CYCLING AT 70 - Empire State Trail Day 9 - Last Day , Entering NYC. Visit Priority Bicycle Co.

This was the final day of my 400 mile tour from the Canadian border to New York City. I also included a trip review at the end of the video. There were too many highlights of this ride to mention, however I captured the key moments such as the GW Bridge, Statue of Liberty and my visit to Priority Bicycle's offices. An enjoyable end to a very successful trip. Thank you for coming along on this journey!
Empire State Trail Guidebook: Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys. Purchase at www.ptny.org
Music: www.epidemicsound.com
www.storyblocks.com
Ang - Walz
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
uppbeat.io/t/w...
License code: BGVH8ZPWQWRYTWWA

[@StephenDownes]

Woo! 64 yrs and on day 8 of my trip and inspired!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Stephen, thanks for watching a the comment. Have a great day, Steve

[@RIKPANKIEWICZ]

Great accomplishment Steve. You certainly have inspired the cycling world. Stay focused and keep us posted up on your future adventures……..🚴‍♂️

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again and thanks for watching and your nice comment! Trying to stay focused and keeping up my fitness. Take care, Steve

[@jimomalley]

You go!!! I just finished Buffalo to Batter Park, it took 8 days. I am only 66.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Jim, thanks for watching. Must have been an awesome trip! Take care, Steve

[@nathanmanley]

Congrats Steve and thanks for sharing your ride with us!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Nathan, thanks for watching and the comment, great to hear from you. It's been a busy summer. We are home for the next few weeks and doing some local rides. Jan and I will be riding the 30 mile section of The Tour of the Litchfield Hills" this Sunday. Let me know whether you are up slow, relaxing ride in Riverton sometime in the next few weeks. Would be nice if you wife could join us for a very low impact ride along West River Road. Per our recent conversation, Jan and I look forward to getting together with you guys. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@nathanmanley]

@@steveretiredandcycling definitely! I'll send you an email and we can figure out a good time to do the ride. The Litchfield ride looks great - it goes through some really beautiful parts of the state. I'll have to check it out next year.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

@@nathanmanley Sounds good! Looking forward to tomorrow's ride too. Have a great weekend, Steve

[@ianccrook8899]

Steve. Thank you very much. I’ve just watched the entire trip through these videos and felt as though I was there as a cycling companion. Great job, you, the bike, the camera, editing and so on. You should be mightily pleased.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Ian and thanks for the encouraging comment. I appreciate it. Have a great day. Steve

[@Victoriom4]

Bad ass sir, I’m working on my first century and always remember your videos when I’m on the trails.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Victor and thanks for your comment! Sounds like you are enjoying your rides. Have a great Sunday and all the best, Steve

[@dog-so1vj]

Most excellent Steve. Thanks as always for the information.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks for watching and your comment. Have a great day, Steve

[@kerry1111111]

Very Impressive! 👏

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks Kerry! Have a great day, Steve

[@cbailey2376]

Congrats on the success of your cycling adventure. It was fun to watch. Beautiful country. Stay young, keep biking. 🚲😂❤

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks again!

[@tkmarshall3454]

Congratulations. That was awesome

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks so much!! Have a great day, Steve

[@jazziered142]

That was a great ride.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Great to hear from you! it was a fantastic trip. Take care, Steve

[@RideAlongAdventures]

Well done. Nice video and great adventure!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and thanks for watching. It was a great trip!. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@FrankSanchez-ej3sj]

Nice!motivation I am 73 and recently been lacking and ran into your KZbin channel get go 90 anymore so I’ll go 40, thank you for your motivating videos. I’ll keep it going.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thank you for watching and your comment. Take care, Steve

[@FrankSanchez-ej3sj]

Predictive texting is not great for me places words that I never meant to add I rode today thanks for the motivation !

[@johng9033]

Thanks so much for sharing. You’re an inspiration.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi John and thanks for watching! Have a great day, Steve

[@agarriga]

Congratulations on completing the ride! Thanks for taking us along.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there, and thank you for watching and the comment. It was a great trip, Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@agarriga]

@@steveretiredandcycling It was my pleasure. Thank you.

