A Tour of Schoharie County

The tour can start anywhere, but this description begins in downtown Cobleskill at the intersection of Main St. and Grand St.  There is public parking in downtown Cobleskill behind the Park Theatre, on Division Street and on Union Street, all of which is only a block or two from the beginning of the tour.

Begin by proceeding west on Main St..  This is also State Route 7 and State Route 10.  You will soon ride past SUNY Cobleskill and head out of town.

At 4.5 miles turn LEFT on Rt. 10 and head south.  This is the beginning of "Richmondville Hill", a 980 ft., three mile climb.  The first half is a moderate grade, but it gets steeper as you proceed up the hill.  The toughest part is the final half mile.

At 9.5 miles you reach the hamlet of Summit.  There is a small general store at the crossroads.  Continue on Route 10 for another 7.5 miles to the hamlet of Jefferson.

Jefferson is at the 17.1 mile mark and there is a convenience store at the stop sign.  Turn left, staying on Rt. 10.

In 7/10 of a mile turn left off Rt. 10 on to the North Rd.  Welcome to rural Schoharie County.  The North Rd. is one of the nicest rides in the county.   Withing a mile or so you top out at the high point of the tour and then descend, with a few rollers, for nearly 6 miles.

At 25 miles the North Rd. ends at its junction with State Rt. 30 in North Blenheim.   Turn left, north and head down the Schoharie Valley paralleling the Schoharie Creek.  The road soon opens up in a broad expanse of fertile farmland.  The shoulder is wide and the riding flat and easy.

Nine miles from North Blenheim is the hamlet of Fultonham.  There is a small corner store to refill your water bottles and take a break.

At 38.4 miles you reach the blinking light where Rt. 30 intersects Rt. 145.  Bear right at the blinking light, go over the bridge to a traffic signal.  Welcome to the Village of Middleburgh.  Bear left at the traffic signal and stay on Rt. 30 and continue down the Valley.  There's a convenience store at the intersection, if you need a break.

Next is historic Schoharie at the 43.4 mile mark.  Schoharie is the county seat and home to the Old Stone Fort on the north end of town.  There are several restaurants and antique shops to visit if you feel so inpired.

From Schoharie the terrain becomes a little more rolling as Rt. 30 moves to the east side of the Schoharie Valley, but not objectionable.

At 48.6 miles Rt. 30 intersects Rt. 7.  Turn left, west on to Rt. 7.  Central Bridge is the next hamlet along the way.  There is a convenience store at the intersection of Rt. 7 and Rt. 30A

From this point you can continue on Rt. 7 back into Cobleskill and end your tour at around 57 miles, or proceed right on Rt. 30A.  Doing so brings you to Sloansville and Rt. 20 at 52.2 miles.

Turn left, westbound on Rt. 20.  Note that Rt. 20 is four lanes here and traffic moves fast, but the shoulder is very wide and the riding is safe.  However, you'll immediately find yourself struggling up Sloansville Hill.  This 3.5 mile grind has three significant pitches, and gains 700 feet in elevation.  There are two short dips giving you a chance to catch your breath on your way up.

As you proceed along Rt. 20 makes sure you take in the views to the north.  On clear days you can see across the Mohawk Valley to the Adirondack foothills.

At 62.5 miles, a metric century you reach the junction with Rt. 145.  Bear left and head towards Cobleskill.  Another climb awaits, but it is soon past and you begin the descent into Cobleskill.

At 69.6 miles you reach your starting point.  All of Schoharie County hopes you enjoyed your stay.