Cycling Poughkeepsie - Rail Trails and History

Traveling via Amtrak to Poughkeepsie with my folding bike.

In mid-October, I loaded the Downtube Dyan for a solitary visit to the Poughkeepsie region. I've visited the area before and was enamored with both the cycling network and Hyde Park's Historic buildings. There was more to discover, plus to revisit the fabulous Walkway Over the Hudson. I'd ridden west, exploring trails around New Palz earlier this year, so my goal was to concentrate on the eastern side of the Hudson River.

I used large rear panniers to carry enough gear for 4 days, 3 nights at a hotel. My purple tote bag was handy for organizing anything extra, like hauling groceries, and became my daily carry-all on the front rack. I arrived at my hotel before dark, picked up groceries, then settled in to plot the next day's adventure.

Unlike the Roosevelt Mansion, the Vanderbilts spared no expense.

Following Google Maps, I avoided busy Route 9 and pedaled to the Vanderbilt Mansion. A National Park treasure, I also purchased a lifetime parks pass, one advantage of being 64 years old! 

National Parks tour guides are the best. I learned that all furnishings were imported. It's an eclectic mix of the Far East, gilded bedposts, tapestries; even the dining room carpet was gargantuan - never seen one that large! We toured 3 floors and the servant quarters. 

After lunch, I set off to visit Franklin Roosevelt's presidential library, a couple of miles down the road - the first presidential library. While the building appears single-story, the self-guided tour covers multiple floors (including underground), a chronicle of 4 presidential terms, preserved memorabilia, and special documents. 

Eleanor's many published works, and Franklin's adaptive automobile.

I was reminded again how much Eleanor Roosevelt contributed as first lady and, after Franklin's death, how she advised and influenced other politicians. Years ago, I read Eleanor, a comprehensive and very readable account of her amazing life - a highly recommended read. During the library tour, I learned that she wrote many books herself.

The highlight was underground. That's where Franklin's car was preserved, and where you get a preview, behind climate-controlled glass, of the classified documents stored vertically, like large pages in a book.

On historical overload, and too much time on my plantar fasciitis-affected foot, I rested, then hit the road, pedaling back to Poughkeepsie. I had wanted to also visit Eleanor's Cottage, but knew I would likely avoid returning the next day. I couldn't bear repeating the same, boring route. 

On the way back, I ate an early dinner at Millhouse Brewing, one of the recommended Poughkeepsie breweries. Millhouse was convenient and much larger than I expected. They had a tasty IPA, so I was content. I like sitting at the bar, bending a bartender's ear, for a local's view of the region.

The next day started out chilly, though I came prepared. I wanted to spend much of the day riding and give my foot a break. I regained the Empire State Trail via a slightly different route, pedaling near Vassar College, to see a little more of the city. I continued onto the trail, enjoying the barely changing autumn colors, and several miles later, ate a snack at Hopewell Junction, my turnaround point. I had been there on a previous trip, and like then, I appreciated the preserved railcars, station, signal tower, and amenities like a water fountain and bathroom.

Mid-Hudson Bridge.

On the return journey, I headed to the Walkway Over the Hudson and, from information boards, decided to ride the loop back on the Mid-Hudson Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge, with protected pedestrian/cycling lanes on both sides.

The fascinating, unexpected benefit of crossing was listening to Bridge Music, a push-button-activated speaker system, belting tunes under each bridge support. Joseph Bertolozzi composed several songs by rapping on bridge apparatus, creating unique percussive sounds. Threaded together, the songs are wonderful!

And of course, a great view of Walkway Over the Hudson.

A barge traveling downriver.

I'm impressed with Google's navigation. Routinely, I was routed through interesting, low-traffic neighborhoods back to my hotel, bypassing the busy road where my hotel was located and entering on a side road.

Part cemetery, part arboretum.

However, on the last morning, I decided to investigate the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery on that same busy road. I rode the sidewalk until it disappeared, eventually navigating a narrow angled rough strip between the guardrail and the road. Fortunately, it passed quickly, and the cemetery grounds were interesting!

The land, bordering the Hudson River, was donated by Smith Thompson, former politician and Supreme Court Justice, and wouldn't you know it, I stumbled onto his gravesite!

View from the Mid-Hudson Bridge with the Walkway in the background. Upper right is the spur to Marist University, and lower right, my hangout spot.

I headed towards the old Italian section and realized I was at the entrance to Mid-Hudson Bridge. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to listen to more Bridge Music...plus one more pass over the Walkway Over the Hudson...

With a fully-loaded bike and a 3pm Amtrak date, I didn't want to stray too far, fearing a breakdown without a backup plan, especially after I rolled over numerous acorns - one loud crack freaked me out, though my bike tires were fine. I discovered a mile-long spur trail heading towards Marist University, then hung out near the entrance to Walkway Over the Hudson. It was a good place to rest and people-watch, complete with a bike rack, a bench, and a bathroom, until it was time to roll the last mile to the train station.

