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Great Roads Thread

deilenberger

A bozo on the bus
Just as an experiment - I'd like to ask all the Inmates of the Northeast section to post up their absolutely favorite road in their area. A link to a Google map so people can figure out how to get to it, then a brief description of why it's your favorite road.

If this works out well - I will sticky this thread (but leave it open so it can be added to.)

I'll give a try for the first example..

Some quick notes on using Google maps to embed things
I'd suggest the following, once you locate your road on Google Maps in a new tab or window:

  • Right Upper Corner of the Google map - look for "Link" - select it.
  • A window will open with two offerings, we'll use both.
  • Copy the "Past Link in Email or IM" - and then paste it in your message to our group.
    Then​
  • Copy the "Paste HTML to embed in website" and paste it in your message. You can change the Width and Height to 640 and 480 if you want - that's a reasonable size for a map here.
If there are any problems - please PM me..
 
Rt 42 - Between Sparrow Bush and Monticello NY

If I was forced to choose one road that I had to ride for eternity - sort of like the movie Groundhog Day.. this would likely be it.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&i...hq=&hnear=Forestburg,+Sullivan,+New+York&z=11

<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=W+Main+St%2FOrange+Ave%2FSleepy+Hollow+Rd&daddr=Broadway&geocode=FaaYdwIdsvOL-w%3BFXSfewIdSkyM-w&view=map&gl=us&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=11&sll=41.486977,-74.639053&sspn=0.308622,0.535583&ie=UTF8&ll=41.544561,-74.838867&spn=0.359739,0.583649&z=10&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=W+Main+St%2FOrange+Ave%2FSleepy+Hollow+Rd&daddr=Broadway&geocode=FaaYdwIdsvOL-w%3BFXSfewIdSkyM-w&view=map&gl=us&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=11&sll=41.486977,-74.639053&sspn=0.308622,0.535583&ie=UTF8&ll=41.544561,-74.838867&spn=0.359739,0.583649&z=10" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

I have been known to spend part of a day just riding this road, from one terminus at Sparrow Bush to the other at Monticello, or making it part of a loop using Rt 97 to Calicoon, then over 52 to Rt 17 and 17 back to the northern end of 42 at Monticello.

Many people find the section of 97 just to the east of Sparrow Bush to be a wonderful road - I find it less so since it is usually crowded with a semi-lethal combination of squids on sport bikes and sightseers in minivans. If I had that section all to myself - it would likely be a different story.

The great part about Rt 42 - it's actually fairly unknown except to a few riders who have been seduced by it's charms, and it gets very little traffic.

Consider if you will (Twilight-Zone music cue..) - a road with perfect pavement, well cut back shoulders (about 20-30 feet on each side, great for spotting Bambi), and a series of perfectly banked sweepers with a roller coaster contour. Each sweeper is a challenge to how well you can ride it and setup for the next one. Most of the ride will be through old timber forest, with one small lunch-stand that is worth stopping at for lunch (near the Sparrow Bush end.)

That's my favorite road. Lots of others were in contention, but this is the one I find I have to ride several times every riding season, even if it means going way out of my way to do so..

What's your favorite road?
 
Last edited:
Well Jim,

Since the one point is midway between Sparrow Bush and Monticello on Rt 42 it would seem one might be able to figure that part out. Or not. Depends on if you read the original posting ("from one terminus at Sparrow Bush to the other at Monticello".) Your suggestion would be?
 
Tough One

Well Jim,

Since the one point is midway between Sparrow Bush and Monticello on Rt 42 it would seem one might be able to figure that part out. Or not. Depends on if you read the original posting ("from one terminus at Sparrow Bush to the other at Monticello".) Your suggestion would be?

I guess I'd describe the road like this


Jim :heart
 
For the North East here is mine - simply an amazing road that follows ridges and occasionally snakes its way through deep forest. Big bonus is it ends up in Wellsboro, a beautiful old town not yet ruined by Wal-Marts and Bennigans, home of the motorcycle-friendly and equally historic Penn-Wells Hotel and Wellsboro Diner:

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=butts,+pa&daddr=renovo,+pa+to:wellsboro,+pa&hl=en&geocode=%3BFXiXdgId3J1d-ynbxbUkrnzOiTHjF6dYcfzpwQ%3BFcwIfQIdznxk-yl1Eke-HyzOiTGIw65l-ztc3g&mra=ls&sll=41.014102,-77.8759&sspn=0.227967,0.531464&ie=UTF8&ll=41.39092,-77.652915&spn=0.7296,0.70705&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=butts,+pa&daddr=renovo,+pa+to:wellsboro,+pa&hl=en&geocode=%3BFXiXdgId3J1d-ynbxbUkrnzOiTHjF6dYcfzpwQ%3BFcwIfQIdznxk-yl1Eke-HyzOiTGIw65l-ztc3g&mra=ls&sll=41.014102,-77.8759&sspn=0.227967,0.531464&ie=UTF8&ll=41.39092,-77.652915&spn=0.7296,0.70705" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

Added bonus, you can tell your riding partners to meet you in Butt, Pa ;)
 
<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=118350204321192440350.00047f3e56b612c07f435&ll=39.886031,-76.38382&spn=0.252901,0.439453&z=11&iwloc=00047f3e838cbaba3ae29&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=118350204321192440350.00047f3e56b612c07f435&ll=39.886031,-76.38382&spn=0.252901,0.439453&z=11&iwloc=00047f3e838cbaba3ae29&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">The River Ride</a> in a larger map</small>

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U....926062,-76.342621&spn=0.370705,0.768356&z=11


Here is one of my favorite rides. I'm not sure why I can't get the route highlighted on the map but if you click on the link it's there. I would rate this as an intermediate ride however if you are feeling more adventurous, there are plenty of smaller, back country roads to explore along the river.

