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.
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