Road cycling Wallkill Valley Rail Trail

It’s a relaxed day road biking in the countryside on a level trail with a few short side trips on public roads. 20 miles each way through leafy woods in full show, we’ll pedal past a few small lakes, farms, orchards, and wide views of Shawangunk Ridge. 7 miles from the start we ride above the trees on a 150’ high trestle then into the town of Rosendale and hit the farmer’s market to buy fresh snacks for the trail (http://rosendalefarmersmarketny.com/summer-market/). 6 miles on, we ride across the Wallkill River and then pass through New Paltz on a street of 300-year-old stone houses. 8 leafy miles further we’ll eat lunch at an active distillery’s restaurant (http://www.tuthilltown.com/tuthillhouse/) before we turn around and head back.

43 miles in total, all but 4 of them on level rail trail. The trail isn’t paved and has some rattling gravelly spots where new-fallen leaves will hide any stray loose stones - this isn’t for skinny tires and a helmet is important (trail website http://www.wvrta.org/). From start to finish will be a 6-7 hour day, which includes an hour for lunch. That runs us at a leisurely 8-9 mph with lots of break times to get off the bike for some foliage shots. A water refill is never more than 30 mins away and neither is a toilet except at the trailhead. Sunscreen is a good idea and this is Lyme disease country so bug dope is smart too.

This bike shop has rentals http://trtbicycles.com/. It's a 10-minute drive from our starting/ending trailhead. The holiday weekend will make this area busy so they recommend reserving ahead. If you plan to rent from them let me know – they open at 11 and that’s when we start so I’ll see what they can do to make our schedules connect.

Leave room in your day pack to pick up some local goods and let’s roll!