No cyclist should feel lonely, especially in Orange County, New York, which is a cyclist's paradise of rolling hills, pastureland and forests. According to the Orange County Bicycle Club, it is the challenge of the climb and the view from the top that inspires their members to ride. Join this bicycle club, another outdoor club or a cycling advocacy group to share the thrill of two-wheeled travel and help improve cycling in the area.
Orange County Bicycle Club
Formed more than 20 years ago, the Orange County Bicycle Club is a recreation-focused group of cycling enthusiasts with members of all ages and cycling abilities. The organization coordinates weekly bike rides that are held every Saturday morning, as well as special events such as the Fall Foliage Tour and weekday rides through the summer. Individual and family memberships are available for a reasonable annual fee but you can join a trial ride before you commit. Helmets are required to attend any ride.
Other Outdoor Groups
You may be interested in joining other outdoor groups in the area, both to connect with other riders and to improve cycling infrastructure in the county. Founded in 1990, Orange Pathways is a non-profit organization dedicated to building and expanding Orange County's Heritage Trail. The New York-North Jersey Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club offers hiking, cycling, sailing, paddling and social events for its more than 13,000 members. The North Jersey Ramapo Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club offers hikes and road bike tours of the Hudson Highlands region in New York and New Jersey.
Cycling Advocacy
If you're interested in improving cycling opportunities and infrastructure, there are a number of options. Transportation Alternatives, a New York City-based organization, advocates for programs and policies to improve cycling, walking and public transit in the region. The New York Bicycling Coalition bills itself as the "voice for bicyclists in New York State." The coalition seeks to improve cycling infrastructure and safety by influencing policy and educating the public. To support cycling efforts at the national level, you can join the 300,000 members of the League of American Bicyclists.
Safety Tips
In the interests of safety, the Orange County Bicycle Club offers the following tips. The country roads of Orange County are scenic but many lack adequate shoulders for use by cyclists, so riders and drivers alike must recognize a cyclist's right to ride on the right-hand side of the road. Cyclists, for their part, are legally considered vehicles and so must abide by traffic laws. The bicycle club recommends that cyclists wear bright clothing, ride in a predictable manner, use hand signals and always wear a helmet.
Trails
The Heritage Trail, dubbed "one of the nicest bicycle trails in the Hudson Valley," is a relatively level route running 11 miles from Munroe to Goshen. Other off-road trails include the D & H Canal Cowpath, Newburgh-Beacon Bridge and routes within Stewart State Forest. If you're a mountain biker willing to travel out of Orange County, you may enjoy the 40 miles of carriage road trails within the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, located close to New Paltz or the 30 miles of challenging trails in the Willowemoc Wild Forest near Livingston Manor. If you're an experienced cyclist, you may be interested in riding Bicycle Route 17, a historic and scenic on-road route that runs through Orange County along state highways.
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