FLCC> [Fwd: Bicycling Trips Planned at Frost Valley YMCA]

Fri Jun 6 09:55:26 EDT 2008

I am forwarding this message since it might be of interest to some of 
the riders on the list.

Good cycling,

Dave

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Bicycling Trips Planned at Frost Valley YMCA
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 09:49:56 -0400
From: Brian Sweeney <locustgrove at catskill.net>
To: Recipient List Suppressed:;

-- 

Hello

We are hoping you would be willing to distribute this information to
members of your organization. Frost Valley YMCA in the Catskill
Mountain high peaks is a very special place and we draw visitors from
a four-state region.

We would be happy to supply any other materials that you think would
be helpful in promoting the Frost Valley YMCA Bicycle Touring
Program. Please feel free to call with any questions.

If you do not wish to receive additional e-mails, please reply with
"remove" in the subject line.

Thank you.

Brian Sweeney
Frost Valley YMCA
Communications Associate
845 586-4655

Frost Valley YMCA Bicycle Touring Program:
Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, NY is scheduling a Catskill Mountain
Bicycle Touring Program during summer and fall 2008, with
participants based at Frost Valley's historic Straus Center inn.

Overview:
The Straus Center inn is located 14 miles from Frost Valley's main
camp and provides a perfect setting for small gatherings of up to 25
guests.  The Straus Center is an ideal lodging facility for groups,
organizations or families who want to enjoy the beautiful Catskill
Mountain high peaks at a secluded, peaceful inn. The Straus Center is
just a 2.5-hour drive from metro NY/NJ and about 1 hour west of
Kingston, off I-87.
Frost Valley YMCA's programming includes four seasons of outdoor,
experiential and educational opportunities including summer camps for
children, environmental education, year-round activities for families
and conference and retreat facilities for groups and businesses. The
Straus Center is a key component of these offerings, presenting a
welcoming environment, far from the distractions of daily life.

Dates:
The bicycle trip(s) being planned will involve some of the most
scenic routes in the Catskill Mountains and will be conducted on one
or more of the following dates (depending on participant interest):

* July 25-July 28
* September 1-4
* September 7-10
* September 14-17

Riders should indicate their preferred dates for the Catskill
Mountain Bicycle Touring Program.

The Riding:
There will be two days of riding for this program. The initial
check-in evening will include dinner and social time at the Straus
Center. The next two days will feature bicycle touring, with a return
to the Straus Center in the evening. Check-out will be on the morning
of the fourth day.

Vans will transport riders and equipment to each day's biking route -
each chosen for its blend of varied terrain and scenic offerings. The
trips will range from 20 to 40 miles each day. The trip pace will be
moderate. Trip routes and lengths can be tailored to accommodate
group preferences.

Descriptions of two of the typical routes follow:

Ride 1: The High Country - 35 miles. This area of Greene County is
known as the Mountain Top.  The route is flat to rolling with some
climbing on Rt. 296.  It is an easy and beautiful ride past Cave
Mountain, where Ski Windham is located, on Rt. 23 and through the
East Jewett Range on Rt. 296.  Of particular note are two churches:
the onion-domed St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church on Rt. 23A
between Hunter and Lexington (built in 1962 of slotted red cedar
without nails) and St. Joseph's Chapel, west of Ashland (1840, the
oldest Catholic Church in the Catskills.)

Ride 2: Through the Notches  - 39.2 miles.  This ride, through two
famous Catskill Mountain notches, offers a long, but easy, climb.
The first notch encountered is the mile-long Deep Notch with sheer,
1,000-foot high cliffs rising on both sides of Rt. 42.  The second,
on the last leg, is Stony Clove Notch through which Rt. 214 and the
former right-of-way of the Stony Clove Branch of the Ulster and
Delaware Railroad pass.
    There are several points of interest:  On Rt. 28 between Phoenicia
and Rt. 42 is the outlet of the 18-mile-long Shandaken Tunnel, which
connects NYC's Schoharie Reservoir with Esopus Creek and the Ashokan
Reservoir.  When it was completed in 1923, it was the longest
continuous tunnel in the world.  West Kill and Lexington (the site of
a summer theater) are picturesque hamlets.
On Rt. 23A is an onion-domed Ukrainian church.  There are good views
of Hunter Mountain, the Catskills' second highest peak.  Lanesville
on Rt. 214 is where the Canadian National Team has stayed when in the
region to train.  Chichester, the last hamlet on the tour, was once
the company town of an immense furniture factory (torn down in the
1970s), which turned out 3,600 wooden chairs a week at its peak.  The
entire town was auctioned off following the collapse of the company
in the late 1930s.

Accommodations & Dining:
Bag lunches will be provided on riding days, unless a lunching spot
is predetermined along the route. At day's end, the group will take a
van back to the Straus Center (see description below) for an
exquisite, healthful meal. Afterwards, participants are free to
relax, socialize, fish in the adjacent stream or enjoy any other
activities in which they are interested.
Frost Valley's historic Straus Center inn provides a perfect place to
unwind and socialize. In addition, the Straus Center is renown for
"Chef Francine's extraordinary cuisine."
Meals at the Straus Center are a perfect compliment to a beautiful
day of bicycle touring.
Nine of the 11 rooms at the Straus Center offer private bathroom
facilities and the remaining two rooms share a bath located very
close to these rooms.

Group Requirements:
We need a minimum of six (6) participants to run each trip and a
maximum of 20 participants. Riders must be capable of riding up to 40
miles per day on trips that range from easy to moderate riding
conditions.

Promotional Package:
Frost Valley YMCA is offering an all-inclusive Bicycle Touring
Program at a special promotional rate of $420 per person in a
double-occupancy room. Add $165 if you prefer single occupancy. These
prices cover lodging, meals, transportation to riding sites and
miscellaneous activities provided by Frost Valley.

Information/Registration:
If you are interested in obtaining more information about one of
these trips, please contact Josie Shafer, Straus Center Director, at
(845) 985-2254; or e-mail: jshafer at frostvalley.org

Brian Sweeney

Locust Grove Enterprises
43400 State Highway 28
Arkville, NY 12406
Phone: 845 586-4655
Fax: 845 586-4460

-- 
David Ruppert
Andrew Schultz, Jr., Professor of Engineering
Professor of Statistical Science
School of Operations Res. & Information Engr.
225 Rhodes Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY  14853
Office hours: http://legacy.orie.cornell.edu/~davidr/officehours.html
WWW: http://legacy.orie.cornell.edu/~davidr
email: dr24 at cornell.edu

phone: 607 255 9136
FAX:   607 255 9129