May 26, 2025
Day 15 Inlet to Boonville
Average speed: 11.4 mph
Another pleasant (easy) day. I’ve been slacking off with the miles and elevation the past two days but I’m not complaining. There is no rush.
I left the Woods Inn at Inlet about 7:30 and headed down South Shore Road. The sky was overcast but the sun soon came out. What a change. The change from dark gray clouds for the past week plus to sunny changed my spirit. It was a pleasurable ride along Fourth Lake, past Third Lake, did not see Lake 1 or 2. Very nice cottage style homes, each with its cute name (e.g. the Loon-a-tick Lodge). The forest and lake scenery and the cool morning air (still at maximum layers) was a peaceful feeling, even with the rolling hills and a couple of minor climbs.
I came into Old Forge (or Town of Webb?) after 10ish miles. I started to shed layers as the sun came out in full force. Put on sunscreen, but not enough since I’m a bit burned right now. I have to improve that habit. Old Forge is a significant town. Not a city, but compared to the others along this Adirondack section, a pretty good size. There’s a beautiful lake, a large marina, big motel and a downtown that has all the amenities you need.
But leaving Old Forge required getting back on 28. Not a terrible highway, and the shoulder was plenty wide and the climbs were “highway grade” - long and shallow. However, I think every truck, trailer, boat, RV and car were leaving for the end of the Memorial Day weekend. Too bad because the weather just picked up. It was about 10 miles of this traffic passing at 70 mph plus. It was safe thanks to the shoulder, but you wish some would give just a bit more room at those speeds.
Thankfully, I turned onto Moose River Road, a very pleasant side road for almost 10 miles. It was quiet, rolling slopes, not even hills, and very little traffic. The birds were loud and I could hear them.
Then after a brief break, on to Boonville Road, signaling that I was getting close to Boonville. Another pleasant stretch with some decent climbs. I’m still in the Adirondacks, but at the foothills which have much less climb. An early entry into Boonville, then hanging out at Walgreens followed by Stewart's, waiting for the Airbnb to open up.
Boonville is an interesting town with lots of history, starting as a mill town way back when. It’s not a tourist town, like Inlet, and from its architecture, a place of significance in the past, but today still has a decent energy. Like most towns like this, the economic realities have caused some pain, (the Ethan Allen furniture factory closed awhile back), but there’s still plenty going on.
Back to the Airbnb to manage the daily routine. Tomorrow to Pulaski!!
Today's ride: 39 miles (63 km)
Total: 580 miles (933 km)
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6 days ago