Rail to Bicycle trail plan

[Snowballs]

This is a dead Rail line from North Creek to the Tahawus Mine by Newcomb and the High Peaks. This *may* make a decent tourist draw especially if bike camping is allowed. It's of course a very pretty area and i think the terminus is on the back side area of Marcy? Any way, it might help North Creek by making a low cost, attractive addition to the area's fun factor. Tons of cyclists come to the Tour(s) de Battenkill, Whiteface downhill, Placid etc, already. An easy Wilderness Bike Trail w/camping would be a cool unique pedal. We'ld definitely ride it, sans camping.

http://www.poststar.com/news/local/article_e65939ea-daf4-11de-9c78-001cc4c002e0.html

The Great Camp Santanoni, featured on a Gore Gondola placard, is up that way. It's a really cool Bike ride in itself. Open to hikers, cyclists, cross country skiers....the 7.5 mile dirt road back to the Great Camp is not a very hard ride. The final drop down to Newcomb lake is the only "big" hill and one can easily walk up it on the return trip if necessary.

The Camp's grounds are open to the public year round and USUALLY has guides during summer daylight hours who open the building. The Camp's intricate log exterior is in great condition with the interior needing care. Take swim clothes and a picnic lunch. Many times you'll have the Camp, it's large verandas and beautiful Newcomb lake all to yourself. For a few hours, you can " have your own " Lakeside ADK Great Camp. Sit on it's huge porches. Laugh, play, hike and picnic on the grounds. Swim in the crystal clear lake. All in complete sirene silence. I know because, we been done did it. A Fantastic summer afternoon.

After ascending the lakeside hill, the trip out is a quick, fun ride. You'll mostly coast and fly on the way out....A really cool, fast trip. Check out the large stone Gate House and it's gift store. There's also Horse Carriages for hire. These need prior arrangement.

Harv, you and your's should do this some time. It's....... Very Interesting!!!

The Guides will have large Scrapebooks full of old newspaper clippings, photos, and history of the area, the Camp and it's people.

There's a REEAAL nice town public beach area w/picnic shelters and bath houses on Lake Harris near the Santanoni trail head, RT 28N. Again, you may also have this beach mostly to yourself. Many ADK lakes are that way. For a day, you essentaily have your own piece of sparkling clear ADK glory like a Robber Baron or Iroquios of old. It's Priceless. Get yourself some! 8)

[Harvey44]

This is a dead Rail line from North Creek to the Tahawus Mine by Newcomb and the High Peaks. This *may* make a decent tourist draw especially if bike camping is allowed.

We've cross country skied on those tracks, early season, in low snow years. From North River up to the Boris Bridge, and beyond. If the rails were removed it would make it skiable in even less snow. Not sure how that would work with the snowmachine traffic.

We've also skied those tracks farther up near Tahawas.


The Great Camp Santanoni....

This is a prime xcski route for a low snow year. It's basically an old road, so it doesn't need much cover.

And Newcomb is a magic spot. There seems to be good snow in Newcomb, when everything else is thin.

I'll never forget skiing there, on a BRUTALLY cold day. The high for the day was 5 below, and it was windy. When we got out there we found three older folks - no kidding - pushing 80 years old - sitting at one of the picnic tables - eating shrimp with cocktail sauce and drinking tea. They were having the time of their life.

We had to leave them there. We were dressed to ski in those condition, but not socialize. We had some broth from a thermos and got moving again.

[Snowballs]

I'll never forget skiing there, on a BRUTALLY cold day. The high for the day was 5 below, and it was windy. When we got out there we found three older folks - no kidding - pushing 80 years old - sitting at one of the picnic tables - eating shrimp with cocktail sauce and drinking tea. They were having the time of their life.

Way cool story. They probably sat at the same picnic table as Me and mine.

This guys are onto something BIG with this bike trail. Unicorns do exist.

Read thru these slides for the Awesome Details.

http://www.upperhudson.org/Presentation_1.html#1

http://upperhudson.org/Presentation_2.html#1

[Snowballs]

Map and a picture.

http://upperhudson.org/

This is a prime route. It skirts the Hudson River and it's Gorge. There is a short public foot trail into the Gorge that's heavily lined with wild flowers in the spring. The other waters this bike trail crosses, like lil Miss Opalescent, are said to be beautiful. Plus the High Peaks and lakes at the bike trail's northern end - legendary hiking terrain. The many, many hiking trails there are the best in the Nation, the views Storied. Then there's the water. Many winter only visitors are just unaware how nice it is. Clear sparkling lakes and truly radiant streams are common. Some just take your breathe away. Word.

What a great, low impact way for people to enjoy the ADKs!

I agree with that Curtis Austin, this is the kinda bike trail people will drive to and could easily become a " Best in the East. " Bicycle tourism is drawing big numbers up here..... and it's Green! The Tahawus Trail's easier to pedal aspect and long journey thru the heart of the ADK's would make for one designer, en vogue bike ride. Shuttles from North Creek dropping cyclists off " upstream ", so to speak, and the basically descending bike ride back would rock. Wave and ring your bike's bell when passing by Harv's....

Add Lodging at the Tahawus end for a " Bike and Hike Vacation " and you'ld have Nirvania for the active crowd.

It would be a very, very wise move just to get that Right of Way into the Federal Rail Bank.

Cyclists are a destination oriented lot. This tourism sector is growing strong in this area even while others wain. The Whiteface Downhill Bicycle area is Top Notch and has National/World fame and there's other bike trails there. Now this very unique Tahawus Trail, plus the mega popular Tour(s) De Battenkill and the newbie bike downhill areas of Gore and West Mtn - the area's poised to become a Bicycle Mecca!

Cyclists have money and they will travel to destinations in droves. The infra structure they need is relatively cheap and their sport is a quiet, non polluting, very low impact use of the land. Could be a big win/win.

[Snowballs]

" Teddy Roosevelt's Wild Ride to the Presidency Bicycle Race ".

" Vice President Teddy Roosevelt was hiking on Mt. Marcy out of the Tahawus Club when he got the news President McKinley was dying. During a raging thunderstorm, he raced through the ADK wilderness night from the Tahawus Club to the Railroad Platform at North Creek to become the U.S. President. Retrace His steps. Ride his race route on ..... Teddy Roosevelt's Wild Ride to the Presidency Bicycle Race..... held in the Heart of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. " <<<< That has " Hit! " written all over it!

This Tahawus Bike Trail follows much of Roosevelt's route that famous night. It would make a excellent, possibly very popular bicycle race. It could make a great Marathon race. " Teddy Roosevelt's Wild Ride to the Presidency Marathon Race ".