[@mannynegron3]

Congratulations! What a awesome video series. Well done,sir 👏👏👏👏 You have inspired me to take the same journey

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Manny and thanks for your comment! It was a great ride. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@CTRGRAVICC]

Awesome cycling activity ,greetings from Indonesia

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and thanks for watching. It was a great ride! I would love to get to your country some day. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@Richard-me6eq]

Steve, you are so.cool💪🚴‍♀️💪 love your vids. Thanks for sharing your rides. Thats a wrap!😅

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Richard, thanks for the nice comment. The tour was a great experience. Thanks again and remain awesome... always.. Take care, Steve

[@elizabethburgess3969]

What a fantastic trip - I enjoyed your videos on commentaries. Thanks also for your description of you Amtrak experience - I have heard it can be a bit stressful and not accommodating for all bikes. Looking forward to your next adventure!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Elizabeth, thanks again and I hope you are having a great summer! Yes, Amtrak can be a bit stressful. But it was all part of the adventure. Thanks again and take care, Steve

[@amylipkin2116]

I will be anxiously waiting for your next adventure!! You are an amazing man and will probably live forever!!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Amy, nice to hear from you. I hope your summer is going well. My summer has been very busy. Thank you for the nice comment! Take care and remain awesome, Steve

[@af4od02]

Great adventure. Thanks for sharing.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Yes it was, thanks for watching. Take care, Steve

[@Didyoureallythinkaboutit]

Sometimes, there just aren’t enough words for thank you. Bravo zulu!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and thanks or watching and the nice comment! I really appreciate your comment. Thanks again and take care, Steve

[@jameslawrence8712]

We’ll done Steve! Thank you so much for taking us along. I’m 64 and mainly road bike about 100 miles a week. I enjoy the view you offer of bike packing. Looks like fun!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi James, thanks for watching and the comment. It was a great trip! Thanks again and have a great weekend, Steve

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

Steve, you’re awesome! I’d love to do that some day.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again John, thanks for the kind comment and watching! Have a great day, Steve

[@everydayengineering]

Steve! So cool to meet you this morning at the Plainville trail. Hope your century ride went well! I’ve enjoyed watching your trips as I am thinking about riding the entire east coast greenway someday. - Adam

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Adam, it was great to meet you too! I hope you get to ride the East Coast Greeenway some day. I see from your channel that you may be involved in Traffic Engineering. Before retirement, I was in Traffic equipment sales management for many years working for Peek, Swarco and Dialight. Do you work for a consultant or City in Connecticut? Thanks and have a great day, Steve

[@everydayengineering]

@@steveretiredandcycling yes! I work for the city of New Haven in the engineering department. Mostly focused on the roadway infrastructure and bike lanes side, our traffic department handles all the signal work. Thats pretty neat!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

@@everydayengineering Hi again, small world isn't it! I know Scott Westervelt and worked with him on projects before he started at the city. Give my regards, I'm sure he will remember me (Steve Robertson). Thanks again and maybe I will see you on the trail. Take care, Steve

[@joanoconnor8552]

Excellent video series! I appreciate how you show the route that we would travel on. What month did you take this trip?

[@mg-iz7ji]

Congratulations on your great ride adventure. I really enjoyed watching your videos. I am getting reading to do the Ohio Erie trail (326 miles) from Cincinnati to Cleveland and you have been a great motivator for me. Mike Gilmore

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Mike, sounds like an awesome trip. Have a great time!! Thanks fr the kind comment, much appreciated. Have a great day, Steve

[@Brian-ed4jm]

Hi Steve My name is Brian P, I'm 58 haven't done any relatively long ride in many many years. my longest was 40 Miles. all Road and I loved it. Seeing the world at 15 mph is beautiful. Your a great inspiration to me hopefully other older riders. Can't Waite to get a new gravel bike and enjoy the fun you guys are showing us. Have you ridden bikes all you life or just get into it after retirement. I'm interested in your story. I'm so envious and jealous. Looking forward to more videos. Love the work. 🍻🍻

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Brian, thanks for watching and the nice comment. I've ridden bikes since a child. At 11 years old I had a paper route and saved my money to buy my first 10 speed, a Schwinn Varsity. In my 20's I rode to work most days 17 miles each way (too many hills). Did my first century at 25 years old. Bought a really nice bike in 1985, a Fuji Opus 3. Still have the bike and ride it once a year. Bike riding has always been a passion and now that I'm retired its become a special activity that I enjoy weekly. You mentioned that you are looking forward to getting a gravel bike, good choice. Off road riding is much safer and I try to ride rail trail / gravel as often as possible. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@Brian-ed4jm]

@@steveretiredandcycling I've ridden since child hood as well. Mostly mountain bikes. Tried road bike in the 90s. That didn't last long. I envoy the single track much more. Haven't ridden in a very long time. Life, job and marriage got in the way. I liked and subbed. Thank you for the adventure.

