East of Herkimer Monument.

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AJ from Millinocket Maine on 5/27/2021 8:43:10 PM:

The trail eastbound after Herkimer Monument is like biking through the beach, the desert, the snow, oatmeal, pennies, nickels, quarters, really any denomination of wasted money. What an awful experience. My poor mother had to walk her bike for the 2-3 miles of mashed potatoes. Why bother to put down THAT MUCH rock dust if you aren’t going to harden it in any way?... idk. Worse part of our bike pack. Even worse than whatever Rome is right now.

wnybubba from Bflo/ROC on 5/27/2021 9:01:23 PM:

Isn't it just crazy? You have to wonder who was in charge, what authorization was given and why the Canal Corporation does not have set standards to follow for preparation and final trail surfacing. That's a rather common item in any Trail Maintenance Crew documentation.

Mike Kennedy from Sheffield Village ohio on 5/28/2021 6:36:53 PM:

I'm on the trail now in Canstota and will be on the "Sugar Sand" tomorrow. I'm thinking of staying on the road through this section. Smart idea?

wnybubba from Bflo/ROC on 5/28/2021 9:28:27 PM:

I haven't looked at any options available, but if it looks like it isn't too bad of an option (length, busy) I can't imagine that missing a 2-3 mile grungy walk is not a great idea!

Keep us posted and what your route idea is (and how it turns out)! Have a good night.

PS - Just looked. Not sure exactly where the crappy surface starts/ends, but if are you thinking River Road -- Looks like something I'd do!

Mike Kennedy from Sheffield Village ohio on 5/29/2021 2:58:51 PM:

I'm in Little Falls now. I rode the Herkimer section. There is new asphalt a great riding conditions. The biker who reported the sugar sand must have come through between the exact time the put down the sand and then asphalt. One more day till Albany. If anyone knows a way back to Buffalo on sunday night or Monday please let me know. Thanks Mike

wnybubba from Bflo/ROC on 5/29/2021 3:58:23 PM:

WOW! That is great news. Maybe that was the plan all along.

Mike -- Sweet planning on your part! LOL
I checked that Amtrak Train for you.

There is a bike rack available on SUNDAY on both the 1:23 PM and 4:23 PM Empire Service Train out of Schenectady. Couch & Rack $52 and $20.

Also: MONDAY on the 7:33 PM Lake Shore Limited Train out of Schenectady. $52 and $20. There is also seat and rack on the 4:23 PM Empire Service. $74 and $20.

I don't know of anyone making the drive from Albany in the next couple days. An option, of course is to turn around and peddle!

You have a lot of options for train, but the racks do sell out, so make a reservation soon if you are going to travel by train.

Mike Kennedy from Sheffield Village ohio on 5/29/2021 4:42:22 PM:

Thanks Bubba for the research. I already have a rack booked for Tuesday. I was not able to get a spot for Monday. I will just ride around Albany. Thanks again

wnybubba from Bflo/ROC on 5/29/2021 8:59:16 PM:

Gotcha. Ask Amtrak if they will let you use your ticket early. Who knows? John Boyd Thacher State Park, it's a really nice place to spend some time exploring. It's a 16 mile bike ride and not great roads to get there, but an Uber might be an option if you are tired of biking around. Glad your tour was a good one. Be sure to write a trip report for us to review. It's been fun hearing from you and helping you out.
-bubba
wnybubba@gmail.com

Yankee John from Vermont/Rexford on 5/29/2021 9:11:26 PM:

Mike:
If you want to ride on your extra day consider the Albany County Rail Trail. It's paved and a gentle uphill to Voorheesville. The trailhead is on Pearl St. just south of Albany. If you want to be off your bike the New York State Museum on Madison is worth a few hours of your time. I don't know what the COVID restrictions for the museum.

wnybubba from Bflo/ROC on 5/29/2021 10:20:58 PM:

Mike Kennedy from Sheffield Village ohio on 5/31/2021 12:59:34 PM:

I'm sitting here on the Amtrak enjoying my unexpected day early ride back to Buffalo. I

Mike Kennedy from Sheffield Village ohio on 5/31/2021 1:00:21 PM:

wnybubba from Bflo/ROC on 5/31/2021 1:16:15 PM:

GREAT! Not that spending time in ALB isn't decent. So Amtrak allowed you to use an earlier train?

Bob G from Columbus, Oh on 9/11/2021 3:25:30 PM:

We rode the east-of-Herkimer section on June 2, 2021 and it was still terrible, so I’m not sure about the May 29 comment that it had been paved. It really isn’t sand, it’s just gravel that was way too deep. Does anyone have an update on this?

Bill in Houston from Houston on 9/13/2021 11:41:43 AM:

Supposedly there are Trail Closed signs and a marked road detour.

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