might change for tomorrow Oss, so I'll play it by ear. Thanks again for hosting the ride today...nice job!.

[Harryc]

I found some pics I took last year on this ride ...

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nice pics  That was fun, hope we can ride with you guys again soon. 

[Harryc]

   Right back at you.

[Oss]

I would love to do this ride weekend again

October Friday the 6th- Leave here on Monday the 9th are the tentative dates

The best weather day will be the Catskill Mountains back roads to Hunter Mtn day   That is an epic full day ride mostly along the mountain stream roads    I will be doing another few scouting rides during the late summer to make sure the roads are pothole free as possible

[bagelboy]

Don't usually plan that far ahead, but that's where I live. I'll follow this thread and see if I can make it!

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

Great pics Harry!   Looking forward to doing this again. Oss is a great ride leader and knows the history of the area. I learned a lot on last years trip.
Ride report for one day and pics here.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,90630.0.html

[Big Rig]

Why am I only seeing large gray boxes where the pictures are supposed to be?????