A roll into Rensselaerville and return by 402, 143 and 85 + standard approach / return via Voorheesville

In a nutshell:


A roll into Rensselaerville and return by Routes 402, 143 and 85 and the remainder is classic approach/ return route through Voorheesville. [Two days ago, 5/28/2011, there was a parade or sidewalk sale Day. . . or Memorial Day on convenient Saturday venue.] Same route up to the Helderberg plateau but different route southerly, mostly, nearly into Catskill Territory. 


It started a nice cool, dry morning, after showers that had just ended when I left. Then, as the trip wore on, it became a little warm. By the half-way point, 55 km or so, arriving in Rensselaerville, I noticed I was low on liquids, drinking my way through my first bottle and a half or so, and hungrily scarfing down a snack. I stood outside the Catalpa B&B. 


The ride up the 85 / 443 route from the intersection with 85 & 443 there at the corner shop near Wolf Rd. was epic, as usual, and the flat + downhill was just as wild. I think I was hitting 60+ kph (so 40 mph) on the steady downhill from the Helderberg plateau down into R-ville. I saw some turkey, large pheasant, and a deer on one stretch of 85. When I finally pulled to a halt there at 351 and 85, I realized my time was getting away from me . . . I had 2 h 10 on the clock and I wasn't really headed north, at all, although my plan was to go  east somewhat.


So I make a quick revision, still stuck on whether to plunge into the soup and head east, way east to 32 or something, THEN go north -- but I stuck to a more prudent plan to go east on 351, the north on 402 into Westerlo. I hadn't been to Westerlo in a while, anyway. 


It's a pleasant trip; I'm always a bit surprised. I've photographed the library there on the corner at least three other occasions or two. 


So it was 143 straight north, YES, or continue on Route 1/Route 143 east-- maybe getting a terrain advantage. I stayed with 143 north, to join 85 at Somebody's Corners, a crossing I'd passed by earlier noting the descending price of gasoline 3.89/gal at the service station there. 


Up the hill on 85 a bit, not hard, not long until the downhill wheeeeee! free ride with wind in the chain. . . the front derailleur starting to give me grief. . . just when I needed the big chain ring in front for land speed record velocities. Past the Stewart's, stone place, on the flat to the Thacher Park turn off, past the big 'S' set of turns to 85A. 


In the other lanes, other direction, I saw some timid cyclists preparing to go up and they looking longingly at the descending maniac. I do the same. It wasn't long before I knew what time I might be home -- 1 pm. So I called then texted home. 

GALLUPVILLE FROM HOME AND BACK ON 146

Leaving this morning around 9 am with plans and intentions for Schoharie County. I made it there and back, without getting hit with the rain that was a 'maybe' in the weather prognostications . . .

It didn't happen and I made it there.

From Niskayuna, the great unheralded secret path through to Voorheesville is to take Kings Road. You can cut through the northern end of Central Park, past the tennis courts, cross 7 at Golf Rd., dodge through the residences south of the Muni Golf Course, then cross State Street over to Roosevelt. Roosevelt runs straight into Albany Rd. turn left to the stop light 100 meters away. Bear right onto the Kings Highway or Kings Rd. (one of the earlier roads linking Albany to Schenectady) it now runs to Old State Rd.

Hang a right at Siver . . . there is a golf course and out or maintenance buildings at that corner 'Public Welcome' and believe me this morning there were 30 golfers improving their swings prior to taking on the long holiday weekend visit to the links. Pretty course. One half is on the other side of the road, so watch for 'em.

This to Willow Street, right to coast past the old school house, cross Rte 20, onto Foundry Rd. swing around keeping to the right at the first stop sign. Again into the woods to climb past an old quarry which is now a shooting range for a state agency of some stripe, up up up the hill to Grant Hill (even after Wormer) to get to Voorheesville.

In town there was a parade for a bit later, or just sidewalk sales, but I was able to escape the worst of the slow or blocked traffic.

Then up into the higher altitudes to New Salem, and the infamous right turn onto 85A -- The Helderberg Parkway or New Scotland Rd.

THE CLIMB!

How many times have we used this to get to Thacher? Scads. Tons.

But this time I was bent on continuing on 85 so onto the road rising to 85-443 and UP UP the nasty climb just past the Stewart's Shops on the corner of the 'T'. Brutal. But worth it once the trip down 443, the Helderberg Trail began. What a hoot. Never left the top chain ring in front. Really, a blast!

In no time, 20 or 30 mintues, I found myself in some funny little backwaters and quaint towns. Berne with its First Mill Road and then West Berne, then no berne at all, I was in Gallupville. Terrific houses, remnants from bygone eras. Stone silo on the way out of town easterly, yes, on 146. A must-see.

The long slow climb up to Altamont from Gallupville was nice. The road was in much better shape than 443 which near the end turned into a series of 'ka-bumps' as I tooled on down from the plateau down to East Berne. The winter's done its damage and the road crews haven't shown up yet.

