Empire State Trail to NY City

[eorogers]

I am putting together a TransAm/Northern Tier ride from Florence OR to Buffalo and then looking at following the Empire State Trail to Albany and down to New York City to pick up Amtrak home to western Colorado. 

Everything works down to Poughkeepsie, but I am having a heck of a time finding anything under $200 / night from there south and that is a real budget buster - I'm self sustained, camping as much as possible and cheap motels when necessary and used to urban riding.  If anyone knows the area and has any suggestions, I would sure appreciate it.

I have no need to go into the city instead of hitting the coast elsewhere, but it sounds like a real hoot to ride to the tip of Manhattan :-)

Eric

[BikeliciousBabe]

Not suprising.  Hotel rates have gone up significantly. I stayed in Hyde Park in 2018.  Stayed there again in 2021.  The price was probably a good 33% higher, if not more.

Where do you plan to pick up Amtrak?  If from at Penn Station, you are going to have to ride more than to the tip of Manhattan. Penn Station is at 34th & 7th/8th.

[jwrushman]

The logistics might not work out for your if you're staying in Poughkeepsie.  I stayed at the Bear Mountain Bridge Motel - in 2014 when doing the AT - it was $88.  In 2017, in my modified Northern Tier, I stayed there again for $96.  It's a tiny place, but clean. 

[eorogers]

Thanks - I'll put it on the list :-)

Eric

[David W Pratt]

You might see how far up the MTA commuter trains run.  They will take bikes for free, off rush hour, and go right into Grand Central Terminal at 42 St in midtown.  That could avoid a night or two in motels.

[BikeliciousBabe]

You might see how far up the MTA commuter trains run.  They will take bikes for free, off rush hour, and go right into Grand Central Terminal at 42 St in midtown.  That could avoid a night or two in motels.

MTA does go between GC T and Poughkeepsie.  And thank you for calling GCT by its proper name.