Here in the mid Hudson Valley we have reached an interesting milestone in trail development.With the opening of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail phase 2 east extension,to the west end of the Walkway,October 2,2010,and the opening of the pase 3 southern section of the Dutchess Rail Trail during the Memorial day weekend last year,the paved trailways of the old Maybrook line have become more popular than ever before.The phase 2 section of the Dutches RT,here in Poughkeepsie, remains an isolated 2.4 mile segment from the northern terminus at Morgan Lake to Overocker Rd.This part of the trail,which opened in 2009 before the opening of the Walkway Over The Hudson,will soon be linked to the 8.3 mile southern section.Phase 4 will involve the construction of a bicycle/pedestrian trail bridge over SR 55. Construction will begin this year.At the completion of this phase,the Dutchess RT,as originaly planed,will be complete.

The melee on the trailway

turbo jocks and diva at the east end of the Walkway

  We have also reached another interesting milestone due to the popularity of the area multi use trailways.Trail etiquette and safety has become enough of an issue that Fred Schaeffer has recruited me to help with this issue.I had been riding the Hudson Valley RT for a number of years and have not seen,or have heard of,any problems.Of course this was on the original 1997 section and was before the opening of the Walkway,and the phase 2 east extension.In those pre-Walkway days of the HVRT,there were not as many users of the trail as there are now.When phase 2 of the Dutchess RT opened here in Poughkeepsie,just before the Walkway,and I went for my first rides on this section of the rail trail,I was not ready for the number of people on the trail and the chaotic free-for-all ‘melee on the trailway’.It was a far cry from the well manered,orderly experience I had riding the Burke-Gilman RT in Seatle WA,26 years before.This was actualy my first experience of riding a rail trail.It would seem there have been problems with the more experienced fast bicycle riders,those I term as ‘turbo jocks’ and ‘turbo divas’.These riders are the racer wanabes who show up for a ride on a shared use trailway,with a carbon fiber pro team uber racing bike and are wearing enough Spandex to be extras for a certain superhero musical on Broadway.They use the rail trail for team time trials and seem to regard pedestrians as a nuisance.As reported in the Winter 2011/2012 issue of the Hudson Valley RT Association’s newsletter “Signals”(page 6 “New Signs Have Been Added to Rail Trail”) in regards to cyclist-pedestrian conflicts,there have been “near brushes and at least one collision with a pedestrian”. I should point out here that the bicycle in this state is regarded as a vehicle, and the cyclist that had collided with the pedestrian should have as per (Sec. 1230) of the NY state vehicle code have been given a traffic ticket for failure to yield to a pedestrian and possibly unsafe operation of a vehicle.

Hudson Valley Rail Trail Association’s sign alerting cyclists to pedestrians

  There is another group of experienced cyclists who may be causing trouble.The agressive,rules-are-not-for-me,’hot dog’ mountain biker.I actualy had an encounter with this type of rider,but not on any of the area trails and trailways.The encounter happened on the FDR Mid Hudson bridge north side pedestrian sidewalk about 5 or 6 BW (before Walkway).This bridge has a walk bicycle rule.As with the Dutchess RT years later at No. Grand Ave.,I had noticed skid marks at the east end of the bridge sidewalk.At the east end there is an old toll house and one has to move to the left and go through a very narrow archway to exit the sidewalk and brige.One day as I aproached this east end toll house,I heard the sound of a whistle behind me.I turned to look behind me and saw a mountain biker riding relatively fast toward me.I scrunched up against the railing along the roadway to allow the cyclist to pass.I then realized who may have created the skid marks.I think I may have seen this person on another ocasion at about the same time and so I had surmised that he may have been riding to work.In all likelihood he is no longer using the FDR Mid Hudson Bridge as part of his daily bicycle commute route.Want to guess which bridge he may be using now?

In New York State, all bicyclists under the age of 14 years old are required to wear safety certified bicycle helmets when they are operators or passengers on bicycles (Sec. 1238(5)). Children aged 1 to 4 must wear certified bicycle helmet and ride in specially designed child safety seats. Children under 1 are prohibited from being transported on a bicycle (Sec. 1238(1)(2)). Any parent or guardian who permits his or her child to violate the helmet law is subject to a fine of up to $50 (Sec. 1238(3),(6)(a)). - from the DOT website

  At the other end of the spectrum,cycling wise,are the inexperienced ‘newbie’ cyclists.They have very little,if any,experience riding public motor vehicle roads.They ride the rail trails for a ’safe haven’ from the motor vehicles on the public roads and highways. Indeed these riders seem to have a genuine fear and disdain for the public motor vehicle roads.I remember one day at the east end of the Walkway, here in Poughkeepsie,seeing a family of cyclists wandering about looking lost and confused.I aproached the father.He had asked me where the Dutchess RT was.I should point out,the big signs at either end of the Walkway,with the map showing the nearby connecting trails,contributes to this confusion.The maps,which were in place when the Walkway opened in 2009,seem to show a future time,like 2015,when the rail trails on both sides of the Hudson are complete and are connected to the Walkway at either end. I then gave the father verbal directions,via public roads shared with motor vehicles,to the Morgan Lake trailhead on Creek Rd.His reaction was like as if I had sugested to him a ’scenic’ bike ride in downtown Bagdahd or Afganastan.I had ofered to lead the way but he declined my offer.Without the cycling skills acquired operating their vehicle on a public road shared with motor vehicles,the perceived ’safe haven’ on the rail trail might not be that safe.Without the proper skills they can be a danger to themselves and others on the trail. We (colectively) avid, experienced cyclists should set an example and be the educators for these riders.Of course,the best way for these ‘newbie’ cyclists to get the road riding,and even off road,skills needed is to participate in an organized group ride.

