Coffee Ride to Café e Dolci

The Ride

Aboard the BMW R1200GSA for this trip, the Beeline was 39.1 miles. See our article on discovering new roads with Beeline. Departing from Cross River, I headed west on Route 35, which follows the north shore of the Cross River Reservoir. I passed the dam of the Amawalk Reservoir as I approached Yorktown.

I tried a new road, turning north on Broad Street and left onto Granite Springs Road, connecting me with Route 202 near Yorktown High School. I stayed on 202 until the turnoff for the Bear Mountain Parkway, which I joined. This is a meandering four-lane parkway that bypasses Peekskill, NY. I broke off early to get onto Old Albany Post Road and then connected with Route 9, heading west where it joins with the Annsville Circle before splitting northwest onto Route 6, leading to the Bear Mountain Bridge.

This section of road that winds up the side of the mountain with multiple switchbacks is a local favorite amongst motorcyclists, so it’s not surprising to see a lot of bikes in both directions. Many riders head to Harriman State Park, which has some great roads.

Knowing most of the roads in Harriman State Park are still closed due to heavy flooding over the summer, I headed south on 9W/202 as it follows the Hudson River. I passed Iona Island, which is still part of Bear Mountain Park. For about 50 years, around the start of the 20th century, it was used as an ammunition depot for the Navy. As you pass it, you may see a freight train heading into the island as the CSX Railroad’s tracks bisect the island.

Passing the Island, the road quickly climbs up another large hill and then begins a descent again as it passes Jones Point and a 90-degree turn for the road as it mirrors the shoreline. This leads into a more populated area known as Tomkin’s Cove, after which I make a right onto Wayne Avenue (Route 112) to realign with the compass, which is urging me westward more urgently.

Wayne is a twisty, hilly road, so it is a fun route. It proceeds southwest before ending at Route 106. Route 106 is another excellent road through Harriman State Park. I pass Lake Welch and then the traffic circle where Seven Lakes Drive intersects 106. I pass over a small causeway over Lake Kanawauke and another that bisects Little Long Pond. After a few more switchbacks, I now pass Lake Stahahe shortly before crossing Interstate 87 and State Highway 17, where my road becomes Route 17A.

17A is a four-lane highway till you reach the Renaissance fair, but then it turns into excellent twisty roads leading you over the ridge. As you enter Greenwood Lake, a quick right keeps you on 17A and over the next hill with twisty roads, including a hairpin turn. This ridge leads you to Warwick, NY, to our destination, Cafe e Dolci. I saw the railroad station, and the route crossed over the tracks as I entered town. Rever reported our recorded distance traveled as 60 miles. See the route below.

The Coffee Shop

As one enters downtown Warwick, NY, in Orange County, you feel you’ve been brought back in time. The buildings have a historical charm and no modern big box chain store feeling many small towns have fallen prey to. The railroad I’d crossed over was part of the growth story of the hamlet, where the Warwick Valley Railroad had its headquarters. This type of town is a perfect destination for a motorcycle road… no huge roads, a quiet walking character, and, of course, a coffee shop.

Entering the shop, you are greeted with large windows facing out onto Main Street. A selection of gelato is the first thing you see, followed by many options for various cakes. Some more typical pastries are available as you approach where you can order.

Under the Espresso drinks, a Red Eye was listed first, so I decided to try that. I paired it with a strawberry cream cheese croissant. Another group was being helped as I approached, but the staff was friendly once dispatched and quickly got my order together. While they asked if I was dining in or taking out, only the croissant was served on a ceramic plate; my coffee was in a paper cup with a branded sleeve.

I headed up the narrow stairs to the 2nd floor, where there was additional seating. Several prints showing coffee cherries, beans, and other scenes from where coffee is grown decorated the walls. Most of the tables were small, round cafe style. However, one table for six had a 3-inch slab of distressed wood attached to the wall and supported on the other end by a single large leg.

I grabbed a table by the windows overlooking the street and watched people walk the streets, peering into various windows of the shops on either side.

The Refreshments

Regular readers will know I prefer ceramic cups for dine-in coffee, but the red eye was perfect despite being served in a paper cup. A good drip coffee underneath with the punch of the espresso shot gives that extra kick.

The pastry was fresh from the strawberries, while the creamy texture of the cream cheese was held in a delicate nest with a soft, flaky crust. Very nice indeed!

Cafe e Dolci is worth a trip, and the beautiful roads leading toward it make it a perfect moto coffee destination!