New York Bike Tour:  Hudson Valley Historic Houses and Fall Foliage

Highlights: 

•  Bike on peaceful country roads amidst the spender of magnificent fall foliage
   
•  See and bike the longest pedestrian bridge in the world
  
•  Visit "Springwood" the magnificent historic estate of FDR on the banks of the Hudson

•  Bike to the hilltop estate "Olana," home of famous landscape artist Fredrick Church
   
•  Stop in country towns such as Rhinebeck, Germantown, Copake, Millerton and Kinderhook

•  Stay in lovely country inns and eat at great local restaurants

Details:

Terrain:  Generally hilly with areas of more gently rolling terrain. The tour has been designed for low or high mileage and to bypass more significant hills making the trip comfortable for bikers of differing abilities.

Weather:  The average high temperature in the area this time of year is 62° F and the low is 40° F.

New York Bike Tour: Hudson Valley Historic Houses and Fall Foliage

Price: $1795

Included in Price:

• 5 nights accommodations in unique inns and B&Bs

• All breakfasts, 4 dinners, and snacks along the way

• Entrance fees for Springwood in Hyde Park, FDR's riverside estate

• Entrance fees to Olana, the hilltop home of landscape artist Frederic Church

• Experienced guides familiar with the local area

• SAG (Support and Gear) Van to provide baggage relocation, mechanical support, snacks, fresh water, and
"rest rides" as needed

• Cue sheets and maps with daily meetings to review route options and points of interest

Additional Fees:

• Single Supplement: $450 (room mates will be sought when requested).

• Bike Rental: $150 for hybrid bikes - $225 for road bikes.

New York Bike Tour:  Hudson Valley Historic Houses and Fall Foliage

Beekman Arms:  America's longest continuously operating inn, the Beekman Arms first welcomed guests in the 1700's and offers today's guests charming  accommodations, pleasantly old fashioned, yet unobtrusively modern.  Steeped in history and a tradition of service, the Beekman Arms offers guests a unique experience during their visit. You can visit their web page by clicking here .

St. Charles Hotel:  Over 139 years of charm and history greet you at this fine hotel.   The St. Charles is nestled in the historic town of Hudson, New York.  Warren Street with its abundance of antique shops, galleries, and specialty stores is just a short walk from the lobby.   You can visit their web page by clicking here . 

Simmons' Way Village Inn:  A graceful retreat in the grand tradition of Victorian elegance and civility, the Simmons' Way Village Inn is located near the Berkshire Foothills. Antiques, fireplaces, porches and historic candlelit silver service highlight memorable accommodations and international cuisine and wine selections. The inn was selected by American Express / Hertz as "Quintessential Country Inn 1991".  You can visit their web page by clicking here .

New York Bike Tour:  Hudson Valley Historic Houses and Fall Foliage

Arrival and Departure: The tour will originate and terminate in Rhinebeck, NY. Escapades will assist with hotel arrangements and local transportation both before and after the trip. 

Daily Mileage Options:  28-40 mile daily base routes with longer and shorter options available according to individual preferences.

Day 1: Rhinebeck
The tour begins in Rhinebeck.  We will meet in the lobby of the historic Beekman Arms at 4:00 pm, fit the rental bikes, and take a short ride around Rhinebeck. We will then meet in the library of the Inn at 6:30 pm for cocktails and introductions, followed by dinner at the Beekman Arms Inn.
Lodging:  Beekman Arms Inn
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Rhinebeck to Hyde Park and Visit Historic Houses
Today we bike to the Walkway/Bikeway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. Then we bike to Hyde Park and vist the home of Franklin Roosevelt. Also, you may visit the Vanderbilt and Mills mansions. Those wanting to ride longer can enjoy the scenic trip to Schultzville and Clinton Corners, home of Clinton Winery that provided the wine for Bill Clinton's inaugurations.
Lodging:  Beekman Arms Inn
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3: Rhinebeck to Hudson
We will ride north along River Road through Bard College with optional visits to the Clermont Estate, Montgomery House and the Frank Gehry building at Bard. We will continue on country roads to the old towns of Tivoli where there is a good bakery, and Germantown, both great lunch spots. We then bike north on quiet roads to Olana, home of the famous Hudson River painter, Frederick Church, and the small city of Hudson. This historic town was once a vibrant center of shipping and whaling and is filled with architectural gems. Now a major antiques center, there are many shops and art galleries lining the main street. We stay at the St. Charles Hotel.
Lodging:  St. Charles Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Hudson Loop North to Chatham
We leave Hudson, ride through farmland, cornfields, orchards, passing through gracious 18th and 19th century hamlets to arrive in Old Chatham, a wealthy rural area graced with stone walls, wonderful old cemeteries, and white churches.  During our visit we check out the Old Chatham Sheepherding Co., the largest sheep dairy farm in the country, which has great cheese for sale and lots of animals to look at. We follow this with a really great lunch at the charming old General Store in the village. We then ride over to Kinderhook, the home of former President Martin Van Buren (optional visit to his home and /or the Columbia Co. museum}. Kinderhook is a lovely old town filled with early, elegant houses. Then we pedal along the river and back to Hudson, 
Lodging:  St. Charles Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5: Hudson to Millerton
Today we bike south past beautifully preserved old barns, tree farms, the long black fences of horse farms and rolling hills dotted with fall color. We will bike north to Copake Falls where we can see the Copake Iron Works or hike to a waterfall. You can complete the trip to Millerton along a tree-lined bike path.  For the final ride of the day, cyclists can choose either a relatively flat route or a more challenging route. We will stay at  Simmons' Way Village Inn.
Lodging:  Simmons' Way Village Inn
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6: Millerton to Rhinebeck
After enjoying a delicious breakfast with Martha and Jay at the Inn, we will transfer guests back to Rhinbeck or the Rhinecliff train station for Departure.
Meals: Breakfast