Adirondack Rail Trail

A lovely causeway section of the recently opened Adirondack Rail Trail.

In early September, my husband and I rode a section of the Adirondack Rail Trail, starting midway at Saranac Lake.

Saranac depot building at left; Lake Placid depot at right.

We pedaled 9 miles one direction to Lake Placid, eating lunch in the shade at their renovated train depot before returning returning back to the car. The trail was surprisingly busy, not only because of the holiday weekend, but the active local population use it for exercise, whether running, riding, or big-wheel roller blading.

First impressions? Wow, what a gem! Some communities will remove tracks and slap down minimum surface material. The organization dealt with drainage ditches and elevated the surface, layering with adequate stone dust. The ride was impressively smooth. Miles of wooden rail protected most of the trail.

Once back at Saranac Lake we sampled 3-4 miles in the other direction. A highlight was crossing a beautiful causeway! The route continues for another 10 miles - have to ride that portion another time. 

The 34 mile trail will be completed in 2025, from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake in the Adirondack Park. It's a remote trail in sections - primarily because of it's status as a park - passing through forests and by wildly scenic lakes. It would be a fabulous ride during fall foliage.

Riding the D & H Rail Trail - A Gem on the Specialized Hard Rock

 

2024 is the year of the bike overnight. My definition is loosely defined as going away for the weekend and riding two days. I previously was a stickler about lugging all camping gear by bicycle, has morphed into getting away for the weekend, while transport, whether driving, taking Amtrak, even staying indoors, hardly matters.

Heading north to Middle Granville, out and back on a two mile section. Note the Fairy mini-park on the left.

The D&H Rail Trail is divided into two segments: Castleton to Poultney (VT) at 9.5 miles, and Middle Granville (NY) to West Rupert (VT) at 14.5 miles. The Vermont rail trail information is not up to date both in signage and on the website, as the southern section has been extended 4 miles further north from West Pawlet, starting in Middle Granville.

Our first day's journey began in Granville, parking adjacent to the train station (now a B&B!) with ample parking.

A fairy parklet, complete with interesting signs.

Granville, NY lays claim as the Colored Slate Capital of the World. We turned around in Middle Granville and pedaled south back by our vehicle, then through a neighborhood...

Can you picture a former rail line passing through here?

...following signs through the industrial part of town. Oddly, lawns without a worn trail ran between buildings, but clearly this was the location of the former rail line transporting slate to larger communities. We spied stacks of reddish slate on pallets, so it's still a viable industry. 

Soon after, the trail was evident. Smooth, verdant-lined double-track was the predominant surface as we slowly climbed. Every time I ride my Hard Rock, I'm pleased with how it handles, especially with plush tires. And, for what it's worth, later I noticed I had 30lbs. pressure! Lower than I normally use, but I think that added to my overall experience. Ride slowly, and enjoy the scenery.

The D&H Rail Trail is multi-use, so in the winter snowmobiles cruise its track.

Crossing into West Pawlet, the landscape changed to farmland bordering the track.

We closely followed a river to it's terminus in marshland, before the gradual descent to the NY state line and end of the trail.

Southern end in West Rupert.

At this point we were hungry and found sustenance at Shermans, the local general store.

We enjoyed the gradual descent back to the car.

We camped at Lake St. Catherine State Park and headed out on Sunday to ride the northern section: Poultney to Castleton and back, in addition to pedaling around central Poultney on the Slate Valley grassy track. The D&H route was gravel lined, the section I did solo a couple years back on the way back from visiting the Poughkeepsie, NY area, but happy to share it this time with my partner.

A wonderful weekend away, with bicycles, that keeps us exploring! Learning history is the cream. I discovered the D&H Railroad was a broader system, more like a system of spokes, that transported goods from rural communities. A section of the D&H in Pennsylvania has also been converted to rail trail.

We're also interested in returning to the Poultney region to explore the Slate Valley mountain bike trails. I marvel at new trails that are within a two hour drive from home.

Bike Overnight - Amtrak One Way, Castleton to Home

Double panniers and a Soma Lucas front rack proved the best setup on Rachel.

I'm always thinking of the next weekend overnight. What new destination motivates me? Should it be one-way or two? Use Amtrak or leave from home? Foremost, the decision hedges on a dry weekend forecast and secondly, where there's an open campsite. When these factors align, usually on Thursday, then I have two days to pack, leaving on Saturday. 

Roll to the station, and remove the front wheel on board.

In July, I decided to take Amtrak 2 hours south to Castleton, then ride north on rolling hills to Crown Point State Park, one of my favorite camping spots, then homeward the next day. And bonus: my husband wanted to drive and set up the tent, so I was excited to have company for the evening.

Smiling, hydrated, and riding over the safe, wonderful, and historical Champlain Bridge crossing.

I hadn't ridden this segment of the Lake Champlain Bikeways route for about 15 years, back when I looped the southern portion - from Burlington south. I have, however, stayed at the campsite periodically, twice on my own, and once with Adele. 

I disembarked Amtrak, easily put my bike back together and set off. Since I originally planned to camp on my own, I carried 4 panniers, everything but the tent, which in hindsight added some difficulty, yet I was determined to see it though. With nearly 50 miles ahead of me in mid 80's heat, I grabbed some food, and set off. The route was more hilly, of course, than I remembered, and needing to cut off elevation and snaking turns, Google helped straighten the route, through orchards, over a beautiful mountain, adding more dirt roads to the mix. I was tired and ran out of water (note to self, don't ever do that again), but my husband rode from the campground, lifting my spirits, giving me liquid.