Cyclists and runners love to race, especially at cool locations......which this is. Their races draw many people. Though only 5 years young, The Tour De Battenkill bike race now floods southern Washington County hotels/etc for a week or so each year plus it's going to twice a year with the Fall ride AND it's rapidly growing. Many Riders actually say it's one of the best Tour rides in the Nation. (Emerging Bike Mecca?) Both Cyclists and Runners, plus their families, will travel to destinations for races.

There, I formated and gave cool names for two races that could easily be Big annual area events. This Tahawus Bike Trail seems to make sense/fit at many facets.

You're welcome Stirling. :wink:

*** Would the Tahawus Open Pit Mine and it's environs, lend itelf to a natural, already made, awesome Downhill/Freestyle/BMX terrain park??? *** Even after any clean up, it's always going to remain an open pit area anyway....why not a bike area? just sayin. Could be Rad tho.

http://www.upperhudson.org/Presentation_1.html#33 Partial Aerial Photo of the mine.


http://www.buffalohistoryworks.com/panamex/assassination/chase.htm

[adkskier]

NL has retained ownership of the open pit mining area. They sold the pristine property to the Open Space Institute. This still leaves a tremendous recreational resource. I'm not sure if they retained ownership so that they might mine again in the future (just potential) or if it was simpler to avoid any potential clean up of the sort of environmental stuff that happens in mining areas. Either way, don't look for the mining area to join the trail project.
This is a very cool project that will require support. I'd urge readers to follow the developments on the upperhudson.org website as well as following on Twitter. Right now those who join the "Friends..." group are most valuable for spreading enthusiasm and moral support. In the future there may be some opportunities for real hands on work or financial support. Lots of details and potential hurdles ahead. It may be hard to believe that there will be opposition, but there will be.

[Snowballs]

Link to the Open Space Institute's web page on Tahawus. It's right side column has more links to related info.

http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Adirondacks_Tahawus

http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Feature_History_Tahawus

http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Adirondacks_North_Creek

http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Adirondacks_Last_Chance_Ranch

Mine Area photos.

http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TawahusGallery_lb

It kinda like this has been a closed back door into the Mountains. A new southern gate into the High Peaks Trail Zone could be very useful, advantagous and offer new opportunities. Would be cool if the OSI Tahawus translated into cabins/lodging for people. The only other such places to lodge "in the Mtns" are the Private Ausble Club in St Hurbert's, the semi private ADK Loj at Heart Lake and the private Tahawus Club. It wouldn't hurt anything and it would be fair if some Public lodging were possible like these others at the feet of the High Peaks zone. The mine area already has years of use by inhabitants, an established land use record, so to speak.

Come to think of it, that whole Tahawus parcel and bike trail needs to become a State Park. It has Lakes, it's open/semi cleared/developed and with State Park facilities it would provide people with a very low impact way to enjoy, experience and use the amazing High Peaks area. It would be a true Jewel.

[Snowballs]

Photos of the many Bridges on the Tahawus trail.

http://www.adirondackbranch.net/bTa.html

Below is a Great web site on the Adirondack Railroad's history from Saratoga to NC/Tahawus. Click the links on it's left side column. Under the General History link, click on the 'Ski Train Photo ' for info and more photos of the early Ski trains. The " Stories " link looks like it has tons of unique historical info. click the photo icons.

http://www.adirondackbranch.net/index.html

[Snowballs]

Tahawus Mine Site stoke and porn!!!

Again, click the picture icons for Tons! of Photos and info. This is by far the most comprehensive, complete look into Tahawus that i've ever see. That Web site I linked is layers, layers deep.


http://www.adirondackbranch.net/sTa.html

[I:)skiing]

Snoballs...thanks for all your work on this. I am becomming a Friend of the Railway.

There is a trail..NCR that is just north of Baltimore. It was one of the first rails to trails. The neighbors hated the idea...decrease their property values and all.....that said, they routinely threw trash, like cars, cans, etc over the hill which was viewed from the rail.

The Friends reached out to the neighbors and picked up all of their trash along 23 miles in Md....In time, those property values have skyrocketed....they have build apartments and expensive townhomes near the line with the ads saying..1 mile from NCR. As Austin pointed out...the locals will use this trail 100% more than visitors. THese trails are the new "front porch" for neighborhoods.


Paving vs stone dust. Along the Potomac river there are actually TWO of these trails in some areas. One along the C.O is stone dust..the other is along a rail line...paved. More folks prefer the stone dust for running and light mtn biking type bikes. I put smooth tires on my Mtn Bike for the trails....works great. My advice to this obviously well infomed person is....stone dust..not paved. Maintence alone. In Md we only get one week of very cold temp around 10degrees. NorthCountry..would be deadly for paved surfaces...I think unless there is some type of technology that would stop the shrinking/expansion process that I am unaware of. There is a paved rail/trail outside of Annapolis Md (our capital0 that is so damaged with settlement cracks one would never think to rollar blade on it. And this is located in one of the more affluent counties and goes through some expensive neighborhoods...again who tout the trail being in their backyard.

For NorthRiver folks....Embrace this....your property values will go up.

I would also agree that this would be one of the most scenic trails in the East. It would become a MUST do of any bike rider or runner within 300 miles of the area.

[I:)skiing]

Got a grant....


http://www.denpubs.com/Articles-c-2009-12-03-65911.113116-sub8590.113116_Grant_received_for_trail_from_North _Creek_to_Tahawus.html

[Snowballs]

Thanks Skiing. I'm with you on the stone dust surface vs paving. Stone dust is much more durable, easily repaired and it pedals/rolls real nice, almost as easy as pavement. Read somewhere it's a lil harder on bikes - prolly the high dollar road bikes. I still vote for the stone dust.

Hopefully they can at least get the line in the Federal Rail Bank. Glad you joined. I and hopefully others will follow suit.

Please keep us posted on project news.

[I:)skiing]

This is a well made magizine (see link below)......maybe it would be a good idea to subscribe everyone in North River, or get lots of free copies and set them in stores. It def shows the value of a good trail to the community and State.

They are about to finish a rail/trail that will follow the c.o canal starting in front of the Watergate Hotel in DC and go all the way to North Pittsburgh...about 150 miles. Ohio just finished 78 miles....if someone gets a plan about 40 miles would connect these.


