Find Your Own Trail Ride

 Be Active and Avoid the Crowd

By Dave Kraus

As social distancing has become the “new normal” for a while, bicycling alone or with loved ones has become one of the few ways to get together, exercise, and get out of the house. Across the country, thousands of long-neglected bikes have been hauled down from attics, up from basements, out of garages, and returned to active duty on close-to-home urban bike trails across the country.

But there’s just one problem with this two-wheeled resurgence: everyone else seems to be doing it, too. Certain sections of urban multiuse trails are so popular that it’s almost impossible to keep safe social distance from the crowds looking for the same benefits.

But there are a number of trails in the Capital Region and beyond, which offer a variety of riding experiences to suit just about any kind of rider, while avoiding most of the crowds. Check out our list below. Just make sure to be prepared before you go seek them out:

Watch the clock – Consider riding at “off-hours,” such as early mornings, evenings or weekdays. Step aside and keep your distance – Don’t be afraid to pull over off the trail to allow others to pass while maintaining at least six feet of distance. Bring your mask – Even if you decide not to wear it while riding, tuck it into your jersey pocket, or keep it around your neck, in case you stop to meet others or go into a local business.

Know your trail etiquette – This is not the Tour de France. Ride at a reasonable speed and call out before you overtake other cyclists or pedestrians. No reaction? They’re probably wearing earbuds, so act accordingly. Let others know you are “passing left” or “passing right.” Call ahead – Many of these trails have local businesses nearby. If you’re planning to stop for ice cream, a drink or to see a visitor center, call first to make sure they are open during the pandemic. We’ve included phone numbers here where appropriate. Stay safe – Don’t let this be your final ride. Wear your helmet!

Now for the trails. Some are short. Others are long. There’s something for everyone.

Champlain Canalway Trail, Waterford to Halfmoon, 5 miles one-way – Any wide-tired bike, gravel, all off-road, dogs allowed on leash. This newly renovated urban-rural trail follows the towpath of the 200-year-old Champlain Canal north from Waterford and is a great option for families with children. Park at Brookwood Road in Halfmoon and explore in either direction. Go north to see a large beaver dam and walk down into historic Lock 26, where in the early 1800s mule-drawn barges passed through on their way north to Lake Champlain with the products of a growing nation.

Or go south and find an even larger beaver dam and views of the Momentive chemicals factory. In either direction, you’ll find wildlife including geese, ducks, turtles, muskrats, and in the early morning you may get a glimpse of beavers at work.

Empire State Trail West, Pattersonville to Schoharie Crossing, 11.5 miles one-way – Any bike, paved, all off-road. This section of the Empire State Trail features five miles of brand-new paved trail going west from the small parking area at Pattersonville on NY Route 5S. As you go west, check out the imposing smokestacks of the Cranesville Block factory, the Erie Canal Lock 10 right next door, and watch for wildlife along the Mohawk River. Continue westward past the Amsterdam Castle on the hill and Erie Canal Lock 11 to the historic Schoharie Crossing Yankee Hill Lock. Visit the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site nearby (518-829-7397), then turn around at the bridge over Schoharie Creek, or continue on half-a-mile more for some take out at Karen’s Produce & Ice Cream (518-829-7397).

Warren County Bikeway, Glens Falls to Lake George, 10 miles one-way – Any bike, paved, mostly off-road, dogs prohibited. There’s abundant parking in Glens Falls for this trail that starts right around the corner from Grey Ghost Bicycles (518-223-0148). Head north toward Lake George through downtown Glens Falls, right past Cooper’s Cave Ale Company, where you can grab an ice cream cone or a drink. Just make sure to call first, as they are temporarily closed during the pandemic (518-792-0007). There’s a short distance (1.2 miles) on Country Club Road before you enter the forest near Glen Lake, where you will finish climbing gently for the first eight miles from Glens Falls. Then descend past the foot of French Mountain and the Magic Forest Amusement Park to the trail’s end at Million Dollar Beach in Lake George with its steamboat rides, restaurants, taverns, and ice cream shops.

Zim Smith Trail, Ballston Spa to Halfmoon, 9 miles one-way – Any bike, mix of gravel and paved, all off-road. This trail currently extends from Oak Street in Ballston Spa to Coon’s Crossing Road in Halfmoon – with work in progress to extend the trail into downtown Mechanicville. Mostly paved, it also has plenty of rest stops. Pause at Shenantaha Park, take a ride through the historic village of Round Lake, or grab a snack at Leah’s Cakery (518-899-5324) – right on the bike trail. For a post-ride detour, Lakeside Farms (518-399-8359), with cider donuts and much more, has recently reopened for the season.

Fulton, Johnstown & Gloversville (FJ&G) Rail Trail, Johnstown to Gloversville, 8 miles one-way – Any bike, mostly paved, mostly off-road. This urban trail between the two Fulton County towns follows portions of the Cayadutta Creek, which was a central water source during the heyday of leather tanning in the area between 1880 and 1950. The trail alternates between neighborhood areas and wooded sections that offer a more rural feel, and in several places passes the sites of former leather factories. In Johnstown, stop for a ‘cuppa’ tea/coffee from Second Wind Coffee on Main Street (518-224-0386), or at the Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market (518-706-0681) in downtown Gloversville a few blocks from Trail Station Park. Consider parking at Parkhurst Field just north of Johnstown or at Trail Station Park in Gloversville, as parking is extremely limited at the north and south ends of the trail.

Ashokan Rail Trail, West Hurley to Boiceville, 11.5 miles one-way – Any bike, gravel, all off-road, dogs allowed on leash. This brand-new, almost totally flat trail west of Kingston – and just south of Woodstock – is a joy to ride. The compacted crushed stone route follows the former Ulster & Delaware railroad right of way along the north shore of the Ashokan Reservoir – owned by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection as it provides 40% of NYC’s daily drinking water. Parking is available along NY Route 28 at either end of the trail at West Hurley or Boiceville, and midway in the village of Shokan. Benches at regular intervals provide rest stops to read the various interpretive signs that describe the natural and historical features of the area. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Catskill peaks across the lake and keep an eye out for the remains of hundreds of hand-built stone walls that divided this former farmland.

Saratoga National Historical Park Loop Road, 10.7 miles one lap – Any bike, paved, all on-road, dogs allowed on leash. While the Saratoga Battlefield is a popular attraction, its sheer size and number of trails and roads, give everyone plenty of room to maintain social distancing. During the pandemic, the park’s nine-mile loop road is closed to cars until further notice, making it a bonanza for cyclists and pedestrians. As you ride, stop at the Neilson Farmstead that served as the Colonial headquarters, or one of the other historic markers across the park. Make sure to take the two short detours on the loop road that lead to the heights overlooking the Hudson River that made this spot such an important strategic resource for the colonies. Just keep in mind that the park visitor center and other buildings are closed due to the pandemic.

Dave Kraus (dbkraus@earthlink.net) is a longtime area cyclist, photographer, and writer who is looking forward to riding with all his friends again someday. Visit his website at KrausGrafik.com.