Author Archives: John Ferguson

Mapped that for you: Peekamoose loop from Poughkeepsie

This blog is only 3 weeks old and I’m already getting complaints!

I’ve gotten a few comments that it is difficult to string together routes from the directions I’ve given…in other words, putting together the “getting there” stages with the desired routes. For this reason, I’m starting to remap all the best routes in single files/cuesheets. Here’s the first.

A few weeks ago, I posted a great route through the mountains on Peekamoose Road. Here’s a complete route in a single file, starting at the Poughkeepsie train station. This takes you from Poughkeepsie to Olivebridge, where the route starts, and then back from near Kerhonkson, while keeping you off Route 209 as much as possible.

I also chose to use the “easy” way from New Paltz to Rosendale: instead of going over the Shawangunk Ridge, you’ll take a flat, fast bike path. That way you can save your energy for Peekamoose, and it also has the advantage of minimizing time on 209. Don’t worry, the return route takes you over the ridge in the most brutal manner possible.

I’ll take care of Platte Clove and other routes over the next few weeks. Enjoy!

John

medicalwriter.net

Sweet Macadamia

Worth the Trip: Platte Clove

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When I was living in New York City, I heard rumors of a climb…a climb so awful that people flip off the back of their bikes if they’re not careful. A climb that makes pros cry like babies and walk their bikes up the hill.

After a little research, I found it: Platte Clove Road, just west of West Saugerties. The climb is so steep—averaging 12% for 2 miles with maximum extended grades exceeding 22%—that professionals riding in the Tour de Trump had to get off their bicycles and walk. I set this as my goal ride for 2012. But, being who I am, I set out to conquer Platte Clove only 2 weeks after moving up here.

I set out late on a Sunday morning, with the intent of riding the 65 miles and being home in time for an early dinner. The route starts with a nice, easy, rolling warm up on Krumville Road. “Down the Lane” road was closed, so I took a brief 2-mile detour to get back on track (instructions below), spinning past the Ashokan Reservoir and some lovely scenery.

I stopped at a gas station in Woodstock to top up my bottles and get a little food. Past this point, there are few opportunities to eat or refill your water bottles until Phoenicia, so be sure to do so now. Here, I had my only encounter this year with another road cyclist. Cyclists seem to be an exotic species out here in the Catskills. Alternatively, the relative scarcity of roadies in the area might be explained by the fact that we’re more spread out than people riding out of NYC—on any decent weekend, there’s a bicycle traffic jam on 9W north from the George Washington Bridge. Depending on where you live it can take an hour or more of misery to even get out of the city on a bicycle, and 9W is unpleasant at best, particularly north of Nyack. You would think that some of them might consider taking a train to ride somewhere decent. Maybe there’s safety in numbers?

I waved, he waved, and I continued north on West Saugerties Road to my date with destiny.

West Saugerties Road will lead to a T intersection. Take a left, and continue on West Saugerties Road, where you’ll have your first sighting of the challenge ahead.

You’ll see this sign, which marks the beginning of Platte Clove Road, one of the most difficult—if not the most difficult—climbs in the northeast. Over 1200 vertical feet in only 1.4 miles.

Platte Clove Road is officially closed and unmaintained from November to April, but I don’t think anyone is going to stop you from riding it even in the off season. Just use some common sense and don’t try to climb it in inclement weather. And don’t ride down Platte Clove Road. There’s no guardrail, and even though the southern edge of the road is nicely shaded with trees, it’s a long way down if you blow a turn.

I am proud to say that I did not walk at any point. I am less proud to admit that my achievement was primarily attributable to sensible gearing. Vanity gearing has its place on easy Bear Mountain runs from New York City, but out here it’s just not advisable, even if you are an exceptionally strong rider.

The climb is well worth it. The Clove is beautiful and has been the deserved subject of many paintings by Thomas Cole and other members of the Hudson River School. This view is arguably one of the most painted in the Hudson Valley.

Incidentally, you can also pick up Devil’s Path from Platte Clove Road. The aptly named Devil’s Path features 4 summits, little water, and is one of the toughest hikes in the Catskills. There’s a parking lot about halfway up the climb if you’re interested in hiking a section, just don’t bring children or pets, hikers are injured and some even die every year on Devil’s Path.