Whether it is the C/O canal trail or the NCR trail near my home.....the bikers/runners are 1) 20-80 yrs old....many kids under 6 but not (unfortunately) between 6 and 20. 2) middle income---guessed by the bikes and clothes. 3) in shape. 4) willing to spend cash. And there are ALOT of them. Noise? None. In fact you hear mothers/fathers saying SHHH...we are in nature. North River...this will be a boon for you! I do understand the concern if snow mobiles would be permitted. Not sure how that would work...so I have no opinion.


online@railstotrails.org

[Snowballs]

More Evidence of the Bicycle's Prowess

This week's Chronicle carries an article on a new area bicycle event for next August. The event is a 6 day ride from this area, Queensbury, to Montreal. The event, billed as a tour vacation will go thru Lake George, Ticonderoga, Plattsburg then Montreal.
OVER 2,000 CYCLISTS ARE EXPECTED! Tour organizer's say usually 1,500 would be expected for such an event but because of the location well over 2,000 are expected! What a boost to the area economy! Bicycles are starting to raining hundreds of thousands of dollars on this area. The Tahawus Trail will freekin rock esp. if they have the " Teddy Roosevelt's Wild Ride to the Presidency Bicycle Race " each year. Cyclists LOVE to race. They also love to tour or just ride. They have money and they will travel to cool locations in droves.

This area is well postioned to become a Bike Mecca. It needs somebody like a Downhill Mike to pull it together. A person with passion and insight could do well for the area. It wouldn't be long before it's nationally then globally known to the cycle world. Bicycle tourism is green, low impact, low noise and usually needs no new infrastructure or at least very little and that infrastructure is very low maintainance.

Who in the heck wouldn't wanna ride here? Face, best in the East Downhill. Tour de Battenkil, Best in the Nation tour, Gore and West mtn downhill. Tahawus Trail, Lake Champlain trail plus many other trails. i would even market all the thousands of lakes and tell them wicked cool spots to swim/picnic while they ride/visit, linking together different trails, lodging, camping, dining and plenty of other tourist stuff all surrounded by ADK beauty.

More info www.velo.qc.ca

[I:)skiing]

Mike you reading listening. This trail will bring you customers for sure. You rock man. Here is somewinter work

[Snowballs]

This bike tour is BIG! North Creek could cash in with the Tahawus bike trail. It needs to at least be placed in the rail land bank for safe keeping, WHILE NATIONAL LEAD IS IN THE MOOD. I may have to get active in that pursuit. Cyclists have money and are more than glad to travel, esp to nature type locations.

http://capitalregion.ynn.com/?ArID=501986

Tour de Battenkill ( a great tubing river!) The bike thing in Ticonderoga I posted earlier and the Bike park at Face......There's a huge hole right in the middle, North Creek!

Stirling.....are you on this one?

[Snowballs]

" The Battenkill Pro Invitational is one of only six races on the international professional calendar and featured a strong cast of international cyclists."- Post Star.

I find that impressive for a race that's only been around 6 years. When any of the Cyclists are interviewed on local TV, they're very enthusiastic about the Battenkill events and tend to speaking in glowing terms about the events and the area's course. There's different ride days in the spring spreading over 2 weekends and then another few days of events later in the year. A few years ago, we were going to the River to tube it and there were riders everywhere, all day. It was cool watching them ride as we drove along and they even crossed the covered bridge where we exit the river at Rexleigh. That year, bikes were also racing downtown Glens Falls.


Home / News / Local
Fairley wins, Landis second at Battenkill Pro Invitiational
Story Discussion Will Springstead springstead@poststar.com | Posted: Sunday, April 18, 2010 4:11 pm | (0) Comments

Font Size: Default font size Larger font size CAMBRIDGE -- Caleb Fairley won the Tour of the Battenkill Pro Invitational cycling race on Sunday.

Floyd Landis, who won the Tour de France in 2006 before being stripped of his title, finished second. The finish was Landis' best in eight races this season. His previous high finish was 19th. Landis was scheduled to ride here last (sic) year, but pulled out on the eve of the event.

Jay Robert Thompson was third.

The Battenkill Pro Invitational is one of only six races on the international professional calendar and featured a strong cast of international cyclists.

For more on this story, check back to poststar.com later Sunday or in Monday's paper.

[adkskier]

The Friends of the Upper Hudson Rail Trail have updated their website at www.upperhudson.org. They need $$ to support progress toward making the trail a reality. Sign up for a membership today.

[Snowballs]

Got this in the e-box today. ADK bike trails.


http://visitadirondacks.com/newsroom/press-releases/adirondack-alpine-springtime-bikes-and-hikes?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=bikinghiking&utm_campaign=2010spring

No mention of Whiteface, Wilmington or Gore biking trails.

Does anyone know if we're allowed to bike just any old trail, official hiking trail, etc in the ADK's? Sure would hate to get in trouble or have Ranger Rick take my bike.

[Harvey44]

Bikes are not allowed in Wilderness.

Wildforest yes. Moose River Plains has huge bike potential.

Rules are funny because you can use horse draw wagons in the Wilderness at certain times of year. (Hunting).

It's a traditional use so I think that 's why they allow it.

[Snowballs]

Thanks Harv. I've never been up to the Moose River Plains (and Black River?). They look really scenic in photos. Great canoeing too, I believe.

DEC announced this week they figure there's between 400-500 Moose in NY. Sure would like to see some. 5 years ago there was a Mama moose unt 2 babies right here in my neighborhood all summer but we had no luck seeing them. We see all kinds of wildlife as we get about but no moose!!! Maybe this year. We will be going back to Maine to ride the Quads and eat Lobsters. FYI as low as $3.00 per lb for those of you who like Lobster. Perhaps we'll see some Moose too. They would require ALOT of butter, eh?

[I:)skiing]

DEC announced this week they figure there's between 400-500 Moose in NY. Sure would like to see some. 5 years ago there was a Mama moose unt 2 babies right here in my neighborhood all summer but we had no luck seeing them. We see all kinds of wildlife as we get about but no moose!!! Maybe this year



Look at GM photo of the day.....Really cool. I heard lots of noise behind my home wonder if baby or momma were nearby. This looks like the big curve, I am close to it.

[Snowballs]

Look at GM photo of the day.....Really cool. I heard lots of noise behind my home wonder if baby or momma were nearby. This looks like the big curve, I am close to it.

Hey that's cool. It may have been Moosesis you heard. Be careful. They can be very aggressive.

We can't wait to see one. My honey thinks they're beautiful.....I think they're dumb looking.

Maybe you heard a Sasquatch I:)skiing......There's a Police Officer from Whitehall ( southern point of Lake Champlain) who swears the Beastie Susquatch walked right across in front of his police cruiser one night.