AREA BICYCLE CLUBS

my proposed ‘SHARED USE TRAILWAY” signs to warn non-cyclists to cyclists or cyclists to other users of the trailway

close up of the Walkway east gate silhouette metal art depicting the multiple users
of the pedestrian bridge

  I had met with Fred Schaeffer on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at his law office in Arlington,town of Poughkeepsie.I had told him that I am well aquainted with trail etiquette from my XC skiing adventures (and mis-adventures),and so trail etiquette comes naturaly for myself wether skiing a back country trail in the Catskills,or riding my bicycle on a paved rail trail.One of the interesting things he had told me,was that he had a number of non-cyclists express their surprise that cycling is allowed on the Walkway.I had told him I have had the same experience.It would seem the non-cyclists are not paying attention as well.If they were to have looked up at the top of the bridge entry gate,they would have known that cycling is one of several activities for the Walkway Over The Hudson.Of course,there is the name of this 120+ year old re-purposed RR bridge, which is exclusive to a single activity - walking.If only way back when,the name for the organization and the re-purposed RR bridge had been given a more generic,non-exclusive to one activity,name.Perhaps “Skyway Over The Hudson”? I had told Mr. Schaeffer that we (colectively) avid cyclists must be the ones setting an example for all other cyclists.I had asked him if he had contacted the Mid Hudson Bicycle Club in regards to this issue.He had told me he had,and has had positive and favorable results.As operators of vehicles in this state we cyclists are held to a higher legal standard than pedestrians.We are required by law to obey all traffic signals and signs,signal for turns and yield to pedestrians.These rules apply wether riding a public motor vehicle roadway,or a shared use trailway.While the onus is on cyclists to be courteous,responsible,and legal trailway users,pedestrians also have a shared responsibility to be courteous trailway users.They must stay to the right side of the trailway,and be alert and attentive of their suroundings. One of the things I have observed of some pedestrians,when riding the area trailways,is a disregard to the fact that they are on a kind of road, albeit a special road that allows only certain vehicles,bicycles (or recumbents).On the Dutchess RT,I have seen a family setting up a picnic replete with blanket on the paved part of the trail.On the Walkway I have seen people sitting on the concrete deck.The pedestrians must,as best as is posible stay to the right side and not block the trailway.They must also be mindful of the fact they are indeed on a kind of ‘road’ and there are vehicles on this ‘road’

“Bicyclists must obey all traffic lights and signs and must signal for turns whether riding on a roadway, a bike lane or shared-use pathway with pedestrians.” - from the NY DOT website

the above is the special yield sign I had created for use on all of the Maybrook line trailways

With the recent acquisition of the CSX ROW property here in Poughkeepsie,from the east end of the Walkway to the current north terminus of the Dutchess RT at Morgan Lake,there will be a future phase 5 to link the Walkway with this rail trail.Once this rail trail ‘missing link’ is built,there will be nearly 18 miles of contiguous trailway from Hopewell Jct. to the current western terminus of the Hudson Valley RT.Therefore I have recomended common sinage for all of the Maybrook line trailways - the Dutchess Rail Trail,the Walkway Over The Hudson,and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail.

PROPOSED NEW TRAILWAY SIGNS

what the new caution signs might look like when mounted

we thank you!

  Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D) 22^nd district at the Hudson Valley RT phase 2 eastern extension grand opening,October 2,2010.This event coincided with the 1^st year aniversary of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park opening.As part of the ceremonies,Congressman Maurice Hinchey,along with Senator Charles Schumer and many others who supported the Walkway,were honored with a bronze star to be placed near the west gate in recognition of their support.

  This will be Mr. Hinchey’s last term as congresman.He will not be running for re-election and will retire at year’s end.He had been fighting colon cancer and had surgery last summer.He missed a sesion of congress as a result.Just recently he helped secure funding for a trails project in Kingston.

the abandoned Maybrook line ROW at Morgan Lake

  And speaking of Senator Schumer … a special thanks to him for negotiating the deal with CSX for acquisition of the Maybrook line CSX ROW property from the eastern end of the Walkway to the Morgan Lake trailhead of the Dutchess Rail Trail, in the city of Poughkeepsie,by the Walkway organization - the ‘friends” of the Walkway.The final deal negotiated by Mr. Shumer would be for a tad more than $1M.The remaing ROW property in the city of Poughkeepsie will still be owned by CSX.

  In a somewhat surprising twist,once the Walkway group has legal ownership of the property,they are to turn the property over to Dutchess county..I had thought, based on all of the new rail trail maps,that the Walkway would be extended to the Dutchess rail trail.