Platte Clove Road leads to one of the most inaccessible parts of the Catskills. At the top, you’ll find the Bruderhof (literally, “place of brothers”), a Christian community founded in 1920 by a Protestant theologian named Eberhard Arnold, his wife Emmy Arnold, and her sister Else von Hollander. Arnold was born in 1883, and at age 16 had an experience that he later described as God’s acceptance and forgiveness of his sins. He left the Protestant state church in 1908, and, as near as I can tell, joined the Hutterite branch of the Anabaptists. In 1920, he founded the Bruderhof in Germany, a Christian group that believes in living “in full community,” meaning that there is no private property. Seventeen years later, in 1937, the Nazi government ordered them to leave the country. They moved to England, but as German nationals during World War 2, they were offered the choice of internment or emigration. They chose to move to Paraguay, and finally–in 1954–to the United States.

The Platte Clove community, home to 250 people, was founded in 1990. It’s located on land formerly owned by the New York City Police department, which had built a resort hotel—informally known as “Police Camp” —complete with a movie theater, casino, bar, lounge, swimming pool, and ballroom. The Police Camp opened in 1921 and closed in 1983.

I was then treated to a cold rain. The camera went in a zip lock, so I didn’t take a photo; the following image is from the Platte Clove Community website.

The Catskill Bruderhof and the new Police Recreation Center are open to the public every day. I’m not sure if they will feed you, but you may be able to refill your water bottles.

After Platte Clove Road, you’ll ride over some gently rolling terrain high in the mountains. A nice recovery from the climb, and some beautiful scenery to keep your mind off the pain.

From there you’ll take a left onto route 214…

…and after a few more miles of a gentle false flat you’ll hit a 16.5 mile descent past Notch Lake and Hunter Mountain. At mile 46 you’ll pass through Phoenicia, which—despite its population of 306—hosts a number of good restaurants. As usual, I skipped a formal meal in favor of some Power Bars and a Coke in the local gas station. On your way out of Phoenicia, you’ll briefly follow Esopus Creek, famed for its trout fishing.

From there, you’re home free!

I rode 75 miles—about 10 miles more than the planned route. Although it was a short ride by my standards, the steepness of the climbs make it as tough as any single day ride I’ve done before or since. This is what I’d call a destination ride—it’s worth the trip and even a stay in a hotel in Stone Ridge or Woodstock. Here’s the original route without detours:

The Garmin file for the route, starting from near my house, is here. If “Down the Lane” Road between miles 5 and 6 is closed, simply take a left on 213, a right on 28A, and then a right on Beaverkill Road to rejoin the route. If you want to start in Stone Ridge, take this route to the start on Krumville Road. You could also start in New Paltz or Poughkeepsie (you will need to follow route 209 from Kerhonksen to Schoonmaker Lane, just before Stone Ridge, to pick up the route).

Enjoy, and let me know if you can make it up Platte Clove Road without a break! In a few weeks I’ll post my favorite 80- to 90-mile route out of Brewster, the last direct stop on Metro North. A summer classic, and perhaps one of the best rides ever. So good, in fact, that it is one of the few rides I repeat multiple times each summer.

John

http://www.medicalwriter.net

17.7 MPH

The Magic of Latex

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Finally found them: 28 to 35 mm Challenge latex tubes. These tubes are difficult to find except in late summer and early fall, when retailers start stocking them for cross.

I like latex tubes, and yes, I can tell the difference. So much so that, on my English, I use latex tubes in my carbon fiber clinchers–a practice generally considered inadvisable because of the potential for melting. However, I don’t brake much, and I’ve been pairing latex tubes and carbon fiber clincher rims for years without incident.

The other nice thing about latex tubes is that–at least in my hands–they are resistant to puncture. The tube that currently resides on the front wheel of my English has survived three years. No punctures, and most of that time was riding in New York City. Contrast that with the butyl tubes on the Herse (no choice because it is 650B), which puncture at least once or twice every thousand miles.

There is considerable disagreement regarding whether latex tubes reduce or increase rolling resistance. Jan Heine’s real world tests indicate that they increase rolling resistance slightly, while other more carefully controlled but less realistic tests suggest that rolling resistance is reduced. The latter result makes more sense to me in the context that more supple tires generally have lower rolling resistance, but who knows?

Online, you will see complaints about punctures occurring when mounting latex tubes. There are a few ways to avoid this: First, try to mount the tire by hand. If you need help, a tire jack is a safer bet than a lever. Second, after mounting the tire inflate it slowly to 20 psi, let it rest for a few minutes to release any tube trapped under the bead, then add another 20 psi and let it sit for a while longer. Grab the tire with both hands and wiggle it to ensure both beads are seated. Then pump to full pressure. Thereafter, you can inflate as you normally would. I’ve never punctured a latex tube using this method.