I haven't seen one of those yet either. Not sure I'ld admit it if I did. hehehe.

[Snowballs]

Supporting evidence of the bicycle's business potential....

http://poststar.com/article_f2459788-5e13-11df-93b5-001cc4c03286.html

http://poststar.com/news/local/article_f4e92a5e-5e13-11df-a805-001cc4c03286.html

[I:)skiing]

Another good story Snoballs. Thanks.


Been meaning to post this question, maybe you have heard. I heard rumor that since the Fed govt is going to spend money to fix up the rail south of NC for some business down there, that the quary in North River is planning on reopening the line in NC commercially. If that occurs, would I be right in saying the Tawhus trail would be dead...or Indian North River might be the start.

[Snowballs]

I:)skiing, all I've seen is the article http://poststar.com/news/local/article_067c04e8-549c-11df-ab91-001cc4c002e0.html which I believe you've seen. It reads to me like the cargo aspect from NC is still very tenative. Not sure where the Barton connection is at on the rail line but probably would eliminate the lower portion of the Tahawus Bike trail.??? Sure hope this speculation doesn't prevent the whole line from being placed in the Federal Rail Bank. My heart is with the whole line becoming a bike trail but my mind kinda supports the cargo aspect too.

[Snowballs]

* Warren County Planning and Community Development Committee

Top story

* Warren County Economic Development Corp. President Len Fosbrook said officials with the Olympic Regional Development Authority have talked to an event promoter about bringing a 100-mile cycling race to the region next summer. ORDA has recommended Warren County as the site for the event, Fosbrook said, although no discussions have been held yet with the promoter.

Fosbrook declined to name the promoter, but said during the meeting that he was involved in the Lake Placid Ironman triathlon and now organizes cycling events in the Midwest and Canada.

County supervisors and department heads met Tuesday to discuss recruiting the event and reviewed a presentation from ORDA about its potential impact.

The committee expressed its support for pursuing the event. The next step will be arranging a meeting with the promoter, Fosbrook said.

http://poststar.com/news/local/article_b1b7b924-6a8b-11df-ad8a-001cc4c03286.html

[x10003q]

* ORDA has recommended Warren County as the site for the event, Fosbrook said, although no discussions have been held yet with the promoter.


Translation:

ORDA does not want to screw up any roads leading into and around Lake Placid. They also recommended closing Route 28 from Warrensburg to Blue Mountain Lake (50 miles one way) for the race and also suggested having it the weekend of July 2,3,4, 2011. This would be fine for LP.

[I:)skiing]

I have been on some long bike rides on biways...really do not need to close the road....just place cones every 100yrds over 1/2 the wide of one lane. Tells drivers stay close to yellow line or split it...drivers on the other side, move over. !

[I:)skiing]

I received this email, thought you might enjoy also....I tried highlighting the last paragraph, but could not for some reason :roll:

A meeting June 12th,....they say bring hiking boots, wonder why? Its my son's B-day, otherwise we would have driven up this weekend. Heading to Fla.



Hello, trail lovers:


It was one year ago that several people began to think that it was a good time to launch an effort to convert the unused "Tahawus Extension" of the North Creek railway to a rail trail. Let me review what has happened since, where we're headed, and the things we must do to be successful.


But first, the goal: Create a unique, world-class bike trail stretching 29 miles from the classic Adirondack town of North Creek to the magical destination of Tahawus - the foot of the High Peaks, a place of history, sublime wilderness and the source of the Hudson River. An awesome recreational opportunity for our visitors, inspiration for a more healthy lifestyle among our residents, and a boon to our economy.


The challenges in creating a bike trail are always enormous. We have made some great progress, but we are reaching a point where some serious public support will help influence some key decisions. That's where you come in, and we are grateful for your help.


So, let's review:


The first few months of this project were spent quietly checking on basic feasibility. We found mostly positive answers to our questions, and we went public on the idea early last fall. We held the first meeting of the Friends of the Upper Hudson Rail Trail last September. We spent some months formalizing this organization over the winter. We met with DEC and APA to get some sense of the challenges we might face with state agencies. We created a website, a Twitter account, and a Facebook page. We've gotten some good press and have done other things to get the word out.


The nature of bike trail projects is that they are managed locally by people who have never created one before. It's a good idea to get help from folks who have, so we established relationships with Rails to Trail Conservancy and especially Parks and Trails New York, with whom we won a highly sought grant that provides exactly the help we need.


We held a meeting in North River to let that community know about our activities and to listen to their concerns. We've been in contact with others who may be affected, including Barton Mines. At this point, we believe our neighbors' concerns can be addressed if we work together. This has been and will remain a major goal of our project.


Another key goal for 2010 is to acquire the right-of-way, directly or through an organization like OSI. We have been talking to NL Industries and they are currently studying their options. These wheels can turn slowly, but we do have them turning. The legal nature of railroad ROWs is complex; we have done a great deal of work to understand our ROW so we can resolve any issues quickly. The overall idea is to assemble a package that is "funding ready."


The remaining goal for 2010 is to strengthen our organization. I'm very pleased with the folks we have working on the project. We are growing at a rate that matches our needs - but only barely. We've incorporated, have a 501(c)(3) application in the works, a good strategy to reach our near-term goals, and good connections to the community. The big job of generating overwhelming public support has only just begun, however: there are meetings to attend, hands to shake, outreach to do, and much more. We don't need a lot of money at this point, but we do need some in order to act as a strong organization. Please become a formal member by applying online on our website.


All in all, it seems like our timing has been just right. Good things are happening, enthusiasm is very high. This month's Conservation magazine has the first DEC commissioner on the cover - riding a bike! Inside, there's a photo of current Commissioner Pete Grannis - also on a bike! Since one potential sticking point for our project is how DEC will regard the portion of our ROW over state land, these are amazingly timely images.


There's much more! Please attend our first general membership meeting this Saturday at the North Creek Ski Bowl Lodge at 10:30AM, June 12. Bring your favorite food or snack and beverage, your hiking boots or your bicycle. We'll have coffee for you. I'll give a slide show (I'm working on a Google Earth tour), we'll talk, get you signed up as member (free or paid memberships available - no pressure). Then we'll see about walking out on the tracks or going for a ride or both.


And you can always learn more by checking our website, and signing on to our twitter and facebook pages - links below.


Thanks for your support.


Curt Austin


Friends of the Upper Hudson Rail Trail


http://www.upperhudson.org
http://twitter.com/upperhudson
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Upper-Hudson-Rail-Trail/102812963094737

[Snowballs]

Got it covered, Skiing....I attended today's meeting, got to see the new Ski Bowl Lodge and had my first meal in NC.

