I'm planning a trip from Central MA to Hawks nest in NY. Im wondering if anyone has any tips on good routes there, what avoid and any good local stops(restaurants,bars,strip joints). Once I cross into NY I'm headed down 209, then headed north to hanncock on 97. I'm probably camp somewhere in hanncock the first night then ride the mountains all day Saturday, head to VT to camp and barrel back to MA Sunday morning. Again any advice on good rides and good times along the way is much appreciated. I attached a map of the NY section

 

Have lunch at either The Carriage House or the Cedar Rapids Bar and Grill both are in Barryville NY on 97. Both are bike friendly. Be careful riding Hawks Nest. New York’s Finest sets up speed traps along 97.

 

I rode to Hawks Nest last year after hearing so much about it. I wasnt impressed. That 1/4 mile of road you see in the pics is the best part. Its not awful, but I'd rather stay up in the Catskills where I think the roads are much more fun. Route 30 around the north-western edge. And all the awesome roads between 28 and 23a. Every summer I go for a few days. And not sure where in central MA you are but Rt 2 out of NY into northern MA is great too.

 

I'm out in Worcester (dead center) rt 2 is great, my plan is to take that, I'll definitely check out the roads you suggested, have you done any camping out there? I'm looking for a spot just to crash cheap with a bathroom and some food close by.

 

Here are two different options for you.
1. Phoenicia Black Bear Campground
You can walk right into a town. Check out Brio's Pizza or Sweet Sue

2. Blackthorne Resort
Cheap camping, bar on property

If you want free and primitive camping, I can direct you there also. I hike and backpack in the Catskills.

 

One of the appeals was the Hawk's Nest Cafe. It burned down in 2002. You can still see remnants of it as you ride down 97.

 

I'm not a camper. My girl and I usually just find cheap rooms. Another road I just thought of in the Catskills is Rt 44/55 out of Po'keepsie that will remind you of Hawks Nest, stone walls and cliffs with fantastic views. It goes thru Lake Minnewaska State Park. Its a little south of Catskill Park. I usually start there, then head north into the Catskills. Nor far from there is Angry Orchard, if you are into hard cider. Cool place.

 

Stop for lunch in Calicoon and take RT 30 if you can. One of the best roads in NY if you ask me