There are a variety of roads to get from the area of I-95, upriver along the Susquehanna to the intersection of Routes 74 and 425. Making a right onto 425, you'll find yourself on a newly paved (last season) road with nice sweeping curves. You can take the easier road and follow 425 the entire route or jump off on Indian Steps Road for more of a challenge. A stop at the Indian Steps Musuem is worth the time. As you ride along the river, there is a marina/park area which offers a nice rest along with a potty break if necessary. A few miles past the marina heading up hill, you will see a sign for Lauxmont Farms. They occasionally have an ice cream stand open but it's hit or miss. From here, you have an incredible view of the river and surrounding area. Definately worth stopping!

Continuing north, you will cross the river at Wrightsville and head back south again. River Road meanders along with some nice twists and curves as well as the occasional water view.

Follow the route back to the Susquehanna State Park and stop for another great view from the observation deck. You can often spot hawks, eagles, and plenty of buzzards from here however, for great Eagle spotting, continue south the Conowingo Dam.
 
Lots of others were in contention

Don, please name a few others.
Ron
Ron, glad to!

Here is the loop I talked about - Sparrow Bush to Callicoon to Monticello back to Sparrow Bush:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou....605175,-74.785309&spn=0.767059,1.117859&z=10

For some reason Google became uncooperative.. so - off to MapQuest:

<iframe style="width: 700px; height: 475px" src="http://www.mapquest.com/embed#b/maps/m:map:7:41.568976:-74.842496::::::1:1:::::::::/l:::Sparrow+Bush:NY::US:41.400002:-74.723602:city::1:::/l::SR-97:::::41.55566:-75.014945:latlng::2:::/l:::Callicoon:NY::US:41.7672:-75.056702:city::1:::/l:::Monticello:NY::US:41.655602:-74.689697:city:Sullivan+County:1:::/l:::Sparrow+Bush:NY::US:41.400002:-74.723602:city:Orange+County:1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:/e" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0"></iframe>


Along the way you can see:

6874280.jpg

Along Rt 97 near Hawks Nest

If this looks familiar - it's one of BMW-NA's favorite spot for photo shoots of bikes and cars. I have one of their ads featuring a K75 heading north on Rt 97 right about here. It's as close to Europe as you'll find in the NY/NJ/PA area.

A bit further on in Minisink Ford - you can see:

16838450.jpg

The Roebling Bridge

The bridge may not look exceptional - but it has an interesting history. It's one of the first bridges built by John Roebling (builder of the Brooklyn Bridge), and it was originally a canal bridge, carrying a canal OVER the Delaware River (aka Viaduct.) It also was the first cable suspension bridge in the US. On the PA (Lackawaxen Township) side - just a bit north of the bridge is the Zane Grey Museum, worth stopping at if you want to see where the famous author of western novels actually lived..

250px-Zane_Grey_House%2C_Lackawaxen%2C_PA.jpg

Zane Grey House and Museum

You will continue north on Rt 97 to the burg of Callicoon NY - where you'll pick up Rt 52 heading East.

At Fosterville, pickup NY Rt 17B heading east. Rt 17B is a great road also.

Along 17B is a generational cultural stop for people my age.. Bethel, the actual site of Woodstock. All that's there is a rock with a plaque on it memorializing the summer of love..

12768128.jpg

Memorial to the 1969 Woodstock festival

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_Festival

7462635.jpg

Plaque for Max Yasgur's Home

250px-

A bit further on 17B there is a mile long descent into a valley and back up to a ridge on it where I've been actually been known to exceed the speed limit (by about twice the limit) - no traffic, no place for LEO's to hide and farm fields so Bambi can be spotted in plenty of time. I've been known to do this little section several times.

2938151.jpg

Made for Speeding - according to Google.. :D

As you get into Monticello NY - you continue on West Broadway instead of taking the turn for Interstate NY-17.. You go about 1/4 mile, and on the right will be the beginning of the great section of Rt 42 - taking you back to Sparrow Bush.

It's about a 90 mile loop - plan on 2 hours to enjoy it!
 
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou....861267,-69.907379&spn=0.231204,0.615921&z=11

<iframe width="720" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Freeport,+me&daddr=Five+Islands,+ME&geocode=%3BFWSznAIdzErY-ykzb5WSop6tTDGdQeuzvRHCQw&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=43.861267,-70.092087&sspn=0.231204,0.615921&ie=UTF8&ll=43.861267,-69.945145&spn=0.17328,0.494385&z=11&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Freeport,+me&daddr=Five+Islands,+ME&geocode=%3BFWSznAIdzErY-ykzb5WSop6tTDGdQeuzvRHCQw&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=43.861267,-70.092087&sspn=0.231204,0.615921&ie=UTF8&ll=43.861267,-69.945145&spn=0.17328,0.494385&z=11" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

This is a short ride with great takeout fresh seafood that you can eat at the provided picknick tables. If you visiting Freeport it is worth the ride.
 
Hi Tim - someone told me that Day's carry out has closed for good over the winter, have you heard anything to verify that? Day's and the Miss Brunswick are my two "Always Stop" places on my way up the coast (and the big NH liquor store of course :D )
 
Ron, glad to!

Here is the loop I talked about - Sparrow Bush to Callicoon to Monticello back to Sparrow Bush:

It's about a 90 mile loop - plan on 2 hours to enjoy it!

Don, just trying to resurrect this thread. I took your advice and rode your loop with a friend. The fist road was OK, the last 2 roads were great. Thanks for the advice.
Ron
 
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