LOCALadk Magazine

56 Summer 2014 LOCALadk Adirondack Mountain Bik ing By Josh Wilson Ever want to drop everything, toss your bike on the car and take off into the sunset to explore every last mile of good single track you can find? Me too. However, the reality of work usually gets the best of me before I make it out of the driveway. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to live in the Adirondacks where opportunities for amazing accessible mountain bike riding are always available. The Adirondack Park has long been a destination for all kinds of outdoor recreation, but until recently, good trails for mountain biking were few and far between. Not anymore. The region has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance as organizations have formed to advocate for and build quality trail systems in all corners of the Park. What follows is by no means an exhaustive list of Adirondack mountain biking destinations, but it's a great place to start if you're looking to find a new place to get your tires dirty. Northwestern Adirondacks St. Lawrence County The largest county in New York State is a great place to get a mountain biking fix, thanks in part to the St Lawrence County Mountain Biking Association (SLMBA), which is transforming the area into a quality mountain bike destination. Over the past three years, SLMBA has constructed approximately 18 miles of new trails in the towns of Colton and Russell, about ten miles south of the better known villages of Canton and Potsdam, and a stone's throw from the northwestern boundary of Adirondack Park. Three distinct trail networks contain the vast majority of riding in this region: Downerville State Forest, High Flats/Seven Springs State Forest, and the Stone Valley Cooperative Recreation Area. The networks are in close proximity to one another, making this a good destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. You'll find the easily-accessible Stone Valley trails just east of the Raquette River near the hamlet of Colton. Expert riders are encouraged to check out the "Ledges," a more technical trail that makes good use of the exposed, smooth rock ledges that dot the landscape. The many challenging drops and roll-over features will test your skills and leave you begging for more. A new three-mile trail Enjoying a labyrinth of dirt road riding near Old Forge Photo by Kurt Gardner

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