[@willempickleman1727]

congrats

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks Will

[@itrecinque9022]

Che mito che sei...bravo!!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thank you for the nice comment. I'm sure you are a true legend too. All the best, Steve

[@walterbright1396]

Thanks for the tour. I love riding in NY State and in NYC. You should have ridden across the George Washington. I find it great fun. But you also missed the Staten Island Ferry and you were right there in Battery Park. You would have had a close up view of the Statue of Liberty. The price is right too. It’s free. There is also a ferry to governor’s island from the battery that is free early in the morning. There’s a bike trail on the island that passes directly in front of the Statue. There is a park there. I used to stay on the island years ago As a DOD Official, there were government quarters available but they closed about 25 years ago.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Walter and thank you for your comment! So many opportunities to experience in and around NYC. Since I live close to the city, next year I will explore the many cycling areas you mentioned. I was already aware of some of them, however during this year's tour I didn't allocate the time to explore the wonderful areas you mentioned. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@johnleenane4571]

Congrats steve, what a great adventure. Keep well and keep livin the dream 👍🇮🇪

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi John and thanks again. Hope all is well with you. Have a great weekend, Steve

[@davidmathews5794]

Congratulations on completing the trip, Steve. I've enjoyed all your videos of touring on the East Coast. If you ever end up doing a tour out here in California let me know.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi David and thanks again for watching! Thanks for the offer, where are you located in California? Thanks again, Steve

[@kathyzielinski7673]

Wonderful ride and thanks for sharing all your experiences! Congrats!!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Kathy and thanks for watching and the nice comment! it was a great ride. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@Biking360]

Nice one Steve that was an excellent trip. I really enjoyed this series and look forward to seeing you out again who knows where!!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there Jay, I hope all is well with you. This was a really fun trip. Thanks for the comment. Take care, Steve

[@julianglickman8956]

Awesome! I loved following this and think what you are doing is great! Congrats! 🚴🏻

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Julian, thanks for watching and the nice comment! It was a great ride. Take care, Steve

[@cc103acs]

Super video series Steve. I was planning my trek from Brewster heading north up the trail and, after looking at the route, came to the same conclusion you did regarding the last 130 miles. I was pleased that you confirmed this in this last video. My planning had me bailing out in Ticonderoga and slipping over to Bike Route 7 in Vermont on my way up to Burlington. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Dave and thanks for the comment! Much appreciated. I wouldn't recommend that 130 miles to anyone. Good luck on your next trip. Take care, Steve

[@PumpkinVillage]

Another awesome adventure. Glad the bike worked out for you. Thanks for making the videos and take care, Al

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Al, always great to hear from you. I hope your summer is going well. Thanks again, Steve

[@FollowThomas]

Congrats on finishing the trail. I was planning to do the same trail but decided to do the Erie Canal Trail instead from Buffalo to Albany. Heading up north to Buffalo in two weeks.

[@juliandrr]

Hello Sr. I just subscribed to your channel as I am planning Buffalo-NYC for next year. Wishing you the best for your trip and also good weather.

[@FollowThomas]

@@juliandrr thanks, much appreciated 🙂 It's gonna be great. I'm planning to ride it in 6 days, it's about 360 miles.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Thomas and thank you! You'll enjoy the trail. Lots of bird watching but too many geese. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@juliandrr]

Hello Steve!, thanks very much for uploading the last video of this adventure and of course congratulations on completing such an amazing trip. I appreciate the info you provided at the end of the video and the book recommendation. Quick questions: What is the name of the first campsite that you did not like too much? and what time of the year you made this trip? it looks like you had almost perfect weather the whole 10 days. Was it during April? Thanks and enjoy your summer!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Julian, thanks again for watching and commenting. I made the trip the 2nd and 3rd weeks of May. The weather was perfect. The campground was Monty's Bay Campsites. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@martymargatt6000]

What a wonderful series of videos documenting your ride. You are an inspiration to all us older riders and what we capable of doing. Do you have a record of places you stayed at each night and restaurants for dinner?

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Marty and thank you for your nice comment! The places I stayed are usually mentioned in the videos. As far as where I ate, it's usually take out or Hotel restaurants. I'm starting a tour of the GAP and C&O trails from Pittsburgh to Washington DC next Monday. I will be mostly camping and cooking my own food. Should be fun. I will post a video preview of the trip by the end of this week. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@johngrossbohlin7582]

Glad you made it safely to NYC! Another option for those who aren't as experienced as you and I is to participate in one of the Parks and Trails New York fully supported tours. Currently the PTNY Cycle the Hudson Valley tour is underway... They were here in Kingston Monday/Tuesday and then went on to Poughkeepsie Wednesday... Carmel was next (sound familiar?) It was nice to meet you on the Kingston Point Rail Trail.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey John, nice to hear from you! Hope your summer is going well. Those fully supported bike tours are very nice and make things real easy. Thanks again, it was nice meeting you. Take care, Steve

[@vanomadcyclist3474]

Congratulations on such a great trip. The videos are inspiring and I enjoyed your “trip report” at the end. Have you ever used the Garmin Connect to make your course and save a step ?? Wondering if you have and just prefer Ride with GPS better. thanks for all you nuggets of good information on bike trip planning, I am taking notes 😊😊

