Slide Mountain: The highest paved pass in the Catskills. At approximately 2700 feet, it isn’t much compared to the Rockies, but the climb up is…special, with extended grades of up to 16% and a few sections where you think you’re done, but really you’re not. Slide Mountain is a tease, but more about that later. This is, incidentally, the second of the eight major climbs I want to complete this year.

Here’s the route. It’s 127 miles, and features several climbs that you won’t forget, followed by significant downhill segments where you can really get flying—I’m talking about 50 mph or more for extended periods.

The elevation profile is decidedly exciting. There are two major climbs. The first—which I think is actually more difficult–is on Crump Hill Road. The second is Slide Mountain proper.

The route begins, of course, at my place, and leads quickly to Route 28. Route 28 is a relatively busy road, but the scenery is beautiful, and the shoulder is an entire lane wide. So it’s safe, and as importantly (given the climbing you will do later in the day) it is flat. Don’t be scared by the slow ramp up between miles 15 and 26, it genuinely feels flat.

Right around here is where I stopped to answer a work call (yes, on a Saturday). I left my phone on a park bench near Phoenicia, so if you happen to see a scratched up Galaxy III, you know how to reach me! Seriously, though, it was a blessing—I hated that phone because it had no reception in my house. My girlfriend has been happily making and receiving calls with her iPhone, so that’s what I’m going with.

Anyway…Route 28 will lead you to Route 42, which carries you up into the hills and onto Crump Hill Road.

I passed a shack that was deteriorating in an appealing manner on my way up.

I didn’t take any pictures while I was climbing, for obvious reasons. Slide Mountain is a bitch, let me tell you. There’s a somewhat level area about half way up that makes you think you’re done, but you’re not. Go around the hairpin, and you’ll have another 700 feet of climbing! Don’t make my mistake: I sprinted up the first 500 feet of the climb, thinking it was easy. Then I rounded the bend. Ouch.

Here I am at the top of the climb. Proof.

After Slide Mountain, you’ll be rewarded with many happy miles of descending on Frost Valley Road, with a only a few bumps to interrupt the bliss.

I took a detour on Lost Clove Road, thinking that a lost clove would be interesting. It wasn’t (and it turned my 117 mile ride into a 127 mile ride).

At times, I felt like I was in the Pacific Northwest, because the foliage trends towards evergreens, rather than deciduous trees. This is my favorite bend in the road. Unfortunately, the contrast between the very sunny day and the deep shadows made it difficult to capture a good picture, but if you click on it to see the full size it doesn’t look too bad.

A substantial segment of Frost Valley Road parallels a good-sized stream. I have never seen water this clear.

Much to my disappointment, I ran out of camera battery around here. Actually a good thing because I was wasting too much time documenting the route. From here, you ultimately descend into Grahamsville, and then it’s rolling countryside all the way home, with a nice decent on Irish Cape Road into Naponach and dinner (or lunch, if you’re faster than me).

It was an absolutely perfect day, only one of a long succession of perfect days we’re had recently. I highly recommend this route; if you need it shortened up, or a few climbs eliminated, let me know and I’ll gladly redraw it for you. No avoiding Slide Mountain, though!

And finally, an announcement…we’re planning another gentleman’s ride next week, probably 70 or 80 miles. So if you want to try some distance riding in beautiful country at a decidedly non-challenging pace–and you can make it up here next weekend–please contact me. We stop for pictures, for lunch, for dinner, for water bottle refills, and sometimes just because we feel like it. No deadlines except trying to get it done during daylight hours. I won’t say it’s easy because there are some pretty stiff climbs on the route I’m planning, but there will be plenty of opportunities to rest and enjoy the day. Come on up!

John

Medicalwriter.net

After weeks of 15 hour days, seven days a week–and only 30 minute to 1 hour daily rides–I finally told everyone to just leave me alone and took a day off. Clients, if you reading this, sorry! My efficiency is optimized when I can ride my bike. Days off are good for you and for me.

You’ll recall that, a while back, I wrote a post on the 8 biggest climbs in the Catskills. Peekamoose is just one, and it is the most accessible for me. I’ve done this route 6 times now, but this was the first time this year, and I took a new route.

Plus, this was the first time I’ve had a chance to ride the route in decent weather. Every time I’ve ridden it in the past, it’s been cold, foggy, and generally wet. I guess that goes with riding it in the fall.

The route starts at my place, as usual, but instead of taking Mountain Road, I opted to ride down to Route 213, which eventually joins up with Route 28A, which in turn takes you to the base of the climb. I spotted a cyclist headed the opposite direction on 28A, which is rare. Anyone I know?

Maybe it’s just me, but when I spot a cyclist in the distance I get in the drops and try to look serious, even if I’m just meandering along. I’m a poseur, I guess.

From 28A, I turned onto Watson Hollow Road, which is one of the most beautiful roads in the Catskills. Also known as Peekamoose Road on some maps.

The climb itself gets easier each time I do it. There are distinct landmarks along the climb, so I can easily recall where I felt like I was going to die on the previous ride. I’m making it to the top without too much suffering these days.

Once you make it to the hairpin at the top, you’re home free. Pretty much all downhill for the next 15 miles. My high-speed descent was spoiled by a high-velocity headwind; there was one point where I should have been going 30 mph where I was blown to about 12 mph for a moment. The following pictures are all Watson Hollow Road.

It’s really worthwhile to do this ride at least once a season. In the winter–or the spring before the leaves grow in, you see some truly majestic waterfalls on both sides of the road that I’ve heard many times before, but never seen. I tried to take a few pictures, but they really didn’t do justice to the subject, so you won’t see them here.

There are few places to stop for water between about mile 12 and mile 31 of this route, so make sure you carry everything you need, particularly in the summer. Unless, of course, you want to trust to the whims of whomever runs this shack, which is apparently open whenever the owner feels like it. In short, don’t depend on it being open when you need it.

Now, I made a choice. I advise everyone to continue on Watson Hollow, and eventually make a left on Greenville Road for a second climb that really takes you to some spectacular views. Here’s the decision point.

I took a right, which first led me past next week’s climb, Sugar Loaf.

And then led me to the Rondout Reservoir…

…and–eventually–Grahamville.

Grahamville hosts a nice deli if you want to stop. They have a full convenience store, plus they make sandwiches, etc.

After sitting in the parking lot for a while, soaking up the sun and having a nice, well, actually lukewarm, Coke, I turned onto Route 42. This is where things got interesting because it is territory I haven’t really covered before.

Ultimately, this route will take you back to 55A, and then to 55. I do not recommend traveling (south)east on 55A or 55. The pavement is extremely broken up, turning a nice descent into a white-knuckle bit of nastiness. The pavement in the opposite direction is fine. I have no idea why one side of the road is just awful, whereas the other side is nice clean pavement. It is, however, beautiful.

With that said, you might use this route instead, which keeps you off 55A and 55. I’ve done some of these roads, including Irish Cape Road. This route is equally beautiful.

The way home was just the usual. As always, regardless of which direction I travel I have 700 to 1000 feet of climbing to get back to my place.

A few more pictures. First: Baby animals. Who doesn’t like baby animals? The goat was cute, the baby cow just looked plain irritated.

Next, a few “artistic” photos. I try and fail. The second one has nice colors, at least.

Next week: Sugar Loaf, provided the work gnomes can manage to leave me alone for an entire day. Have a good week!

John

medicalwriter.net