Optional Detour : Tooley Pond Waterfalls
Don ’ t let tires make you tired
The Adirondack Century
A CYCLING ROUTE TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER
By Joseph Goliber
The Adirondack Century cycling route begins in the centre of St . Lawrence
County , in Canton N . Y ., 20 minutes from the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge , between Adirondack Park and the St . Lawrence River . Several bed and breakfasts await you along the loop if you plan an early start or want to make a two-day trip out of your ride .
From Canton , you wind your way on country roads ( Route 68 ) through rolling farm land stretching ahead for the ascent into the foothills of the Adirondacks . About 32 kilometres into your trek , you will reach Higley Flow State Park ( off Route 56 ), a place where you can pitch a tent , shower , swim and picnic .
From Higley Flow , you will continue climbing the foothills until you enter Adirondack Park itself about 45 kilometres in . At 2.4 million hectares , it ’ s the largest national park in the continental United States . A few kilometres further along , you will reach the all-season Catamount Lodge , designed for family and group accommodations . It has hiking trails to Carry Falls Reservoir and Catamount Mountain itself . You can take a swim or a hike , even if you ’ re not staying there .
Leaving the lodge behind , you continue on to intersection of Route 56 and Route 3 , known as Sevey ’ s Corner . It has Sevey ’ s Point convenience store , the first opportunity for water and provisions . From Sevey ’ s Point , you continue southwest on Route 3 along a flat road with wide shoulders into some of the most beautiful and remote areas of the county . Around the 80-kilometre mark , you enter the hamlet of Cranberry Lake , an outdoor enthusiast ’ s playground and home to one of the largest remote lakes in the Adirondacks , 20,000 hectares of untouched wilderness and the Cranberry Lake 50 , a challenging 80-kilometre loop around the lake that offers hikers some of the most breathtaking views in the county . You can turn off of Route 3 into Wanakena to visit Otto ’ s Abode , a community centre with art , information , snacks and bathrooms .
Continuing down Route 3 , you ride into the hamlet of Star Lake , population 800 , where you should seek out an Adirondack gem , Coffee Fever , a café open seven days a week . Stop in for a specialty coffee , fresh salads , upscale sandwiches , wraps and free Wi-Fi .
After cycling through Star Lake , continue on Route 3 until you begin descending out of Adirondack Park , taking a right on County Route 27A and another right on 27 , passing Dodge Pond Lodge , another option for group accommodation . About 134 kilometres along is the trailhead for Lampson Falls , the most popular waterfall in St . Lawrence County . After a short hike on a well-maintained trail , you reach the top of the falls , 30 metres across and 12 metres high of cascading water . At the bottom , a small beach allows for swimming and picnicking .
Staying on Route 27 , your trek will transition from big woods back to rolling farmlands to close the loop after 163 kilometres in the village of Canton .
For cue sheets , maps and visitor Information go to NorthCountryGuide . com or call toll free 1-877-228-7810 . Φ
Cyclists Along Route 3 ( top ) Lampson Falls ( left )
Optional Detour : Tooley Pond Waterfalls
Adventurous cyclists can take the Tooley Pond Road short cut beginning in Cranberry Lake . This route shaves roughly 18 kilometres off the Adirondack Century ride , but adds 15 hard minutes to your ride . This is no ride for beginners – it ’ s got sections of dirt road and steep hills with rough pavement . But it takes you through some of the most beautiful wilderness that Adirondack Park offers – including six major waterfalls like Twin Falls and the gentle slopes around Sinclair Falls , a perfect place to picnic . Some of the falls can be seen from the road , while others are a short walk along trails . Once you reach the end of the Tooley Pond Road , take a right onto County Route 27 to reconnect with the Adirondack Century .
Don ’ t let tires make you tired
A soft tire will slow you down , so it follows that pumping up your tires ( every two weeks ) makes riding easier . You are actually pumping up an inner tube , made of latex or butyl , which naturally loses air over time .
How much air to put in ? The manufacturer ’ s recommended pressure range is embossed on the tire ’ s sidewall . It will be a range from 80 to 110 psi ( pounds per square inch ) for a road tire .
The maximum isn ’ t necessarily ideal . It seems logical to think higher pressure means lower rolling resistance , that isn ’ t always true . And on a rough road , like chip-sealed asphalt , high-pressure tires bounce harshly . Running five to 10 psi less than the max makes for a more comfortable ride . At the other extreme however , running way below the minimum invites more flats .
A hand pump with a pressure gauge ensures the correct amount of air , and it ’ s easy to do before a ride . Don ’ t rely on your fallible thumb . ~ Sheila Ascroft
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