Bob and George's Excellent Adventure

Olympic Biway:  Watertwon, NY to Lake Placid, NY (and back)

August 1-4, 2011
220 miles

Bob and George decided to bicycle (fully loaded with camping gear) from Watertown to Lake Placid along New York Rte. 3 within the Adirondack Park.  We were determined to eat ice cream everyday despite however rural the route might be.  After biking 220 miles over four days we are convinced we each gained several pounds thanks to the diners and ice cream along the way. 

George standing at the entrance to the Adirondack Park on day 1.  Leaving Watertown most of the biking is along Fort Drum (where Tessie lives).  The town of Felt Mills boasts Treats and Tiques ice cream (Hershey's). 

George was riding a 2011 Raleigh Sojourn (additions:  Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires, MEC front and rear panniers, and MEC handlebar and seatpost bags).  This is his also his full-time commuter bike in Saint Paul, MN. 

Bob standing at the site of a former CCC Camp at Wanakena (State Ranger and Forestry school).  Water from a tap is not potable (but we used George's Pur Hiker microfilter).  Water along the trip was plentiful with the filter.  We each carried 2 - 14 oz. bottles.

Bob was riding a 2008 Raleigh Detour 3.5 (additions:  new saddle and Nashbar rear panniers).  Both bikes made the trip with no flat tires or other problems.  Bob uses the Detour for recreation in and around Allegheny State Park in Western New York. 

George's bike at Star Lake.  The Town of Star Lake provided a small IGA, a gift and book shop, and gas station (Nice n' Easy).  The biking from Watertown to Cranberry Lake was relatively flat on a very wide shoulder.  Leading to Star Lake we stopped in the town of Harrisville at the Village Inn (good sandwiches), The Town of Fine at a small convenience and sandwich shop, and the U-B's Mercantile (Hershey's ice cream).

George at the Cranberry Lake State Campground (1/5 mile from town of Cranberry Lake).  We picked site 4 both nights 1 and 3 for easy access to the bathroom, water, and showers.  The Campground was quiet with a nice beach for swimming after a hot day on the bikes.  Cranberry Lake has a small gift/grocery store.  We stopped at the Stone Manor motel and restaurant for Perry's ice cream and breakfast. 

Approx. 5 miles past Cranberry Lake this picnic and parking area along the Grasse River would make an excellent primitive campsite.

The Thirsty Moose near Childwold (closed) would have been a welcomed refreshment stop.  Mark, owner of Intrepid Wanderer Cycles (Holland, NY), recommends for hot days: biking a few hours in the morning, spending the afternoon in a bar, and then biking a few hours in the afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. 

Along the Piercefield Flow shortly before reaching Tupper Lake.  As the sunburns set in, Bob starts his search for a do-rag to protect his head.  Despite some heavy truck traffic, he goes helmetless for most of the trip. 

Approaching the town of Tupper Lake the hills become longer, steeper, and more frequent.  We pass four (supported with a van) tourers ridding from Ithaca, NY headed to Stowe, VT. 

The rather industrial-feeling town of Tupper Lake became the halfway point on days 2 and 3.  Between Cranberry and Tupper Lake (approx. 25 miles) there are no stores on Rte. 3.  In Tupper Lake, we ate at Little Italy (excellent pizza) for lunch on day 2 and the Lumberjack Inn (not-so-great omelets) for lunch on day 3.  Tupper Lake boasts an IGA, McDonald's, Kinney Drug, among other local and chain stores.  It is also home to the much-recommended Wild Center Museum, which we, unfortunately, did not get a chance to visit.  Cell phone reception between Felt Mills and Tupper Lake is nonexistent. 

Entering the High Peaks region.  Between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid the hills are Challenging on day 2 and 3.   

View of Saranac Lake from the town park.  In Saranac we stopped at Grand Union (grocery store) and Dunkin’ Donuts.  Saranac Lake is a larger community with hotels, motels, and local and chain stores.   Leaving town towards Lake Placid Mountain Mist Ice Cream serves soft comes.    Between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid (Rte. 86), Ray Brook (3 miles from Saranac) houses the regional DEC headquarters (information and maps), as well as Meadowbrook State Campground, which is wedged between a Ford dealership and Tail O’ the Pup Barbeque (loud, live, and off-key music until 10 p.m.). 

Lake Placid is a short 3 miles from Meadowbrook.  Lake Placid is more for those with carbon-fiber frames. 

Bob says, "Get on your bike and ride Mother F*@#er!"