Once in Altamont, it is easy to get home. Read the map; it's our standard return from Thacher Park route.

Or look here.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/35674174

Photo 1: The first mill site in Berne, sign next to the course of the stream of river, The Fox, near the Fox River Park. 

Photo 2: Gallupville on the uphill side, a quick snap of a beautiful old red brick home, original structure, augmented by the white wood sided portion in front.

Photo 3: Stone silo next to the red barn companion structure on 146 just as you enter the main intersection in town. 

Trip up Johnson, whip past Charlton, around Ballston Lake, home by standard Ashdown Blue Barns Balltown Rd.

This morning was a perfect time for a trip up Johnson, whip past the village of Charlton, around the far end of Ballston Lake, then return home by the standard route from those parts: once out of the low-altitudes about the lake, up the hill Lake Rd. then Schauber Rd. past the Scribner house, to Ashdown,  Blue Barns, then Balltown Rd. south across the Rexford Bridge, up the trail,  through the residential area. . . home. Passing the Lake Farms apple stand, serving cider and apple cider doughnuts. Tempting.

Bright sunny day, even though it started out a bit cool at 60+ F, wind from the west carrying with it promised short-duration showers and ick. The weather map looked a bit threatening but most of the green and yellow was moving off to the north. The spots headed our way were moving west, steaming along, having us mildly worried. 

I was out in the yard tending to some mulching and putting down some composted matter from last year on this year's vegetable patch, when my cell buzzed and vibrated. "Starbucks is burning!" it read. "Need citizen volunteers. You qualified?" This had to be one of my riding buddies trying to get me off the land and into the saddle . . . SelleItalia, to be precise. We usually meet at the St. James Square Starbucks. Any excuse is good. I wasn't convinced that the store was actually on fire. 


I was up for it. T-bone wasn't up yet, so we'd travel light and fast. 

I was there at 10:30 am and we left soon after a quick route discussion. 

The route says it all. 1,000 fit climb after 15 or 20 km to get out to the base of the hill. Johnson can be daunting. Just as you turn off Route 5, the climb starts. Down shift to the middle chain ring in front. Click through the smaller to larger sprockets in back. I stay in the saddle and just climb the best I can. I'm doing OK until the third or fourth little ramp up and Ti man loses me. I try to keep up and only limit my time upright in the pedals to one stretch. Not bad! 


We crest in front of the house on the right, then start downhill for the flying turns (45 mph!!) that leave us breathless at the 'T' junction with W. Glenville. Left toward the corner with the church and fire station in the village. We rip down North Rd. and come to Rte 147 almost surprised. 'Where did this come from?' 


Jog right, then left, onto Charlton Rd. The westerly wind is now at our backs and on flat terrain I am cranking along at 30 mph! Not for long. The hills outside of town force me down a couple of gears and Ti man catches up and we take up a conversation from earlier. We agree to go on over to Outlet Rd on the north end of Ballston Lake, and take some route back. We are sailing and I'm getting a burn in the thighs from the pulls. We share and keep moving fast . . . 


We wrap it up by going past the lake's Rail Trail and taking Lake Rd. then Schauber up to the intersection with Round Lake Rd. near the apple cider/doughnut stand. Lakeview Farms or something. The sign says 'Doughnuts' 'Slab Bacon' I can't think of any combination of foods so revolting, even though I am beginning to get hungry. 


The return is familiar from here; it's a favorite at noon time with the group at work. But we go off trail into the residential area at St. Joseph and River Rd. 


Great ride. My legs feel 'worked' and we say good bye.

Mariaville Lake by way of 160, return by 195, Crawford (descent)

Long climb up 160 from 5S from town. Glorious day and ripe for an early season climbing experience. 

After 45 minutes we were in Pattersonville, then commenced the uphill work. It was hot on 160 and took a break on the way up, took a couple of snaps. Mariaville Lake is pictured above. One of the old homes on the lake's shores is the white structure above. According to the sign, James Frost built it in the 1834 from an earlier structure (built in the 1800 time frame, a Featherstonehaugh Mansion) . . . showing that reuse was always a part of proper stewardship of the resources at citizens' disposal. 

The intersection in the photo is where 160 meets 159 just uphill from the intersection with Dennison where it meets 160. We rolled down 159 heading east to return to town. We make it to the intersection with Rynex Corners road that heads north toward the river. We turn right at Crawford Rd., the higher altitude end, of course, and pass several antennae with 2 m and folded dipoles. A three element driven element, director and reflector, was seen. 

Down, down the hill. We squeak brakes all the way to the railroad overpass. I-90. We make quick work of returning to the Stockade from the rail trail and 5S. I phone home to leave a message that we will arrive before too much longer. Longest part was Nott in the traffic! Potholes and uneven pavement make it a challenge. We're home on time!