September 30, 2025 - Albany, NY, to Queensbury, NY
End: Queensbury, NY
Miles: 57.6
Feet climbing per mile: 35
Record of the day's ride: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/338212301
In my tips located around New York City, the farthest north I had previously ridden was Albany (October 11-13, 2022 - Hudson, NY). In order to extend my riding north of Albany, the plan for this four-day trip was to take an Amtrak train from Penn Station to Albany (actually Albany-Rensselaer), ride north to Queensbury and stay in a hotel, ride north to Ticonderoga and stay in another hotel, ride south to Queensbury and and stay in the first hotel, and then ride south to Albany where I would catch the train back to Penn Station.
Traveling with a bike on Amtrak is more complicated than on any of the local trains I've used (NJ Transit, Metro North, Long Island Railroad). A reservation is required for my bike as well as for me, but the reservation for the bike can't be made online. Nor can one obtain the senior discount online. Furthermore the Amtrak website does not make clear on which trains bikes are allowed. I had considered starting this trip on Monday the 29th but on Sunday the 28th I found the Amtrak website so problematic that I decided to go to Penn Station on Monday and speak with an Amtrak agent. The agent with whom I spoke was very helpful, giving me accurate information and the best prices, and put my order on hold while I made reservations for hotels in Queensbury and Ticonderoga. The round trip, including the fees for the bike, cost me $141.
After returning home from Penn Station I completely packed for this trip because I needed to get up the next day at 6:00 in order to catch the 7:15 train. While packing I discovered that the battery of the Lezyne pump I carry on my bike was dead. I installed a new battery on July 4th and had not used the pump since then, so it seems the battery drains even when it's not in use. In June of last year I had Lezyne replace the board on the pump in order to prevent that problem, but the problem persists. I've written to Lezyne about this.
I had a restless night, which is never a good thing before a bike trip. At 2:00 I woke and realized I had not packed my off-bike shoes. I got up and put them on my desk so that I would be sure to pack them in the morning. In order to be sure I take everything I need, my practice is that, with few exceptions, the gear I use for bike trips is used only on bike trips, and I keep it packed and ready to go. But I've been using my off-bike shoes when at home, contrary to my established practice. From now on my off-bike shoes will stay in my trunk bag when I'm at home.
I was up at 6:00, out the door at 6:30, and arrived at Penn Station at 6:35. A porter told me he would give me early notice of what track my train would be on so that I could board the train and store my bike before the rest of the passengers boarded. He did as he promised and led me to the train, so I tipped him two dollars.
After leaving the Albany-Rensselaer station I was soon riding over the Hudson River on the Dunn Memorial Bridge.
After leaving the bridge I was soon on a bike trail for five miles. I usually don't like bike trails, but this one was beautifully paved, had great scenery, and was the perfect way to avoid the traffic of Albany.
At mile 10.2 I rode across another bridge...
...and one more at mile 12.0.
From that bridge I could see two tugboats.
At mile 17.4 I had a clear view of the Hudson River, along which I would ride most of the day.
At mile 21.4 I stopped at a Dollar General to enjoy a Monster. Note that it was a zero-sugar version.
The bridge I saw at mile 22.5 caught my attention.
If you look carefully at the picture below you'll see a walkway. I wonder how many unauthorized people have crossed the Hudson on that walkway.
I stopped at mile 24.0 when I saw the Stillwater Blockhouse.
If you click on the picture below I think you'll be able to read the text.
It's wonderful to ride on a generous shoulder.
I rode past a snake that was on the shoulder at mile 29.4 and then went back to take its picture after it crawled into the grass.
This day's route had little climbing. Other than the climb over the Hudson from Rensselaer to Albany near the beginning of the ride, the picture below shows the first notable climbing of the day, starting at mile 34.0, but it only got up to about a 4% grade.
At mile 37.1 I enjoyed a scoop of Stewart's black raspberry ice cream.
At mile 38.6 I saw a dam on the Hudson.
Yes, I am obsessed with bridges. Because of its open-grate surface, I started to walk over the one I encountered just before mile 39, but then decided that riding would be easier.
At mile 39.4 I decided to continue despite the surface being crushed stone.
I proceeded despite the signs shown in the picture below. I never encountered a dead end or a closed bridge.
At mile 49.7 I enjoyed a second scoop of Stewart's black raspberry ice cream.
While riding through Glenns Falls, I took the sidewalk in order to be away from the rush-hour traffic. I arrived at Sleep Inn & Suites in Queensbury at 6:00. In front of the hotel I met Gregg Burdo, an interesting character who lives with his cats in the woods nearby.
At Kashi Sushi, next to my hotel, I enjoyed all-you-can-eat sushi for just $29 plus tax and tip.
There was little climbing this day, just 35 feet per mile, but the persistent headwind, which was the result of the two tropical storms in the Atlantic, added to challenge.
Next day: October 1, 2025 - Queensbury, NY, to Ticonderoga, NY
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