Ride The Countryside

Just follow the signs for an enjoyable bike ride.

Bicyclists know that all the right elements for an enjoyable bike ride include magnificent scenery, peaceful country roads, remarkable historic sites, and charming villages. With more than 1,200 miles of bicycle routes in the Champlain Valley of New York, Vermont, and Quebec alone, people are quickly discovering that the North Country has some of the finest cycling in North America. The Lake Champlain Bikeways Network is perfect for those who enjoy flat terrain biking. With 34 loops and tours, ranging from 10 to 47 miles in length, the quiet back roads make for world class cycling with extraordinary mountain and countryside scenery.

The Scenic Network Byways

Acres of Apples, Monuments, Mill & Music, and The William H. Miner Story
These three bicycle loops are in an area called the Northern Adirondack Coast of Lake Champlain, each with it’s own theme. Each of the paved paths is relatively flat and easy to bike over, and is in good-to-excellent condition. With the exception of downtown Plattsburgh, traffic is quite minimal. It is recommended that cyclists be at an intermediate level, and the Plattsburgh portion requires careful attention along the busy streets.

Acres of Apples (24.4 miles) begins at the ferry landing of Port Kent, where old stately homes lining Lake Champlain are observed. The road leads through Wickham March, a state owned wildlife management area with enough flora and fauna to satisfy nature lovers. Beyond the marsh lays a steep hill, indicating the end of the lake environment and the beginning of the rolling uplands of the Champlain Valley. Before heading into the hamlet of Peru, the first of the five orchards that this route has to offer appears on both sides of the road, as well as Rulf’s Farmstand, which is perfect for buying some fresh fruit, baked goods, and drinks. The second half of the loop is where the theme of the trail really lives up to its name. Peru’s vast apple orchards are a magnificent sight, especially the first commercial orchard, Northern Orchards, which still exists today. Other highlights of this path are Burrell Orchards’ roadside farmstand and a breathtaking view of the Ausable Chasm gorge.

Monuments, Mills & Music (47.4 miles) starts at the Cumberland Head Ferry Dock, traveling through the residential area of Cumberland Head along the shoreline. After weaving through Cumberland Bay State Park, a separate paved bikepath leads to the beach at Plattsburgh Municipal Park and Beach. In addition to observing the pavilion over looking Plattsburgh Bay, the beach has graphic representations of War of 1812 naval battles. The roadway leads to Route 9 and heads into downtown Plattsburgh, coinciding a short distance with the city’s heritage trail. Numerous landmarks of historic importance are passed as the road continues, including Champlain Park and Monument, the Kent-Delord House, and the dominant visual landmark of the city, the MacDonough Monument. The route continues west through the Saranac River valley, into the hamlet of Morrisonville, where several pulp and sawmills used to be part of the landscape. Though the mills do not exist anymore, there is memorabilia and a scenic picnic area. Other highlights on this route include incredible mountain views, Hill and Hallow, a old church where internationally acclaimed musicians perform, and Gougeville Spring, a natural spring that is the source for many residents’ drinking water.

The William H. Miner Story (35.3 miles) path is dotted with the many works of inventor/industrialist William Henry Miner, who was active at the turn of the century. Beginning at Chazy Central Rural School, the Alice T. Miner Museum, named after Miner’s wife, lies on the edge of the school property. The school itself is a landmark, built in 1916, as it was the first central school ever established in the United States. Along Miner Farm Road lies the Miner Agricultural Research Institute, which was also the original farm property. Open to the public, the Institute has a working dairy farm, Morgan horses, and other exhibits. The rich history of this route is only matched by the love Miner, who died in 1930, had for the Chazy landscape.

Nothing like a riding alongside Lake Champlain!

Bicycling Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

Whether you are biking on the mountain or on the road, it is important to be prepared for the unexpected. Here’s are some tips to ensure a safe and fun bike trip:

Wear a helmet to protect against head injuries. Bicyclists under 14-years-old are required by New York State to wear an approved bike helmet.
Make sure your bicycle is in good condition, and everything is in working order.
Take along the proper supplies. This includes water, high-energy snacks, a pump-and-patch kit for flat tires, a basic tool kit, a first-aid kit, a map, and a compass.
Confirm your bike route with someone who knows the area, such as a local bike shop.
Tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return.
Know your own abilities and those in your party, especially the least experienced member.
Use caution when riding over wet surfaces.

In New York, the same laws that apply to drivers in vehicles also apply to bicyclists who share the road.
Bicyclists must:

Obey all traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings.
Put on a turning signal when making a turn.
Be predictable. Stay on the far right and ride with the traffic, riding in single file.
Be conspicuous. Wear bright-colored clothing and a helmet so motorists can see you clearly.
Be alert. Do not assume that you have the right of way. Make eye contact with motorists at intersections.

Gone on any cool bike rides lately? Tell us about it!