New Paltz Gravel: May 21 – May 25, 2026 (4 Nights)

Hey all you gravel grinders out there, come join our club’s first dedicated gravel weekend in beautiful New Paltz, New York!  For those that haven’t visited before, New Paltz is a small oasis situated just off of I-87, and boasts a collection of excellent restaurants and bars, an eclectic mix of shops, and a blend of cultural roots that starts with the 60’s hippie vibe (Woodstock is nearby) then fuses in the culture of hardcore rock-climbing and ends with a college-town feel.

Pics of the Area: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zAERTBgqehzq1RcX8

Gravel Riding Possibilities

Gravel is abundant here!  We can start with the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, a 22-mile-long trail passing through town that boasts an incredible view from the resurfaced Rosendale Trestle. 

For a much shorter, though still scenic route, there’s OSI’s River-to-Ridge trail that starts right as you head west over the Wallkill River towards Mohonk.  In fact, we can access Mohonk Preserve via this same trail.  And Mohonk has an abundance of gravel routes, but also a $20 daily access fee.  There’s also the Ashokan Rail Trail, up near Woodstock.

But probably the best gravel-worthy reason to visit New Paltz is to ride through Minnewaska State Park, which is only about a 20-minute drive away.  It offers a collection of gravel carriage roads winding through a huge mountainous park, sporting spectacular mountain-top views.

Lodging (Check-In on Thursday, May 21, 2026)

We’ll be staying 4 nights at America’s Best Value Inn, New Paltz.  Ok, no elevators, but they do have their own laundry room.  And breakfast is included in the price.  If anyone seeks additional breakfast items, there’s a ShopRite nearby, and we will have fridges in our rooms.

Happy Hours

We’ll have Happy Hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The first two will be at popular pubs in town, from which we can walk to most restaurants. The last one will be held at the Hotel.

Joining The Tour:

Please send an email with Title, “New Paltz Gravel” to Lou Schleifer, at [email protected]. Specify your roommate (if known), that you’re seeking a roommate, or that you want a single room.  After I receive your email, I will respond with details about the trip, including instructions to make a payment (to me) and how to make a room reservation (with the Hotel).  Highlights below.

Payment for Happy Hours: $65 per person, paid to Lou Schleifer (payee details to follow).

Hotel Cost: $380 per person (including taxes), assuming 4 nights with double occupancy.

Payment for Hotel: To be made directly to the hotel, on final day of Tour, during Check-Out.

Hotel Group Reservation Code: I will include this in my email to all riders upon signup.

Suggested Deadline for Reserving Your Room: Monday, March 9, 2026.

Insight #1: There is no “block of rooms” reserved for our group.  It’s first-come, first-served.  So, please don’t wait until the end of March to reserve a room, because it will probably be too late!

Insight #2: Because of the prior point, each single rider is encouraged to make their own reservation. Having too many reservations upon Check-in is no problem whatsoever; we can cancel those we don’t require, without penalty. But if we have parties trying to reserve rooms too late into Spring, when none are left to reserve, we will benefit from having extra reservations.