The route comprises two loops, which can be completed as a single ride or divided into two separate rides. The shorter of the loops (
New Lisbon short loop map), which is just under five miles, is entirely within Gilbert Lake State Park and uses park roads and trails. The other is entirely on town and county roads. Beginning at Texas Schoolhouse State Forest, the large loop traverses Jones Road, Texas Road, Lena Road, County Highway 14, County Highway 15, Braun Road, Town Line Road, Gilbert Lake Road, Card Road, North Welcome Road, and finally, Jones Road again. The route was developed by collaboration among the Town of New Lisbon, the Otsego County Highway Department, Central New York Cyclist Club (CNYC), and the Butternut Valley Alliance (BVA).
New Lisbon Ride
Parking is available in Gilbert Lake State Park and at Texas Schoolhouse State Forest. The state park has numerous parking lots with free admission during the off season. At Texas Schoolhouse State Forest, there is year-round free parking at an unimproved parking area across from the trailhead on Jones Road between Lena and Texas Roads and limited additional parking at the trailhead.
Peter Martin, an avid member of CNYC and also one of the organizers of the bike route project, described the route as fun and scenic with low traffic. He said, “The climb up to Gilbert Lake State Park on the paved road is a bit of a grind and the last kicker hill on Jones about a mile before the ride finishes is tough but, other than those two hills, nothing is too challenging. The 1600 feet of vertical climbing is well distributed throughout the ride. Gravel-cross or mountain bikes are best for the trail in Gilbert Lake State Park.” Peter urges cyclists to ride with caution, particularly on the off road portions in Gilbert Lake State Park, and encourages cyclists to wear appropriate attire including helmets and brightly colored clothing, to have lights or reflectors on their bicycles, and to be wary of traffic particularly on the town and county roads.
Additional funding was provided by a grant from the Complete Streets Implementation Project, which is presently being administered by Otsego 2000.The Town of New Lisbon Highway department installed the signs on the town roads and the Otsego County Highway Department installed the signs on County Highways 14 and 15. A team of volunteers comprising Craig Buckbee, Stacey Kazacos, Ed Lentz, Peter Martin, and Bob Thomas installed the signs in Gilbert Lake State Park.
According to Town Supervisor and BVA chairperson Ed Lentz, “New Lisbon and the entire Butternut Valley are becoming something of a destination for outdoor activities. We have several cycling events each year, an annual Butternut Creek float, hiking, fishing and hunting in our state forests including the Basswood Pond, Texas Schoolhouse, and Jacob Morris State Forests, numerous private and municipal campgrounds, and a wonderful variety of outdoor activities at Gilbert Lake State Park.”
