2008 Ride on July 27 in Millerton
Harlem Valley Rail Ride based in Millerton July 28 & 29
The above logo and description are taken from the Bike New York website and the handout leaflet that is available at many businesses in the local area.
By John M. Benson
July 21, 2007
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association and Bike New York will bring a spectacular event to the doorstep of Harlem Valley residents next weekend.
On July 28 & 29, the organizations will host the "Harlem Valley Rail Ride", the event billed as "A Cycling Experience for the Entire Family!"
Registration & Information
Visit www.bikenewyork.org to register for this event, or to find further information, or call 212-932-2453 ext. 120.
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association information can be found at the website at www.hvrt.org or by calling the HVRT office Tuesday through Thursday at (518) 789-0591.
Harlem Valley Rail Ride
The literature on the event, the leaflet available at many local businesses, gives information on all of the routes, rules and activities, including the following excerpts:
Routes
All rides start and finish in Millerton, New York, and include a stretch along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Riders choose among five distances: 22, 30, 55, 75, or 100 miles.
22 Miles/Rail Trail
A ride along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail from Milleron to Wassaic and back offering smooth asphalt, scenic farm and valley views, and flat terran. This ride is great for beginning cyclists and families with younger children. Riders have the option to join a group ride led by experienced leaders.
75 Miles/ Kent Loop
An exhilirating and challenging ride through three states. A loop east through Connecticut, north into Massachusets, and west back to Copake Falls, New York, before the return to Millerton. Riders climb through Mt. Washington Forest in southern Massachusetts and are rewarded with a breathtaking descent into New York. Includes some especially hilly and demanding terrain. Cumulative elevation gain: 5,590 feet.
100 MIles/Three State Century
Same as the 75-mile ride plus an additional 25-mile loop south and east to Kent, Connecticut. A long and challenging ride with some mountainous terrain. Cumulative elevation gain: 8,105 feet.
Hill Climb Trial
Riders on the 75- and 100-mile routes wil have the opportunity to participate in a new HIll Climb Time Trial in the final three miles of the ride. It will take place along a 1.2-mile stretch of Route 8 leading up Winchell Mountain (average grade: 7%). Small prizes will be offered for men and women in both open and masters (40+) divisions.
Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association
The visitor to the website www.hvrt.org is greeted with the following information about this organization that has been so phenomenally successful in opening up the railroad right-of-way to public use for cycling:
Welcome to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Since the mid-1980's, the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association has dreamed of a 46-mile rail trail in the Harlem Valley and Taconic Hills of eastern New York. The first segment of the trail opened in 1996. Since then, it has grown incrementally in 1997, 2000 and 2005. Currently, there are 15 miles of trail paved and open to the public. Another 8 miles of abandoned rail bed is nearing construction, and portions of another 23 miles are being acquired from willing sellers in Columbia County.
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA) was founded in 1986 and incorporated in 1996. The trail is a joint effort between HVRTA, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, the New York State Department of Transportation, Dutchess County, the towns of North East and Amenia, and the village of Millerton. Federal highway funds have paid for more than half of the rail bed acquisition and trail construction. Please remember that while the trail is paved, it is available in its natural condition. No horses or motorized vehicles are permitted. Enjoy exploring the trail (and our website) year-round.
Message, Chairman Dick Hermans
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association has very ambitious yet realistic visions for the future, in addition to the responsibility for maintaining the already highly successful Rail Trail.
On the website www.hvrt.org the Association explains its activities and how the public can become partcipants and sponsors of this remarkable recreation and conservation resource.
In the literature announcing the 2007 Harlem Valley Rail Ride, HVRTA Chairman Dick Hermans offers the following letter about the progress in the last year, and the optimistic plans for the very near future:
Welcome to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail !
What a year it has been since last year's Harlem Valley Rail Ride! Much has happened to bring us nearer to a completed rail trail between Wassaic and Chatham. Last Fall, our local rail trail suport group, NVRTA, completed raising over $200,000 to purchase 14 miles of rail bed in Columbia County. Now, New York State Parks is moving quickly to implement a grant from the 1990's that will acquire much of the remaining nine miles between Copake Falls and Chatham. A 23-mile extension of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Columbia County is moving forward and will one day be a reality.
In Dutchess County, an eight-mile section of trail between Millerton and Boston Corners is being designed this year with over three million dollars available for construction anticipated in 2008. When finished, the section will connect with the trail in Columbia County. This summer when you are in Millerton at the trail head, look north and imagine a trail going north 34 miles to Chatham. Ths was once a very active railroad corrridor and it will come to life again as a trail.
It will certainly be alive on Bike New York's weekend. Come join in and bike one of the beautiful routes or just join in at the festivities at Eddie Collins Field and in the Village of Millerton. On this weekend and throughout the year, enjoy the Harlem Valley Rail Trial and help us care for the trail by participating in our "adopt-the-trail" volunteer program. If you'd like to become more involved in caring for the trail, please call HVRTA's office, Tuesday through Thursday, (518) 789-9591.
I hope this summer and fall, we'll all be able to simply enjoy the trail for what it is: a beautiful resource where we can exercise and relax amidst the beauty of nature. Use the trail safely and have a wonderful summer.
Dick Hermans, HVRTA chairman
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