Cycle the Hudson Valley Aug 2024
Cycle the Hudson Valley – August 2024 - A week long annual bike tour along the Empire State Trail, and hosted by PTNY
Arriving in NYC
Cycle the Hudson Valley (CTHV) is a beloved annual tour organized by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) — the same nonprofit behind Cycle the Erie Canal and many statewide trail initiatives. The ride follows the southern stretch of the Empire State Trail, traveling from the Capital Region all the way to New York City.
This trip blends multi-day cycling with history, scenic river valleys, charming towns, and the camaraderie of a rolling bike community. For me, 2024 was a memorable combination of challenge, joy, mishaps, beauty, and new friendships. About 250 bikers were on the tour this year.
The Experience
Sleeping Indoors: The Reality of “Indoor Camping”
Most nights, we didn’t set up tents outdoors. Instead, we slept on pads on gym floors — long rows of cyclists spread across a basketball court or recreation hall.
It sounds awful, and sometimes it was - snoring/coughing strangers two feet away (with other sleepers then yelling at them to be quiet), shuffling bags at 4 a.m., the symphony of air mattresses inflating and deflating. The convenience outweighed everything: no tents to set up or take down, shelter from rain, real bathrooms instead of porta-potties, a roof, lights, and places to plug things in. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked — and it created a strange little community each night.
Volunteering: Running the E-Bike Charging Tent
I served as a volunteer and helped run the e-bike charging station, which became a social hub. Because of that, I started the tour a day early, and I met many people I still think about: Sydney from Connecticut (who I also rode with on the Bon Ton Roulet), Jan & Ken, the incredibly skilled mechanic duo (who I also spent time with at the Bon Ton), a few riders who became “regulars” at my charging tent, eager to talk equipment, batteries, and routes. Volunteering gave this trip a larger sense of purpose and connection.
Weather Drama: The Rain Day
One entire riding day was completely rained out. PTNY quickly shifted everyone into college dormitories, and a day that could have been miserable turn into a cozy communal retreat: hot showers, dry clothes, a trip to the local mall, reading, card games, and snacks, and conversations with strangers who suddenly felt like friends. A reminder that on long tours, the detours can be just as meaningful as the miles.
The Ride
One of the most breathtaking moments was crossing the Walkway Over the Hudson, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge. The views were expansive — the river glowing in the morning light, the Catskills in the distance, riders stretched across the horizon. It felt like floating above the world.
The Best Day: Riding Into New York City
Nothing beats the final day. After miles of riverfront riding, trails, and small towns, suddenly you are crossing the George Washington Bridge — the city opening up before you like a movie. Because it was Summer Streets, Manhattan was transformed: miles of roads closed to traffic, families biking and strolling, musicians playing, runners, walkers, strollers everywhere, all of Central Park open only to people — not cars. Riding through a car-free NYC was electric. Joyful. Surreal.
Holly and I had a nice lunch at an outdoor patio cafe along the Hudson River Greenway Trail.
And then…my battery died three miles before the finish. Those last unassisted uphill miles into Morningside Heights nearly broke me, but Holly stayed with me, and together we pushed through and rolled triumphantly into the finish at St. John the Divine. It remains one of my favorite cycling memories of all time.
History, Culture, and Off-Bike Adventures
PTNY builds in several optional tours and cultural stops, which made the trip feel rich and well-rounded. I visited Eleanor Roosevelt’s Home — Val-Kill. A serene, meaningful stop. Touring Val-Kill offered insight into Eleanor Roosevelt’s activism, humanitarian work, and deep connection to the Hudson Valley. The peaceful grounds were a beautiful place to stretch our legs.
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) - One day included a lunch stop at the world-famous CIA. Watching chefs-in-training at work and eating outdoors beside the river was a highlight — elegant, surprising, and delicious.
Evening Concert at the Lake Pavilion - One night, a local band performed at a lakeside pavilion near camp. Cyclists sprawled across the grass, watching the sun set while music drifted over the water — the perfect quiet counterpoint to the sweaty intensity of the ride.
The Airplane & Flight History Museum was an unexpected delight along the Hudson Valley route. A small but fascinating style aviation stop tucked near the trail. It wasn’t a full tour day, but it added a burst of wonder and nostalgia to the ride. The museum grounds showcased historic military aircraft, early experimental planes, and Cold War–era jets, where cyclists could walk right up and study the engines, wings, and metalwork up close.
There’s something magical about encountering airplanes in an otherwise quiet, rural landscape. Many riders lingered longer than planned, wandering between the planes, taking photos, and swapping stories about aviation, travel, and childhood memories of airshows. It was a simple stop, but one that made the journey feel bigger — a reminder of how human imagination has always been tied to motion, exploration, and the desire to see what lies beyond the horizon.
These moments made the trip more than a bike tour — they gave it texture, rhythm, and soul.
Friendships That Began Here
This is the trip where:
Holly and I really connected — and we ended up riding into NYC together
I met Sydney, one of the youngest bikers on the tour.
I spent time with Jan & Ken, learning from their expertise and kindness.
Group tours create friendships fast — everyone is vulnerable, tired, hungry, and striving toward the same finish line.
