Vacationing in the Adirondacks has always been a tradition for my husband's family for over 35 years. Since we got married and started a family, we have kept that tradition alive by bringing our own family to the lakeside retreat every summer. Outside of Lake George, which has become very commercialized from an influx of tourism, the Adirondack region has largely remained underdeveloped, with many of the small towns seemingly frozen in time. The towns are encompassed by untouched mountains and lakes that the area is known for, and we like it this way. We have no choice but to unplug from the noise of our busy lives and reconnect with each other and with nature.
At our recent trip, we had the opportunity to check out the newest attraction in the area: Revolution Rail Company's rail bike excursion. Revolution Rail's man-powered tandem and quad bikes run on decommissioned railroad tracks, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy Adirondack scenery that had previously only been seen by freight trains. An easy two-hour six-mile round trip ride, the tracks take you along the Hudson River as you have never seen it. The three-mile track goes slightly uphill as you head towards a picnic spot with bucolic views of mountains and rippling river water. At the midway point, the bikes are turned around on the same track and you enjoy an easy downhill path back to where you started. There were 15 cars total in our group and we spaced ourselves enough from the car in front of us to pick up some speed a la roller coaster style:
Our whole family enjoyed the adventure, even my daughter, who was skeptical at the thought of having to pedal herself through woods, loved it!
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We will definitely be back to check out the beautiful fall folliage!
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Macaroni Kid Tips:
- Reservations may be difficult to get depending on when you are visiting so make sure you book as soon as possible.
- Tours are offered daily June 14 through September 2 at 10:30AM, 12:30PM, 2:30PM and 4:30PM. We booked ours at 4:30PM which was the perfect time because it wasn't too hot.
- Trips are rain or shine so plan accordingly.
- Each bike has a basket to keep your belongings: bug spray and sunscreen are essentials. You can also bring drinks and snacks to eat at the midway point.
- Do not put anything in your pockets (unless they have zippers) or else you will lose them!
- Rail biking is good for all ages. Kids ages 4 and up can have their own seat. Babies can be carried on a baby carrier and toddlers can use a 5-point harness if they can sit up on their own. Passengers with medical conditions are advised to speak with staff to better accommodate their needs.
- Be sure to explore the cute town of North Creek and support the local economy. We love Izzy's Deli and Marketplace for a quick bite to eat, and the boutique shops sell unique Adirondack style items.
For more information, visit Revolution Rail's website at https://www.revrail.com/, email 518-251-2345.
