Sep 25-26 -- Ferncliff Forest comfy overnighter

This trip includes a unique long sleeve t-shirt. We leave from Poughkeepsie, NY at the MetroNorth/Amtrak train station and cycle on the Empire State Trail making food and coffee stops in New Paltz and Kingston. If you're new to camping or new to using your bike frame to carry camping equipment, this is an approachable trial to see if you like it. Experienced riders will enjoy a trip with plenty of time off the bike, a relaxed cycling pace, and all the details taken care of.

Both days of riding are roughly 40 miles and 1000ft of climbing, which is very flat for the area. Despite the many miles of rail trail on this route, riders must be comfortable riding on public roads that also carry vehicle traffic. This is because the official Empire State Trail has us cycling on the shoulder of the Kingston-Rhinecliff bridge next to cars, and the final 1.5 miles from the bridge to campsite are also on public roads.

We have one night camping in a large open field and several lean-to shelters that can fit 1-2 people. There is a portapotty for shared use and your guide will provide water, ice cooler, and firewood. On Sunday we have a slow morning and enjoy several hours in camp before packing up and retracing our route back to the train station in Poughkeepsie.