This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L. A. W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.
Copyright, 1895, by Harper & Brothers.
The map this week continues from the point, Tarrytown, reached on map published in No. 810 of the Round Table, to Poughkeepsie, a ride of over forty miles, which would be another and second stage on the route from New York to Albany. All routes of this nature must, of course, be divided by wheelmen reading this Department into sections of a length which is most suitable for their own special purposes. It is perfectly simple, for example, for a good rider to go from New York to Poughkeepsie in one day. On the other hand, for one who is unaccustomed to long distances the route shown on this map, from Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie, is a very good ride. When the series, therefore, covering a distance from New York to Albany is published, by putting the maps together each wheelman may choose how far he will go each day.
Running out of Tarrytown, the rider takes the Albany Post Road and passes the André Monument (1), which he should pause to examine. After leaving this monument he will come to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church. Here he should turn to the left and go down a long hill, thence following the turnpike, which is unmistakable, until he reaches Sing Sing, a distance of seven miles. If the wheelman takes time for it, he may turn down to the river, about a mile before reaching Sing Sing, and stop a moment to take a look at the State-prison. From Sing Sing the road to Peekskill is direct; but it is a difficult twelve-mile ride, with hills all along the way, especially just before crossing to Croton Point, again on the Point, and then all the way up to Peekskill. The road itself is sandy, and occasionally covered with loam. The riding is not very good, and the wheelman is wise if he dismounts frequently. After leaving Croton, and when approaching Verplank Point, he can look across the river to Haverstraw, and see Treason Hill, where the meeting between Arnold and André took place, and the terms of the surrender of West Point were made. From Peekskill the rider runs out about half a mile to the north, then turns to the left and follows the telegraph poles to Garrison's. Immediately after crossing the bridges, on going out of Peekskill, he will notice on the left the State Camp (4). The road is sandy, and there are some bad hills over these eight miles.
If the rider has time to stop for a look at historic places, he should turn to the left after leaving the Peekskill encampment-grounds and run down to Highland Station, from whence he can see across the river the site of old Forts Clinton and Montgomery (5 and 6). Keeping on this road and running up to Garrison's along the shore, he will pass Beverly House, Arnold's old headquarters (7). At Garrison's is the old Phillipse Manor, and directly across the river is the United States Military Academy of West Point. The best road from this point to Wappinger's Falls is to follow the black route on the map, keeping to the right beyond Garrison's, and running on through Fishkill to Wappinger's Falls, a distance of eighteen miles.
It is possible, however, to keep to the left just beyond Garrison's, and following the fair bicycle route, keep to the shore of the Hudson. The road, however, is much more hilly through these highlands. By taking this route the wheelman may cross the ferry at Fishkill village to Newburg, where he may see the Washington headquarters (10), and Knox's headquarters and winter camp (11) just outside Newburg. On the road from Fishkill-on-the-Hudson to Fishkill itself he will pass the State Hospital for the Insane (12). The road from Wappinger's Falls into Poughkeepsie, a distance of eight and a quarter miles, is moderately good. The roads are easy riding, and the grades are not bad. The rider should turn to the right on leaving Wappinger's Falls, cross Wappinger's Creek, and take South Avenue direct into Poughkeepsie. On the way he passes at the right of the Gallaudet Home for Deaf-Mutes (13), and if he cares to, after reaching Poughkeepsie, he may struggle up the Poughkeepsie Hills to take a look at Vassar College (14).
Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816.