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Middleburgh-Schoharie-Central Bridge - 30 miles
Difficulty - Moderate - Though there are no long, protracted climbs, there are several "rollers" along the way with grades rarely exceeding 7-8%.   Traffic can be heavy, as most of the route uses state highways.  In most cases the shoulders are generous, and experienced riders will feel comfortable.  Though a "fast" rider may be able to complete this route in 90 minutes, it could take an entire day if you stop at the various antique and collectible shops, restaurants and/or visit the Old Stone Fort Museum.  This ride can originate, of course, from any point around the route.  There are Park n Ride parking lots just off I-88 exits 22 and 23.  There is also public parking in Schoharie and Middleburgh.
This loop takes you through the three largest villages in Schoharie County.

The loop begins in downtown Cobleskill.  You may park your car behind the Park Theatre at the corner of Main Street and Grand Street, or just off Main Street on Division Street or Union Street.

Head south down Grand Street which takes you immediately past the Cobleskill Fairgrounds.  When Grand Street ends, turn left on to Mineral Springs Road.   Mineral Springs Road winds through the sleepy hamlet of Mineral Springs before ending at the junction of NYS Rt. 145 at 4 miles from the start.  Turn right on NYS Rt. 145.

Rt. 145 will head uphill over gentle rollers to the high point of the ride at around the 7 mile point.  After cresting the climb, you will head downhill to Middlburgh, negotiating a small roller and some flats along the way.  If the day is nice, the view is beautiful, overlooking the fertile Schoharie Valley as you descend into Middleburgh.  At 11.4 miles you come to a flashing traffic signal, and the intersection with NYS Rt. 30.  Bear left and over the Schoharie Creek Bridge to another traffic signal.  Welcome to Middleburgh.  Middlburgh has several quaint shops, a couple of convenience stores.

Bear left at the traffic light in Middleburgh - north on NYS Rt. 30.  Beautiful Victorian homes overlook Schoharie Creek and will remind you of a different era.

You are now heading north, down the Schoharie Valley.  The way is predominently flat, but a couple of rises will slow your progress as you make your way to Schoharie.   They are not steep, but noticeable.

At 16 miles you enter the Village of Schoharie.  There is a convenience store downtown, several restaurants (traditional, not fast-food), antique and collectible shops, and the Schoharie County office building.  Stay on Main St./Rt. 30 and proceed through the Village.  As you pass the school a slight rise awaits you.  Just before exiting Schoharie is the Revolutionary War-era Old Stone Fort Museum (at 17.25 mi).   It has many historical artifacts from the period and Schoharie County.  It's a historical treasure and worth a visit, if not now, the next time through.

After the bridge over Fox Creek at 17.5 miles, you leave Schoharie, negotiate some rollers before crossing Interstate 88 at the 20 mile mark, and reach the junction with NYS Rt. 7 1/4 mile later.  Turn left, west on Rt. 7 to begin your return to Cobleskill.

A short descent follows before passing the outlying edge of Central Bridge.  Rt. 7 is the hilliest part of the ride, and immediately after passing the convenience store in Central Bridge the first of several hills awaits.  The climb is relatively short, and soon you're on a long, flat stretch staring at the next roller ahead of you, which begins around the 22.3 mile mark.  At 25 miles you will reach the MOSA hill, named for the Montgomery-Otsego-Schoharie solid waste facility located just off the hill.  The MOSA hill is the most significant, if not the last, climb of the route.  The grade is fairly moderate and steady, steepening slightly near the top, before giving way to a gentle false flat.

At 26.25 miles you reach the I-88 exit 22 and junction with NYS Rt. 145.  Go straight on Rt. 7 at the traffic signal.  Traffic will pick up noticeably here as you begin your entrance into Cobleskill.  Rt. 7 will take you past car dealers, big-box retailers and over one more rolling hill before entering the Village of Cobleskill at 28.5 miles.  Continue on Main Street until you arrive at your car at around 29.5 miles.