Alot of interesting info on the Tahawus Bike trail including a " fly over " video of the trail corridor. That part was wicked cool. To see the mtn contours, lakes, rivers, homes, bridges really brings it to life. Much of the trail is secluded woodland. All of it is very scenic traveling aside 3 rivers, gorges, forest covered mountains, etc. Most of it will be a Woo Hoo! 8) fun kinda ride....about 17 miles of it is a 2% grade descent that bikes will " coast " @ 18 mph. 17 Miles!!! hehehe...That spells fun. Long downhill cruises are the absolute bomb and enable even occasional riders to ride long distances. Imo, there's no doubt this will make a great, unique trail.

The situation is it's time to start garnering wide spread support for the trail and take it to the next step. Judging from the stories others there told of bike events, the popularity of biking events around the country draw very large numbers of Cyclists. The numbers are real and growing. It seems to me NC could sorely use the extra business.

People have been saying NC business had a bad year last season. It's like NC is approaching that crossroads again, like another NC cycle of businesses closing. Sure hope that is not so. Having customers during the off season would help them alot. Tahawus Bike Trail could be a huge asset.

Oh yea! It seems you can't look anywhere at the NC scene without some one mentioning Harvey Road. The guy's known and read by everyone who's active in NC. You came up today, Harv. Some one said...." I get my Gore info at this great blog called Harvey Road, This guy writes online...He's great..you gotta check himout! "...blah blah blah. Honest to Pete, you can't swing a dead cat anymore without someone mentioning Harvey Road! Harvey Road!

Harv's one of the brighter stars in the NC sky... Yep, he 'sTele r! :roll:

You famous Harv!

[Snowballs]

Everytime I read or hear about various bicycle events without fail there is always alot of people who visit them.

From the Post Star. http://poststar.com/news/local/article_ef37f81c-7978-11df-920d-001cc4c002e0.html

By DON LEHMAN dlehman@poststar.com | Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 2:55 pm | (0) Comments

Warren County appears close to landing a big bicycle race that could bring 10,000 people or more to the region next June.

County officials are working with promoters of a series of 100-mile bicycle races known as "Centurion" races for an event to be held in Warren County next spring, after Americade.

Centurion races are held in several locations, and attract as many as 10,000 participants. Lake George Supervisor Frank McCoy said the first one would likely attract 2,000 or so riders, but Centurion events tend to grow quickly, he said. And organizers told county officials that each rider typically brings four family members or friends along.

"If you get 40,000 people, you're talking about another Americade, though not as long," he said. "This could turn into another big economic boon for Warren County."

Centurion races typically bring participants and their supporters to town for four days and three nights, McCoy said.

McCoy and Chester Supervisor Fred Monroe were among a group of Warren County officials, including members of the Board of Supervisors and members of the county Economic Development Corp., who met with organizers of the race earlier this month.

Monroe said he was optimistic the event would make its way to Warren County next year. Organizers of Centurion races choose mountainous courses, and they have looked at potential starting and ending spots in Lake George, at Gore Mountain Ski Center or Adirondack Community College, he said.

The courses could go from southern Warren County into southern Essex County before returning to Warren County. Two races - a 25- or a 50-mile race and a 100-mile race - could be held over the weekend, officials said.

"They've got a couple of planned routes that meet their criteria," Monroe said. "I think people are pretty supportive of the concept."

McCoy said Graham Fraser, the organizer of the Iron Man Triathlon in Lake Placid, has been trying to organize the race, and "really likes the area."

Calls to Centurion Cycling have not been returned, and Fraser responded to an e-mail for comment by saying he was preparing to board a plane Wednesday afternoon and would not have time to meet the paper's deadline.

But a June 12 posting on Centurion Cycling's page on the social networking website Facebook reads, "Looks good for a New York event. 22 officials from the Lake George area at meeting. So much support offered, great riding, great venues, looking forward to getting it on the schedule for June 2011."


Posted in Local on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 2:55 pm | Tags: Warren County, Centurion, Bicycle, Race

[Snowballs]

Thought i'ld post this for those who might have missed it, esp I:)skiing. It's a fly over vid of the rail corridor cobbled together from Google earth. If you look real close, you can see Harv laying up firewood and Spongeworthy looking for his bottle opener that I hid on him. ;)

http://www.upperhudson.org/Upper_Hudson_Rail_Trail/Tour.html

@1:20 it shows a large private lake adjacent to the trail that will have to posted to keep people like me! from swimming in it.
@ 2:25 it show the trail going past what I was told is a Barton mine facility.
@ 3:10 it shows the trail w/bridge crossing the Hudson just below the Hudson River Gorge. Then the trail ascends the Boreas.

The man that owns National Lead and this rail corridor is very elderly. Hope it is secured in the Federal Rail Bank before nature takes it's course. Estates can be tied up for years, even decades.

[I:)skiing]

Thanks all good info and excellent reporting.

Did they mention anything as to how the trail would be impacted if the rail line started back up to the mine, as earlier reported.

[Snowballs]

Well, they met with Barton and said something like they(trail people) could get along w/Barton and both could eat the cake so to speak. A non confrontational posture. They did say a train and cyclists can't share the same section of the right of way, too narrow. Barton ran their small " hand trolley" like car down the lower section to knock down some plant growth and when the bike folks asked why they were told " for you guys." Seems Barton would get the lower few miles and the biker's the rest with the final connection for bikes to NC being via the road. That would work. Not as idyllic but functional.

[I:)skiing]

Thanks, that is what I was thinking. Sadly, because the "trail" does not actually begin in NC, NC may loose some of the marketing appeal. Wonder if there would be room to the right of the guard rail to cut and flatten some trail.

Being a dad with a 5yo, while we have ridden on roads, we dont like it. Peace of mind thing....

[Harvey44]

Guys and girls - I have been asleep at the switch. Or more like deeply involved with our new web address and site renovation of Harvey Road. It's taken a huge amount of time and I've learned way too much about HTML and a bunch of other letters. It's the main reason I've been basically absent from SkiAdk.

The things that Snowballs said above ... it's incredibly hard for me to stay in touch with what's going on from all the way down here. If I am in touch at all, it's because there are people out there, up there, who keep an eye out for things and send them my way.

To the point. IMO this is a potentially big story. Recycling all the old energy that was put into blasting out the right of way. Creating an industry out of land that is basically idle. Self powered recreation. Grass roots involvement coupled with corporate cooperation. Who is against it and what are their primary points?

