General Cycling Discussion - Anyone riding in the Lyon Mountain, NY area?

Hi

Wondering if anyone riding in the Lyon Mountain, NY area could recommend roads in that area.
Say from Malone, Dannemora, or Plattsburg.

Thanks
Mike

Hi

Wondering if anyone riding in the Lyon Mountain, NY area could recommend roads in that area.
Say from Malone, Dannemora, or Plattsburg.

Thanks
Mike

My family is from up that way, Chateaugay and Brainardsville. Have a family cottage on Chateaugay Lake. Done alot of motorcycle riding around there, but not on a bike. I've wonder if anyone has rode from Chazy Lake to Dannemora on 374 or back. Dannemora Mt. be a hard climb, for me anyways.

I've wonder if anyone has rode from Chazy Lake to Dannemora on 374 or back. Dannemora Mt. be a hard climb, for me anyways.

From what I've heard from a fellow cyclist, it is a nice ride. You do need a lot of patience for that endless 25-mile or so climb up to Lyon Mountain.

From what I've heard from a fellow cyclist, it is a nice ride. You do need a lot of patience for that endless 25-mile or so climb up to Lyon Mountain.

Do you live in Lyon Mountain?

Do you live in Lyon Mountain?

No, I don't. but I hear it's a really nice area, great for cycling.

No, I don't. but I hear it's a really nice area, great for cycling.

Ahh ic, there are mile after mile of old back roads in and around the area with little traffic. Route 374 would be a major road for the area, 2 lane blacktop. Not a lot of traffic, but off the top of my head, I don't believe the shoulders are very wide. Some what like Route 11 that runs north from Watertown through Malone.

If you don't know, coming down Dannemora Mt from the west into Dannemora is a trip. The walls of Dannemora prison are right next to the left hand sidewalk on 374 right in the middle of town. My father was a prison guard there for a time after the Air Force in 45.

Standish Rd South from Lyon Mountain working your way to Wilmington and route 86 to Lake Placid would also be nice. Next to no traffic until route 86. Or south from Malone on route 30 to the Saranac lake area. This road and 86 would have a lot of traffic for the area.

Ahh ic, there are mile after mile of old back roads in and around the area with little traffic. Route 374 would be a major road for the area, 2 lane blacktop. Not a lot of traffic, but off the top of my head, I don't believe the shoulders are very wide. Some what like Route 11 that runs north from Watertown through Malone.

If you don't know, coming down Dannemora Mt from the west into Dannemora is a trip. The walls of Dannemora prison are right next to the left hand sidewalk on 374 right in the middle of town. My father was a prison guard there for a time after the Air Force in 45.

Standish Rd South from Lyon Mountain working your way to Wilmington and route 86 to Lake Placid would also be nice. Next to no traffic until route 86. Or south from Malone on route 30 to the Saranac lake area. This road and 86 would have a lot of traffic for the area.

This is great, thanks a bunch for sharing. :thumb:

Have you any insight for cycling on Route 3, between Cadyville and Paul Smiths?

This is great, thanks a bunch for sharing. :thumb:

Have you any insight for cycling on Route 3, between Cadyville and Paul Smiths?

Sure no problem. If i remember right route 3 is like 374. Two lane back top, a bit busier that 374 with some what wider shoulders. I can't remember if it's twisty, but I do remember a lot gradual hills.

9N from Keene to Ausable Chasm would also be nice, twisty road along the Ausable river. The road is some what narrow in parts. Many water cut gouges on the route. The chasm is a big tourist stop, cool place. Them filmed some of the old Perils of Pauline film there in 1914.

Where are you going to based from?

Sure no problem. If i remember right route 3 is like 374. Two lane back top, a bit busier that 374 with some what wider shoulders. I can't remember if it's twisty, but I do remember a lot gradual hills.

9N from Keene to Ausable Chasm would also be nice, twisty road along the Ausable river. The road is some what narrow in parts. Many water cut gouges on the route. The chasm is a big tourist stop, cool place. Them filmed some of the old Perils of Pauline film there in 1914.

Where are you going to based from?

Funny you should mention the 9N, I remember it exactly the way you described it, and the very wide shoulders are quite phenomenal. Then there's the 73 back up to Lake Placid, not much shoulder and very difficult to climb.