UPDATED PROPERTY ACQUISITION MAP

the abandoned Maybrook line ROW at the very east end of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park

05-29-11 Sunday - Dutchess Rail Trail phase 3 and 1

I did not find out about the ribbon cutting ceremony for this newest,and longest,section of the rail trail until a few days before the Memorial day weekend.The ceremony would be at 10:00 AM on Thursday 05-21.I had prior commitments for that day and so I would not be able to attend.At least this time I knew when this section was oficialy open to the public.The last few weeks of May (and now the first week of June) have been very July-August like weather wise,with high humidity and a daytime high temperature of near 90 degrees and afternoon thunder storms (or at least the threat of thunder storms) Sunday during the Memorial Day weekend looked to be the best day out of the 3.I would ride out to the northern end of this new section at Manchester Rd. behind Page Lumber in the town of Poughkeepsie to ride the new section,and the existing phase 1 section.

This new section goes from the town of Poughkeepsie to the northern end of the original 2007 phase 1 Walton Lake section,in the town of East Fishkill,and also includes that 1/2 mile ‘tail end’ section to the old depot,and a tad beyond,in Hopewell Jct.This creates a contiguous 8 1/2 miles (aproximately) of rail trail.I would ride the entire length to mile marker 0.0 in Hopewell Jct.,the southern terminus/trailhead for the entire rail trail.It would seem the word had goten out that this new section was open.The small parking lot was full and there were cars parked in the unfinished area,at the end of the paved trail,where one of the supports for the new yet-to-be-built bridge over SR 55,during phase 4 construction in 2012,will be.This new section,as will the entire rail trail,includes green directional/mileage signs at the intersections,new wood engraved mileage markers and educational interpretive signs.I had already seen the new green intersection signs on the phase 2 section here in Poughkeepsie before this new section was completed and open to the public.I had just started my southward journey on the trail,after taking some photos near the Manchester Rd. parking lot,when I encountered one of those green directional/mileage signs.The sign had indicated the new side trail I had seen in April, was the “Old Manchester” trail.I had noted the bridge over Titusville Road (CR 49) had been paved.In April I had thought the wood base for this,and all the other overpass bridges,was to make the bridges more Equine friendly.I had also thought the soft section of the trail was ostensibly for Equestrian use like the
Hudson Valley RT (the original phase 1 1997 section).It would seem I may have been wrong in regards to Equestrian use on this rail trail,or perhaps there has been a change from the original 2006 plans.The TrailLink.com site trail description idicates no Equestrian use on this rail trail.This southern section of the trail does pass by a number of horse farms though,and the 2006 trail design diagram for the phase 1 section,seem to indicate Equestrian useage.However,I did not see any NO HORSES signs.

diagram of trail design for phase 1 from the 2006 Dutchess RT site - note horse and rider

I was somewhat surprised there was no parking lot at Titusville Rd.I would have thought at least a portion of that huge area, at this intersection,that was being used as a construction storage-parking lot,would have been made into a large trail parking lot.However,there is a trail access to the Gold’s Gym parking lot.This is actualy listed as the official parking for the RT at this intersection.The finished,paved,grade up to the overpass was now a tad better than the unfinished,and unpaved,hill-from-hell 10% grade I encountered in April.The overpass grades are now downgraded from a HFH category to just an intermediate hill of 7% grade.There has been an amenities program for the trail in place for over a year.One of the benches along the trail was donated by the local bicycle club,the Mid Hudson Bicycle Club.I stoped to read,and take a picture of,one of those new educational interpretive signs.This one was about trains and communications.As I continued south,I passed by another educational sign to my left.This one seemed to be about local wildlife.On future rides,I will get to read all of the educational signs.

The Diddell Rd. crossing (the “missing bridge”) was much better graded than in April.An S curve was added with the road crossing offset from the centerline of the trail/ROW.I was surprised to see a parking lot on the south side of the intersection.There was also a kiosk with a new trail map.I had noted there were construction vehicles in the un-paved (or yet-to-be paved) small lot.As with phase 2 when that section opened in June 2009,even though it was officialy open to the public,it was still under construction.There was another educational interpretive sign.This one was about the stations along the old Maybrook line in Dutchess county.The next 1 mile of the trail is the designated “Veterans Mile”.The memorial plaques etc.,were not in place yet and so was not ready for dedication on Memorial Day.The DC trails site now indicates that the dedication will be during the July 4^th weekend.

