6 Mountains in 2 Days

I'm a big climber. I like steep pitches that make me wonder if I'll be able to push my legs over for another pedal revolution. I also enjoy the steady uphill grades that are better suited to gearing down, and letting me hit the rhythm that allows my mind to space out of the moment. So, its no surprise that I would take advantage of my weekend and go for 2 rides over some of the best hills the local area in Washington County has to offer.

The first of these is the climb to summit lake from Rt. 40. This climb begins with a steep section right after you make the left hand turn. But, it soon levels out to begin a smooth ascent to the top of the Mountain to Summit Lake. The climb takes about 15 minutes of effort, with a few switchbacks offering beautiful views off to the west.

A second beautiful climb in the region is North Rd. This hill fits nicely with the others on this list, and begins almost directly after you make the fast descent from Summit Lake. North Rd. doesn't have a steep, or long, climb to boast. (It is a quick 5 minute groove) But, it offers some beautiful views of rolling farmscape as you cruise at high speed into Greenwich, NY. After the first major climb at the beginning, it features small rollers that keep you in and out of the saddle.

The final climb is by far the hardest, yet most rewarding. Cruising out of Greenwich, you get the chance to make a right hand turn onto Burton Rd. and head up to Willard Mountain. This climb is both long (taking more than 20 minutes of straight climbing), and features steep and smooth climbing sections. It also offers the possibility to reach the summit via a smaller dirt Rd., Mountain Rd. Attacking this same route 2 days straight allowed me to try out both ways. And, believe it or not, I'll say that the dirt road way is easier than the paved way.
The climb has recently also been paved, offering smooth travels for cyclists. The view at the top of the mountain is also beautiful, offering views up to the north. The descent is fantastic, offering speeds in excess of 55mph. Hold on tight.

I did these three Mountains two days in a row, making for six nice climbs. In the process also accumulated more than 200 miles of riding. A good weekend.