I'll be starting anywhere along the US-Canada Border, looking to visit my neighbours to the south. I recently made these plans to discover the Lyon Mountain region:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Franklin-Lyon-Mountain-backroads

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Malone-Clayburg

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Mooers-Lyon-Mountain-2

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Covey-Hill-Dannemora

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Franklin-Clayburg

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Trout-River-Saranac-Lake

Funny you should mention the 9N, I remember it exactly the way you described it, and the very wide shoulders are quite phenomenal. Then there's the 73 back up to Lake Placid, not much shoulder and very difficult to climb.

I'll be starting anywhere along the US-Canada Border, looking to visit my neighbours to the south. I recently made these plans to discover the Lyon Mountain region:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Franklin-Lyon-Mountain-backroads

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Malone-Clayburg

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Mooers-Lyon-Mountain-2

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Covey-Hill-Dannemora

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Franklin-Clayburg

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Trout-River-Saranac-Lake

Are you making these trips over the entire summer?

The Malone Clayburg map. Will you be heading N on 374 on the return leg to Malone? The following is heading N from Lyon Mountain to Chateaugay Lake

If you haven't seen Chateaugay Lake you'll be in for real treat. If you look at the southwest corner of Upper Chateaugay Lake some where near the end, you'll need the right angle. You'll see White face Mt. in the distance and string of peaks that appear to form a large "W" across the range. Also to the left is Lyon Mountain and a large white block building that was an entrance to a mine. There was and may still be a store in the block building. On your Standish Rd run you'll ride right by this building. I should point out that Standish Rd can be pretty rough. It was make with the iron ore mined from Lyon Mountain. There's lots of ore piles around the town.

After you past the boat launch and the Hollywood restaurant you'll come to the narrow bridge. You could take this bridge and a right at the "T" to get to the Malone-Brainardsville road by the back side of the lake. Might be a bit rough on a road bike. Other wise watch for a small trailer park on the left a half mile down the road. My cottage is a quarter mile from there on the west side, white in color. The name "Lucia" is on a small well house out front.

Boy, do I envy you. :) P.S. I'll try to post some pictures of the lake if I can find them. Ohhh If you zoom in in the Hybrid mode of your map. You can see the road from the bridge around the back side of the lake.

For anyone lurking that would like to know a bit more. Here's a elevation profile of the Lyon Mt., Dannemora Mt. ride. Not the Alps, but what the hell. :) http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=286976

Are you making these trips over the entire summer?
Some of those loops can be consolidated, so probably 3 loops at the most is what I'll end up with.
Over the summer I should be able to do them all, maybe keep one for the fall. :)
Afterwards I'll post them here with any modifications/recommendations for others to enjoy.


The Malone Clayburg map. Will you be heading N on 374 on the return leg to Malone? The following is heading N from Lyon Mountain to Chateaugay Lake
Yes the loop is counter-clockwise.
I found a picture of Standish Road; if it's all like this it will be just tickitty-boo.
http://www.adirondackbasecamp.com/2008/08/standish-road/


If you haven't seen Chateaugay Lake you'll be in for real treat. If you look at the southwest corner of Upper Chateaugay Lake some where near the end, you'll need the right angle. You'll see White face Mt. in the distance and string of peaks that appear to form a large "W" across the range. Also to the left is Lyon Mountain and a large white block building that was an entrance to a mine. There was and may still be a store in the block building. On your Standish Rd run you'll ride right by this building. I should point out that Standish Rd can be pretty rough. It was make with the iron ore mined from Lyon Mountain. There's lots of ore piles around the town.
The road is made out of iron ore? does that mean it isn't paved over? I'll be on a road bike :twitchy:...


After you past the boat launch and the Hollywood restaurant you'll come to the narrow bridge. You could take this bridge and a right at the "T" to get to the Malone-Brainardsville road by the back side of the lake. Might be a bit rough on a road bike. Other wise watch for a small trailer park on the left a half mile down the road. My cottage is a quarter mile from there on the west side, white in color. The name "Lucia" is on a small well house out front.
Got it. I'll drop by if I get the chance and the road is rideable. :)

Some of those loops can be consolidated, so probably 3 loops at the most is what I'll end up with.
Over the summer I should be able to do them all, maybe keep one for the fall. :)
Afterwards I'll post them here with any modifications/recommendations for others to enjoy.


Yes the loop is counter-clockwise.
I found a picture of Standish Road; if it's all like this it will be just tickitty-boo.
http://www.adirondackbasecamp.com/2008/08/standish-road/


The road is made out of iron ore? does that mean it isn't paved over? I'll be on a road bike :twitchy:...