I continued south to the north end of phase 1,(Walton Lake) the first section to open in 2007.As I had thought when I was there in April,the small ad-hoc parking lot would remain closed and would become part of the actual trail.When I was there last year,I had thought,at the time,this,now former,parking lot at the intersection with Walton Lake Rd.,looked kind of temporary.As it turned out,this little ad hoc parking area would become “temporarily permanent” for 4 years.I passed the new wood HJ 2.0 mileage marker to my left and just when I had thought “they replaced the old green metal mileage markers” (motor vehicle roadway type) I encountered the old HJ 2.0 mileage marker a bit south of the new HJ 2.0 marker.There clearly was quite a discrepency between the 2 markers.On this ride,I would get the chance to see the full extent of the housing development construction near the south end of this section.The construction now extends on both sides of the trail with a new road crossing the trail.I dont know if this at grade road crossing is just a temporary road for construction,or if the permanent road,for the housing development,will be above grade.I also don’t know at this point if there will be access to the trail from the housing development.My thinking,given the lack of vision on the part of the so called “planners” here in Dutchess county is, there will not be any direct access to the trail at this yet-to-be intersection.At the Bridge Street intersection in Hopewell Junction,the south end of phase 1,there was now a newley competed trail extending to the depot and old rail yard area.In July of 2010,there was a “TRAIL CLOSED” sign and the old ROW still with the old balast.The depot restoration was well underway with scafolding at one end and a new roof.The shingles for the roof had yet to be put in place.Once at the depot area I was able to understand the mileage discrepency between the old mileage markers and the new markers.As a result of the disputed property ownership between Metro North RR and Dutchess county,the rail trail now ends in a “comma” at the end of a side steet instead of a “period” at the Metro North gate as was per the original 2006 plans.At the end of the wood rail fencing, and the start of the curve to the side street,there is a high “Metro North style” chain-link fence.There was a paved and finished parking lot a bit west of the depot and there was an unpaved (or yet-to-be paved) lot adjacent to the depot.There were several heavy construction machines in this lot.There was no fencing or gate restricting access (at least not yet on this day) on the depot side and I was able to easily ride the dirt road up to where the old MNRR gate is.The gate was open and odly,the “NO TRESPASSING” sign had been spray painted over.

I had just taken a picture of my bicycle at the 0.0 mileage marker and had goten as far north as the depot when I had realized my front tire was going flat.The picnic table at the depot would make for a good work area.I was carying a brand new spare tube in one of the rear panniers (yes,even on a day ride I have panniers) and would use that rather than patch the old tube.That was the plan.I pumped and pumped but the new tube did not seem to be taking air.I fiddled with the pump for a while before realizing the unthinkable had happened,the new tube was bad.I saw a distressed area on the old tube and put a self-stick patch over this area.The old tube,with the patch,held air just fine.Aparently,I must have had something in the pannier that poked through the end flap of the tube carton,without being noticed,and punctured the tube.At the SR 376 overpass,I exited the rail trail for a much needed break at the nearby McDonald’s.After a much deserved cool and tasty desert,I continued north on the trail homeward bound.

When I had checked the DC trails website for any updates,I had discovered that the old RR signal at Grand Ave.,in the town of Poughkeepsie,had been restored.It had been removed for restoration during the summer of last year and was put back in place in late November fully restored.I rode to the Grand Ave. crossing and access for a first hand look.As I had discovered,this was no mere cosmetic restoration,but a full and complete restoration to operational status, (sort of) with new lights,lenses and wiring.There was a new electric power meter nearby to provide power to the new lights which are on all the time.This is a must see for the RR enthusiast.

04-17-11 phase 3 construction

At the time of my last DRT report,in September of last year,(see blog archive) the Dutchess County trails site had clearly stated that work on phase 3 would be complete by the end of the year.However,from what I had seen of the construction progress,or more precisely the lack thereof,it was clear that work would not
 be complete at the end of the year.I had returned for,what was to be,the last check of phase 3 construction in late October.I did not do a blog post report at the time.There was only a bit more progress from my previous check in September.I had checked the DC trails site recently and had discovered that all of the new overpass steel truss bridges were in place.Also the website now states that work would be completed in late Spring of this year.Obviously,quite a bit progress had been made over the winter in spite of the back-to-back (to back) snowstorms in the early part of Winter 2011.

When I arrived at the old ped Xng and small lot at CR49 behind Page Lumber in the town of Poughkeepsie, (which has been at this location since the county got the federal funding for the trail back in 1998) I had seen a new wood rail fence going along an as-yet-paved side trail.I rode up the dirt side trail,made soft by the recent rain,to the main trail/ROW.To my surprise there was a full width ribbon of asphalt extending southward.There was also a soft dirt-gravel path of about 3-4 foot wide on the right side.Unlike phase 1,where the full width of the trail was split longitudinally with one half paved and the other half not,ostensibly for Equestrian use.As I rode southward on this 1.8 mile section of new pavement,the aroma of new asphalt and freshly cut wood wafted through the air. Ahhh …the smell of a new rail trail.I had noted in several spots a large square had been cut/milled into the pavement.I am not sure what this is about.On a near future ride,when phase 3 is more complete,I will see.At the end of this section of paved trail was the still unpaved approach UP to the new overpass and steel truss bridge over Titusville Rd. - CR49.I was somewhat surprised as to the realatively short approach to the bridge.This made for a respecfull 10% grade (this is aproximate at this time - once paved I will be able to get a more acurate reading with my Sky-Mounti inclinometer) This puts the overpass grade,albeit at the low end,into my “Hills From Hell” category.Only in NY would there be “Hills From Hell” on a rail-trail! However,this will act as a ’speed bump’ for the ‘turbo jocks’ and ‘divas’.The new steel truss bridges have an Equestrian friendly wood deck.The bridges are manufactured by Echo Bridge Inc. of Elmira, NY.At 2.1 miles,on the other side of the bridge,another section of pavement began.I leaned my bike against a construction tractor that was parked on the side.I walked down a new yet-to-be paved side trail/access
 road to take some pictures of the bridge from the county road.

