Coffee Ride to Moto Coffee Machine

The Ride

Today, I took the BMW R18 Classic as I knew I’d pass through farm roads in Dutchess & Columbia counties that are perfect for the laid-back riding of a cruiser. The Beeline direct compass to the coffee shop said 68.5 miles when I started, but the traveled distance is always more than the straight line. See our article on discovering new roads with Beeline.

I head north on Route 121 as it passes through North Salem and then alongside Peach Lake, ending at Route 6. Route 6 here is quite busy, leading to the onramps of Interstate 685, but we make a right off of it within less than a mile onto Sodom Road, which we use a quick connector road to get onto Brewster Hill Road.

This road starts with a few quick turns climbing a hill and then opens into a bit of a straighter section. It passes the Brewster school complex, changing its name to Farm to Market Road, which should hint at the character. This ends at State Hwy 164.

We make a left onto 164 and an immediate right onto Cornwall Hill Road, passing Mendel Pond on our right. Cornwall Hill Road, also known as Route 44, brings us to intercept with State Highway 311, which we take to connect with State Highway 22.

While some may know 22 as the congested road in southern Westchester County & the Bronx, most of 22 is a 2-lane rural road running roughly north-south that passes through small villages. We stay on 22, heading North to the village of Wingdale.

Wingdale formerly was the home of the Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center, and we pass the grounds on our right as we head north. It’s now part of an evangelical Christian college named Olivet University, and some signs have been updated to promote this. While it has new owners, it still seems to be mostly inactive as I’ve never seen any activity there & I pass by it frequently on motorcycle rides.

Just a bit past the university, we make a left onto Route 21, heading west. The intersection of 22 and 21 has a Mobil station frequented by motorcyclists & is a good place to stop, refill, grab some snacks or drinks & use the restroom.

21 turns into a series of switchbacks as it climbs a ridge before leading into LaGrange, NY. At the intersection with Route 9, we make a right heading north. This bit of 9 is one of the perfect cruising roads, with excellent farm scenery, and leads us directly into the village of Millbrook, NY. See our review of All that Java in Millbrook, NY.

We make our way through the town till we hit US Highway 44 where we make a left and then an immediate right onto Valley Farm Road. This is a perfect example of the great motorcycle roads in Dutchess County, NY.

REVER is a mobile app designed to help you track, plan, or navigate your ride. With the app, you can easily plan your route, view maps and directions, and track your distance using GPS technology. The app is an excellent tool for anyone who loves to ride and wants to keep track of their progress and distance.

We continue this pattern of small farm or county roads to a major state or US highway connector to the next one until we turn right onto County Road 19, passing through the village of Elizaville and continuing till it intersects with US Highway 9. 9 will bring us directly to the town of Hudson and Warren Street where Moto Coffee Machine is located.

All this meandering around various Dutchess and Columbia counties farm roads expanded our track to 90.1 miles, as recorded by REVER.

See the route below.

The Coffee Shop

Moto Coffee Machine is the embodiment of the ethos of Tank of Coffee. It blends a love of motorcycles with a love of coffee. Located in Hudson in Columbia County, New York, Moto Coffee Machine has been a favorite coffee shop for motorcyclists for years, myself included. It needed to be added to the Tank of Coffee backlog.

As you enter Moto Coffee Machine, there are always a few bikes in the front window with a large “Moto” logo in an outline font on the wall. When I visited today, there were 3 Ducati sport bikes in front. On your left is the counter for ordering coffee and food.

Coffees on the menu include the standard mixture of espresso-based drinks: espresso, americano, macchiato, cortado, cappuccino, and latte. If you’re in the mood for something less strong, brewed coffee is also available, either filter or flash-chilled ice coffee. Other beverages include juice, bottled water, and teas.

Plenty of pastry options are available, with the specific options varying based on availability. The menu isn’t limited to just pastries. You can also get salads, burritos, grilled cheese, and toast with various toppings.

Moto Coffee Machine encourages motorcyclists to visit, not just for a coffee fix, but to get a motorcycle fix.

In addition to the bikes in the front window, a bit further into the shop, a couple of old BMWs, one an old K 100 RS with the flying brick engine and a fairing, and another an Airhead customized cafe style were on display. Many retired helmets were on display Along the wall, some with evidence of crashes, others that had aged out.

As you head back through a doorway, you enter a small shop focused on moto gear with some other bikes on display. Here, you’ll find various riding gear like gloves, jackets, and new helmets for sale. Plenty of casual gear for the moto-enthusiast as well, with a full complement of shirts, hats, and more. The moto shop has a dedicated register, so you don’t need to carry all the gear to the baristas in the front.

Many staff and patrons are motorcyclists, so you’ll feel at home at Moto Coffee Machine. Dogs are also welcome.

The Refreshments

Ninety miles isn’t a short hop, so I ordered an americano and an almond croissant. The coffee was appropriately served in a ceramic cup with a hint of crema. I brought them to a seat in the middle of the shop and jumped immediately into consuming them. Both were so delicious I swallowed them quickly and forgot to take a photo. But after 2.5 hours riding here, I wasn’t about to settle for just one coffee, so I ordered another americano and got a picture.

There were no signs of bitterness in the coffee & it was served at a perfect temperature..… not too hot as some shops prepare americanos. It’s not just a moto-themed cafe…. They know how to make good coffee!