Got it. I'll drop by if I get the chance and the road is rideable. :)


Take some pictures if you can.
Yes it paved with a iron ore mix. Check the color of the standish road in the picture You'll see what I mean at Lyon Mt. Between Lyon Mt and Standish, the road was rough the last time I was on it. Patches here and there, bumps. Stuff like that. The shoulders are small as in the picture but traffic is very light. A few cars a hour if that many.

Let me know when you'll be in the area. I'm in Rochester NY and the odds are I won't be there when you go through.

Hey, this all my backyard (my Standish Rd picture)!

If I remember to stop back here, you could leave questions. Or seek me out elsewhere.

Hey, this all my backyard (my Standish Rd picture)!

If I remember to stop back here, you could leave questions. Or seek me out elsewhere.

A local :)

Hey, this all my backyard (my Standish Rd picture)!

If I remember to stop back here, you could leave questions. Or seek me out elsewhere.

Hey we found you! :)

I guess one question we could have for you is have you created any maps at www.bikely.com for cycling in the the Lyon Mountain area?

Take some pictures if you can.
Yes it paved with a iron ore mix. Check the color of the standish road in the picture You'll see what I mean at Lyon Mt. Between Lyon Mt and Standish, the road was rough the last time I was on it. Patches here and there, bumps. Stuff like that. The shoulders are small as in the picture but traffic is very light. A few cars a hour if that many.

Let me know when you'll be in the area. I'm in Rochester NY and the odds are I won't be there when you go through.

You're right, the graininess of the asphalt/iron ore mix would lead me to believe it is generally rough, not as smooth as it looks.

Here's my favorite action around "Lyon Mt". Start at Cadyville Beach, ride around the mountain. You should find all the info you need on the map.

Cadyville - Standish Rd - Chazy Lake (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Fadirondackbasecamp.com%2Fgmaps%2Fcadyville-standish-chazylake.kml&ie=UTF8&ll=44.697945,-73.795166&spn=0.368016,0.585709&t=p&z=11)

It's been awhile since I've hung out here on bikeforums. Must be a seasonal thing cuz I just started riding for the season. This weekend is looking totally perfect.

Anyways, what else....?

Roads. Almost all the NYS roads are in fairly good shape. Most of the State Roads will have a good shoulder. I avoid the high-traffic roads like Route 3, if possible. Road surface in that Standish Rd shot is as it looks - smooth, but not glass.

374 has a wide shoulder out of Plattsburgh, vehicular speed is more of a concern. Traffic is averaging 60mph on that road till you hit the outskirts of Dannemora.

Route 30 is OK. Good shoulder, pretty remote in some sections. Again, traffic can be flying on some of the more remote sections.

Cadyville to Paul Smiths on Route 3 ? I can't think of an easy way other than that, but it would not be a pleasant ride. It's a main artery from East to West. Kind of like Route 11 (which is just nasty in parts).

Climbs. Yeah, the Dannemora bit can be tough. Mostly if you have to pee or if you run out of water. Either way you can stop at the Spring at the top. Heh. I've done a mini-series on the principal Clinton County Climbs here: Mountain Goat Climbs (http://www.adirondackbasecamp.com/tag/mountain-goat/)

I guess I've heard about bikely.com, I'll give it a look. I like the idea of local's info for cyclists. I've got a mini-backload of GPS tracks/maps like the above, but time is an issue. I can publish my KML files so much more easily!

Another great resource, check out Lake Champlain Bikeways (http://www.champlainbikeways.com) for .... well, the Lake Champlain area biking.

Glad I checked in here, pumped for riding! If anyone wants to chat, hit me up through my blog or: @tourpro (http://twitter.com/tourpro)

Here's my favorite action around "Lyon Mt". Start at Cadyville Beach, ride around the mountain. You should find all the info you need on the map.

Cadyville - Standish Rd - Chazy Lake (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Fadirondackbasecamp.com%2Fgmaps%2Fcadyville-standish-chazylake.kml&ie=UTF8&ll=44.697945,-73.795166&spn=0.368016,0.585709&t=p&z=11)

It's been awhile since I've hung out here on bikeforums. Must be a seasonal thing cuz I just started riding for the season. This weekend is looking totally perfect.

Anyways, what else....?

Roads. Almost all the NYS roads are in fairly good shape. Most of the State Roads will have a good shoulder. I avoid the high-traffic roads like Route 3, if possible. Road surface in that Standish Rd shot is as it looks - smooth, but not glass.

374 has a wide shoulder out of Plattsburgh, vehicular speed is more of a concern. Traffic is averaging 60mph on that road till you hit the outskirts of Dannemora.

