Hudson Valley Scenic Ride: IMS Outdoors New York Ride

Open Road to IMS Outdoors New York City scenic ride
Upstate New York is rife with bucolic scenery. (Photos by the author)

The two Northeastern stops of the 2021 Progressive IMS Outdoors tour are on consecutive weekends in September. The New York City event will be at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, September 3-5 (Labor Day is the 6th), and the Pennsylvania event will be at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, September 10-12.

This 281-mile route begins in Saratoga Springs, in the heart of upstate New York’s farm and horse country. The town is home to the Saratoga Race Course, one of the oldest horse tracks in the country, dating back to 1863. The annual meet runs from mid-July to Labor Day, but there is harness racing year-round. Saratoga is famous for its mineral springs and bath houses, and there are plenty of excellent restaurants and vibrant nightlife to enjoy.

Open Road to IMS Outdoors New York City scenic ride
Saratoga Springs and the surrounding area make for a great escape from the city, or a worthy destination in their own right. You’ll find arts and culture, gambling, gourmet dining, outdoor adventures, and more.

The route leaves Saratoga Springs to the south, on U.S. Route 9, and passes through Malta. It turns east onto State Route 67 and crosses the Hudson River at Mechanicville. Continuing east, Route 67 passes through Schaghticoke and follows the Hoosic River. At Eagle Bridge, the route turns south, and it picks up State Route 22 at the town of Hoosic Falls. At Lebanon Springs, it turns west on U.S. Route 20, then southwest on State Route 66. After crossing Interstate 90 and passing through Chatham, it continues on the Taconic State Parkway.

Open Road to IMS Outdoors New York City scenic ride REVER route map

Click here to view the REVER route shown above

The 104-mile parkway took 40 years to build, from the mid-1920s until its completion in 1963. Parts of the road were designed by Franklin D. Roosevelt during his tenure as head of the Taconic State Park Commission, and we can thank him for insisting those sections follow the natural landscape instead of powering through in a straight line. Built in a simpler time, the Taconic has narrow lanes, minimal shoulders, and plenty of gentle curves, but do be on the lookout for accidents and state troopers.

The route ends at the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan. From there, many options are available to get to the Brooklyn Army Terminal, which is off the Belt Parkway (Interstate 287) on the edge of Upper Bay. Enjoy the show!

For more information about Progressive IMS Outdoors and to buy tickets, visit motorcycleshows.com. Rider is the media partner for the Adventure Out! area at IMS Outdoors.

The post Hudson Valley Scenic Ride: IMS Outdoors New York Ride first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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