I learned how well Rachel handles with 4 panniers, so they're keepers! No jostling, rattling, or unwieldly handling. I've used front low rider racks in the past on other bikes, but the bargain Soma Lucas worked perfectly. And I was reminded again of Rachel's sweet low gearing - she climbs mountains! 

We had a milk shake, and I rehydrated from the restroom, taking a much needed break, before crossing the amazing bridge to the campground.

The evening was very warm. We roamed the campground, discovered the Samuel Champlain monument was open to visitors - who knew? We climbed the claustrophobic, circular stone staircase to a spectacular pre-sunset view of the lake and bridge. What a treat.

I did myself a favor leaving the second set of panniers in the car on Sunday morning. After early showers, a cold front moved in, and the next 50 miles homeward, was lovely! Fortified with scones, plenty of water and gentle terrain (only a few hills), the return was pleasant on paved roads. Lots of farmland, orchards, old cemeteries, and mostly quiet roads. 

Feeling like myself on the second day, I took a long break to eat a big lunch before riding the last 20 miles. The thistle-like monsters towered over me on Greenbush Road in Charlotte.

I cruised the last flat miles on the Burlington Greenway, by the Amtrak station, until reaching home.

Inaugural Bike Overnight with the Specialized Hard Rock

 

In May I set out on an easy peasy 15 mile ride to meet up with my significant other for an overnight at a state park lean to. The goal was to see how the Hard Rock fared with camping weight.

My sleep system was piled atop the Jack the Bike Rack...

...with a homemade pouch strapped below. I have toured in the past with this rack, undermounting a couple items that ended up falling out on bumpy terrain using only webbing attachments. The pouch idea work better, and with daisy chain webbing surrounding the opening, the 4-hook cargo net secured both sleep quilt and pouch items in place.

The stuffed pouch rubbed a bit against one side of the V-brakes, so a little alteration is needed. However, this solution will provide added security and take advantage of the extra space beneath the rack.

I arrived ahead of my glamping partner and I was pleased at the private lean-to.

Chairs, cooler, good food, and beer - plus my guy - were welcome additions.

Packing up the dusty bike for the return ride home.

Enough pink for ya?

The trip was a success. I love when a simple overnight works out, you get to test gear, and miles of smiles is worth the simple getaway. Jack the Bike Rack works better on this older bike, keeping front weight low. As expected the Hard Rock handles touring weight just fine, and the cushy tires add a plush, comfortable ride.

Riding in Fort Collins - Visiting Family & Extraordinary Biking Infrastructure

Riding easier trails in Soapstone Prairie, just north of Fort Collins.

I went to Fort Collins in early June, primarily to visit #1 son and his girlfriend. What I didn't expect was how much I missed the high desert, the climate reminding me of Central Oregon.

Our son has always been thoughtful. He arranged a few things to do, lucking into a once a year benefit pancake breakfast in Big Thompson Canyon, which included a craft show in the firehouse.

Our days were filled with lots of riding on the extensive Fort Collins bike paths, and lots of restaurant eating, and tacos at a food truck.

Fossil Creek Trail

Fort Collins preserved land outside of the residential region, so trails snake through grasslands, along inner city creeks, into single track on the west side border. Signage is stellar so you can't get too lost. There's even a printed bike map.

I walked some everyday, tagging along with their dog, Doughnut's twice a day stroll. They live near City Park so we often checked in on the waterfowl.

Both my son and his girlfriend are cyclists, so I fit his old Peugeot (lower right photo), a bike he doesn't ride anymore. With a rag and some lube we cleaned it up and it still works remarkably well. We visited a few bike shops also.

Saw some wonderful public art.

And went to a few brew pubs. We toured the iconic New Belgium Brewery. I didn't care for any of their beers, but I liked their sour beer - first for me - probably because they're fermented in oak barrels. New Belgium has supported the bike community, holding short track series on their property and hosting many bike events throughout the year. My favorite brewery was Maxline Brewing. We went on the bingo night, had great food truck sandwich - food trucks are big in Fort Collins. Maxline also had the best IPA. 

Our son's girlfriend is into biking bigtime. We watched her in the last short track event of the season.

Early mornings were quiet. I had coffee and read my book, sniffing the sage I had found along a trail.

One day we hiked in Rocky Mountain National Park to a beautiful waterfall.

Horestooth Reservoir is a playground for hikers, boaters, and mountain bikers. I went with our son's girlfriend's group meetup, hoping for gentle trails, but due to 90F heat we rode switchbacks up a shady slope. It was too technical for me, also due to not being fully adjusted to altitude. I stopped several times, and enjoyed the scenery.

Descending was scary, but I eventually made it without mishap.

They are much easier mountain bike trails, and my son brought me to lovely Soapstone Prairie, 30+ minutes north of Fort Collins. I was in love! Manageable trails, tiny cactus, lovely wildflowers, prairie dogs, and an extensive network of hiking and bike trails through short grass prairie environment. It was fun to descend and climb though small washes.

We met up with a couple I hadn't seen in 20+ years. He's a regular bike commuter to his office downtown but for an early Sunday morning ride we met up, and did a lovely loop on low traffic roads just west of Fort Collins. We met up later in the day for dinner at their home.

To catch my return flight from Denver, my son set us up for a Fort Collins express bus (express lane) / train transfer to the airport that worked extremely well, and of course, his escort was immense help. I imagine driving would be inefficient, especially because of early weekday morning traffic. 

Fort Collins, I'll be back.