town of LaGrange at CR49 Titusville Rd. - the new above grade overpass and 120 ft. steel truss bridge

town of Wappingers Maloney Rd. - the new 60 ft. steel truss bridge

I continued south,for a mile,on the next section of paved trail to the Maloney Rd. overpass.This overpass maintains the orriginal ROW grade and so there is no HFH. I was not alone on the trail. In spite of the fact the new section has yet to officialy open,is closed to the public, and is under construction,(and the blustery November-like weather) there were a surprising number of people on the trail.The tire tracks and foot prints in the soft unpaved sections can atest to this.I had comented to someone that from what I had seen so far,the trail should be open in June.She had indicated the new section would be open in late May.Of course late May is almost June.Then I had realized that the end of May would be Memorial Day.I then said to her “maybe Memorial Day”. This certainly would be an excelent time for the grand opening of this new section of the rail trail and could be part of the weekend festivities in Hopewell Jct. In addition to the RT phase 3 construction work,the depot restoration people,led by Bernie Rudberg,have been busy getting the old depot ready in time for the official opening of phase 3,and the grand opening to the public of the restored depot.I continued south on the newly paved trail to the Diddel Rd. crossing.The pavement ended just before the crossing.This was originaly an above grade crossing like Maloney Rd. but for some reason it was decided not to maintain the grade as was and put in a new bridge over Diddel Rd.And so at this crossing there is an inverse of the crossing at Titusville road,one goes down a HFH to the road,then back up a HFH to the trail/ROW.I rode down then up on the unpaved ROW to the next section of pavement just after the crossing. I continued south for a mile to the new Sprout Creek bridge.There was a tree down spanning the entire width of the trail just before the bridge.I had to lift my bike and climb over the tree.The Sprout Creek bridge is a wood with steel and concrete support type of span.Near the south end of the bridge is a wider observation section.There were 2 posts protruding up from the railing presumably for a future
 interpretive sign.With the recent rains,the creek was more like a river.There are side trails going down to the creek on either side.The 2006 planning map for East Fishkill indicates that there might be a future trail along this creek.While I was taking pictures of the new bridge,a group of mature cyclists crossed the bridge.The at-grade SR 376 crossing had been changed to an above grade overpass with a new 120′ truss bridge,like Titusville Rd.,as well.

town of East Fishkill at SR 376 - the new above grade overpass and 120 ft. steel truss bridge

The bridge was blocked and so I had to ride out a side trail to the highway.I continued south on a side road along the ROW to the intersection with Walton Lake Rd.A short distance to my right was the access to the north end of phase 1, the first section to be opened in 2007.I had seen several people with bicycles next to a car at the intersection.I called out to the lady,”did I just see you on Sprout Creek bridge” She had replied ”no - the (trail) parking lot is closed”.After I had thought about this statement a bit I was puzzeled.The DC trails website clearly states that this parking lot would be closed on weekdays.As this was a Sunday,the wekend,I was understandibly confused as was the lady who had told me the parking lot was closed.At the access to the RT was an orange sign warning of construction vehicle activity,for a new housing development,near the south end of this section.It was a bit unclear as to wether the construction activity the sign refered to was for the Hopewell Glen development,or part of the phase 3 trail construction.I had seen this construction last year when I had ridden this section of the RT and a bit beyond to the old depot.The new road for this development came right up to the rail trail.I don’t know if there will be access to the trail from this development.I did not ride this section on this day.I turned around and rode back the same way I had come.

construction near the south end of phase 1 - July,2010

  As was last year during my first ride across the Walkway,there was snow on the higher peaks of the Catskills.In spite of what the calender said,it was more fall like with fall-like brisk winds and tempature in the the mid 40s.I would estimate, at mid span on the Walkway,the peak wind speed must have been 50 kts After stoping at the east end to take some pictures,and to put on my winbraker for the anticipated extreme wind at mid span,a lady yelled out to me “is it this windy?” I yelled back “only during the fall!”

  I had contacted Ralph Diaz (via e mail) of the Hudson Valley RT Association to inform him that the HVRT is now a part of Adventure Cycling’s Atlantic Coast route.In his reply,he had indicated that CR 12 and the RT are both still closed where the county road crosses over the RT.He had indicated that construction on the new bridge (or “brunnel”) would be complete by June and both the RT and the county road would be open at that time.However,he had also mentioned that another bridge,on the same county road, over the undeveloped ROW would also be replaced sometime after.Good news - bad news.This does not bode well for the first ACA organized Atlantic Coast route tour group who will be departing Maine in August of this year.They will be riding the entire length of the route to Florida.
It should be pointed out that this new county road bridge project started,as per a local had talked to last year,before the RT extension (phase 2) project which included a similar bridge (or “brunnel”) for a town road (Mile Hill Rd.) and a new pedestrian arch bridge over Vineyard Ave (SR 55/US 44) in the village of Highland.The new extension opened to the public October 2,2010.

