Lots of climbing
Crown Point >> Plattsburgh | 104km | 1,206m | 4h12m
September 6, 2024 | 26ºC, clear skies
Alongside the Adirondack Mountains
While yesterday was already a somewhat hilly stage, we knew that today would be the biggest elevation challenge of our whole trip. 1200 meters of climbing over only 100 kilometers of distance (actually even less, since almost the entire elevation gain would happen throughout the first 70 kilometers). The route would lead us straight north on highway 9 towards Westport, before then turning onto highway 22, continuing north all the way to Plattsburgh.
The scenery was beautiful, and after the first somewhat busy 30 kilometers the cycling was pretty enjoyable. Rolling hills on good asphalt and a couple of pretty spicy climbs. The uphill stretches in this part of the Adirondacks were never longer than 2-3 kilometers, but some of them quite steep at times. Those constant ups and downs definitely kept our quads entertained, while our minds were still trying to pay attention to some big trucks on often shoulderless roads.
Where to eat?
We were following the Empire State Trail on the western side of Lake Champlain. After we turned onto state highway 22 in Westport, the traffic got much better; the towns much smaller, too. We looked at the map and decided to have lunch in Willsboro at kilometer 55, to refuel just before today’s biggest climb. It took us a while to actually find a place that not only was open but also accepted credit cards. A promising little coffeeshop was closed for the season; a foodtruck alongside the road only took cash; and the only other option we found was a deli inside a gas station shop. It turned out that their freshly made sandwiches were actually really delicious and huge in size!
What goes up will go down
After a good lunchbreak we conquered the longest climb of this trip. Overall about 13 kilometers of uphill riding, parts of which quite steep, but mostly manageable. And what goes up, will go down! After we reached the peak at 350 meters above sea level, we were to enjoy an 18km downhill followed by a very flat section all the way into Plattsburgh.
Overall a good day. So far the more road-heavy section of the Empire State Trail wasn’t all too bad, with some (very sketchy) exceptions over the past 200 kilometers. Even getting into Plattsburgh, a town of approximately 20,000 people, was quieter than some of the smaller towns prior; mostly on bikepaths. Too bad, that the motel we booked for tonight was at the other side of town and we were forced to do some ugly city riding right towards the city’s main interstate access. At least the hotel would provide breakfast in the morning, which hopefully would be worth the extra risk.
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South-bound: Day 01 | Day 02 | Day 03 | Day 04 | Day 05 | Day 06 | Day 07 | Day 08
North-bound: Day 09 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15