I received the Challenge tubes today, and on a short break from work mounted them under the Grand Bois Extra Legere tires I received recently. I have only ~100 on the tires so far, so don’t ask about them yet. I’m planning to take Friday off for an 80-mile double crossing of the Shawangunk Ridge. I might have an opinion after that ride.

John

http://www.medicalwriter.net

Seven Days of Winter

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I got out for a few hours every day this week…6 rides, totaling around 160 miles, and one good hike. But before we begin…how do you like the new font?

Day 1: 32 miles in relatively mild conditions. An altogether unremarkable ride, although the fog rising off the lakes and streams lent it a mysterious air.

On day 2, there was an all-day downpour. I chose the gravel back roads, and made a mess of myself. I rode 15 miles to the local diner in Naponach, and they wouldn’t let me sit inside, so I enjoyed my weekly grease infusion outside on the smoker’s bench. Luckily, it was sheltered from the rain.

Took the long route home for a total of 35 miles. On the way back, I ran into these guys. Loved the goats, felt sorry for the horses. How anyone can find these things cute is beyond me…they just look stunted and uncomfortable to me. I just learned that they can be trained as service animals, and Illinois just signed a bill allowing them to go anywhere a service animal is allowed. Presumably they’ll have to wear horsey diapers, because–at least to my knowledge and direct experience on the West Side Bike Path in NYC–when horses need to go, they go.

As you can see, my neighbors here are very welcoming. I was raised in the country, then moved to NYC and lived there for 16 years. And now I’m back in the country. So does this sign mean I can come in, or do I have to stay out with the rest of the cityits?

My beautiful baby…repurposed review coming soon.

Day 3 marked the debut of my new bike, the Lynskey Procross, a titanium ‘cross bike with a silly twisted down tube. There are a number of things I need to do to it; first off I need to drop the bars significantly, cut the sternum puncher to the right length, and I need a substantially longer stem. First time ever on disc brakes. So far, it’s okay, but no English.

I only had time for 15 miles on Day 3, and I got off the bike every mile or so to make minor adjustments. I got a decent workout though, because most of those miles were riding up and down a local hill. That 32 sprocket is both amazing and disconcerting at the same time. I pride myself on grinding up the steepest hills in 36/25…but I have to admit the 32 on this cassette made an 18-degree ascent quite pleasant.

Days 4 and 5 saw me ride about 25-30 miles each day. Again, unremarkable for out here, but goddamn look at how beautiful it is. Only a few months ago I was dodging homeless people and clueless tourists jumping out of the bushes lining the West Side Bike Path just to fight my way to the George Washington Bridge and 50 or 60 miserable miles on 9W.

Yes, a highway. Just wait until you see our local Speedway and Turnpike.

If you’re in the area, Tetta’s Tire offers one of the few places to stop and refill. It’s at the intersection of County Road 2 (Krumville Road) and Samsonville-Kerhonksen Road.

While you’re there, get a haircut. Maybe get some advice. What are you doing with your life, anyway? Fred can help.

On the way home, I saw this and almost cried. A tragedy.

The most beautiful car ever made, outside of a meth shack. Most people love the convertible version of the Jaguar E-Type. For some reason, I’ve always been attracted to the coupe, particularly in the 2+2 configuration, which is considered the least desirable model.

I don’t have a driver’s license (although I am the proud owner of an Audi A7), and I don’t enjoy driving, but I do love cars. I’m fine with taking my bike everywhere; in fact, we’ve lived out here for 3.5 months and I’ve asked my girlfriend to drive me somewhere once. In retrospect, however, I should have asked for a ride to the dentist last month. Riding over potholed gravel is not advisable after having your mouth numbed. It’s one of those things that should be just common sense, like never cooking bacon in the nude. Anyway, now I know, and you do too.

On the sixth day, I didn’t ride. Instead, I went for a 2.5-hour hike with my girlfriend, Margot, and Macs and Panda. The hike begins at about the midpoint of Upper Cherrytown Road. If you check out my Ride With GPS page, I’ve posted instructions on how to get there.

I’d rate the hike about moderate difficulty, meaning that even though I’m in good shape, there were a few parts that left me breathless. Includes some scrambles up relatively loose surfaces with large rocks.

Sometimes I wish I had four legs. Or at least that it was acceptable to walk around on all fours. Max and Panda had a much easier time on this hike than we did.

The hike ends at a lovely waterfall. If you continue on, I believe it links through to Yeagerville Road. This trail would be a blast on a mountain bike, but certainly is not doable on any other type of bike. Trust me.

On the seventh day, there was snow and ice. 26.5 miles of it.

