Putnam County Government: Gotham Bicycle Tours

Press release from the Putnam County Government:

May 11, 2021

As Featured In: The New York Times & Adventure Cycling Magazine

2021 Tour Dates: May 15, June 5, June 19, July 31, August 28, September 18, October 2, October 16

Ride on New York’s newest car-free bike path! Easy to get to by train from NYC with vehicle support, guides and break stops.  It is the longest state-wide bike path in the nation! Get out and enjoy this beautiful trail on your bike with our Empire Trail Service!

Experience the trail at your own pace with the convenience and peace of mind of an organized tour.

Our Empire Trail Service is designed for riders of all abilities to enjoy riding this scenic, remote, car-free bike path at your own pace while still having the convenience, support, safety and peace of mind that comes with an organized tour. Ride by yourself or with one of our guides and have access to break stops with refreshments. A support vehicle is available throughout the day where you can store your belongings while you ride. You can pack your own lunch or order a lunch ($13) and everything is available to you at the break stops. In addition, our staff is always available in the general area to help you with any mechanical breakdowns or to pick you up in the support vehicle if you cannot finish the ride.

Our Empire Trail Service starts at $50 for the Maybrook Branch between Brewster and Poughkeepsie. You can add lunch, rail fare, shuttle services or rental bikes based on your preferences. We also offer GPS that will alert you to all points of interest that you ride past, including historical information that you can read at your convenience instead of stopping at every informational panel or kiosk that you pass.

You can easily bring your bike aboard the train to enjoy this ride.  Take the Metro-North Harlem Line train to Brewster and meet us there where we will hook you up with energy bars, snacks and water before sending you on your way. The train you will need to take departs Grand Central at 10:10 a.m., Harlem-125th Street at 10:20 a.m. or Fordham at 10:28 a.m.  (Drivers can park for free at the Brewster train station). After completing the ride there is hourly train service back to Grand Central from Poughkeepsie. Head back when you are ready, perhaps taking in a waterfront restaurant for dinner before catching the train. Riders who parked in Brewster get shuttled back to their cars. Tour service ends at 6 p.m. which means you can make the 5:50 train back to the city or be back at your car in Brewster by 6:45.

PRICE: $50 base fare includes rest stops with refreshments and vehicle/guide service. Add additional services as needed or desired.

ALL TOURS ARE OPERATED IN SMALL GROUP FORMAT USING COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED

This press release was produced by the Putnam County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.