Route 30 is OK. Good shoulder, pretty remote in some sections. Again, traffic can be flying on some of the more remote sections.

Cadyville to Paul Smiths on Route 3 ? I can't think of an easy way other than that, but it would not be a pleasant ride. It's a main artery from East to West. Kind of like Route 11 (which is just nasty in parts).

Climbs. Yeah, the Dannemora bit can be tough. Mostly if you have to pee or if you run out of water. Either way you can stop at the Spring at the top. Heh. I've done a mini-series on the principal Clinton County Climbs here: Mountain Goat Climbs (http://www.adirondackbasecamp.com/tag/mountain-goat/)

I guess I've heard about bikely.com, I'll give it a look. I like the idea of local's info for cyclists. I've got a mini-backload of GPS tracks/maps like the above, but time is an issue. I can publish my KML files so much more easily!

Another great resource, check out Lake Champlain Bikeways (http://www.champlainbikeways.com) for .... well, the Lake Champlain area biking.

Glad I checked in here, pumped for riding! If anyone wants to chat, hit me up through my blog or: @tourpro (http://twitter.com/tourpro)

Thanks for your help. With both of you contributing, I will make sure there are maps on Bikely to reflect this knowledge sharing.

Oh and if you want, I can try to upload your .KML files to Bikely. I think Bikely needs .GPX format, but I can try whatever you have. You can fwd them to halleag@yahoo.ca.

Are the following roads (all near Alder Bend) in good shape as well?

- Alder Bend Road
- Plank Road
- Smith Road
- Rand Hill Road

Are the following roads (all near Alder Bend) in good shape as well?

- Alder Bend Road
- Plank Road
- Smith Road
- Rand Hill Road

I think the first three are lightly traveled, not sure about the condition.

Rand Hill is a nice ride if you pick the right time of day. Avoid M-F morning and afternoon commute time.

I think the first three are lightly traveled, not sure about the condition.

Rand Hill is a nice ride if you pick the right time of day. Avoid M-F morning and afternoon commute time.

Thanks, I'll take heed for Rand Hill.

Chinitonorte, Have you pedaled up White Face Mt.?

Chinitonorte, Have you pedaled up White Face Mt.?

Oh dear lord, I've heard of that mountain. :eek:

Oh dear lord, I've heard of that mountain. :eek:

If you get to Wilmington you'll be right at the base of it. Santa's workshop is down the road at North pole NY. I been up it a bunch of times in a car. Great view from there. If I remember right the ski lifts run during the summer and will get you near the top. The ski center is down 86 towards Lake Placid just a few miles from Wilmington.

Chinitonorte, Have you pedaled up White Face Mt.?

The Whiteface Road is closed to cyclists during their operating season. Plus, it's a little outside my home ride-radius. That would be the best climb in the Adirondacks otherwise. If I can't ride it regularly, than screw those state-funded Olympic-freaks for hogging the road - I won't bother with it at all.

(I pay too many taxes, that mountain is run by a public-authority $$$)

Cross-country ski up in the winter for free and no-hassle fun.

The Whiteface Road is closed to cyclists during their operating season. Plus, it's a little outside my home ride-radius. That would be the best climb in the Adirondacks otherwise. If I can't ride it regularly, than screw those state-funded Olympic-freaks for hogging the road - I won't bother with it at all.

(I pay too many taxes, that mountain is run by a public-authority $$$)

Cross-country ski up in the winter for free and no-hassle fun.

Didn't know that, what a shame. I wonder how much money they are losing by not letting cyclists up, (head charge like cars.) I wonder if the tight road has anything to do with it?

Didn't know that, what a shame. I wonder how much money they are losing by not letting cyclists up, (head charge like cars.) I wonder if the tight road has anything to do with it?

I would pay a fee to ride it if they allowed, but all the tourist cars going up and down would inevitably lead to car v. cyclist disaster. Uphill vehicular speed would be no issue, except for the unexpected rubbernecking of the views. Downhill, a bike could easily double the speed of what a car can do. The bit from the beginning of the Toll Rd down to Wilmington is insanely fast if you let it rip. That, you can do anytime.

Any news on the rides xfimpg (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=83563)?

Any news on the rides xfimpg (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=83563)?

Hey Giro
Not yet, at least not from me personally.
I do know a couple of guys that went out from Mooers to Lyon Mountain and back, and said it was great, nice roads.
Anxious to go, just have too many things to do right now. :(