Sharon and I rode Albany-NYC last year, and we liked it so much that
this year we turned it around and rode from NYC to Albany just six weeks
ago. We liked that even better. Here's my report from this year
<http://www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/v/nyc_albany/main/reports/kenr_june\
-2007.htm> + Albany-NYC last year
<http://www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/v/nyc_albany/main/reports/kenr_june\
-2006.htm> .

you wrote:
I assumed I would try to get a couple of pannier bags and a small tent
and just ride down the river.

I don't know much about camping in the Hudson valley, because we didn't
do that. There are some campgrounds, but I never tried to see which ones
fit with bicycle routes.

I suggest not just guessing some roads. Here's my ideas
<http://www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/r/nyc_albany/index.htm> about a
route between NYC and Albany which visits some interesting towns and
pretty views with some interesting riding. Not sure if it fits your
style of riding, but we've had fun riding lots of sections of it lots of
times. Another route to consider is NY state Bicycle Route 9 -- often
simpler than my ideas, often with signs to follow -- but sometimes lots
more vehicle traffic and misses some beautiful riding.

you asked:
Is there a good paved trail network?

Not for anything like the whole distance between Albany and NYC. And
where trailways could fill some significant sections, they're a long way
from the Hudson river -- and less pretty + interesting than some of the
corresponding road sections of my ideas or NY Bike Rt 9.

you wrote:
This is my first long ride.

Then I'd suggest first reading a book about how to do it -- I know
there's several but I haven't kept up on them -- and check for resources
on Adventure Cycling or other websites. For some valuable tips +
strategies for handling the risks + problems of riding out on the public
roads, you could try this list of resources
<http://www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/s/m/resources/index.htm#books> .

If we know more specifics about your dates and route, maybe Sharon and I
could meet you along the way and ride along for a few miles. If you
might be interested, by all means send us a message using this contact
info <http://www.roberts-1.com/b/c/07g/index.htm> .

Hope you get good weather.

Ken





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