Coffee ride to Cafelatte in Dobbs Ferry, NY
The Ride
The BMW R75/5 was available with a “toaster” tank for only 1-2 model years (depending on the source). It was so named because of the smaller 4-gallon tank with chrome side panels that somewhat resemble chrome toasters of the era. The limited charging system on the 1972 BMW R75/5 means that heated gear is not an option, and the naked appearance means the full wind blast is on you, so I don’t ride this bike in the cold weather. But today, it was a surprisingly warm early spring day, so I took the old toaster out for today’s ride.
The Beeline indicated just a short 22.3 miles to the southwestern part of Westchester Country from the northeastern start in Cross River, NY. See our article on discovering new roads with Beeline. I headed east on Route 35, intending to grab Route 124 to start heading south.
Route 124 is a wonderful winding country road. It first passes the western edge of the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, a 4300+ acre park that is the largest in the county. It’s perfect for hiking and camping. Moto-camping is an option, as you can pull your bike right by the campsites throughout the park. I did this with a Wingman on the Road tent on the R18 while doing a shake-down test before longer trips.
Route 124 leads toward Pound Ridge, connecting with Route 137 and another intersection with Route 172 near the Inn at Pound Ridge, run by the well-regarded chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. At the urging of the Beeline Compass, I turn onto Route 172 to start heading a bit west.
Route 172 brings me through downtown Bedford, NY, where it joins with State Route 22 (Albany Post Road). Bedford was originally the county seat of Westchester before the British burned it in 1779, leaving just one structure still standing. It has been rebuilt mostly as a series of gentlemen’s estates and is now known as the Hollywood of the East, with several celebrities calling it and the surrounding towns home. You might catch Ralph Lauren driving one of his classic cars along the town’s roads or Martha Stewart riding her horse through the Bedford Riding Lanes trails. Recent Oscar winner Brendan Frasier has a home in Bedford. SNL alum and star of the National Lampoon’s Vacation films, Chevy Chase, has presented at the Bedford Playhouse, as has another nearby resident Paul Schaffer. Pretty Woman star Richard Gere owns the Bedford Post Inn. Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively are another celebrity couple in the area.
I stayed on Route 22 as it winds southwest, passing through Armonk. I turned off onto Route 120, heading north near the eastern shore of the Kensico Reservoir. I wanted to hit Nanny Hagen Road, a wonderful switchback climbing the ridge beside the reservoir. At the end of the road, I turned left onto Kensico Road, which passes the reservoir’s western side. There was a road crossing directly over the Kensico Dam called Westlake Drive, but it has been closed to vehicular traffic since 9/11, so it’s walking only now. It is a wonderful diversion, though & worth the views of the reservoir and the valley below the dam on the other side.
Just before reaching the bottom of the dam, I turned right onto Grasslands Road, which passes by the Kensico Cemetery on the right. This is a rather large cemetery at over 400 acres, and roads need to diverge around the grounds. To the left are some of the entrances to Westchester Community College, sometimes disparagingly referred to as “Wastechester” by locals.
I turn left onto Route 100A so I can avoid taking the highway south as the Beeline compass is pointing. Soon, it is pointing more westward, requiring a change to Secor Road. The road ends looking at Interstate 87, so a left onto Saw Mill River Road leads me to Dobbs Ferry. Some construction is blocking the road, so I need to detour along with all the other cars near Gould Park.
I find the cafe on my right on Cedar Street, but there isn’t any parking out front. Fortunately, there were a couple of motorcycle-only spots a little further down the road in front of the Zion Episcopal Church. The spot near the top of the hill afforded a good view of the Hudson River below. Rever reported the route as 35.8 miles. See the route below.
The Coffee Shop
The village of Dobbs Ferry is part of the town of Greenburgh, located in Westchester County, NY. It gets its name from the ferry service that started in the early part of the 1700s. The service ran from the east side of the Hudson River, where the village is located, to the west side at Sneden’s Landing, just north of where the Palisades cliffs end in the current-day town of Palisades, NY. The ferry service has passed down through the generations and was run as recently as the 1940s.
The village’s strategic position on the other side of the northernmost part of the Palisades cliffs ensured it was a key part of the Revolutionary War. Prior to the ferry, the village was inhabited by various Native American tribes for several thousand years. Artifacts from that long history are still found today along Wicker’s Creek, whose name is derived from the most recent tribe to inhabit the area, the Wecquaesgeek.
A short walk from the street parking, paid by mobile app, brought me to the entrance of Cafelatte. Inside, I found tile floors in a light coffee color. The counter had a flower motif on the tiles. Yellow walls and a beige tin ceiling continued the warm color tones in the space. Red pleather chairs were arranged around six tables, plus seating at the counter. A sign notifies patrons that it is cash only.
Its unique European ambiance immediately struck me. The walls were adorned with pictures of old manual coffee grinders, opera posters, and a vintage color print of the Colosseum in Rome. The TV behind the counter played opera, adding to the distinct atmosphere. This was a refreshing departure from the typical coffee shop experience.
Some regulars came in while I was there, and the friendly staff welcomed them by name and chatted with them. Only one other group was there during my visit, so midday mid-morning is perfect.
As I perused the Cafelatte menu, I was pleased to find various coffee options, including the classic espresso, cappuccino, and the eponymously named Cafe Latte. For those looking for something different, there were refreshing beverages like soda and Pellegrino, as well as iced cappuccino and iced chai. The menu also featured a selection of delectable pastries to accompany these drinks.
The Refreshments
In keeping with the place’s name, I ordered a Cafe Latte. It was served in a glass cup with a biscotti. I also ordered a blueberry muffin. The muffin was very light, though it reminded me of the ones I get at Costco. Thoughtfully, it was served with a knife and fork, which made eating the soft muffin much easier.
The coffee was presented beautifully, with cinnamon sprinkled on top. The smooth flavor was enhanced by the milk, which added a bit of sweetness. It’s the sort of place you could spend hours relaxing, much like European cafes. If you are looking for a place to hang your helmet for a while, head over to Cafelatte.
