Doc Edkin
10-29-2005, 22:26
Last week, between rain drops, Robin and I hooked up with a local HD rider (Ultra Classic, sorry Bill) and we did a nice spin through the Adirondack Park. We started by going South to Rt. 20 and then East to Sharron Springs where we got on Rt. 10 North. In Canajoharie, we stopped at the Village Dinner for a light lunch. Nothing about any of their portions were light! What a feed. From there, Rt. 10 is one of the finest rides in the state. You cruise past small lakes and steams and have a string of twisties that give you a chance to test your counter steering skills. Because you are in the bottom of the Adirondack Park, there are few roads or driveways coming into the route making it a safe road to play on a bit. There are a few small rest areas and senic pulloffs. This route intersects with Rt. 8 which we took to Speculator. There is gas and a couple of food places in Speculator as most of you know. From there we rode up to Indian Lake and on to Blue Mountain. Just outside of Blue Mountain, there is an especially senic parking area with a small lake across the highway. Nice picnic spot! That whole section of 30 is very nice, affording great views of the mountains, some lakes, and a stream. From that point, the option is to head down to Old Forge or up toward Long Lake and Tupper. We went to Tupper, picked up Rt. 3 and headed West toward Watertown. Rt. 812 intersects with 3 and that route (very nice section for cruising) drops down to Lowville where we got on Rt 26 and aimed for Rome. In Turin, West Road goes right in front of the Sno Ridge ski lodge and eventually comes back onto 26 cutting off a few straight miles in favor of a small unlined and side lane. We cut over Ava and Point Rock dropping down on Taberg from Coal Hill but those are really roads for those with either local knowledge or a Fish Finder. I'm sure many of you have run this loop in total or parts many times. But the traffic was light and the roads especially clear making the run a nice day ride. Maybe there will be an opening or two before serious snow for a return or maybe a counter direction ride. We sure are fortunate have routes like this in our backyard!