The Adirondack Trail Ride

[JimB]

Hi Guys, I have been following the race by trackleaders and e-mail and only Michelle is still on course near Vanderwhacker Mt. The previous leader, Rich, was within about 40 miles when he called it quits on Sunday and caught a ride to the train station. I camped with him on the first night, between Northville and Speculator and rode with him till we passed Perkins Clearing. He had rode a train from Chicago to Schenectady and then biked to the start at Northville. After most of us dropped out on day 3, I really expected him to keep on going to the end. Michelle actually started a day later than the rest of us and is doing a great job of plugging away at the trip. Rich has a long term goal of doing a world tour by bike so he has the mental aptitude to keep on going. I believe Michelle has done the Tour Divide so this trip is shorter( though maybe not a lot easier:-) ).

The course is very tough, to me it was mostly because of the distance. I really enjoyed where the course went, some beautiful areas, but the time investment was more than I could wrap my head around. It was a great experience and I learned so much about this new type of racing. The GPS aspect was a challenge at first but was a pretty cool once I figured it out. The gear part was also fun with the planning and dialing in of the gear. I learned quite a bit and was inspired by a lot of bmikes posts here and on web forums.

I will definitely get out and tour different parts of the course in the future using the tracklog that I have now. The promoter, Mikey, did a lot of work to put this all together. He deserves a lot of credit for attempting something as big as this.

[bmike-vt]

Any news on this? The website has been static. The track leaders page seems to be 'stuck' where it was not long after the start.

Anyone have a gps track they can share? I have some time in October for a trip and am starting to scheme about what I might do.

[JimB]

Mike, there hasn't been any updates but I can tell you that there was one finisher. Michelle finished the event in 12 days and some hours. I think it shows on the trackleaders link. I was communicating with her by e-mail and she stuck it out to the end, even spending some time in Inlet waiting for some repairs at Pedals and Petals. Thinking back on the trip, it was very scenic and covered a lot of nice areas as far as I went. My wife and I went to the Adirondacks last weekend and I visited some of the road crossings and showed my wife some beautiful sites including a spot along the Sacandaga river where I had eaten breakfast after filtering some water. We talked of me doing some sections in the future in order to eventually tour the whole route.

I had tried to e-mail the GPX file to a friend, who was interested in the route, before the event, and I received an error message that is still showing up on my e-mail page. You could probably contact Mikey Imbartolo ( the promoter) and get a copy of the GPX file. He definitely has more computer savvy than me :-) .

In the course of the event, Mikey had to do a reroute near Cranberry Lake due to some issue with a landowner and hopefully that would be included in a new tracklog. Good luck doing some of the route. Let us know how it goes and make sure to include some pictures.

The more I think back on TATR, the more I realize what a huge undertaking it was for Mikey to plan an event of this magnitude. In the past, I have organized many mountain bike events but nothing on this scale. It was very interesting to take part in something using new technology and requiring so much preparation.

[bmike-vt]

Originally Posted by JimB

Mike, there hasn't been any updates but I can tell you that there was one finisher. Michelle finished the event in 12 days and some hours. I think it shows on the trackleaders link. I was communicating with her by e-mail and she stuck it out to the end, even spending some time in Inlet waiting for some repairs at Pedals and Petals. Thinking back on the trip, it was very scenic and covered a lot of nice areas as far as I went. My wife and I went to the Adirondacks last weekend and I visited some of the road crossings and showed my wife some beautiful sites including a spot along the Sacandaga river where I had eaten breakfast after filtering some water. We talked of me doing some sections in the future in order to eventually tour the whole route.

I had tried to e-mail the GPX file to a friend, who was interested in the route, before the event, and I received an error message that is still showing up on my e-mail page. You could probably contact Mikey Imbartolo ( the promoter) and get a copy of the GPX file. He definitely has more computer savvy than me :-) .

In the course of the event, Mikey had to do a reroute near Cranberry Lake due to some issue with a landowner and hopefully that would be included in a new tracklog. Good luck doing some of the route. Let us know how it goes and make sure to include some pictures.

The more I think back on TATR, the more I realize what a huge undertaking it was for Mikey to plan an event of this magnitude. In the past, I have organized many mountain bike events but nothing on this scale. It was very interesting to take part in something using new technology and requiring so much preparation.

