Three Day Dahon Adventure During Peak Foliage

I prefer to streamline luggage into as few bags as possible-less to keep track of.

In late October, peak foliage and weather aligned for a two-night, 3-day one-way ride on my Dahon Boardwalk. It was also an experiment, hauling extra gear on small wheels.  As mentioned before, I enjoy taking Amtrak, especially with a folding bike, because I avoid the standard bicycle reservation. Folding bikes are treated as luggage. The goal this time was to ride more of the Empire State Trail, a mostly trail-only segment from Hudson, NY northward, then explore the Saratoga Battlefield - a place I've meant to visit for 30+ years.

After several hours of staring out the train window at the spectacular fall color, anxious to ride, I arrived at 3 pm in Hudson, NY. Time was of the essence. I had 3 hours of daylight to ride 17 miles to a motel. 

The sunshine and warmth were intoxicating. I immediately stumbled onto these abandoned Hudson River fishing camps and I remembered something about their controversial removal. I couldn't linger, so I immediately connected with the Empire Trail—straight up a hill!

The Electric Trolley portion of the Empire State Trail was a gentle roller coaster, running beneath powerlines, overall hillier than a standard rail trail, yet the route was straightforward with adequate signage. The amount of on-road sections were more frequent than I expected, however, lower traffic, and winding through the colorful landscape beside a river had its merit. Pushing daylight, I managed to buy food and arrive at a motel by sunset.

I had invited a friend to join me, but she wasn't feeling well. I'm comfortable traveling solo so I don't let the lack of companionship deter me. It's important to keep exploring, and I certainly couldn't pass up this opportunity during peak foliage!

The next morning was chilly but I came prepared, so with a little backtracking I was soon back on route, heading northwest towards Albany. More rollers, more sublime scenery, including riding beside beautiful lakes.

Nassau Lake.

By late morning, I rode by more urban areas, connected with neighborhood roads, and eventually lost a lot of elevation in Rensselaer/Troy communities, arriving at the Hudson River. 

From there it was a familiar route, heading northward on the Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail to my accommodation in Troy. Well ahead of check-in time, I decided to enjoy the last 10 miles.

I noticed that my front bag was coming apart, though it would probably hold up for the rest of the trip. Between the gravel trail, some dirt roads, the possibly overstuffed bag unlatched from its Klickfix attachment a couple times, though not dangerously so - I wind the shoulder strap around the handlebars for extra security. I caught the problem immediately in both instances and stopped to reattach it firmly in place. 

I spent the next several miles savoring the sunshine, thinking it was probably time to investigate using a front rack. Initially, I didn't want to add more weight to a 30 lb. bicycle - also carrying it on board trains - but redistributing the weight near the front wheel would likely improve handling and visibility, offsetting added rack weight. I already own midsize panniers. I also worried that the plastic Klickfix attachment might fail under too much load - the problem sometimes with proprietary gear. A small duffel or trunk bag on the rear rack could further enhance carrying capacity. 

Entering Troy, I found a riverside spot and enjoyed an early dinner at Browns Brewing due to the lack of eateries near my accommodation.

Afterward, I pedaled on, and scouted the B&B spot, but still early for check-in, nearby I discovered an entrance to Oakwood Cemetery. I pushed my bike up the steep road until gaining the plateau. What a stunning, winding, beautifully landscaped cemetery with many old graves, gates, monuments, and churches! I could spend hours wandering the grounds and put it on my radar to return someday.

Uncle Sam Bikeway. 

Upon my descent, I also found the Uncle Sam Bikeway, a trail I would take the next morning northward that would bypass narrow roads through neighborhoods.

Between the cemetery and the newly discovered trail, it felt like gifts. I allow extra time and/or don't focus on riding all day because I thoroughly enjoy finding new treasures.

The third day started wonderfully, chatting with an English couple at breakfast, setting off riding the colorful Uncle Sam Bikeway, then northward on the Champlain Canalway Trail.

The trail ended and I followed Empire State Trail signs northward on secondary roads, hugging the west side of the Hudson River. In Stillwater, I ate lunch in a lovely riverside park complete with a reconstructed blockhouse, watching and listening to geese and ducks in the water. 

Five miles later, I heard a bang and my bike was forced to a halt. Yikes, this wasn't good! I got off the road into the grass, and inspected the flat rear tire, discovering a 1.5" slash. Not good at all. Checking the road berm, I found sharp, flat scissors. Somehow, I hadn't seen them. I spent the next hour, dismantling the rear wheel, not an easy task, but I had brought a special long-handled 14/15mm wrench for axle and pedal removal, booted the gash with sections of blown tube, and inserted a new tube. Unfortunately, as suspected, I couldn't inflate the tire much without the new tube bulging through the cut. 

Two vehicles had stopped to see if I was okay. I assured them and waved them on. After the "repair" I rolled the bike - at least it was rollable - back to an intersection where a route headed more directly to Saratoga Springs and the Amtrak Station where I had a return reservation later that day. With my thumb out, the second car immediately pulled over (a vehicle with a bike on the back - yay!) and Anita brought me to a bike shop in Saratoga Springs. Unfortunately, the mechanics didn't have a narrow enough tire, so Anita then drove me to the Amtrak Station, gave me her bag of leftover pretzels, and felt bad about leaving me there 2 hours before departure. Holy cow, what a kind woman! 

My adventure proved that it's worth allowing extra time and cyclists are generally wonderful people. I texted Anita when I got home so she knew I was safe. I had also invited her to come and ride with me in Vermont. I plan to pay this favor forward to others.

As for visiting the Saratoga Battlefield, I'm monitoring the fall weather. I now know a lovely B&B place to return to for a fresh redo of that day.