Snowballs showing once again that he's got vision - posting this thing and hammering on it since last fall. And I:)skiing, your dedication to North Creek in general is incredible. I want to help too.

I just read through most of this thread and there is so much information here. I thought about embedding the Google Earth flyover, but it just to jerky and long. Would be WAY cool if Helms could do a real flyover and get it on video or HD.

So... If anyone thinks it's a good idea, or wants to see this story on Harvey Road - I'm open to suggestions on how to go with this. Send me links to important developments and I'll post them. Other ideas welcome.

I've got an email address now for all stuff Harvey Road now:

harvey44@nyskiblog.com

If you have ideas on how to get this story out, or if you find stories, or images that could help - email me.

[adkskier]

How many people attended the bike trail meeting a the ski bowl?
IMO, if the trail does not begin in NC, its economic benefit to the town will be significantly reduced. The purpose of a trail is to eliminate riding on roads. Rte 28 is just too busy for families. As it is the two road crossings will pose some challenges, but with good signage, people should be able to navigate them safely. So...if t doesn't begin in NC families will begin the ride someplace beyond the Barton plant and then they will drive home on 28 and skip NC in a manner much like most skiers ski NC.

[Harvey44]

Where the trail starts does seem crucial.

Would like to hear from someone who knows the topo of the river. It seems to me that if it was a simple matter for the tracks to go along the river. they would already be there. It's got to be cheaper to put warning lights at the crossings vs. blasting a new route.

I know in the winter the downstream road crossing is dangerous. Once I came across a car in the ditch with a frantic woman inside. I ran to the nearest house to ask for help and the women who answered the door said "Jack! Another car in the ditch..." Like it happened every week.

Probably, hopefully, not an issue in the summer.

[adkskier]

The entire premise of the trail is that it follows the existing rails. This is the basis of the Federal Law. Beyond this, it's much more complicated than simple topography. there are land ownership, setback requirements and financial considerations. The crossings are unavoidable.

[Snowballs]

Harv, Thank you for the very kind words! I have some PM's going out to you and I:)skiing, don't know if they went out yet. I've received yours, agree and understood. Hopefully mine will reach you soon and answer your ?s.

I absolutely agree w/ADKskier. The best route for NC businesses(which is important!), the cyclists and the trails's popularity would be the tracks all the way into NC. Nothing is written in stone yet. Barton may be just acting as a good neighbor by informing all they "MAY" want to use the lower section sometime in the future. I'm told they have never used it before. They may never use it in the future either. It maybe the Tahawus Bike Trail gets most of the trail length now and the rest later. That happens sometimes. Hopefully not this time.

The Tahawus mine area is Ecologically clean and the crappy industrial buildings have been removed. The old mining ghost town of Adirondack there is/was being turned into a museum. The lakes on the land surrounding the Tahawus mine are clean. It's held in conservatorship that has said it's open to the land surrounding the Tahawus mine becoming a State Park type facility along with the Bike trail.

Wouldn't it be cool taking a shuttle up to Tahawus from North Creek, swim, picnic, etc than hop on the bikes and ride to North Creek!!! The 17 mile gentle downhill cruiser section means even nonathletes could traverse the trail's 29 miles in a few hours if they chose. What a fun ride.......

[Snowballs]

....It's my impression, it's time for mass support and to cut the rug so to speak. There has not been alot of publicity of the trail project. The word needs to get out. Supporters need to be rallied and the Rail Corridor needs to be placed into the protection of the Federal Rail Bank.

That's where we come in. Many of us are active and would use something like this. We love the area. We need to join http://www.upperhudson.org/Upper_Hudson_Rail_Trail/Home. , htmlwhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Upper-Hudson-Rail-Trail/102812963094737 You can join for free! We will need to speak out to Officals with our support.

I like this Tahawus Bike Trail for many reasons. A huge reason is that it stands to bring much needed business to North Creek and many people will have a very low impact way of enjoying nature and the beautiful ADKS. I like that alot. That is a very good thing. If you agree, and wanna help others, please join the group and help make it happen.

Another huge aspect is the Rail Corridor needs to be placed into the Federal Rail Bank for it's preservation. If it is abandonded by it's current owner, a possiblity, it will revert to the original owners of 100 years ago and/or go "forever wild" never to return again. I'm all for ecology. I'm also all for preserving what very little economical opportunity is left for the towns and people up there. With the Rail Corridor preserved, the possiblity of many things is kept open. The way the Energy and Global Warming issues are going, 50 years from now there maybe monorails/light rail shuttling everyone around instead of hordes of cars. You may need to take a train to the High Peaks instead of driving. The people who live up there may need to take a train to work or civilization instead of driving. Some people who currently live up there, Newcomb, etc, do drive to Glens Falls and such for work now.

[adkskier]

Bear in mind that Barton has no "rights" to use the rail. If they want to use the rail, they'd need to pay NL. NL has previously offered to sell and Barton lost interest when $$ came into the formula. When NL sells the trail rights to the trail group for $1-, they will retain the salvage rights which are estimated to net them $1M. So...the theoretical sale price for the 29 mile rail would be around $1M.

[I:)skiing]

YEP...

If the trail does not START in NC, people will have no reason to stay in the NC area. If you have to drive, what is the diffrence between 10 minutes and 20 minutes from Lake George for example.


One exception: Recently, while my kids were sleeping the car...I tracked some back roads on the otherside of the Hudson, going toward Minerva. Those roads are not extensively travelled like 28. If there were some back roads that could get you back to rail at or after the Gorge Bridge...that might be ok for families. Or at least a partial solution until the "lower" section of track is managed. Not sure how much privite road there is along the river and where it stops.

Blasting money would not come....these trails would have to be ready to go, grade and pave/gravel.

Landowners....just read where similar trails emerge. Your land values go UP. Bikers and runners generally respect nature and have cash.
While I posted about this earlier, bikers and their clubs actually clean up old debris on your and your neighbor's property (read junk) because they dont want to look at it.

[Snowballs]

Another of the many area bike events occurs this weekend, the Ididaride. The Copperfield is rumored to be full booked. Hundreds of Cyclists plus their families are descending on North Creek.

Last week, thousands of cyclists hit Lake George. Each spring and fall, even more riders hit Southern Warren/Washington County for the Tour of the Battenkill. Orda's trying to line up another North Creek area race of hundreds+.

I really think they need to be doing some smart, focused marketing of the area to the bike world. These people will travel in droves. If they knew more about ALL the bike venues at Gore, WF, West Mtn, Lake George/Glens Falls trails, Wilmington trails and BMX park, Lake Champlain Trail and THE TAHAWUS TRAIL and many others, the bike world might view this as a Bike Meca. There is getting to be alot here to offer Cyclists!!! PLUS all the lakes and nature, this crowd loves that stuff. We all do.

