Top Ten Reasons to Cycle the Adirondacks

After first riding in the Adirondacks Park of Upstate New York in 2008, local Adirondacks guide, Dave Kraus has spent too many wonderful days to keep track of pedaling in this forest paradise that’s larger by itself than some US states. He’s grown especially fond of the southeast Adirondacks from Lake George north and west to Tahawus, the historic southern gateway to the High Peaks region. The area is easy to get to from his home near Albany and full of quiet back roads, stunning scenery in any season, and friendly people.

Without fail, he always finds something new every time he rides there. It might be a previously unknown road without a car in sight, or the “secret” swimming hole a local resident told him about. Or it’s a beaver dam hundreds of feet long, an unexpected ice cream stand on a 90-degree day or rounding a corner to find a young buck deer–and facing each other motionless for minutes on end before he calmly turns and ambles off into the trees. Fresh moose tracks. Purple blooming pickerel weed as far as the eye can see. An entire mountainside of brilliant backlit fall foliage. The list goes on and on. The only thing better than experiencing it is sharing it with others.

We recently caught up with Dave as he prepares to welcome our guests to our Adirondack Odyssey Bike Tour.  Here are the Top Ten reasons you should ride in the Adirondacks with Dave!

 10. Stopping for a photo opp at one of the many local waterfalls.

This one is near North Creek, but Dave won’t tell you exactly where. It’s one of dozens of clear streams, rapids, and waterfalls that you’ll see on every ride. Some are too far away from the road to actually get to on foot. But others like this one are tailor made for a cool rest stop and a photo to remember the day–and yes, we will be stopping at this one.

9. Finding out why they say everything is bigger in the ‘Dacks!

Unexpected finds like these are everywhere. The giant chicken is the unofficial welcome sign to one of the villages we will ride through, and the ice cream cone fortunately never melts. You just never know what you’re going to find next, and that’s one of the joys of riding in the ‘Dacks.

8. Enjoying a local craft brew with your friends at The Hub.

Some years ago, Dave’s friend Drew bought the derelict town hall in Brant Lake and renovated it into The Hub, a combination restaurant, bike store, tavern, wine bar, live music venue and local social center. It’s the perfect place to park, spend the day riding, then follow it up with a local craft brew (the only kind he serves) and some great food. Join him and you’ll see . . .

7. Seeing the incredible scenery with your special someone.

The only thing better than seeing it all yourself is being able to see it with that special person you want to share everything with. Dave has been lucky enough to be able to show many of his friends this view across the meadows on Beaver Pond Road toward the horse farm in the distance. It’s part of our route on Day 5, when we will fully experience the lakes and back roads of the area.

6. Stopping to refuel at the Adirondack General Store.

This general store in the hamlet of Adirondack is the standard recovery stop on rides near Schroon Lake, and it’s also on our Day 5 route. Like many small stores in the mountains, it has a bit of everything, whether you need groceries, outdoor supplies, a quick meal, or that six-pack you forgot to bring to your campsite. These gas pumps no longer work, but who can resist a chance to pose with “Sky Chief Su-preme?”

5. Having the road to yourself.

This happens a lot in the Adirondacks, especially in this area. There are so many quiet, beautiful side roads that connect with each other without ever hitting a highway. In the lead photo at the top of this page, Dave’s friend Nick explores one of them near the small hamlet of Loch Muller.

4. Encountering the unexpected.

Saint Mary’s Church is one of the most fascinating places Dave found in the Adirondacks. Off the beaten path, it’s one of the last buildings left in what was once a full village. We will stop here to learn about its history, look inside to see the incredible interior, and wander the cemetery to speculate on what life was like 150 years ago when this area was a wilderness frontier.

3. Getting your special “bike lean” photo by the Hudson Stream–er, River!

In North Creek, the Hudson River is almost a hundred yards wide. But by the time we reach the end of the road at Tahawus on Day 3 of our tour, it will be small enough to hop across from stone to stone. This is the end of the Roosevelt Trail, the route taken by “TR” on his midnight trip by stagecoach to assume the Presidency in 1901 after President McKinley died. We will pedal along the headwaters of the Hudson toward the mining district that led adventurers and businessmen to this area, with a stop at the McIntyre Iron Furnace that marks the spot of the original iron smelting operation.

2. Riding through the incomparable fall foliage.

For a photographer like Dave, the Adirondacks in the fall are like going to photo heaven. The late season sun in September and October changes the sparkling hues throughout the day as light filters through the colors from different directions. Plus, on every tour through the summer, after each day’s ride we will have plenty of time for him to show you some of the best spots he’s found for photographing nature in the Adirondacks.

1. Having incredible fun with friends old and new in the greatest place to ride you’ve never heard of!

The opportunity for Dave to meet new friends and share the joy of the Adirondacks with them is a gift he never gets tired of enjoying. It’s so close to so many places, but seems to be a hidden gem that so many cyclists know nothing about. He’s looking forward to lots of good times this coming season as so many people discover and rediscover how much fun it is to get out and ride there.

Join us on this Adirondack Odyssey Adventure!