Inaugural Cycle the Hudson Valley Begins July 30
7 Days of Food, Music, History, Art and Nature–All While Cycling the Nationally Renowned Empire State Trail
(ALBANY, NY)— If you want an unforgettable experience in the iconic Hudson Valley, and you love or are interested in cycling, look no further than Parks & Trails New York’s new bike tour: Cycle the Hudson Valley. Cycle the Hudson Valley travels 200 miles of the Empire State Trail between Troy, NY—known for its small city charm and gorgeous Victorian architecture featured in HBO’s “The Gilded Age”—and its finish line at NYC’s beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Cycle the Hudson Valley will provide a dazzling showcase of some of the best history, art, and nature that New York State has to offer…. all from the back of your bicycle. From the world’s longest pedestrian bridge (Walkway Over the Hudson), to live music in Kingston, New York’s newest state park (Sojourner Truth S.P.), early 18th century historic French architecture, and some of the best food and drink the Hudson Valley has to offer (Bradley Farm and foodie-celebrated Hudson, NY), Cycle the Hudson Valley really has something for everyone.
Unlike other tours that require lycra, racing, and a very serious demeanor (you can wear lycra and go seriously fast if you want), Cycle the Hudson Valley (CTHV) is perfect for all–from experienced cyclists to beginners. The tour offers camping AND glamping options, provides many meals for the 7 day event, offers shuttle transport for riders, and lugs cyclists’ gear between overnight sites for them. The result is a ride that can be a challenge if you choose, but can also be a gorgeous, leisurely way to explore the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley with the freedom and enjoyment only two wheels can provide.
Taking place from July 30th to August 5th, Cycle the Hudson Valley celebrates the Empire State Trail (EST) in all its glory. Spanning NYS from Buffalo to Albany, and Canada to the tip of Manhattan, the EST is the nation’s longest state-based multi-use trail. Officially opened at the end of 2020, this 750-mile greenway has seen 15 million visitors since the end of 2020, with every indication that the staggering number of walkers, cyclists, runners, and other trail users will only continue to grow.
Which should come as no surprise to anyone following the news (bicycle news) during the dark days of the early COVID-19 pandemic, when bicycle sales doubled and it was impossible to acquire one, by hook or by crook. And recent visitation numbers for the Empire State Trail indicate that New Yorkers’ love of cycling hasn’t slowed. Indeed, cycling and cycle-based tourism has only continued to grow in New York State, with PTNY being a primary advocate for the expansion and care of NYS’s greenway network. Considering the growing number of bike lovers, PTNY expects Cycle the Hudson Valley to become an institution in New York summers, similar to PTNY’s other ride, Cycle the Erie Canal, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary.
PTNY’s launch of Cycle the Hudson Valley is supported by a Market New York grant from Empire State Development and I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Cycle the Hudson Valley is generously sponsored by National Grid NY, Discover Putnam, Dutchess Tourism, Ulster County, Siggi’s yogurt, and Call of the Loon. Cycle the Hudson Valley also benefits from the generous support of a grant from the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
You can learn more about Cycle the Hudson Valley at CycleTheHudsonValley.org.
Paul Steely White said: “We are excited for Cycle the Hudson Valley (CTHV) to be as popular and well-loved as our world-renowned Cycle the Erie Canal, now in its 25th year. We also believe CTHV will be as successful as its predecessor in serving as a catalyst for expansion and completion of the southern leg of the Empire State Trail (EST). The EST is a singular accomplishment, but there is much work to do to ensure it’s truly accessible and safe for cyclists and walkers of all abilities and ages. We’ve also found that trail-based tourism can be a very important driver for communities. We can’t wait to advocate for expansion of the EST, reaching more communities and connecting more parks and regional trails to our state-wide greenways network. Also, I’m just—mostly—very excited to experience the ride myself!”
About Parks & Trails New York:
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is New York’s leading statewide advocate for parks and trails. Since its founding in 1985, PTNY has been fighting to improve our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. In collaboration with members, supporters, and partners from across the state, PTNY is a prominent voice for the protection and expansion of New York’s magnificent state park system and multi-use trail network, including more than 1,500 miles of greenways, bike paths, and river walks. Learn more at www.ptny.org.
