dacanadian

Hello Bicycle Touring friends! Leaving on my trip next week. Giving myself about ten days. A few of the choices I'm looking for specific feedback on include:

- Which parts of the Lake Champlain route to ride

- Whether to venture further into the Adirondacks or keep close to the lake

- Whether to go through Albany or go through the Green Mountains

- Whether to continue on Route 9 all the way to Stamford, or rejoin the Hudson River and go through Bear Mountain

Thank you in advance!

djb

I have friends who did it a bunch of years ago, not from Montreal proper, but the Eastern Townships, I can ask them about their route.

I do have to ask, why so late in the season? You are setting yourself up for some seriously crappy riding conditions.

also, two words------ dishwashing gloves

large enough to fit some snall wool gloves inside and together, they will save your sorry keester when its rainy, windy and 10c or 5c or whatever, which you are going to be riding in on this trip.

ps, I did Montreal to Boston once and rode out of Montreal, took the ice bridge (L'Estacade) over the river, along the seaway spit thing down to Ste Catherine, and then meandered to the border---you better check if the ice bridge is still open, Champlain bridge construction may have closed it recently, check things out in any case as I am sure you know, changes are on a day to day factor recently, especially on a weekend.

indyfabz

Did St. Albans, VT to Philly back in June.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27849657?beta=false

debade

The West Coast Greenway is still being developed but it might give you some ideas and/or contacts Western New England Greenway | Bike Route | CT MA VT -

Steve B.

Consider that it's getting cold in the Green and Adirondack Mt's right now, so mornings might be below freezing with occasional snow. These area's are higher in elevation then sticking close to Lake Champlain.

Big issue is where are you staying at night ?. The Adirondack public campgrounds are closed for the season. The Vermont State park campgrounds also, but they allow overnight camping off season, just no water or bathrooms.

Thus if it were me, I'd head down Lake Champlain, either side is good, though I have a preference for NY as it's less busy then the Burlington area. Then east of Albany but still in NY, maybe down Rt 22 to Copake Falls, then the Harlem Valley Rail Trail to Amenia (22 miles or so), then local roads to Brewster and the Putnam Rail Trail down to the Westchester North and South County trails (45 miles) to NYC.

hfbill

I think the ideal season for this ride has passed for this year, so whichever way you go, make sure you have sufficient cold & wet weather gear. I would go south from Montreal in to NY and then take the Cumberland Head Ferry (just north of Plattsburgh) across to VT and down the VT side of Lake Champlain. I find the towns are a bit nicer on the VT side than those in NY (IMHO). You can find relatively flat terrain on either side of the lake, but I think VT has more options, like RTs 116, 30, 22A. You would then eventually slip back into NY around Granville, and then as Steve B suggests, down the NY side of the border along Rt22 and so on.

indyfabz

I rode the Harlem Valley Trail back in June from Millerton to the southern terminus at Wassaic. Very nice.

djb

so fall riding dude, you havent responded at all, still doing the ride?

dacanadian

It won't let me post my reply. It says that I'm posting a URL and that I'm not allowed - but I'm not posting a URL.

Long story short I'm on the ride and it's going very well!

djb

well good luck with it, and especially the weather. Its pretty darn chilly here these nights, are you camping or motelling it?

indyfabz

My friend is at his Burlington place. He wrote that there was a bit of snow the other day.