Catch the eco-spirit of Grasshopper Island

By Joseph Goliber

The Adirondack Century cycling route begins in the centre of St. Lawrence

County, in Canton N.Y., 20 minutes from the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge, between Adirondack Park and the St. Lawrence River. Several bed and breakfasts await you along the loop if you plan an early start or want to make a two-day trip out of your ride.

From Canton, you wind your way on country roads (Route 68) through rolling farm land stretching ahead for the ascent into the foothills of the Adirondacks. About 32 kilometres into your trek, you will reach Higley Flow State Park (off Route 56), a place where you can pitch a tent, shower, swim and picnic.

From Higley Flow, you will continue climbing the foothills until you enter Adirondack Park itself about 45 kilometres in. At 2.4 million hectares, it’s the largest national park in the continental United States. A few kilometres further along, you will reach the all-season Catamount Lodge, designed for family and group accommodations. It has hiking trails to Carry Falls Reservoir and Catamount Mountain itself. You can take a swim or a hike, even if you’re not staying there.

Leaving the lodge behind, you continue on to intersection of Route 56 and Route 3, known as Sevey’s Corner. It has Sevey’s Point convenience store, the first opportunity for water and provisions. From Sevey’s Point, you continue southwest on Route 3 along a flat road with wide shoulders into

some of the most beautiful and remote areas of the county. Around the 80-kilometre mark, you enter the hamlet of Cranberry Lake, an outdoor enthusiast’s playground and home to one of the largest remote lakes in the Adirondacks, 20,000 hectares of untouched wilderness and the Cranberry Lake 50, a challenging 80-kilometre loop around the lake that offers hikers some of the most breathtaking views in the county. You can turn off of Route 3 into Wanakena to visit Otto’s Abode, a community centre with art, information, snacks and bathrooms.

Continuing down Route 3, you ride into the hamlet of Star Lake, population 800, where you should seek out an Adirondack gem, Coffee Fever, a café open seven days a week. Stop in for a specialty coffee, fresh salads, upscale sandwiches, wraps and free Wi-Fi.

After cycling through Star Lake, continue on Route 3 until you begin descending out of Adirondack Park, taking a right on County Route 27A and another right on 27, passing Dodge Pond Lodge, another option for group accommodation. About 134 kilometres along is the trailhead for Lampson Falls, the most popular waterfall in St. Lawrence County. After a short hike on a well-maintained trail, you reach the top of the falls, 30 metres across and 12 metres high of cascading water. At the bottom, a small beach allows for swimming and picnicking.

Staying on Route 27, your trek will transition from big woods back to rolling farmlands to close the loop after 163 kilometres in the village of Canton.

For cue sheets, maps and visitor Information go to NorthCountryGuide.com or call toll free 1-877-228-7810. Φ

Adventurous cyclists can take the Tooley Pond Road short cut beginning in Cranberry Lake. This route shaves roughly 18 kilometres off the Adirondack Century ride, but adds 15 hard minutes to your ride. This is no ride for beginners – it’s got sections of dirt road and steep hills with rough pavement. But it takes you through some of the most beautiful wilderness that Adirondack Park offers – including six major waterfalls like Twin Falls and the gentle slopes around Sinclair Falls, a perfect place to picnic. Some of the falls can be seen from the road, while others are a short walk along trails. Once you reach the end of the Tooley Pond Road, take a right onto County Route 27 to reconnect with the Adirondack Century.

A soft tire will slow you down, so it follows that pumping up your tires (every two weeks) makes riding easier. You are actually pumping up an inner tube, made of latex or butyl, which naturally loses air over time.

How much air to put in? The manufacturer’s recommended pressure range is embossed on the tire’s sidewall. It will be a range from 80 to 110 psi (pounds per square inch) for a road tire.

The maximum isn’t necessarily ideal. It seems logical to think higher pressure means lower rolling resistance, that isn’t always true. And on a rough road, like chip-sealed asphalt, high-pressure tires bounce harshly. Running five to 10 psi less than the max makes for a more comfortable ride. At the other extreme however, running way below the minimum invites more flats.

A hand pump with a pressure gauge ensures the correct amount of air, and it’s easy to do before a ride. Don’t rely on your fallible thumb. ~ Sheila Ascroft

Easy access waterfalls, scenic or challenging cycling routes, firetower hikes and world-class fishing. Discover it all in St. Lawrence County, New York.

For more information or a Free Travel or Anglers Guide visit: www.northcountryguide.com 1-877-228-7810 fishcap.net