Since there are no hills to speak of in Long Island's Suffolk County I decided this weekend to take on the foothills of The Berkshires. You might call it my own private Alpe d'Huez. This ride was a 2 day event organized by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Bike New York. The first 10 miles are flat as we're on the Harlem Valley Line's Rails Trail. This abandoned rail track is now paved as a muti-use recreational trail. In 1845, the New York State Legislature authorized further rail road extension northward to create a connection with Albany. This inland route later became known as the "Harlem Valley" line. The valley route was easier and less costly to construct than a route following the Hudson River. However, competing business interests in cities along the river simultaneously started construction on The Hudson River Railroad. This competing project was completed at almost the same time and eventually became the primary route. The inland counties of Putnam and Dutchess formerly served by the Harlem Valley Line was known as The Harlem Valley and is still called that today.
The first 10 miles on the Rails to Trails. 
The first rest stop at Wassaic. Ten miles south of Millerton.
What hill? Piece of cake. 
No need to pedal for this hill!
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