What a fun few days!

Riding from Albany to Saratoga Springs - Zim Smith and other trails

Staying at the Olde Judge Mansion in Troy.

As with many of my Amtrak weekend adventures, it takes a good weather window to even think about planning a trip. Late August was perfect. I was thrilled my husband wanted to tag along, so I bought a reservation for his full-size bike, an Amtrak requirement.

To prepare for my first time using the Downtube Dyan - no reservations or cost to bring a folder - I practiced folding, protecting the frame, strapping everything together, and wheeling the folded bike. The curved handlebars required loosening to compact them against the frame, an extra step worth their added comfort.

I organized the protective foam pieces and strap in a nylon bag for easy access at the train platform. My husband and I rode our loaded bikes a few miles to the station, allowing extra time for the folding process and consolidating bags. I stowed the removable front rack in my panniers.

We stored our bikes safely inside the Bnb.

The train journey went off without a hitch, save for the suggestion to stow my bike in a tight closet - which would prove to be a problem later on. We exited in Albany, New York, mid-afternoon, planning to ride to Saratoga Springs the following day.

It's a gentle ride north on a decent bike route to Troy, a city I've stayed at a couple of times. It's hilly too. We pedaled around, mostly looking for an interesting grocery store, but ended up back across the Hudson River in a neighboring community before returning to Troy. A larger store satisfied both our diets - we found something we could bring to the BnB for dinner.

We had a pleasant evening and a nice breakfast on Sunday before setting off, riding north on the Uncle Sam Bikeway. Though I was familiar with the first 10 miles - it was all new to my husband!

In Waterford, the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson River, we investigated the first lock and adjoining park, one end of the Erie Canal, before continuing north along the Champlain Canal towpath. Once in Mechanicville, we connected with a trail new to us both, the Zim Smith Trail, the impetus for the adventure, as it would bring us most of the way toward Saratoga Springs.

The trail was hilly and beautiful, often wooded, and connected parks all the way to Ballston Spa. Even watched a heated cricket match! I had trouble shifting into the much-needed lowest two gears and eventually gave up, making do with limited range. We regrouped in Ballston Spa, stopped for pizza slices, and plotted the next miles.

Beautiful architecture in the grand Saratoga Springs homes.

Surprise! After a couple of road miles, we found another off-road path along Geyser Road, and eventually connected with Railroad Run, cruising into central Saratoga Springs. A few hours before train departure, we rested in beautiful Congress Park before heading to the famed racetrack. 

Racing was in full swing. We hung outside a chain-link fence, watching the tall-legged, twitchy horses led to and from the stadium. The horses were hosed off after each race, and we even saw one spit second of a race whiz by. People didn't seem bothered that we stayed a while. What an experience! 

Our train was, unfortunately, delayed 1.5 hours. Ugh. But we grabbed some food and headed to the station. It's a newer Amtrak station. We noticed they were also under construction, building a much-needed level ramp to enter and exit the train. 

After 40+ miles, I was exhausted and frantic, struggling to fold my bike, though I reminded myself, no hurry, we had plenty of time. It was a long evening. We eventually rode home in the dark, arriving home sometime after 11 pm.

Bike update: our son, the bike mechanic, couldn't figure out exactly why the shifting was so horrible, but once he replaced both the cable and housing, it was fixed. We presumed the cable had become crimped after I stored my bicycle in the closet. I know better now. Always seek the end of each train car with plenty of space to store my bike. Since then, because we often have to enter the car at prescribed doors, I've wheeled the bike down a crowded aisle, and there's just enough room for this maneuver. Phew.

Colchester Cemeteries Quest - Exploring History, Part 2

 
Like the previous outing, I set out to visit two more local burial grounds. The largest of the Colchester Cemeteries, the Village Cemetery sits behind the Burnham Library. 

It's also worth noting there's strong historical interest within our community with an active Colchester Historical Society. We recently went to a talk about a regional railroad line.

Thus, I was intrigued to immediately spot the Burnham name. But the library wasn't named for Herbert, but rather Etta. Upon his retirement in Massachusetts, they moved back to where she grew up, both serving the Colchester community. After Herbert passed, Etta lived a few more years. She willed most of her estate to “build, furnish, and maintain a library.”

The Leggett headstone is a sad reminder that parents, especially during wartime, often outlive their children. Only 2 of 4 children lived to old age.

The Nourse name caught my eye because there's a region where Bay Road meets East Lakeshore Drive, with a pretty view of Malletts Bay - still marked as Nourse's Corner on Google Maps. It was a snack bar hot spot in the 50's, and I recall my parents mentioning the place. George Nourse started the snack bar, which specialized in toasted hot dogs, and it ran for 20 years, though it didn't survive his passing. 