No luck from emailing the link on their site...
I've organized Randonneuring events here in VT, up to 400k in length ... those are at least done within 27 hours... I can imagine its a huge undertaking!

[Riosacandaga]

Originally Posted by bmike-vt

Any news on this? The website has been static. The track leaders page seems to be 'stuck' where it was not long after the start.

Anyone have a gps track they can share? I have some time in October for a trip and am starting to scheme about what I might do.

Mike- The GPS track is up on the website.

[bmike-vt]

Originally Posted by Riosacandaga

Mike- The GPS track is up on the website.

I got an email back too. Thanks.

[JimB]

Hi Guys, an article on TATR15 was posted on Bikepacking Magazine. You can see it here http://bikepackersmagazine.com/the-a...ampaign=buffer

[Trailpatrol]

Originally Posted by JimB

Hi Guys, an article on TATR15 was posted on Bikepacking Magazine. You can see it here http://bikepackersmagazine.com/the-a...ampaign=buffer

I love how the Bikepacker's Magazine article starts out by calling the 'Dacks the "notorious Adirondack Mountains". Not an adjective I would ever use in describing the Adirondacks. I'd use terms like, "amazing", "awesome", "beautiful", "captivating", "delightful", "enchanting" and so on, right on up the alphabet. (No, I don't know what I would use for Q, X and Z.)

The photos were great though, as were the ones on BPM the week before about riding the Moose River Plains on the brink of winter. I am still planning to ride from Big Moose Station to Indian Lake, by way of Carter Station (backtrack), Adirondack Woodcraft Camps (where I was a camper 50 years ago), and Inlet via the Rondaxe Rd., next summer. Was going to do it this year, but my mom was ill so I spent vacation in suburban D.C..

Amazing route, if I do say so.

Ride safe,
Hans

[Beargrease]

Hey JimB..That is really great that you were able to complete a bunch of the course. Looks like it was pretty rugged going out there. Planning on heading up next weekend on the 20th for a depart on the loop early on the 21st

Anything that you or any others could share about your experiences would be appreciated.

Can't wait to get on with the adventure.....

thanks
Peri

[JimB]

If you are just doing it as a tour that is a great way to experience it. How much time do you have and how far do you plan to go? I had planned on touring the next section this year as I finished in Inlet last year at 151 miles. Some LIFE has gotten in the way and I don't know if I'll get a chance this year. I really enjoyed the section from Wells to Speculator. It passes a few remote lakes and the Pine Orchard which is spectacular. Any direct questions I would be glad to help. Good luck!

[Beargrease]

Thanks for getting back to…really looking forward to the trip and the weather seems to be shaping up.

I have 3 days planned for being out on the route. Was planning on riding from Northville on route to inlet, then hitting 28 to 28N and then picking the trail back up over by Cheney pond/Boreas river back down to Northville.

How tough was the first 70 mile stretch up to speculator? Could you ride a good portion of it even if it was slow going? Much hike a bike? Can’t wait to see those remote lakes, love the pines and I a sure a ton of other cool stuff.

Was contemplating starting in Indian lake and doing the northern section but thinking I may do that in September..looking to do the whole thing in 2017 if things work out…but you know how that goes.

What kind of bike did you roll? Sleeping bag? Trying to keep things light and currently only bringing the bivy…

[JimB]

Beargrease, I'll try to answer some of this. My bike was a 907 Fatbike with 29+ wheels/tires, dynohub, framebag,Blackburn seatbag, Revelate Harness and Gastank. Also some homemade holders on the bars, like Feed bags. It is described on the Bikepacking link on a previous post. My gear weighed 30 lbs and included 40 degree bag, Eureka Solitaire solo tent/bivy, beercan stove, Sawyer minifilter, Blackburn fork mount carriers and water bottle mounts on fork.
If I was going to tour the course for enjoyment and adventure I would start in Northville and ride Route 30 north to the right turn on what I think is Creek Rd.on the GPX track. It will cut out a lot of miles of road riding and get right to the trail riding. The trail from there to Speculator is some tough going with quite a bit of hike a bike depending on your setup and skill level. It is still some great offroad adventuring. During TATR I was only able to get within 4 miles of where it crossed Route 8 by nightfall, but I was riding it like I had 9 more days to go :-) .

