A Day in the Adirondacks on a Rail Bike Built for Four
Fresh air, sunshine, and the banks of the Hudson River are all part of a rail biking experience near Lake George, N.Y. On a day trip to the Adirondacks, we head to the North Creek Railroad Station—famous as the point from which, back in 1901, U.S. Vice President Teddy Roosevelt, then vacationing in the area, departed for Albany upon learning that President William McKinley had been shot and killed. Roosevelt then traveled from Albany to Buffalo to be sworn in as the 26th president.
The station now houses the Revolution Rail Co., the starting point for our rail biking experience. We soon board a bus that takes us to a nearby rail spur for the more physical portion of our day.
The four-wheeled bikes have two seats or four. Our concerns about being the slow zebras on a ride for which there is no passing lane (we are on a rail, after all) quickly subside as we find a reasonable pace and are neither too close to the bike in front of us nor holding up those behind.
This is a perfect way to experience fall foliage. With no worries about steering, we look up at the leaves, the sky, and over to the water.
The trek is six miles to and back; we stop at the halfway point so that the bikes can be turned around for the return trip.
When You Go
- Plan in advance! This is a popular adventure; ours was booked months in advance.
- Going six miles on a bike in the gym seems a lot easier than doing it by rail.
- Bikes have a basket in the back that can hold handbags.
- Bring water or other drinks for the ride—but remember that there is no bathroom on board.
- If in need of refreshment afterward, head to the Adirondack Brewery in Lake George. I am partial to the mocha coffee stout, but there’s a flavor for everyone.
Need a break after rail biking? Consider a visit to Adirondack Brewery in nearby Lake George. Here, a beer sampler. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
Revolution Rail Co., North Creek Railroad Station, 3 Railroad Place, North Creek NY 12853
Adirondack Brewery, 33 Canada Street, Lake George, N.Y. 12845
—Lori Tripoli
Planning a visit to Lake George? You might like these posts:
- On Lake Vacations
- Prospect Mountain Summit: An Easy Ascent or Less So
- Amusement Park Politics: A Visit to Storytown