--- In bikemh@yahoogroups.com, "Rey Cruz" <snizatch_2000@...> wrote:
>
> I'm thinking of riding from Beacon to Middletown and back on NY
Bike Route 17.
> Has anyone ever ridden this Bike Route? From the map all I can
tell is that it's about 60
> miles roundtrip and most of it follows County Road 207.
>

I've ridden this route from Beacon to Goshen, which is about 20
miles or so. For most of the way, there is a shoulder of at least 3
feet, sometimes more. As you near Goshen, however you lose the
shoulder altogether. Your choice is to either seize the lane or
navigate the 6" of space outside of the painted stripe.

The route itself is very pretty, passing by the state forest, many
farms, and some cute small towns. There are no big hills, but there
are a few small ones.

Speed limit varies from 55 (most of the way) to 40 in some areas,
and 30 in Goshen itself.

There's a nice coffee shop right at the main intersection in Goshen
(forgot the name, but it's next to Joe Fix It's, the bike shop).

If you have something more specific you'd like to know, I'll do my
best to answer it.