After Speculator it is some road riding to Lake Pleasant then a real nice section through Perkins Clearing to Route 30. From there it is lots of road to Indian Lake then the dirt roads through the Moose River Plain following the Black Fly course. That's all I experienced. Hope this helps.

[Beargrease]

Thanks a bunch. Appreciate everything and it is all helpful. Looks like you had a pretty sweet setup. Had a 907 myself and loved it.

Looking to enjoy some of the scenario so thinking I will still roll the road up to creek road and just avoid the river crossing. Hoping to roll early on Saturday and try and make it up to Speculator before dark if possible.

But its all about the adventure so it is what it is.

[JimB]

Make sure you post some pictures here or on FB when you get done. Good luck. I can't wait till I can get back out again on adventure.

[Beargrease]

you got it...Planning on the northern section in early September for a couple of days

[Ms Guided]

I am def interested in doing this 2017 - maybe a preride too!

Anyone else?

I don't use the forum much anymore these days, so email or FB me please.

Inge Aiken ingeaiken@gmail.com

ps exciting finish this year!!

[JimB]

http://newenglandbikepacking.com/unc...ck-trail-ride/ Here's an article with pics of the bikes in this years ride.

[Riosacandaga]

That was quite the route Mikie put together! We got to visit parts of the Adirondacks that otherwise I would never have been in... The first day was a killer, it was hot and humid. Once in the woods off Creek Road I was hoping for relief but the humidity never let up. I consumed my water faster than planned and the dry summer left many of the small streams dry. Consequently I rode to Jimmy Creek, out past Pine Orchard and filtered water there... This is also the most physically demanding section out to RT 8. But beautiful. Fawn Lake, Willis Vly, MRP, Bryant's Bridge, Streeter Lake, Tooley Pond area, Peavine Swamp Trail, part of the Cranberry 50 trail (i did not like that section), Blue Ridge Road, Meachum Lake, Styles Brook Road (there were worse climbs), Essex, Westport, Hogback Road, Lester Flow, Irishtown Snowmobile trail (navigation challenge), Hoffman Road (more a washed out ATV trail) around Crane Mtn, Bear Pond Road, West Stony Creek Road (woohoo! I'm in the hood!) Arrow Trail, East Stony Creek, Hope Falls and Northville!
Seven Days , 14 Hours and change... I won't be eating any turkey subs for awhile, lost 12 pounds, met some real Adirondack characters, got to spend long days end on end alone, lot's of wildlife, riding under a full moon.... 584.3 miles (bacon and peanut butter, seriously .)

[bmike-vt]

Originally Posted by Riosacandaga

That was quite the route Mikie put together! We got to visit parts of the Adirondacks that otherwise I would never have been in... The first day was a killer, it was hot and humid. Once in the woods off Creek Road I was hoping for relief but the humidity never let up. I consumed my water faster than planned and the dry summer left many of the small streams dry. Consequently I rode to Jimmy Creek, out past Pine Orchard and filtered water there... This is also the most physically demanding section out to RT 8. But beautiful. Fawn Lake, Willis Vly, MRP, Bryant's Bridge, Streeter Lake, Tooley Pond area, Peavine Swamp Trail, part of the Cranberry 50 trail (i did not like that section), Blue Ridge Road, Meachum Lake, Styles Brook Road (there were worse climbs), Essex, Westport, Hogback Road, Lester Flow, Irishtown Snowmobile trail (navigation challenge), Hoffman Road (more a washed out ATV trail) around Crane Mtn, Bear Pond Road, West Stony Creek Road (woohoo! I'm in the hood!) Arrow Trail, East Stony Creek, Hope Falls and Northville!
Seven Days , 14 Hours and change... I won't be eating any turkey subs for awhile, lost 12 pounds, met some real Adirondack characters, got to spend long days end on end alone, lot's of wildlife, riding under a full moon.... 584.3 miles (bacon and peanut butter, seriously .)

Well done!!!!
Makes the beer ride in VT look easy!

Are you going to write it all up on the blog?

[Riosacandaga]

Originally Posted by bmike-vt

Well done!!!!
Makes the beer ride in VT look easy!

Are you going to write it all up on the blog?

I was going to but I can't log into my blog anymore .... I'll try again another day...