Urban Athletics: Cycle the Walkil Valley Trail

Time to ride again!

This week we’re escaping to the Hudson Valley to conquer the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail—or at least casually pedal on it while looking athletic.
Here is the master plan for our upcoming cycling adventure:

The battle plan...

We will kick things off in the quaint, aggressively charming college town of New Paltz. From there, we head north on the rail trail, cutting through the base of the Shawangunk Mountains (try saying that three times fast while breathing heavily).

After about 12 miles of crunching gravel, we’ll hang a sharp right to start our loop back. This part features quiet country roads running right next to Rondout Creek—perfect for pretending we are in a luxury car commercial.

The real reason we are going (lunch!)...

We aren't heading straight back to New Paltz because starvation is bad for morale. Instead, we are invading downtown Rosendale for a lunch stop at Truss and Trestle. It’s a family-owned spot with some of the most eclectic food in the area. Rumor has it the calories don't count if you bike there.

The boring (but important) stuff...

• The ride is roughly 28 miles round trip.
• We'll be going a casual 8-10 mph pace. We aren’t trying to win the Tour de France, but you do need to keep up in the flats without requiring a rescue helicopter.
• It's a crushed gravel situation. Skinny-tired road bikes will suffer, and full-blown mountain bikes will feel like pedaling a tank,
• Helmets are completely mandatory. Also, please make sure your bicycle isn't actively falling apart before you show up.
• Bring a light bike lock so our rides don't vanish while we eat cheese. You are also required to bring a spare inner tube, a patch kit, and a pump. If you choose to ignore this warning, please ensure your phone is fully charged and your Uber app is linked to a valid credit card.
• Check your inbox before you walk out the door for any frantic, last-minute updates and my mobile number.
• Note, by clicking that RSVP button, you are officially signing your life away on this liability waiver.