2018 Fancy Fall Foliage Tours

For many of us it has been a very hot and wet summer. As we begin our slide into the end of this, we think that all the moisture will have a very colorful, bright and dynamic finish to the 2018 riding season in the northeast. What we like to do each year is present to you some suggested roads that will offer not only a great plethora of fall colors but some superior riding as well. So, strap on your helmet, put some Kodachrome in the camera (remember that?) and follow along as we do a little Fall Fancy Foliage 2018.

New Jersey • County Road 517

This great New Jersey road runs for about 55 miles from the central part of the state in Hunterdon County to the border with New York State and continues on as Orange County Route 26. Along the way it crosses the Musconetcong and Raritan rivers and dozens of clear and beautiful lakes, as well as passing over the Appalachian Trail just before heading into New York. Just past Long Valley, the road shares its name with Schooleys Mountain, which is a twisty piece of tarmac through a nice section of wooded land.

You can ride the full 55 miles starting in the south at the Tewksbury Inn, in Tewksbury, NJ (duh) and ending at the Pochuck Valley Farm Market, with an ice cream cone, just before entering New York – or vice versa. Along this half a hundred miles you will pass through a number of towns, with one or two being known ‘Revenuers,’ so ‘when in town, slow the bike down.’

This rule works around the world.

Pennsylvania • Route 154

This road has been a favorite for years. It is one of those roads that, for whatever reason, falls off your radar and when it is rediscovered you want to ride it every day.

PA Route 154 is just 30 or so miles long, running from Laporte in the southeast to Canton in the northwest. It first winds through Loyalsock State park, along the creek with the same name.

The road is full of great sweeping turns, superb elevation changes and soon enters World’s End State Park, listed as one of the “Twenty Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks,” before entering Forksville.

Just before the covered bridge you will find the Forksville General Store. This place has been featured a number of times in Backroads and has some of the greatest food in the region and, it is said, the greatest Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches in Pennsylvania.

Keep rolling along till the end and, if you are smart (and you are), you come back the same way. It is that good!

New York • Barkaboom & Big Indian

Here in the Catskills we have a few ‘go to’ roads that we always seem to find ourselves on. So we thought we’d link them together for a fall foliage mountain romp.

This 85-mile ride starts at the Riverside Café’, on County Road 17 just north of Roscoe, New York. The Riverside is a superb place, with a comfortable feel to it, and some great food as well.

From there we’ll head east on Old Route 17 before making a left along Beaverkill Road (SR 151). This will eventually run into Barkaboom Road, which will take you to the Pepacton Reservoir. Note that these roads are twisty and deserve attention – no matter how pretty the leaves or waterfalls may be. At the bottom you will make a right along BWS #9 to Route 28. We’ll head east on this great New York state road to Big Indian, in Oliverea and make a right up and over the mountain on Route 47. On the other side you will enter the Frost Valley (named after a family, not the weather) and continue on Route 19 to Route 55 – where you can continue on through the lower Catskill Mountains.

Shira’s Harriman State Park Ice Cream Run

We thought we’d save this most fun short (55-mile) and sweet ride for last – this also finishes at one of Shira’s Inside Scoop Ice cream stops, so how much better does that get?

Get yourself to the old Red Apple Rest in Southfields, NY and head north on Route 17 to Arden Valley Road. Arden Valley Road is five miles long and recently paved and passes along some of the old mines that for which this region was known.

At the Tiorati Circle go ¾ the way around and pick up 7 Lakes Drive to Route 6 east. This becomes a bit highwayish, so be cautious here. Should you be a bit hungry and want to try some superior barbeque, head up Route 9W a few miles and drop into the Barnstormer in Fort Montgomery. You will be happy, full and ready to ride for your ice cream reward with renewed vigor. Point yourself south on 9W and as you approach the Bear Mountain Bridge follow signs for 7 Lakes Drive west and Perkin’s Drive. It is well worth the ride up to the monument at the top and the view of the Hudson Valley may not be equaled anywhere else in the United States.

Dropping back down to 7 Lakes Drive head west and at the second traffic circle traffic circle go ¾ the way around and pickup Tiorati Brook Road and head east. This road follows Arden Valley’s personality and is a blast to navigate. Keep your eyes peeled for Lake Welsh Parkway and take that to the right and continue back to 7 Lakes Drive and head east again to the first traffic circle and go ¾ the way around and pick up Route 106.

We really love this part of the park and it too was recently resurfaced. Happy us!

Cross over New York State Thruway on Route 17A and continue up the mountain, past Renaissance Faire and through Greenwood Lake, staying on Route 17A to the right. Note that the Stop Signs in this town are to be taken very seriously.

Bellvale Farms Creamery is atop the next mountain on the right. Here you will find some of the finest homemade ice cream available in the lower Hudson Valley region. You can even see their cows down in the valley as you enjoy a cone or cup and the second stupendous view of this ride.

Enjoy the autumn colors and rides and we’ll see you on the road!