Commuting Advice from Ballston Lake to Union College

Cycling Friend Joined: Mar 15, 2009 Posts: 2

Hi Folks,

I'll be joining the computer science faculty at Union College this summer, and my wife and I will be buying a house in Ballston Lake (off of Charlton Rd). I've never had a job that I couldn't ride to, and hope to commute to work most of the year (I've managed year-round commutes in Boston and Ithaca, NY, so my definition of "rideable" is pretty broad).

I'd love the MHCC's advice on good commuting routes. Rte. 50 is marked as a bike route, but doesn't look super-pleasant or safe. I imagine that I would take Droms Road and then cut across to Freemans' Bridge and up to campus.

Any advice?

regards,
jr

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:12 pm

From freemans bridge at maxom road you can pick up a paved trail that goes directly to the campus

Cycling Friend Joined: Aug 16, 2008 Posts: 4

I used to do nearly the same thing; chances are I saw you once or twice. I used to live off of Round Lake Road and headed to work in Schenectady. (I've since moved a block and a half away from work- no more commuting necessary!)
Route 50 will be a rat race and the shoulders on Freeman's Bridge Road and Erie Boulevard are a mess. If you're not in the mood for that, take Charlton/Outlet Road to Lake to (whatever Round Lake/Schauber Road is called at that point) south with the rest of the zombies to Schauber which becomes Ashdown. Whoever heard of "continuity in road names" around here? Anyway, turn left on Blue Barns, go up the hill then go down the hill, past all the stopped traffic after 146 comes in, over the Rexford Bridge, and turn on Aqueduct Road. From there you can brave the maniacs and a sometimes-dirty but smooth shoulder or take the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway to Union Street, where there obviously was a bridge at one time, now badly removed. Crossing Union involves a lot of waiting and life insurance. The remnants of pavement on this stretch are a bit rough for road-specific wheels. Please write to your legislators since someone has wanted to repave this for the last eight years and it keeps getting bumped. Pavement has a habit of falling apart after being driven on by utility company trucks. Pavement also falls apart when it's over 20 years old.
Also, about two thirds of the way from Seneca to Peek Streets there is a popular hangout spot so be on the lookout for glass. I've swept up glass at this spot on a Sunday evening and it's back by Tuesday morning.
Usual disclaimer: I am the trail ambassador for that section of trail from Aqueduct Road to Jay Street in Schenectady, where the trail ends. Right now, the trail is a mess after the December ice storm and plenty of deferred maintenance. I am only one person, so it won't be pretty until I get motivated and clean up the trail. I hope to have this up to par by mid-April. Feel free to contact me if you notice any new treefalls or other maintenance issues I haven't noticed yet (like glass) and I'll grab the broom and the vest and head out.
If you like pain, you can take 50 south to 146A to Ashdown to Blue Barns. It's probably a little more direct, but it's hilly. You'll get the section of 146A that actually has shoulders.
Even the commuting zombies around there are not that bad for the most part. I've survived commutes in Rochester (long, decent) and Buffalo (awful) and here (surprisingly good). Maybe you can take my place.