ACA roads to avoid in the Adirondacks?

[hirundo]

We are planing an unsupported tandem ride using the Adirondack Park Loop maps.  Several roads appear to be main connections between towns and might be busier than we like.  The route from Caroga Lake through Broadalbin to Saratoga Springs look to be busy secondary roads.  I'm betting there is a better route from Speculator to Edinburg to Cornth to Saratoga Springs via small county roads.  Are there ACA riders familiar with this loop and can provide information?
Thanks

[John Nelson]

I know nothing of that route or area, but it would indeed be surprising to me if the ACA maps put you on busier roads when less-busy roads were available and passable. In fact, the ACA is more often flogged for choosing roads that are excessively long or hilly merely because they are less busy. I pretty-much trust the ACA to pick the best route.

[FredHiltz]

+1

I have ridden nearly all the roads in this route, although long before it was born, and really enjoyed cycling the area. The ACA scouts are all seasoned bike tourers, which may explain their preference for the scenic over the short. I trust them, and recommend you do as well.

That said, we all leave the route when we have specific local knowledge or some special destination. Second-guessing the scouts from a distance, though, generally leads to second-best results. Go ahead if you like; it is not likely to be fatal, just time-consuming. "Oh, young man, that bridge has been out for years."

Roads do change, and Irene caused massive damage in the Keene Valley area last year, now all repaired. ACA welcomes and often uses suggestions for improvements from the locals. About five miles of the ADK route and somewhat more of the Green Mountains Loop began with me. Please send corrections and suggestions to the map correction form linked on the ACA home page.

Fred

[staehpj1]

I fairly often deviate from AC routes for some portion of the trip.   For me it is almost always to take a more direct and/or less hilly route and it is almost always has more traffic.  It always seemed to me that AC, if anything went too far out of the way to find less traffic or marginally better scenery.  Of course everyone's preferences are different.

[BrianW]

I haven't ridden AC's ADK route, but I have spent time in the Speculator area (and have biked around there) as well as elsewhere in the Adirondacks. The Adirondacks are pretty sparsely populated, and even "major" roads are not all that busy. From Speculator to Edinburg, for example, you are pretty much reliant on using Rt. 30. It's actually a very pretty ride for the most part (and almost all downhill from Speculator to Wells, for example).

The only time the roads really seem to get busy in the summer is on the weekend, and in particular, Saturday, when the weekly visitors are coming and going.

[hirundo]

Thanks to each for taking time to respond. We are more confident in the route now. Still, google maps bike routing has a very tantalizing route from Speculator to Sarasota Springs, via Edinburg and it allows us to schedule a nice short day on the bike and a bit more time hanging out.
Thanks again.

[windrath]

hirundo -

I have not ridden that route, but did drive part of it a couple of years ago.  The way you want to go will be less traffic, way less shoulders on the road, and way less services.  If you prefer enclosed facilities, it might not be a great direction.

Also, I would find a way to confirm you can cross the lake at Edinburg on Highway 98.  For some reason, I did not think this was doable 2 years ago.  You would hate to get there and find out you could not cross.

Good Luck.

[BrianW]

Thanks to each for taking time to respond. We are more confident in the route now. Still, google maps bike routing has a very tantalizing route from Speculator to Sarasota Springs, via Edinburg and it allows us to schedule a nice short day on the bike and a bit more time hanging out.
Thanks again.

Commenting on the route Google Maps takes you on from Speculator to Wells (using bike routing): Gilmantown Rd. is a very pretty road through mostly unpopulated areas. BUT, beware that it is gravel/dirt most of the way after you turn off Shore Rd. "Gilmantown" shown on the map is not really a town, but just a collection of small houses/cottages by the lake. No services there that I know of.

I would recommend sticking to Rt. 30 from Speculator to Wells. It doesn't get much traffic and it's a really pretty ride following the Sacandaga River the whole way into Wells. Plus, it's almost all downhill -- I'm talking NICE downhill -- and has good shoulders. You'll have a smile on your face the entire way. At least I did the couple of times I've biked it.

[danacf]

Fulton County and the northwest quadrant of Saratoga County are quite rural and traffic on their secondary roads is virtually non-existent.  Our club does rides from Clifton Park / Saratoga toward Sacandaga Lake and they are all nice rides.  If you want to alter your route, any numbered county road and most town roads should be fine. The county roads surrounding most of Sacandaga Lake are very pleasant and scenic to ride on.  The bridge between Edinburg and Batchellerville is undergoing replacement and is down to one alternating lane on the old bridge.  It's a long span and I don't have any idea what it be like trying to cross it on a bicycle. 

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

As a former Adirondacker (who wishes he still was) the roads inside the "Blue Line" are busiest on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday going the other way. NY 28 from the west and NY 9 from the SE can be a parking lot on holiday, or simply nice, weekends. I have always tended away from the touristy areas (Lake George, Saratoga Springs, etc.) except Lake Placid, because you have to go there to get into the main High Peaks Wilderness trailheads. When I was there last, in 2005, I was impressed with some of the roadways that are now on the west side of the loop. I have to agree with most of the others here, and trust the ACA map makers!

Ride safe,
Hans