John Scherer (left) and Pat Haffner (right) share observations as they ride west on the newly reconstructed Towpath Trail just west of lock 19.

Even with the prediction of rain, heavy at times, we still had ten people participate in the Clifton Park’s National Trails Day ride.  Another two people provided support with home baked goods and refreshing liquids, and a sheriff’s deputy provided ride escort.

This year the ride featured the Erie Canal as we start our bicentennial celebration of the canal system.

Yes, we did get some rain, but not enough to dampen enthusiasm for the newly completed trail improvements within the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve.  We started from the historic Grooms Tavern and rode with a casual pace south into the historic hamlet of Vischer Ferry.  The ride then turned east to the 1862 Whipple Cast Iron Bridge and, further east to the new bridge over Wagers Pond Outlet and the Clifton Park/Halfmoon town line just beyond.  From the town line we returned on the newly reconstructed Towpath Trail to the end of Ferry Drive overlooking the Mohawk River and ultimately back to historic Grooms Tavern.  At each of six stops along the ride our local historian, John Scherer provided a local story that brings our history to life.  Our local cycling enthusiast, Jerry Burr organizes the ride with the help of the Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club.

Local events like this in Clifton Park are a part of the National Trails Day Celebration that occurs annually the first weekend in June for over twenty years now.  Some years the Clifton Park event celebrates recreational assets within the Byway.  Other years the rides may go north to highlight the connections between our neighboring towns.  Every year it has proved a rewarding afternoon enjoying our recreational assets.