Saturday, September 5th
The Catskill Mountain Cycling Challenge carries forth the long tradition of recreational road cycling in the Western Catskills. Building on the Tour de Pepacton and the Ride-n-Peak, this year’s Cycling Challenge brings you three routes ranging from 29 miles to 100 miles. Your scenic pedal will support new and existing programming at the Catskill Recreation Center (CRC). The first 130 registrants will receive a free tee shirt. All participants will receive lunch as well as a free day pass to use in the future. The CRC locker rooms and showers will be available to riders.
Registration and check in opens at 7:00 am
100 milers depart at 8:00 am
50 milers depart at 8:30 am
29 milers depart at 9:30 am
Mandatory pre-ride safety talks 15 mins before departures
This Year’s Routes
Pepacton Short - 29 miles
This popular loop offers flat-to-rolling terrain along the road that borders the Pepacton Reservoir. Refreshments and a composting toilet facility are available at mile 13.7.
Click on title of route above map for details.
Andes Loop - 50 miles
The route is rated Moderate-Difficult. Riders will engage with two long climbs and descents.
This ride takes you through next to the Pepacton Resorvoir to the first feed stop, through Andes, descending into Bovina Center where you will be able to refresh at the second water/ feed station. Riders will turn around and ascend back to the Bovina-Andes line, before rolling down into the hamlet of Andes. Then follow the quiet reservoir road until rejoining Route 28 and returning to Arkville.
Click on title of route above map for details.
Century Challenge - 100 miles
Recommended for advanced level cyclists. The day’s longest ride affords a rich mix of woodland, farm, hamlet, and valley scenery while including some moderate climbs. The route rolls up the aside of the beautiful Pepacton Resorvoir, rolling downstream. The ride then crosses the covered bridge and soon continues up picturesque Elk Creek Road.
At mile 50, the route turns southeast reaching Delhi (with a refreshment stop), The rider then faces a 1050’ gain in the next 7.5 miles to the apex of Co. Rte. 2, high above Andes with spectacular views. Much of the concluding stretch follows the shore of the Pepacton and is flat to rolling.
Click on title of route above map for details.