  After taking off my windbraker at the west end of the Walkway,and the east end of the RT,I continued west.I had noted several new benchs and some newly planted trees.At Mile Hill Rd. I had noted that the keystones,with the lettering HVRT, were in place at the top of the “brunnel” portals.With these keystones,this structure is even more clearly defined as a tunnel in spite of what the civil engineering term for this type of structure would otherwise indicate,an arch bridge.Thus my unoficial term “brunnel”.At Commercial Ave.,there was a new kiosk area with benches and a unique bike rack in the form of a bicycle,a bike bike-rack.There were also some new trees and some landscaping as well.I rode onto the old section to what has now become a permanant “feature” of this rail trail,the construction barricade a bit less than 1/2 mile west of the pavilion.I had seen that some actual progress has been made.The plain,industrial looking,county highway arch bridge was in place.This clearly was just that,a smooth faced concrete arch bridge,even from the perspective of the RT.At the rock cut,I had noted there was still some snow.

  When the Walkway opened to the public October 3 last year,there was a renewed interest for the original concept of this RT to extend eastward to meet with the Walkway.When the original section of the RT opened in 1997,it was thought construction on the Walkway would begin soon after.However the Walkway went into an extended period of ‘gestation’ over the next 10 years. With the setting sun over the Walkway at the very end of 2009,formal plans were drawn,and federal ’stimulus’ money was applied for,to extend the rail trail eastward to meet with the west end of the WOTH.There was still snow on the Catskill mountains when I went for my first ride west across the Walkway in March of this year.As I rode along Haviland road in Highland,I heard the noise of heavy machinery coming from the woods where the old Maybrook Line RR ROW is. And so it was,work on extending the rail trail had begun. This early start came as a surprise to myself,and others as well.Indeed,when the oficial ‘ground breaking’ ceremony came several months latter,construction of this new section (phase2) was well underway.The race was now on to complete construction in time for the Walkway’s 1 year aniversary the first weekend of October.

 phase 2 - grand opening

  A few weeks before the ‘big day’,I had been to Highland to check on the phase 2 construction progress.The trail and new parking lot at Commercial Ave. had just been paved.The asphalt was still warm.The east end was still barricaded as it had been since 2009.The ‘big day’ had arrived.At the west end of the Walkway the barricade was gone and now there was a continuous ribbon of asphalt extending 3.6 miles westward.There was a sign denoting the eastern terminus and the start of the RT jurisdiction,and end of the WOTH jurisdiction.There were people walking and riding bicycles on the trail.I could see beyond the sign, a crowd forming at the caboose.I had thought the ceremonies would be taking place in the new parking lot on Haviland Rd. and the ceremonial ribbon would be set up at the RT entrance from the parking lot.I had found out,when I had gotten to the caboose, why the ceremonies were taking place on the actual trail,the new parking lot had yet to be completed and was still a yet-to-be paved dirt lot.(as of 10-11-10 the parking lot had yet to be completed K.E.N.) After the speaches by the politicians and, other dignitaries,it had seemed I had missed the actual ribbon cutting.I had begun to ride the trail when Ray Constantino at the podium said something like “ohh yea.. we forgot the ribbon” I suddenly found myself in the middle of the ribbon cutting mele.I was able to move to one side to allow the ceremony to proceed.Once the ribbon was cut I was able to finaly ride the new section of the trail.One of the surprises was at the Mile Hill road underpass tunnel (at the trail level it is a tunnel) I had discovered that the faux stone block portals were now gray colored.When the forms were removed for the retaining walls/portals, the concrete was white,and so the gray color was applied after.However,on the Dutchess RT phase 3 at Maloney Rd.,in the town of Wappingers, the concrete was aparently pre-tinted when poured and was gray color when the forms were removed.As the old (phase 1) section was still split in two at the New Paltz Rd. - CR12 - underpass (like the above Mile Hill Rd.) for replacement of the ‘brunnel’, which has been going on seemingly forever,I will have to wait until next year before I am able to ride the entire trail combined with the Walkway.

  On my way to check on the progress,or lack thereof, of the phase 3 construction work at Titusville Rd.in the town of LaGrange,I had stoped at the Stewart’s on SR 55 in the town of Poughkeepsie. A DC water department truck pulled in to the Stewart’s parking lot.The ROW the rail trail is on was converted from a railroad row to a ROW for a water line. However, because of the original RR heritage,the trail is refered to as a rail trail.I said to the driver “I see you are on the rail trail too”. In our converstation with each other,he had told me that work on the Sprout Creek bridge would have to be completed by October 1,just a few days away. He said it was something to do with the mating season of some aquatic creature. He had told me that work,presumably for phase 3 in its entierty,would be completed by November 19 of this year. I voiced my extreme skepticsm over this completion date. The DC trails web site does support this date in a way,the site quotes “the end of 2010″ as the completion date for phase 3. Here is an excerpt from the DC trails web site in regards to phase 3:“Construction Stage 3 - (Section 2 on map): Rt. 82 to Old Manchester Road, East Fishkill, Wappinger and LaGrange – Begin Spring, 2010. Open to users by 2010 year end.”

