West of the Ashokan Reservoir is damn near perfect for crispy October rides and Fall foliage. Just watch the leaves.

The Route

West of Ashokan Reservoir is God’s land. It’s just so beautiful out there and last time I did a foliage ride in that area I couldn’t help but slow down and just take it all in. Once the leaves come down (be careful of the damn leaves on the ground), you get a clear view of the creek. This is one of those rare cases where an electric bike might be nice; hearing the sounds of nature around you could be amazing on this route.

We’re starting and stopping at Teta’s for three reasons:

1. Gas is not exactly plentiful in this area so fill up before and after

2. They make a fantastic roast beef & cheese sandwich

3. The people-watching is top notch and the employees are super kind

As I’ve warned in the past, be careful of canopied roads. Early mornings can be dangerous after a rain so watch for wetness & debris. Early season rides on this road could be a bit rough from gravel, etc so take care.

In any case, I specifically routed you by Pigeon Brook Rd so you can hit that hairpin.

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I’ve learned a thing or two about the anatomy of a good route:

1. Twists are awesome, no doubt, but here’s the thing: Highways are a must. They give you a change of pace when you need it. You get to control your speed on highways. Plus, they’re the bridge between your destinations, helping you stay focused on what you’re really out there to do. Highways might not be where you’re headed, but they sure get you there quicker.

2. Take breaks often. Pull over at all the gas stations. Okay, maybe not every single one, but make it a point to stop regularly, especially if your bike isn’t built for long hauls. Stopping every 60-80 miles for a few minutes works for me.

3. This is not a ride for a large group. I’d do like 6, 7 bikes TOPS. Some of these roads are fairly narrow and you’ll want the space. If you’re using comms on your ride, a long bike procession will mean that the leader can’t talk to the rear.

4. The twists below Ashokan Reservoir are canopied so take it easy for the first mile or so and pay attention to leaves & wet patches. If it rained the night before and you’re out in the AM, take extra care.

👉️ Calimoto & .GPX Download Links 🔗 

Click on the Calimoto link or download the .GPX file below (must have a Premium Subscription) for a full waypoint by waypoint route.

Open it in Calimoto on your phone to follow the whole route turn-by-turn.

I’ve tried numerous waypoint apps (Apple Maps, Google Maps, Rever, Detecht, etc) and Calimoto is by far my favorite and easiest to use.

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