Winter's End: A Scenic Ride to Cornwall and Cozy Coffee Stop

The Ride

This has been one of the snowiest winters in many years here, so it had been a couple of months since I could last ride.  But some warmer temps combined with rain helped clear the last bit of ice and snow on the roads, along with the salt, so I was eager to pull a bike out of the garage for a ride.

As I set up for the ride at my starting point in Cross River, New York, the Beeline Compass indicated 25 miles as the crow flies to my destination in Cornwall, New York, on the other side of the Hudson River.  See our article on discovering new roads with Beeline.

I thumbed the starter on the BMW R18 Classic and headed west on Route 35. I stayed on this road to the Bear Mountain Parkway and then around the traffic circle to get onto Route 6/202. I headed past Camp Smith along the eastern bank of the Hudson River toward the Bear Mountain Bridge. This road is a local favorite for riders, and I saw some riders braving the still-chilly temperatures, requiring heated gear.

Cornwall is on the north side of Storm King Mountain, so I’d need to cross it no matter what. I tried to take Route 218 along Storm King Mountain by West Point. I thought it had reopened following the washouts that had closed it for the better part of a year. Perhaps it hasn’t been cleared with the weather and snow, and riders must wait until warmer weather to try again. It was closed just past the main gate to West Point.

A quick backtrack to get onto Route 9 allowed me to climb Storm King from a different route.  I was surprised there was still so much salt along the road here, but given the steepness of the ascent and descent along with several tight turns, the highway department is being extra cautious.  There was still some snow visible on the side of the roads here, so it’s always fun to see how micro-climates can cause such differences in temperature over a relatively small distance.

Once over the mountain, I descended toward Cornwall. A few turns brought me to the roundabout leading into the village, where there was some road construction for the nearby bridge. I made a U-turn and found a spot right in front of the coffee shop.

Unfortunately, my Rever app appeared to have crashed, as it was no longer recording. It had recorded only the first 0.1 miles of the route, so it crashed after I started. Fortunately, the Beeline app also records the path, showing I’d traveled 46.1 miles. I loaded that path into Rever; you can see the route below.

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.  Check out our full review of Rever.

The Coffee Shop

Cornwall Coffee Co and Mercantile is on the Main Street of Cornwall, and several other shops are nearby.  As you enter, there are couches on either side with small round tables and stools to sit together.  In the windows are a couple of pairs of leather chairs to relax.  At the counter are two stools covered in suede.  The ceiling is a tin ceiling in a gold-copper tone.  Several random items adorn the walls, like a large ax, some old-style hot air balloon models, a sled and several brimmed hats, and a collection of Shinola clocks and watches for sale.

The espresso machine is covered in a hammered-like silver material, giving it an aged look. When I entered, the barista behind it was preparing a beverage for another customer. As the sole employee, he said he’d be right with me as he wrapped up the other customer’s order.

A pair of people were hanging out in the space so that I could grab one of the couches for myself with a small coffee table.  I put my helmet and riding jacket there while the barista was wrapping up and looked over the menu to make my selection, along with a peak at the baked goods on display.

I ordered a cortado, which was served in a small ceramic mug.  I paired it with a cinnamon roll.

The flavor was sharp, more like an espresso than the smooth creaminess of a cortado, but the espresso flavor was delicious anyway. The cinnamon roll was flaky and had a nice blend of cinnamon flavor. As a cortado typically has a slightly sweeter taste due to all the milk, the cinnamon roll added any missing sweetness from the smaller volume of milk to my palate.

The space is one where you can easily pass many hours just examining all the kitsch on the walls.  The comfortable seating further encourages you to wile away for many hours, and I’m sure many locals do precisely that.  But that shouldn’t discourage you from making a trip even if you aren’t local.  It’s a fun spot to visit, with some great roads surrounding it.  A delicious coffee and cinnamon roll sweeten the pot.