Regionally, Michigan-style hot dogs, split lengthwise, grilled, then topped with meat sauce and mustard squiggles, served on a toasted bun, were popular when I was younger, and still found today at Beansie's Bus in Burlington's Battery Park. Once in a while, I stop for this irresistible treat. 

Moses headed the Colchester regiment in the War of 1812.

The Moses stone is unique because the raised lettering is still visible on the marble stone. It's customary to see debossed lettering, like the right-hand gravestone, that, in time, marble doesn't weather well, especially in a harsh New England climate. Sometime over the past 200 years, stones were replaced with harder granite. Because of the differences, it's easy to spot older graves in any cemetery.

The older stones have interesting inscriptions: for example, specifying days lived or age at death. So much character in the old headstones!

I found an excellent, comprehensive online Colchester history resource, something I'll surely reference time and again.

The second stop was at the Old Methodist Church Cemetery, tucked away behind a firehouse on Main Street, formerly the Old Methodist Church site. At first, the grounds seemed neglected, sandy and barren, scrubby grass trying to survive. While a nice iron gate bordered the cemetery, it lacked signage, so I hope the colorful official marker is in the works. 

Upon closer inspection, I noticed the old stones were cleaned, and fragments pieced back together. There is a statewide Old Cemetery Association that helps communities preserve historical markers, with the help of volunteers.

 

Celebrating the life of Charlotte Johnson at 101 years old - amazing longevity for that time period. She outlived her husband by 40 years!

While headstones remain, trees and, eventually, stumps morph into headstones. 

Two more cemeteries to go!

Ideas for 2026

My goal in 2026 is to keep the cycling momentum by incorporating new trails and routes. Besides the  Colorado trip, I want to complete another weeklong bike tour - last year's was great - where is yet to be determined.

• In March, I'm heading back to the Philly Bike Expo, this time with my husband! I'm excited to meet up with cycling friends, ride with others, attend seminars, and, of course, attend the main event. It's also the 250th anniversary of the US, and we may stumble upon some of Philly's special events.
• Because bike touring in summer's heat was successful, I plan to do it again. It has its merits: cooling off in streams, packing less, and being able to bail on local adventures. Ideas include a 3-day Champlain Islands loop, an upstate New York adventure using the Adirondack Rail Trail, and a one-way journey using Amtrak. So many possibilities!
• With a front rack and comfortable bars installed on the Downtube Dyan, I plan to test its handling capabilities on an overnight. The long-term goal is to lower the gearing and try wider tires for more adventurous multimodal trips, but one step at a time.
• I'm heading back to Colorado, which has now become an annual pilgrimage, visiting family and friends in Fort Collins for more cycling/hiking fun. 
• We'll continue to explore more mountain bike trails. Ideas include Woodstock, Millstone and North Branch, all in VT, and Blueberry Hills in Elizabethtown, NY.

2025 Rewind

Adventures in Colorado.

2025 was a year when we made travel and adventure a priority. With maximizing vacation and my retirement on the horizon, it made sense to start the momentum.

 

An organized Philly Bike Expo folding bike ride.

Early in the year, attending the Philly Bike Expo, riding on plowed trails, researching a new folder, and a Colorado vacation occupied my mind and body. 

The adventures continued! A fun-filled overnight with Adele, buying a Downtube folder, bike touring the Cross Vermont and Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, and exploring trails around the Montreal region. My husband and I have become KOA converts: we love the dependable cleanliness, atmosphere, and occasional glamping in a cabin.

September and October were filled with more travel: Veloroute des Bleuets, and coastal time capped with riding the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail. I never let good weather pass me by!

We made an effort to ride more mountain bike trails. Vermont and New York are filled with trail networks. We only touched the surface of a growing system.

And of course, the annual Coffeeneuring Challenge. I made headway in practicing the Gouache medium, dipping my fingers into painting scenery.

We've had a snowy start to winter. By far the best surprise has been riding with my husband on snowy, plowed trails. He broke his hip while riding to work when we lived in Portland, OR, and since then he's avoided riding in the winter. Something clicked this year - available studded tires likely helped. Since the initial rides together, he's outfitted his preferred bike with gnarly 29" studs and can handle the trails much better than I can with narrower tires. With his 26" studded Bridgestone up for grabs, I'll be sure to explore better traction.

I'm grateful for all the 2025 adventures, plus I topped 3600 miles. Life is good.

Coffeeneuring 2025 - Exploring Scenery Painting with Gouache

This is my 14th Coffeeneuring Challenge! For the 3rd year, my theme has been to explore gouache painting, specifically scenery in 2025.

There are lovely beaches and riverbanks to explore.

Of all the 7 paintings, I like the fluidity of this one.

The fall colors were spectacular this year.

And, the finale: the coffeeneuring quilt, viewing all the paintings together.