the rail trail extension (phase 2) is now paved! There is now a ribbon of asphalt extending 1.3 miles from the west end of the Walkway under Mile Hill Road,under rt 9W, and over Vineyard Ave., past the newley paved parking lot at Commercial Ave. to the east end of the old phase 1 original 1997 section of the rail trail.The new parking lot at Haviland Rd. had yet to be paved. I had noted, when I rode up to the RT at Commercial Ave.,that the semi private side road had been re-paved as well.The old RR signal had yet to be restored. I would ride on what-is-now a contiguous paved rail trail to the pavilion from here. I had seen, at the east end of the old section, one of the exercise stations had been vandalized. At the pavilion, I had seen there is RR themed artwork in several of the windows of the caboose. I was about to take some pictures of this,when I saw a man aproach from the other side of the caboose. He had in his hand some copies of “Signals”, the Hudson Valley RT association’s newsletter. He identified himself as Rafael Diaz. He is the editor of the newsletter. Rafael had said something about the new bridge over Vineyard Ave. in the village of Highland. I had told him I had missed the actual placing of the bridge. He had told me the pre-fabricated bridge was in 2 sections and was put together in place. I was then treated to a tour of the pavilion. Rafael showed me the kitchen used for events, and the two bathrooms. It seems the one I had been using was actualy the ladies room.This came as a surprise to myself as I am sure, at some point, I had tried all 3 doors (FYI: none of the doors are marked) and the middle door was the only one open. The lock on the ladies room door was broken and the supply lines to the sink were disconected.I had told Rafael I had seen one of the exercise stations vandalized.

the ribbon cuting ceremony for the opening of the new rail trail section will be 12:30 PM October 2 at the Haviland Rd. parking lot
- the new east end trailhead (about 100 yards from the Walkway entrance)

Saturday

  The sunny, fall-like, weather this day was a refreshing relief from the the overcast humid previous day. I would just ride localy with my ‘2 wheeled SUV’ to get some much needed suplies and to get ready for the more-or-less planed adventure on Sunday and Monday.

Sunday

  Originaly I had sort of planned on taking the UCAT bus to Rosendale and ride the northern, suposedly paved, section of the O&W - Marbletown RT. I did not get up early enough in order to get to the transportation center at the RR station in time for the 9:45 UCAT bus. I would switch to plan B - as in Beacon - for the day. I would, instead, take the MTA Metro North train to Beacon for a ride in this area. I had been to Beacon last year,in early June, to see the tall ships as part of the year long Hudson Quadracentenial celebration and festivities. (the grand finale was of course, the opening of the Walkway OTH in October) However, the tall ships were across the river in Newburgh. I would have to ride across the Newburgh-Beacon I84 brige on the pedestrial-bicycle path, which is part of NY bike route 17. Therefore I did not have the time to explore downtown Beacon and any rideable trails in the area at the time.The primary focus of this trip would be to find the trail along the Beacon-Danbury branch line that the Metro North RR has owned since the mid 1990’s. I had seen a reference to a trail along this branch line in Beacon, as part of my research of the Maybrook bikeway-trailway.I had seen on a map that SR 9D, south of the station area, crossed this branch line.I had figured if there is a trail alongside this rail line,this might be where there is an access to the trail, if indeed the trail extended to to this point,and if there was an at grade crossing at this point.

the undiscovered country …

  On ariving in Beacon, the first part of this day’s adventure would be in search of a restroom. The Beacon station is actualy just a large pedestrian tunnel going under the tracks and there is no rest room. The city park adjacent to the station, oddly, did not have a permanent restroom. However, there were Porta Poties set up for the summer. I then began my ride south on Beekman Ave. to SR 9D. I had seen that Long Dock Rd. was closed for some sort of construction. This road goes down to another city park along the river. I arrived at an intersection. I had seen a sign to my right for the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, Dennings Point and trails. I began to follow the signs downhill taking me on the “scenic route” past the waste disposal facility and the sewage treatment plant. The road dead-ended in a parking lot across from the treatment plant. There was an imposing electric gate with an AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY sign.There was also a large sign for the BIRE. The large text on the sign read “PARK HERE AND PROCEED ON FOOT”. I had hoped this also included (bicycle) wheels as well as I rode past the gate, through a trail pedestrian access gap, up a dirt road. The dirt road took me up and over the Hudson Line (MNCRR,Amtrak,CSX) via an old iron truss bridge with a wood deck. The wood deck was not the expected wide wood planking but many,many strips of wood. As I crossed the bridge, I could see to my left the (very) little used Beacon-Danbury branch line bidge over the Hudson line. Metro North RR had purchased the BD line in 1994. They have yet to run a single revenue passenger train. Only on rare ocasion is there a CSX freight train on this line. There was a sign with directional arrows for the trails and the BIRE. The arrow for the Beacon Riverside trail was U shaped and seemed to indicate the trail to the train station was right behind me. I turned around and there it was.

pardon me boy.. is that the Klara Sauer Trail? yes sir … and its mighty fine!