This is an important aspect of the area's future tourist growth, Day and extended tourism.

http://www.ididaride.org/

[Snowballs]

Bike tourism facts....

http://poststar.com/article_f2459788-5e13-11df-93b5-001cc4c03286.html

[Snowballs]

The Adirondack Explorer is a non-profit newsmagazine devoted to the protection and enjoyment of the Adirondack Park.
http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/bikepath.php - has pics and map.
September/October 2010

Getting off the track
What must be done to create a world-class bike path in the Adirondacks.
By ALAN WECHSLER
Someday, the Adirondacks could boast of a tourist attraction not found anywhere else in the East: a long-distance rail-trail that would enable bicyclists to take multiday trips through protected wild lands.

The route could be used by others as well: trail runners, hikers, and, in winter,
snowmobilers.

The rail-trail could extend as many as eighty miles, starting in Thendara, near Old Forge, and ending in Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, or Lake Placid. Along the way it would traverse remote tracts of the forever-wild Forest Preserve and pass by hamlets that could see a boost in tourism.

OK, don’t get excited: this remains theoretical. But those familiar with rail-trail projects say it could happen—if state and local leaders back the idea, if Adirondack residents push for it, and if sufficient public and private funds can be obtained.

Backers of such a project would have to contend with the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, which runs a sightseeing train from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake and hopes to extend the trip to Tupper Lake. The railroad uses the rest of the track twice a year to reach its garage in Utica and hopes to one day bring rail traffic to the entire line.

A lot to consider. But rail-trail success stories around the nation show two things:

First, rail-trails are an economic boon. A multiday trail such as the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania or the 225-mile Katy Trail in Missouri can attract tens of thousands of users each season. And, even on smaller routes, businesses follow: bed and breakfasts, bike-rental and repair shops, restaurants, museums, art galleries, shuttle services, etc.

Second, building rail-trails can take time. The Great Allegheny Passage took thirty years from conception to completion. But once a groundswell of support begins to grow, it’s hard to stop.

In the Adirondacks, a short rail-trail already exists connecting Lake George to Glens Falls, but the ten-mile route is primarily a local attraction (the route is also badly advertised to visitors, and the entrances at either end are hard to find).


Farther north, a grass-roots effort is under way to promote a rail-trail from North Creek to Tahawus. The Friends of the Upper Hudson Rail-Trail, which recently held its first meeting, is talking with railroad owner NL Industries about taking over the property. But at twenty-nine miles, the route would be a bit short to be on the national radar. Also, its northern terminus lies in the wilderness, far from ammenities.

In contrast, train corridor between Thendara and Lake Placid offers the opportunity to create a world-class rail-trail. The whole line hasn’t been used commercially since the 1970s, when the state took it over from New York Central. Today, Adirondack Scenic operates two trains: one out of Thendara along the Moose River, which takes in about three-fourths of the nonprofit company’s revenue, and one between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, which has proved less popular. (It also runs short trips north of Thendara.)

The line is maintained mostly by the railroad, but New York State reimburses the company for the work, a cost that runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Despite the state’s fiscal climate, state Department of Transportation officials say no one is considering discontinuing maintenance of the track.

In between the two train routes are about seventy miles of wilderness rail, passing by lakes, wetlands, and forests. If the stretch from Thendara, just south of Old Forge, to Saranac Lake were converted to a trail, the Adirondacks could lay claim to one of the longest wilderness bike paths in the nation. And if it reached Lake Placid—which some local officials would like to see—the trail would be eighty miles long and start and end in two of the most-visited tourist towns in the Park.

Is it worth it? Around the nation, backers of other rail-trails say it is.
Take the 150-mile Great Allegheny Path (see sidebar). Between Cumberland, Maryland, and Pittsburgh was an abandoned rail line. There were more than a dozen huge trestles that required decking and the three-thousand-foot-long Big Savage Tunnel, which had water pouring down from the ceiling in numerous places. “We called it the ‘car wash,’” said Linda Boxx of the Allegheny Trail Alliance, which began promoting a rail-trail more than thirty years ago.


It took three decades, but volunteers eventually raised $65 million to acquire various sections of rail and rehab the tunnel and trestles. Once finished, trails were handed over to local governments to maintain.

“We went after lots of grants, state and federal opportunities, private foundations, broad appeals to the general public,” she said. “It’s a continual job to raise the money.”

Today, the Allegheny Passage is one of the most well-known rail-trails in the country. Last year, the path brought in about $40 million from cycling tourists, mostly from lodging and food purchases, said Boxx.

The Katy Trail, named after the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, which was often referred to as the K-T, is a 225-mile route that will eventually link St. Louis with Kansas City, extending across all of Missouri. The trail attracts about three hundred thousand users annually, including more than ten major group tours.

“There’s definitely an economic impact,” said Judd Slivka, a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “If you go to Rocheport [a popular trailhead] on a summer day, you’ll see the trail has hundreds of people on it. The trailside café is always packed.”

Pennsylvania’s Pine Creek rail-trail, which is sixty-two miles in length, earns $3 million to $5 million per year for the local economy, according to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a national advocacy group. Other rail trails around the country also have proved to have economic benefit.

Closer to home, the Erie Canal Towpath is not a rail-trail per se, but it is a cycling route from Buffalo to Albany, most of which is on a path. Hundreds of cyclists use parts of the route every day. Each July, five hundred people cycle the trail west to east as part of a group tour. Some towns send out staffers to greet the riders and make suggestions for lunch stops.

Such is the impact of a group of folks on two wheels. Bicycling, after all, generates quite an appetite.

So what would it take to turn the Adirondacks’ longest section of (mostly) unused railroad track into a bike trail?

First step: build support. The state Department of Transportation, which owns the rail, expects to begin updating the master plan for the corridor in the next year or two. (It was first written in 1996.) As the plan is developed, rail-trail advocates will have their chance to be heard—by writing letters, speaking at public hearings, and otherwise arguing that a rail-trail is better for the region than a railroad.

Officials in Lake Placid already have called for replacing the tracks between their village and Saranac Lake with a bike path. Snowmobilers also support getting rid of the tracks, which prohibit sled use when snow is low. They say removal of the tracks would lead to a big boost in snowmobile tourism. Presumably, bicyclists and other recreational users also would get behind the idea.

Of course, there would be opponents. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad has visions of revitalizing the entire line. And Tupper Lake has rebuilt its depot with the idea of expanding the Lake Placid tourist train.

