August/September 2026

New SMBA Queensbury Chapter

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Mountain Bike Association has increased the size of its footprint with a new stewardship agreement with Queensbury Parks & Recreation to maintain the Gurney Lane and Rush Pond mountain bike trails. With this agreement, SMBA adds 13 miles of trails that include flowy singletrack and berms as well as some old school roots and rocks. By joining with SMBA, the Queensbury chapter will have access to the amazing volunteers and have the ability to accept donations. Keep an eye out for new kiosks, signage, and QR codes at Gurney & Rush Pond trailheads. SMBA is looking forward to building on their relationship with Rick’s Bike Shop, who has locations in Queensbury and an Outpost at Gurney Lane, and being more directly involved with long-standing events like Churney Gurney MTB Races and Fat Tire Bike Day: saratogamtb.org.

Amigos Cantina Refueling Athletes for 20 Years

SCHUYLERVILLE – Nestled in the heart of the historic village, just eight miles east of Saratoga Springs, Amigos Cantina serves up award winning food, over 80 tequilas and mezcals, and a welcoming community atmosphere unlike any other. In 2007 Amigos was created out of a vision shared by Rob Chrust and late friend Jerry Desmond. Both sensed the absence of a quality space to meet, eat, and converse with family and friends in Schuylerville. And so, Amigos came to life. Currently the restaurant inhabits both the 42 Ferry Street building and the historical former bank building on the corner of Ferry and Broad streets, almost double its original size. Amigos includes two dining rooms with full bars as well as patio and garden dining, weather permitting. Since 2016, Amigos’ culinary team has been led by chef Dylan Chrust. The food is best described as Mexican cuisine with fresh, vibrant flavors of southwest, Latino, and Caribbean influence: amigoscantina.net.

DEC Hiker Survey for Northeastern NY

ALBANY – When you’re signing in and out and at certain trailheads in the Adirondack High Peaks Region, hikers will notice a new poster with a QR code to a survey for hikers. NYS DEC encourages you to spend five minutes to complete the survey. This survey is to understand day-of hiker preparedness and expectations in the seven counties of Region 5 (northeastern NY) and to improve their educational messaging. The survey will be posted in the following communities and trails: Lake Placid (Cobble Hill, Mt Van Hoevenberg East, Cascade, Pitchoff, Averyville Road along Northville-Placid Trail), Harrietstown (Ampersand), Keene Valley (The Garden, Rooster Comb), Newcomb (Camp Santanoni), and Long Lake (Tarbell Road along Northville-Placid Trail, Blue Mountain Wild Forest). To participate online: surveymonkey.com/r/D6QS36F.

High Peaks Cyclery New Location

LAKE PLACID – High Peaks Cyclery is now open at the Tupper Lake Train Depot, at 37 Depot St., directly on the Adirondack Rail Trail. The shop offers bicycles sales, service, rentals, shuttles, tours, and information. They offer gravel, road, electric, hybrid, and fat bikes. Ask them about free 30-minute e-bike demos. With the HPC vans, their shuttle service can handle larger groups of 10-20 people. There Lake Placid store is only a quarter-mile from the start of the Adirondack Rail Trail: highpeakscyclery.com.

Adirondack Rail Trail Study

SARANAC LAKE – A new study is being conducted by SUNY ESF and the Adirondack Rail Trail Association on the economic impact of the Adirondack Rail Trail. The study is asking adults 18 and over who have used the trail to share their trail use activities, spending and amenities and infrastructure needs. The information collected will help improve understanding of trail use patterns and contributions of the rail trail to local communities. The survey is anonymous, voluntary and takes five minutes. If questions, contact Dr. Jill Weiss: jiweiss@esf.edu. To participate online: adirondackrailtrail.org.

WHOOP UCI MTB Season Finale is Coming

LAKE PLACID – The world’s top mountain bikers are heading back to Lake Placid on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-4, but this year it’s bigger. This time, Lake Placid hosts the season finale of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, where champions will be crowned at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington. Expect great spectator experiences, expanded fan zones, more athlete access, live entertainment, incredible fall scenery, and nonstop energy all weekend long. From elite downhill at Whiteface and cross-country racing at Mt Van Hoevenberg, to an immersive atmosphere throughout Lake Placid. ORDA will also host The Grind, their mountain bike race for juniors on Saturday, Oct. 2, beginning at 2pm, where racers can choose one, two, or three laps of a two-mile course. The Grind: bikereg.com. Info and tickets: lakeplacidlegacysites.com/uci.