Harriman is a village you notice mostly from the highway, and its role in a riding day is simple: it is the exit. The New York Thruway runs past here, and the exit ramps lead to a cluster of fuel stations, fast-food places and a very large outlet shopping centre, which draws buses from all over the region. It is the last chance for easy fuel and coffee before the Hudson Highlands, and an early-morning stop here is a sensible way to start a ride out of the city, since prices in the small towns beyond tend to be higher and the opening hours shorter.
The name comes from the railroad magnate Edward Harriman, whose family played a major role in the region. His widow, Mary Harriman, gave about ten thousand acres to the state in 1910, which became the core of Harriman State Park, now more than forty thousand acres, one of the largest in New York. The forests, lakes and rocky ridges of the park lie just to the east and are criss-crossed by walking trails and the Seven Lakes Drive, a quiet road that is among the best motorcycle routes in the area. Neighbouring Bear Mountain, on the Hudson, has a landmark inn and a historic bridge over the river. Nearby Kiryas Joel, a large Hasidic Jewish community only a few minutes away, is busy and densely populated, so take care on local roads, where pedestrians are numerous and children may cross unexpectedly.
The road onward is worth the early start. From Harriman, you can take the Seven Lakes Drive through the forest to Bear Mountain, then cross the Hudson on the bridge and follow Route 9D north along the river to Cold Spring, a pretty village with antique shops and a view of the West Point Military Academy across the water. The curves are smooth and sweeping, the surface is generally good, and the autumn colours are exceptional, though weekend traffic can be heavy. Deer are a constant hazard, particularly at dusk. In fog, the Highlands can be eerie and damp.
From there, the Catskills lie ahead, with winding mountain roads and the Pepacton Reservoir, one of the reservoirs that supply drinking water to New York City. Fill up in Harriman before leaving, and plan some food in a village on the way, since the outlet centre's cafes are crowded on weekends. Central Valley, nearby, has more shops, and the larger Kiryas Joel, to the north, has every service, though it is closed on the Sabbath, from Friday evening to Saturday night.