About Stephen Leon

Stephen Leon, a freelancer based in Albany, covers various issues for Adirondack Explorer. Previously, he was editor and publisher of the Albany alternative newsweekly Metroland. He can be reached at stephenleon7@gmail.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Scot Slater says

    Great dream, I sure would like to see the rail trails developed. They surly would be a world class destination. Thanks for the promotion.

  2. LeRoy Hogan says

    Rail bikes … what about … rail bikes?
    Rail explorers is doing very well everywhere else for example in the Catskills of NY State. With the rail bikes a trail can be had within the same corridor. Side by side.

    • Scott Thompson says

      Fun I’m sure, but everyone has to go at the same time, travel at the same pace, go to the same points for the same amount of time and rent space on someone else’s equipment and only go if the operator says so. Isn’t a lot of the Adirondacks about the freedom to enjoy it the way you want to? I can’t see the need for Railroad infrastructure. There could be a small motor tram if there is a need.

  3. Scott Thompson says

    This could be our future rather than going back in time ( which can’t be done) to another unsuccessful attempt at a tourist railroad.
    Still time to write to your representatives.

      • Al Worthington says

        Mr Hogan, for the most part, nothing is real in Las Vegas. Witness, for example, the Eiffel Tower. And so it’s not surprising rail bikes are reported as being successful there. Rail bikes aren’t real bikes either. And how can anyone draw a comparison between what goes on in that forsaken place and the glorious Adirondacks?

  4. Andrew Willard says

    If i’m traveling to the ADK for riding a bike, it is going to be for the mountains – both the views and the challenge of the hill climbs. I can get enough of the flat trails anywhere.

  5. Paul says

    Very few people have ever even been out in these remote part of the park. Especially the western part. I am one of the few people who has, multiple times. People cannot fathom the level of danger that these completely pristine areas present to humans. THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE IS IN AN ENCLOSED RAIL TRUCK. Only die hard survivalist who are from the area, and railroad employees should every venture out to these locations. The bugs are the same type you will find in the Canadian taiga, and will literally follow you for miles and eat humans alive. Can’t even keep them out of a truck to save your life. People who think that it’s even possible to ever bike a simple mile in some of these areas simply have no idea what they are getting into and should stay far away.

    • Wilson says

      HAHAHAHA – Paul not sure if this is meant as a joke but I hope so because its hilarious and possibly the funniest comment on the rail-trail debate I’ve seen yet! Either way I’m LOLing hard.

  6. Al Worthington says

    Rail bikes are a pathetic joke to most cyclists and a means for railroad enthusiasts to attempt to delay the inevitable; a robust rail trail system in upstate NY, including the Adirondacks.

  7. Dave Kraus says

    This is a great vision and deserves a concerted effort to make it real. But it will not happen safely unless the connecting highways are maintained and improved to match the quality of any new trails. I’m not sure when the last time was that Peter Bauer rode his bicycle from Indian Lake to North River, but the pavement is in atrocious condition and has been for the past five years. Additionally, where passing lanes are built on the climbs, the shoulder width shrinks to less than half of it’s normal width. As it is now, I would warn any cyclist away from riding that ten mile stretch of Rt. 28.

  8. chas says

    I fully support the dream as described. Are there any data, or projections, about the possible influx of tourists that might be expected?

  9. CK says

    It’s simple, if trains aren’t using these tracks, they should be turned over to the state and converted to multi-use trails. This is a great plan. We all understand the important of historic preservation but trains are not coming back to the region. I’d like to see a network of long interconnected loops of singletrack mountain bike trails throughout the park instead of these tiny little zones.

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