The next step: permits. The Adirondack Park Agency already issued permits four years ago to create a bike path that would run parallel to the Lake Placid-Saranac Lake tracks. Building a new path beside the tracks proved too costly, but the APA’s approval of the project suggests the agency is not averse to creating bike paths that run through the Forest Preserve.

A long-distance trail from Thendara to Lake Placid would require new permits from the APA, along with public hearings. In addition, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and possibly the Army Corps of Engineers would need to be involved (the latter because of wetlands and stream crossings).

Actually, the federal government would have primary jurisdiction over a rail-trail project due to a 1983 law that allows for “railbanking.” The purpose of the law is to preserve right-of-ways for future use by railroads. “It’s a unique, and somewhat complex, mix of federal and state law,” said DEC spokeswoman Lori Severino.

Third step: get rid of the tracks. This is not as expensive as it might seem. In fact, it would likely cost taxpayers nothing. The state might even realize a small profit: the value of the steel rails is high enough that salvage companies would bid for the right to remove them, even though steel prices are not as high as they once were.

“Once the owner decided to sell, we can cut a check within a couple of days and start working within two weeks,” said Jason Feagans, railroad division manager at National Salvage & Service Corp. The Indiana company has undertaken a number of rail-salvage jobs around the country. Barring unforeseen problems, Feagans estimates that his crews could clear the Adirondack line in under two years.

National Salvage uses a variety of heavy machines, including excavators, boom trucks, skid loaders, and bulldozers. It has wood chippers to chop up the ties if they are too rotten for reuse. The machinery could be brought in over the rail line (or the bed, once the rails are removed), leaving the adjacent forest unmolested. In fact, heavy machinery already is brought in yearly to do maintenance on the line.

Fourth step: construct the trail. After the salvage operation, the rail bed will be left as a smooth dirt path. Many modern long-distance bike trails are covered with stone dust, a finely ground stone sand laid down by a machine and packed by a small steamroller. Once tamped, it’s as hard-packed as a dirt road—but it won’t turn into mud after a rainstorm. While not ideal for racing bikes, a stone-dust trail is great for mountain bikes and hybrid bikes and creates a rustic feel in a way that asphalt does not.

Covering a trail with stone dust costs around $150,000 per mile (as opposed to $250,000 per mile for asphalt), according to the Upper Hudson group. For an eighty-mile trail, that works out to $12 million. Granted, that’s not exactly pocket change, especially given the sorry state of New York’s finances. But with fund raising, corporate donations, grants, and the help of local governments, it’s doable. Keep in mind that the Allegheny folks raised $65 million. In New York, we already own the property and we have no expensive tunnels or giant trestles to rehabilitate.

Once the trail is built, who would maintain it? The Great Allegheny Passage is kept up by the counties who benefit from the sales-tax revenue. The Katy Trail, however, is maintained by the state of Missouri. Perhaps the Adirondack trail could be maintained through a partnership of New York State and local counties. Volunteers also could chip in, picking up litter and conducting safety patrols. They might even perform bike repairs on busy weekends (which would be sure to generate positive word-of-mouth).

While cyclists might salivate at the possibilities, the Adirondack Scenic Railroad has different plans. Chairman Bill Branson said the railroad had a good season last year in spite of a bad economy. This summer, the company expects to accommodate its millionth customer.

Branson doubts that rail-trail advocates will get their way. “It’s a historic corridor,” he said. “No one’s going to be in a hurry to rip it up. I just don’t think it’s a practical question.”

The railroad hopes to expand its southern tourist route north to Big Moose and the northern route to Tupper Lake sometime in the future. In the longer term, it would like to rehabilitate the entire line and perhaps lure freight and passenger trains back to the Adirondacks.

Branson said engineers estimate that it would cost $32 million to restore the line between Thendara and Tupper Lake and $6 million to restore the section between Tupper and Saranac Lake. The railroad hopes to for state and federal aid to help pay for the work. “There’s more potential in developing it than not,” he said.

Branson has a point in that most rail-trails are built on abandoned rail beds, not ones still in use (even if that use is seasonal). Nevertheless, in a region dependent on tourists, a rail-trail north of the successful Old Forge line offers tantalizing potential.

In early June, the North Elba Town Board agreed to hire a consulting firm to investigate the comparative benefits of a rail-trail versus the train. “I’m going to be amazed if the findings don’t indicate that the railroad’s a boondoggle,” said Supervisor Roby Politi.

If Politi is right, the study could persuade more people, including perhaps the decision-makers in Albany, to get behind a bikeway proposal.

[Snowballs]

Tour de Farm....another area bike tour. http://poststar.com/news/local/article_4bab712a-ae47-11df-bd8d-001cc4c03286.html

Too bad it poured down rain all last night and all day today. Hearty souls to be riding today. We woosed out on the Quad riding.

Washington county has some primo farmland, especially in the southern part. There's a huge, very wide and very long valley (forgot it's name) that is a virtural cornicopia. Driving it's length in late summer you'll see large farm after large farm for miles and miles, their fields planted border to border just bursting with crops, all doing very well with large yields. Always makes me feel good.....The Bounty of the Land. It's a blessing.

Some farmers here did good this year. Most had extra cuttings of hay. That's good cash money in cow country. Apple crop is good and it's ready early. The very popular Hick's orchard in Granville started making excellent apple wines a few seasons ago. It's very, very good. Award winning.

If you like dinner, ya gotta love the farmers.

There's just a touch of color in the leaves here and there.

[I:)skiing]

Just found this trail. Have not ridden it yet, but will next time up.


Warren County Bike Trail--Google it. 17 miles. Pavement and Road--what appears to be about 12 miles of off road pavement. It also connects with a gravel trail. Good website with maps.

[Snowballs]

It is a nice trail. Depending on how far you wanna ride and how old your riders are, it's cool to start at the Lake George end. There a longish ascent which is fun to descend on the return trip.The two mile downhill is a fun end to the ride. In Glens Falls,Dix avenue, it passes Cooper's Cave Ice cream shop- fuel up! The rest of the trail is flatish. I know you'll have wee ones with you.

[fujative.]

Is this the same trail which goes over route 9L by Water Slide World and over Quaker road? If so I'd suggest stopping off at Sprinkles in Glens Falls. It's delicious :D

[Snowballs]

It is does cross over Quaker Road but.......Sprinkles tinkles......keep riding for another mile to Cooper's Cave!!! lol

Even better, Rob and Deb's by East Field.

JK. When it comes to ice cream, you can lick whatever you want!