I thought it might be a good idea to take gravel backroads, with the idea that the gravel would provide some additional traction. Well, that didn’t work out too well. I got about a mile down the closest gravel road, Lower Sahler Mill Road, and then had to turn around and very carefully duck-walk my bike back down the hill.

I continued back on Upper Sahler Mill Road, which wasn’t much better, but the asphalt retained enough heat from the day before to produce slush, rather than ice.

Not something you want to see when there’s a quarter-inch of black ice on the road and you’re on two wheels.

And finally, the latest iteration of the Lynskey. I’m growing to really like this bike. Those are the new Extra Leger 32 mm tires from Grand Bois. Don’t ask me how they performed yet, today was far from a good test.

And that was my week. Of course, I left out the 70 hours I spent on work involving a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor for chronic myelogenous leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (FDA approved as of Friday!). But you don’t want to hear about that, do you?

Later this week I’ll post a ride that everyone should do once: Platte Clove. It will be complete with a brief dissertation on the origins of the Hutterite branch of the Anabaptists and the founding of the Bruderhof. You think I’m kidding, don’t you?

John

http://www.medicalwriter.net

Confessions

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I might have a problem. I’ve tried to get help, but nobody understands. I age my FMBs loosely wrapped in my office desk drawer. Why? When I need comfort or just want to relax, I can open the drawer slightly, slide my hand in, and fondle them ever so gently. No other tire, even Veloflex, has the same feel…

…and until now, no clincher even came close.

Today, I received a pair of 32 mm Grand Bois Extra Légère tires from Compass Bicycles, and the feel in the hand is pretty damn close to FMBs. At 232 grams they are lighter than many 23 mm tires and most 25 mm tires. They are going on the cross bike tomorrow, and next week I’ll be taking them off again to mount them with Challenge 28-35 mm latex tubes (finally found a place with them in stock!)

I have high expectations.

Now, Jan…give me a true 25 mm Extra Légère tire, please. Or even just produce the 26 mm tire in an extra light version. The Grand Bois Col de la Madeleine also comes in an Extra Légère version; I may just have to satisfy myself with that until I can get something a little wider.

In any case, this is as excited as I’ve ever been for a new tire (aside from my yearly FMB restock, of course!) As far as I know, this is a limited edition tire until further notice; hopefully if the demand is high enough they’ll make them a regular part of the program.

Oh, and by the way, I’m really not a tire fondler. I was exaggerating for effect. Plus, I’ve made an effort to control myself since the second time my girlfriend caught me late at night, hand in drawer.

John

http://www.medicalwriter.net

Lundy Road: Highway to Hell?

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On the right, Rogue Harbor road. Lundy Road continues on the left. Follow for 3-4 miles to Pottersville. The road becomes extremely rough, passable only by Jeeps, bikes, and hikers.

The area is quite isolated today; I can’t even imagine what it was like 100 years or more ago. A milling town called Potterville was founded here in the 19th century and named after the owner of a lumber mill, Francis Potter. Potter’s mill was the main source of income for the townspeople until it burned down. Because it was the sole employer in the town, people began leaving. In 1927, there was a flood that accelerated the exodus.

According to Ulster County records, several murders occurred there; a man killed his family and then killed himself; in another incident a murderer was caught and hung in the town square. I’m not superstitious, but some who have visited the remnants of Potterville report a feeling of being watched.

The land Potterville once stood on is now owned by Open Space Institute and the buildings have been demolished, although you can still see some foundations.

The road and the country up there are beautiful, but I have never seen anyone on Lundy Road past this point…scared maybe? Perhaps one year I’ll organize a Halloween ride up Lundy, to arrive at midnight.

Getting there from NYC: Take the Metro North to Poughkeepsie, and then take this route, which I described in a previous post, to get to Kerhonksen. Then take this route to the end of Lundy. Fat tires are a good idea, but I regularly ride this route on my precious…my precious…ahem, excuse me…on 25 mm FMBs.

Good luck, and if you make it out alive let me know.

Challenge Eroica: Tight!

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…and I don’t mean “tight” in the positive sense.

Last night I attempted to mount a set of 30 mm Challenge Eroica tires on my new cross bike (which isn’t actually intended for cross, but more about that later). They were so tight that I couldn’t even stuff a tube under them. So for 2 hours of effort all I got were some blistered thumbs and a popped tube (Exhibit A).

Exhibit A: Human thumb after failed attempt to mount a Challenge Eroica 30 mm tire*

I’ve never had a set of tires that were so tight that I couldn’t mount them. Even Veloflex tires, which are ordinarily quite tight. In this case, I couldn’t even use a tire jack because I couldn’t get the tube in. It was so bad that even Winston was disgusted. Exhibit B shows a typical feline reaction to Challenge Eroica tires.

