The Century Road Club of America and US Military Academy at West Point each host races on this hilly loop, making it both a local proving ground and a challenging race course. It also offers some of the most beautiful riding in the area in any season; foliage in the fall, blossoms in the spring and shady trees in the summer.

There are different ways of riding the loop, but races start end at Lake Welch, so that's where I parked the car. Alternate parking areas are at the Lake Tiorati Circle or Lake Askoti. There is a $7 parking fee if you arrive after 8 a.m. during the summer. From the start, the course heads down Lake Welch Parkway on a steep decent, where speeds approaching 50 MPH are possible without pedaling. Break hard and shift into the small ring before hitting a tight exit onto Cedar Pond Road. This is the main climb on the loop, and acsends about 600 feet in 2 miles on the way up to Lake Tiorati.

At the end of the climb you hit the Lake Tiorati circle. Go three-quarters of the way around to 7 Lakes Drive. This part of the course has some rolling hills and a couple steep but short climbs. Roll through the first traffic circle continuing on 7-Lake Drive. At the second traffic circle, go three-quarters of the way around, and turn back onto Lake Welch Parkway. Follow the parkway over several moderate climbs back to the Lake Welch Park lot... and repeat! The climbs in Harriman park are not the steepest around, but they are some of the longer sustained climbs in the metro area. Swimming areas are open during the summer, so Harriman is also a big draw for triathletes who use the lakes to practice riding after an open water swim; cyclists might enjoy taking a dip after a few laps as well. There are bathrooms and water fountains at all of the parking areas, but there's nowhere to stop for a snack, so bring food with you.