July 12-17 Catskills Cycling and Camping Tour 6 Days, 5 Nights

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Daily Itinerary - 

Our riding will be in two 2-4hr chunks with about 6-8hrs of moving time each day, and the ride plan is to arrive at camp with plenty of daylight for everyone to do what they feel in the late afternoons and evenings.

1. Day 1 is a gorgeous start to the trip that brings us across the Hudson River and South past High Falls waterfall. We have a food stop and then re-group at an optional hiking grounds. Then we continue the last 15 miles to the South side of Ashokan Reservoir for our first night at a private campground with showers and more comforts. 42 miles and 2700ft of climbing in total is a tie with Day 5 for the most miles and hills in a day. 
2. Day 2 is only 22 miles in total as we aim for a mid-afternoon arrival at the campsite in the forest preserve. Along the way is a lunch stop with sandwiches, pizzas, and cold drinks. There is one big 1200ft climb for 7 miles at the end of the day that is rideable but steep enough that you may want to walk parts of it. At camp everyone will have plenty of time to sit in the water, hike, cook, whittle, or whatever else you feel like doing. 
3. Day 3 is 31 miles and 2000ft of climbing. We start with an unpaved 4x4 road before making a long, drawn-out descent to the Rondout Reservoir and the best food stop of the day in Grahamsville, NY. From there it's 16 miles and 1400ft of climbing up to Willowemoc Forest and the private campground with all the amenities.
4. Day 4 is a day with no huge climbs, and we stay at the same campsite for a 2nd night. You could take zero miles today and sit your feet in the Willowemoc Creek. You could also find a grocery store and lots of lunch options 16 miles and 800ft climbing roundtrip to the town of Livingston Manor. Or you could ride 30 miles and 1500ft climbing roundtrip to Roscoe, NY for a roasted trout lunch before stopping at the same grocery store in Livingston Manor on your way back. This is the best night for everyone to cook in the campfire together.  
5. Day 5 we start our return journey with 41 miles in total, -4000ft of descending, +2700ft of climbing, and the same food stop in Grahamsville. We ride up all-time-great Peekamoose Road for our last high point on the Catskill Plateau before descending to the same lovely campground as Night 1. Our last dinner as a group is being served to us from the kitchen, sorry to disappoint you if you wanted ramen noodles on your last night. 
6. Day 6 starts with coffee and hot breakfast served to us, and then it’s 42 miles to return us back to Hudson, NY. We make a rest stop at Opus 40, a large earthwork sculpture grounds and performance space, and enjoy a final food stop at Stewart’s in the town of Catskill. The aim is to return to the train station by 4pm.  

Where and when do we meet? 

• Sunday, July 12th on the sidewalk in front of the Amtrak train station in Hudson, NY
• 8:30am riders pre-departure group meeting and safety check. 
• 9:00am wheels spinning and we are on our way. 
• Friday, July 17th around 4pm we will return to the same location.

Who is this trip for? 

This trip is for anyone who wants to go cycling and camping in a group of around 15 people. All fitness levels and all body types can have a great time. This is for folks who want a relaxed trip with lots of time off the bike. This trip isn’t for you if you are hoping to grind long hours in the saddle each day. 

You must be comfortable cycling on public roads that get vehicle traffic. At the pre-departure group meeting we will discuss expected behaviors for safe cycling on public roads.

What bike setup should I use?

You can have a great time on your classic touring bike with narrow tires and racks/panniers, and you could also ride 2-inch tires and a bikepacking setup. The trip is 97% paved, with a mile of rough stuff at the end of Day 2 and a long, flat section of gravel at the start of Day 3. 

What do we do at the campground?

Once in camp, riders are free to do whatever they want - more riding, campfire cooking, gear repair, story telling…

What do I pack? 

After you sign up, then you will receive a full gear packing checklist. Broadly speaking, each rider should bring their own bike, flat fix kit, and bags/racks/baskets that attach to the frame of the bike for carrying: a shelter, a sleeping system, food, toiletries, clothes for camp, clothes for riding the bike, a rain jacket, several water bottles, and a helmet.

You can read more about what to expect at these FAQs for trips with Lichen Bike Tours.