Exhibit B. Feline reaction to Challenge Eroica tires.

In any case, I’m returning these and getting some of the new Grand Bois Extra Legere 32s: 230 grams for a 32 mm tire (and 181 grams for the 23–lighter than Veloflex)! I’ve used the Grand Bois 23s, 32s, and 42s in the past, and they were great tires.

Now, I just need to track down some 28-32 mm latex tubes. Every place I’ve checked seems to be sold out. Anyone know of a source?

I’ll let you know how the Grand Bois tires work out after some serious gravel road abuse.

*The blistered thumb in Exhibit A is actually from removing a too well-glued tubular tire a few months ago, but serves as an example of what you can look forward to if you try to mount Eroicas.

John
medicalwriter.net

Getting There: Part I–The Hard Way

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Over the next few weeks, I’m going to post a number of different routes to the starting points of my rides. We’ll start with one that I’d consider intermediate difficulty. The route starts in Poughkeepsie, New York, which is easily accessible by Metro North Rail from Grand Central Station.

It includes one long, but not particularly challenging, climb over the Gunks on route 55.

You’ll pass over the Walkway on the Hudson–the world’s longest pedestrian bridge–and continue for 5 miles on a bike path.

If you’re using my GPS route, your device will go crazy here. Don’t worry…for some reason Ride With GPS will no longer allow routes to follow bike paths, so I had to draw lines. Just silence your device and follow the bike path until you come out at a ball field nestled in the hills.

Ultimately, you’ll emerge on Route 299. This road is busy, but there’s a wide shoulder and it is ever so slightly downhill into New Paltz. You can easily complete this short segment in a few minutes at 25-30 mph, provided the wind cooperates. Continue through New Paltz, down the hill, and cross the bridge over the river.

Here, you’ll have a decision to make…either way you’re in for a climb. If you take a right, you’ll climb on Mountain Rest Road. If you go straight, you’ll climb on 55 through the middle of Minnewaska State Park. Today, we’ll pretend we went straight, continuing on County Road 6 past this lovely field.

I’d actually recommend this route for the trip out to the good stuff, and then taking Mountain Rest Road on the return trip. You can find a description of that climb on the Rapha site. Trust me, it’s not as bad as it sounds; in fact, my friend who rides a 30-lb bike has accompanied me on several occasions up this climb, no problem. More about that in a separate post.

Between mile 16 and 17, you’ll hook around to the right and start climbing on 55. At the base of this climb, though, there’s a German restaurant, the Mountain Brauhaus, with excellent food, albeit decidedly 70s decor. There is also a convenience store across the street as well as a tiny Eastern Mountain Sports shop. Have some spatzle and fill your water bottles. At some point, I’ll post a route with the Brauhaus closer to the end. It’s not a good place for a meal at the beginning of a ride, but it sure would be welcome after a hundred miles!

When you’re done admiring the waitresses in their lederhosen, continue up 55. The climbing begins at mile 17, and continues through about mile 21. It’s a Cat 2 climb; average grade 3.5%, maximum grade 9.2%.

You’ve reached the top at mile 21. Not much to see there, but if you pause during your 7-mile 50 mph descent, you’ll get a great overview of what lies ahead.

At the base of the descent, you’ll reach a T intersection. There’s a gas station where you can refill or get some packaged food; if it’s hot out you’ll definitely have gone through two bottles on that climb.

Where you go from there is up to you, but try to minimize time on 209, which is the only really busy road in the area. If it’s hot out and you need a break, take a left on 209, a right on Lundy, and continue to the secret swimmin’ hole. Just don’t tell the locals who told you how to find it!

You can find the train schedule here. You should have a bike pass, although in 5 years I was only asked for one once. They can be had for $5 at any window in Grand Central. Also bring a bungie cord to attach your bike wherever you can find a spot in the car. The best spots for bikes on Metro North are, unfortunately, usually adjacent to the bathrooms.

The GPS route can be found here.

No more posts until next week; I’m off to California to lend my wisdom to an advisory board.

Enjoy!

John

Riding the Catskills

Gravel road cycling rides and routes in Ulster, Dutchess, Greene, Delaware, Orange, and Rockland Counties, New York

Author Archives: John Ferguson

Mapped that for you: Peekamoose loop from Poughkeepsie

Sweet Macadamia

Worth the Trip: Platte Clove

17.7 MPH

The Magic of Latex

Seven Days of Winter

Confessions

Lundy Road: Highway to Hell?

Challenge Eroica: Tight!

Getting There: Part I–The Hard Way