Riding the River: An Upstate Kayak and Cycle
Trip review
Paddling the river made time seem to stop… It’s almost meditative.
I’m not as “adventurous” as the rest of our team. I’m an explorer, not an adrenaline junkie. The two aren’t mutually exclusive, but I prefer to enjoy my surroundings instead of fighting against them. In a New York minute on a Friday night, I chose a day of kayaking and cycling the next day because I needed a relaxing break from the city.
Up and At Em’
After rounds of Friday cocktails at Fresh Kills and a nightcap at Crif Dogs, I was up bleary-eyed at 7A on Saturday morning. You can see why I need a break from the city. After 45 minutes on the L and 2 trains, I arrived in the Upper West Side just in time to grab a coffee and check in.Guides are among the most driven people I’ve met.”The van was at full capacity, and a few stragglers would be meeting us via car at our final destination of New Paltz. NY. I chose the front seat to get to know our guide, Megan. Lucky her… Megan has been guiding for many years, and based on our conversation, this was among the tamer experiences she leads. Guides are among the most driven people I’ve met, but I’d imagine they appreciate a restful experience every once in awhile. Megan and I chatted about mountaineering, the exotic locations we’d visited, and about her upcoming move to Scotland for a Masters in Outdoor Education.
Ready for Launch
We pulled into New Paltz, set under the nearby Shawangunk Ridge. Thousands of climbers – including the 57hours team – take advantage of world-class climbing a few minutes from the town proper. New Paltz has all the charm of a mountain town, and it seemed abuzz with locals and NYC escapees, even at 9 AM.Pros and Cons of Kayaking and Cycling in Upstate
Easy upstate getaway
Anyone can kayak!
The pizza was the icing on the proverbial cake
Little shade on a super hot day
Getting Paddled
Kayak by kayak, we slipped into the muddy Wallkill River and started to drift north. This river is a curiosity, as the surrounding Hudson and Delaware Rivers flow south, or toward the city. The flow was gentle enough to give us time to adjust to the motions and movement of the boat.Paddling the river made time seem to stop… It’s almost meditative.”Before we knew it, we came around a bend and spotted Craig waving his arms like a human lighthouse. Paddling the river made time seem to stop. I wasn’t sure if we’d been out for an hour or three. It’s meditative, and I was almost bummed we wouldn’t spend the whole day on the water. We docked with assistance from Craig and Megan, and headed up the boat ramp toward a huge rack of mountain bikes.
The Real Soul Cycle
After a short rest and refuel, the group was fitted with bikes and helmets. Megan wanted to hang back in the pack to make sure everyone was accounted for. A leader was requested, and we all silently stared at the ground until someone mercifully took on the duty. My take is that everyone was ready for nap-time after such a relaxing kayak, myself included.We laughed at the mud on our faces at our next stop.”Chilly, humid air rushed out from the cave, giving us a refreshing break on an increasingly sunny day. We never got a solid answer as to why this phenomena occurs, but local dolomite mines and water systems deep underground are a likely culprit. It’s unadvised to explore them, due to years of disrepair and instability. After our cooldown, we saddled up and headed back over the trestle bridge toward something I was sure I misheard. Pizza in the woods.
Pizza Oasis
The Rail Trail Cafe sits trailside, just southwest of Rosendale. If you’ve ever trekked or backpacked for hours a day, and said out loud “I wish they sold pizza up here”, this is the oasis you dreamed of. After our large group rolled in, I touched the side of the cafe just to make sure it was real.The duo serves wood-fired pizzas with personally-grown and locally sourced ingredients.”Brian handmade his pizza oven using clay, sand, and straw. The oven’s wood fuel is sourced from downed timber around the trail and farm. Scattered tables were appointed with small bunches of yellow sunflowers. In the four years Rail Trail has been around, Brian estimated that 75% of their business comes from foot and bike traffic off the trail. They invite local musicians to play almost daily. I enjoyed getting to know Jess, a journalist in NYC, and joking with others over our delicious lunch. It’s a perfect place to rest, and easily one of the coolest places I’ve eaten.
Malts in New Paltz
We rode back under the forest canopy to the boat launch where we originally grabbed our bikes. Megan counted us up, and we headed to New Paltz for some dessert and beer. Originally we’d planned to visit Bradley’s Farm, but despite her meticulous planning and to Megan’s exasperation, it was closed for the day. We peeked in at pigs while mourning for Megan, who has never been able to catch the farm in its open state.Learn More About the Kayak and Cycle Trip | ||
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Guide | Megan | |
Group Size | One guide, 10 participants | |
What’s Provided | Kayak, life vest, mountain bike, helmet | |
What to Bring | Daypack, 1-2 Liters of water, sunscreen, hat |