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again! Never used Garmin connect to make my courses. I'm sure it would work out well. I started with Ride with GPS and it works for me. I can export to my Garmin and phone. I actually gravitate to using Ride with GPS on my phone because it's more reliable than my Garmin 1030. The Garmin tends to freeze or just stop working at least once per tour. Love it when it works. Same problems with my old Garmin 1000. Thanks again and take care, Steve

[@vanomadcyclist3474]

@@steveretiredandcycling funny I have the same issue with my garmin 830 too. I thought I was doing something wrong with making courses. 🙃🙃

[@gghink1]

I really enjoyed watching these videos and many of your other videos as well. They’re inspiring. I hope to do the Buffalo to NYC trip before too long. Have to retire first…. I would love to hear more of your opinion on the pluses and minuses of the 600 vs the 600X for Erie Canal trip.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Gregory and thanks for watching and the nice comment. You will really enjoy the Buffalo to NYC trip. Having not ridden the 600, I can only speak about the 600X. I know the 600X is a really good bike for the Buffalo to NYC ride. The 600 does have a more relaxed geometry and weight a few pounds less than the 600X. And you really don't need the front suspension fork for a smooth flat trail such as the NY trail. 95% of the time I keep my front fork locked out. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@gghink1]

Steve. Your response baffled me and then I realized I conflated your videos with the ‘Old man on a bike’ KZbin channel, which I also follow. He has a 600. Too funny. Guess I better retire soon….

[@steveretiredandcycling]

@@gghink1 Dave has a great channel too!

[@custodialmark]

i luved it. tanx much. on me bucket list, if able. workin on bikes to get one gud un to go with...

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Mark, thanks s much for watching. it was a great ride, Take care, Steve

[@arthurlefrancois8152]

Hey there. Now that you’ve have a change to ride your new bike. Do you still love it. I’m thinking about one for me

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Arthur, l love the bike. Just the idea of not having a chain and and all the exposed gears is a plus. The bike is excellent for long distance bike packing. Keep in mind that the bike is heavier than your average road bike so you may find yourself cycling a little slower, but it's not a race. It has been designed as a hard tail mountain bike and excels in off road conditions. Thanks and have a great day, Steve

[@patstillriding1435]

You are awesome Steve. What is your average speed on your rides?

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Pat, that depends on a lot of factors. On a long tour or when I'm out riding my 600X with my wife I average from 8-12 MPH. On my gravel bike, 12-15 MPH and my road bike 15-20. Speed is not important to me. It's the ride that's special. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@Cycleit]

It is so sad out here in the West, Northwest, that we don't have Amtrac. Sure we have what is said to be Amtrac but it seems to be nothing but a carnival ride, not transportation. The routes with bicycle access are minimal at best not to mention the routes are sparse and awkward times. I envy you in the east with reasonable mass transit.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and thanks for watching. Yes, real mass transit is valuable. Our whole country could use more. Amtrak could also be a bit more bicycle friendly. I believe we are headed in the right direction,but we still have a ways to go. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@crustydog1666]

I'm not a fan on having to ride on the road, so a lot of that trip would NOT be for me. The parts of this video and other videos of yours where you were riding on paved roads or even gravel roads looked to be fun. The part where you were riding along and there were people in cars stuck in traffic had me wondering if those people might want to take up cycling. It would great if more people would join the cycling community. Thanks for sharing. Take care, David.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again David and thanks for watching as always! NYC is such a large city and as you mentioned, they could really benefit from more people riding bikes to work. it was a great trip! Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@stevemurray710]

I'll definitely avoid the first 130 miles. I've made it to van Cortland park a few times but didn't know where to proceed south or how dangerous Bronx roads are before getting back on a bike trail. I have Strava premium so I was just able to swipe somebody's gpx file so I can try it.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Steve, thanks again for watching and the comment! The Bronx roads were not dangerous, I traveled through there in the AM. Sounds like you will have a good trip. Take care, Steve

[@dpskiff2998]

Steve you should try to connect with Dave Clark, his KZbin channel is Old Man on a Bike. He also lives in Connecticut and rides a Priority 600. He is also in his 70s. I'd like to see you guys do a ride together.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and thanks for the suggestion. I'm aware of Dave and his channel. Been thinking about reaching out to him again but it's been a really busy summer. Maybe sometime this fall. Thanks and have a great day, Steve

[@johnshinski2994]

Why do you do the hand to camera thing?

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi John, it's no more than a transition from one scene to another

[@Deeppowbro]

Likes to views

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks for watching! Take care, Steve

[@Bazadoni1]

I wish I could do the same thing. in my 🚲 Bicycle

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Jorge, thanks for watching! I hope you have a great day, Steve

[@ianthompson6268]

Hey Priority - buy my made-in-New England bike grips. Please? haha -Thompson Classic

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Ian, thanks for watching. I'll check out your grips. Thanks again and have a great weekend, Steve