I rode about 100 yards north and saw the relatively new sign for the Klara Sauer Trail, the new name for this trail. The Beacon Riverside trail was renamed
and dedicated to, Klara Sauer the day before I was in Beacon last year for the Quadracentenial flotila sail up the Hudson,on June 7,2009. I had forgoten about the re-naming of this trail and-or did not know that the trail being re-named is this trail. As this 1 mile (.9 miles from the signs at either end - another little bit to Denning Rd.) trail follows alongside the ocasionaly active BD line and the very active Hudson line, this trail is that unique ‘beast’ known as a rail AND trail. There was no fence seperating the trail from the rail at the southern end and, most odly, the track was almost completly covered with a fine gravel, like for the trail.Only the tops of the rails were exposed, and even more unusual, where the BD line connects with the Hudson line, there was a gate. I had seen the gate in a photo of this trail at traillink.com, the gate has, since that photo, been wrecked by something very big like a … train. At the north end alongside the Hudson line, there was fencing around the perimiter of the construction area along the river for the expansion of an existing park partialy obscuring the wonderful view of the river.

  The north end of the KST is at the MNRR station. I rode out, and up, from the station to ride Main Street. Beacon is a city that has transformed itself to a trendy, upscale, Yuppie enclave with cafes,restaurants,and art galeries. A kind of SOHO north.The opening of the Dia:Beacon in 2003, the re-purposed Nabisco box factory, was the spark that gave new life to Beacon’s downtown. As I rode up Main Street, I saw evidence of Beacon’s scruffier, pre-Yuppie, past as I rode by a check cashing establishment to my left. As I aproached the intersection with East Main Street, the entire side of an old industrial bulding had been turned into a sort of outdoor art galery. I had forgoten about the “Electric Windows 2010″. This is a display of art on several of the old industrial buldings in this part of Beacon. I was also unaware of the waterfall and Fishkikill creek. I was in full bicycle touring siteseeing mode. I would stop at one location, take some pictures, then go a short distance and stop at another location and take some more pictures - etc., etc. I had seen a Feng Shui establishment in this area. I had learned from someone, that this place preceded the DIA, and so it would seem the Yuppies had established an early ‘beachhead’ in Beacon. I had seen Beacon’s future at the roundhouse. This unique building, with the semi-circle section on one side  giving this building its name, will be transformed into an upscale spa-hotel-restaurant. This bulding will be the ‘anchor’ for a complex of buildings within this old industrial area in downtown Beacon. There will eventualy be a section for permanent housing as well. I had checked the website for this project - The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls - and had discovered that this will be a ‘green’, energy eficient, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Enviromental Design) certified project. One of the more interesting parts of this project will be the restoration, to full operation, of the old hydro-electric plant to provide power for the Roundhouse Spa-Hotel and restaurant. I had noted, on my way back toward the RR station, the Beacon Cycles bike shop was open, on a Sunday, during the Labor Day weekend. I could not leave Beacon without paying a visit to this relatively new bicycle shop. I had found out they would have the tires I needed for my bicycle during the week. This would give me an excuse for a return visit to Beacon.

Monday

  I would go for a short ride across the river. With the low humidity and sunshine continuing through Monday as well, the views from the Walkway were quite nice. The Labor Day crowd on the bridge were reminiscent of the weekend crowds in October of last year.There were a lot more people than there had been during the summer. One day in August, the Walkway was practialy empty. I had almost the entire bridge to myself and was able to ride at full touring pace of 13 MPH.I would ride the open old section of The Hudson Valley RT to check on the lack of progress at the CR12 - New Paltz road crossing. Ever since I had first checked the status of the construction at this location in June,I have not seen any evidence of project progress, and/or activity, untill this day. I had seen a back hoe machine down at the trail on the other side of the barricade, indicating there might be actual work being done at this location. Of course nowhere near completion,and so when the new section is open in early October, the old section will still be split in 2 sections.

the caboose on Haviland Rd prior to restoration
picture taken June,2009

the caboose at the west end of the Walkway - picture taken October,2009 during the opening weekend

the caboose at its current location,the east end of the Hudson Valley RT

  While I was taking pictures of the construction activity at the very east end of the new phase 2 section of the rail trail, (west end of the Walkway) I had noticed something familiar protruding above the trees at the west corner of the sub station. I did not have a clear view and so could not imediatly identify what it was. I had returned to my bicycle and then I looked to my left and saw that the caboose was not there. I had realized what I had seen was the cupola of the caboose. Once on Haviland Rd. at the yet-to-be east end RT parking lot, I was able to get a better view. In a profound bit of irony, in order to move the caboose from the west end of the former, now trackless, RR bridge 100 yards to a spot along the same ROW,required a large (road) crane. Last year, during the construction of the Walkway, the un-restored caboose was in a construction lot east of the Walkway on Haviland Rd. Then it was moved to the west end of the Walkway. At some point it was restored, (I am not sure if it was restored prior to this move) and now moved to what-will-be the east end of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. That little red caboose sure gets around! This rail trail now has the distinction of having 2 cabooses, (or is that cabeese?) one at the pavilion, open to walk through, and now this one at the east
end parking lot, for display

  At Mile Hill Rd., work on the trail bed was underway. What will be the actual trail, and part that will be paved, can be seen now. There was no activity at Commercial Ave