Discover Hudson Valley Ride: June 30, 2013

If you have ever just marveled at the natural wonder of the Hudson Valley in upstate New York then you are not alone. So many people appreciate the painstaking beauty of the sheltering trees and the bustling river. Of course by train it’s a little impersonal, by car you could be sitting in epic traffic and if you’re still traveling into the Hudson River Valley on horseback then you’re probably not reading this blog post.

Have you ever wanted to see the Hudson Valley on bicycle? If so you’re in luck as the annual DiscoverHudson Valley Ride is getting set to kick off again this year on Sunday June 30.

This year’s event is going to be unlike year’s past. Riders will have the option of challenging themselves in a noncompetitive time trial. There is also a multitude of ways that riders can make this happen. The routes are 15, 33, 50, 75, and 100 miles. The whole thing is going to be fairly epic.

The 100 mile option takes riders across the Mid-Hudson Poughkeepsie Bridge into the winding roads of Ulster County before descending on Duchess and Columbia County. This is 100 miles and the whole thing is going to be pretty unforgettable. 9 rest stops make this daunting task a little more manageable.

The 75 mile option follows a similar course but will obviously be a little bit shorter. There will be 7 rest stops on this path meaning less chance for stopping and more chance for kicking it into high gear. Lagging 100 mile riders can drop back to the 75 mile option.

The 50 mile option will be also pretty great and will begin at the Walkaway Over the Hudson. The 5 rest stops on this path make it almost too good to be true. Riders from the 75 mile trail can always fall back in line with the 50 mile racers if need be.

The 33 mile option is no less challenging just because it’s a little shorter. You will have the ability to see so much of what the other riders get to witness and you are backed by the 3 rest stops along the way. Riders of the 50 mile track can fall back to the 33.

There is also a 15 mile trek through Ulster County and into Duchess County.

Riders will take off take off and finish from Waryas Park, 41 Main Street in Poughkeepsie New York. Each rider must wear their race ID, a water bottle, their bike and of course a protective helmet! Riders take off on the following schedule:

100 mile riders 7:30-8:15am

75 mile 7:45-9:45am

50 mile 8:45-10am

33 mile 9:30-10:30am

15 mile 9:30-10:30am

There is still time to register online! Come on out and Discover Hudson Valley and keep it locked here for my first hand reporting as a rider in the event!