LOCALadk Magazine

Summer 2014 57 LOCALadk was constructed for beginner and intermediate riders in 2013 and can be accessed via the trailhead on Lenny Road. Venture a few miles down dusty dirt roads east of Colton to find the trails at High Flats State Forest. The ten miles of riding here is great for intermediates, although you will find climbs steep enough to challenge any ability level. The trailhead is at the end of Crowley Road, adjacent to Seven Springs, an old ski area owned by Clarkson University. In 2013 the Clarkson Mountain Bike Team hosted a downhill race here for the first time ever, part of the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference circuit. The most recent addition to SLMBA's trail system is Downerville State Forest, which features about 15 miles of single track on hilly terrain near the North Branch of the Grasse River. The trailhead is pretty far off the beaten path, so you're likely to have the place to yourself. More Information: St. Lawrence Mountain Bike Association slmba.org Wear On Earth www.wearonearth.com The Tread Mill www.treadmillbikes.com Central Adirondacks Inlet & Old Forge Central Adirondack communities of Inlet, Old Forge, and Raquette Lake are famous as Adirondack snowmobiling meccas in the winter months. You might not know, however, that these communities are great places to visit in the summer months for those of us who enjoy machines propelled by pedal power. Inlet is the home of the Black Fly Challenge bike race, which has drawn people to the community for over a decade. Now riders are discovering that the area has more to offer than just racing. The recent adoption of a new management plan for the vast Moose River Plains Wild Forest and the promise of new trail development gave a handful of dedicated mountain bike enthusiasts and advocates the motivation they needed to form the Central Adirondack Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) in 2013, and the organization has hit the ground running. CAMBA is now working with the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) to develop a plan for building new single track trails between Inlet and Raquette Lake. In the meantime, mountain bikers can still get a fix on the many other trails in the area. Beginner and intermediate riders will enjoy the 16 mile round-trip ride between Eagle Bay and Raquette Lake on Browns Tract Road, a remote dirt road with opportunities for single track riding along the way. Midway through your trip, reward yourself with a cold beer at the Tap Room in Raquette Lake, an authentic Adirondack waterhole where locals are sure to be found. For a more challenging experience, check out Fern Mountain Recreation Area in Inlet (locals call it Fern Park). This multi-use trail system features a number of loop rides originating from a single trailhead just south of "downtown"; the 7.3-mile "Yellow Loop" is recommended for experts. The "Ridge Top Run" and "Boulder Field" sections are sure to keep you on your toes. Inlet's neighbor to the west is Old Forge, where the Maple Ridge trail system is the preferred destination for mountain bikers. Built on the hillside between the town and McCauley Mountain Ski Area and making good use of a combination of single track and XC ski trails, this network has something for everyone. "You will feel like family, and eat like a king in one of the most peaceful and beautiful spots you will ever see." Joanna L. Overnight Special! Stay Any Two Nights, And Enjoy Your ird Night Free 2591 Stillwater Rd Lowville, NY 13367 (315) 376-6470 www.stillwateradirondacks.com Overnight Special! Stillwater Hotel 518-523-0125 AdirondackRugs.com 2077 Saranac Ave Lake Placid, NY 12946 LAKE PLACID RUG & HOME TRIBAL TO TRADITIONAL Specializing in Great Camp Rustic elegance and "Arts & Crafts" Decor

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