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Author:
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Bernie in Brooklyn
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Date:
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27 Sep 2007 10:56:53 AM
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Activity:
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Bicycling
ActivitySearchBicycling
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State:
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New York (NY)
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Distance:
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62.13 mi
(Change units)
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Calories:
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3135
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Average Speed:
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17.3 mph
0:03:27/mi
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Duration:
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Total: 3:53:41
Active: 3:34:57
Resting: 0:18:42
Unaccounted: 0:00:01
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Elevation:
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Total Gain: 4497 ft
Total Loss: 4484 ft
Net Change: 13 ft
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Difficulty:
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7 / 10
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Tags:
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Northville, New York, Saratoga Springs
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Rating:
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Unrated
Rate it
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This route takes cyclists over two major climbs: West Mountain and Lake Desolation. Along the way, you'll get some of the best views in the southern Adirondacks and ride three breath-taking descents. The route is almost entirely on quiet country roads with little traffic, and spends about 25 miles in the Adirondack State Park. There is a Stewarts Shop just off the route if you need a fuel break.
Use caution on the summit of the Lake Desolation climb; there is a 3-mile section of dirt road. This section is graded and fun to ride, but it can be bumpy in spots. The dirt section is not plowed in the winter which makes this a seasonal ride. See the points of interest for some more specific ride details.
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Datum: |
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Saratoga Springs, NY: Adirondack Foothills Loop
| Dist: 62.13 mi |
Points: 759 |
Calories: 3135 |
| Time: 3:53:41 |
Speed: 17.3 mph |
Pace: 3:27 / mi |
| 0.00 mi |
Straight |
Head north on Skidmore |
Then go 0.83 mi |
| 0.83 mi |
Turn Left |
Daniels Rd. |
Then go 1.61 mi |
| 2.44 mi |
Turn Right |
Locust Grove |
Then go 5.79 mi |
| 8.23 mi |
Turn Left |
Spier Falls Rd. |
Then go 0.36 mi |
| 8.59 mi |
Turn Right |
Howe Rd. |
Then go 1.19 mi |
| 9.79 mi |
Turn Right |
Comstock Rd. |
Then go 0.99 mi |
| 10.78 mi |
Turn Left |
Heath Rd. |
Then go 1.97 mi |
| 12.75 mi |
Turn Right |
Rt. 9N |
Then go 0.36 mi |
| 13.11 mi |
Turn Left |
Country Rt. 10 |
Then go 8.73 mi |
| 21.84 mi |
Straight |
S. Shore Rd./Country Rt. 7 |
Then go 10.23 mi |
| 32.07 mi |
Turn Left |
Fox Hill Rd. |
Then go 6.98 mi |
| 39.05 mi |
Straight |
Lake Desolation Rd. |
Then go 2.73 mi |
| 41.78 mi |
Straight |
Country Rt. 12 |
Then go 3.50 mi |
| 45.28 mi |
Turn Left |
Coy Rd. |
Then go 3.07 mi |
| 48.35 mi |
Straight |
Country Rt. 10/N. Creek Rd. |
Then go 2.92 mi |
| 51.27 mi |
Straight |
Spier Falls Rd. |
Then go 1.76 mi |
| 53.03 mi |
Turn Right |
Locust Grove Rd. |
Then go 2.76 mi |
| 55.79 mi |
Turn Left |
Brigham Rd. |
Then go 1.72 mi |
| 57.50 mi |
Turn Right |
Wilton Rd./Country Rt. 36 |
Then go 0.58 mi |
| 58.09 mi |
Turn Left |
Braim Rd. |
Then go 2.21 mi |
| 60.30 mi |
Turn Left |
Daniels Rd. |
Then go 1.00 mi |
| 61.30 mi |
Turn Right |
Clinton St. |
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Dirt!
Location: 43.191098°, -74.030771°
The road surface changes over to dirt here. Use caution on the dirt, and don't rush. A tip for the novice dirt rider: do what the pros in races like Paris-Roubaix do: put the bike in a gear you can spin comfortably, and ride on the bar tops. This is much more comfortable over the dirt than the hoods or drops.
West Mountain Summit
Location: 43.271456°, -73.934383°
This is the top of the climb, put it in the big ring, and hold on tight for a 45 MPH decent toward Lake Sacandaga. Remember, stay to your right, and use caution on the turns.
Braim Road
Location: 43.132811°, -73.812161°
Turn left onto Braim Road. This is the third and final decent on this ride. It has four tight and blind corners, so stay to your right, and resist the urge to descend at top speed... at least until you've previewed this road, Braim is like a roller-coaster, and can be addicting.
Stewarts Shop
Location: 43.086881°, -73.921852°
If you need food or water, there is a Stewarts Shop here, which offers plenty of fuel for cyclists.
Lake Desolation Road
Location: 43.166563°, -73.975582°
Fox Hill Road turns into Lake Desolation Road.
Route 9N
Location: 43.163808°, -73.861513°
Use Caution when crossing Route 9N.
Route 9N
Location: 43.224380°, -73.849325°
Route 9N sometimes has heavy traffic on it, including some large trucks, so stay to your right.
Coy Road
Location: 43.103866°, -73.929319°
If you've got all the fuel you need, swing a left here onto Coy Road, heading north east. If you need a fuel break, continue downhill on Lake Desolation Road toward Middle Grove Road.
Mosher Road
Location: 43.229586°, -73.849218°
This is the bottom of the first major climb of the day, over West Mountain. There are tracks right after the turn onto Mosher, but the road is otherwise pretty smooth. It's a long climb, so pace yourself.
General Store
Location: 43.148030°, -73.885460°
I've never actually been into the store at this intersection, but there is a store here, and it looks friendly. North Creek Raod turns into North Greenfield Road.
South Shore Road
Location: 43.282642°, -73.962622°
Merge left onto South Shore Road, heading west along the shore of Lake Sacandaga. You'll be on this rolling road for a while. There are only narrow shoulders, so use caution, and be alert for vehicles.
Big Descent
Location: 43.126735°, -73.952236°
This is the second big decent on this route. This decent has several steep sections, and numerous sweeping turns. If you're pushing the pace (which is safe on this road), you'll be able to hit speeds approaching 60 MPH. Remember to stay to your right, and watch for vehicles entering the road.
Wilton Road
Location: 43.140139°, -73.804779°
Turn right onto Wilton Road. There can be heavy traffic on this road, so use caution.
Dirt Ends Here
Location: 43.133562°, -73.971720°
The road surface changes back to pavement here, as you approach the village of Lake Desolation.
Fox Hill Road
Location: 43.211557°, -74.081884°
Turn left onto Fox Hill Road. This is the second major climb of the ride, and it's much harder than the first. As you can see from the elevation profile, it's a stepped climb, which makes it difficult to find a rhythm. Put it in the small ring, and grind it up to the top.
Locust Grove Road
Location: 43.102863°, -73.825035°
You'll be on Locust Grove for a while, and it heads up a moderate, small-ring climb. Pace yourself on the climb.
Skidmore College
Location: 43.094214°, -73.790703°
My alma matre, I started and ended the GPS track at the entrance to the Skidmore College campus, which is on the way out of Saratoga Springs. The campus has a plethora of public parking, so if you can't find parking in town, leave your car there, and start the ride by riding north out of town on Clinton Street.
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