The Road Less Travelled-A Series

Summary

Dan Pfeifer recounts a bike ride along Lyon Brook Road in Chenango County, NY, exploring the history of a massive wooden railroad trestle and other local points of interest.

Abstract

The article "The Road Less Travelled-A Series, Volume 12" details the author's 8-mile bike ride on Lyon Brook Road, highlighting the area's historical significance, particularly the now-defunct 1200-foot wooden railroad trestle that once towered over the road. The trestle, built in 1869 by the New York & Oswego Midland Railway, served the railroad until the late 1950s. The author appreciates the gentle uphill grade that provides a good workout, followed by a rewarding coast back down. The narrative includes personal reflections, photographs of the remaining stone piers, and mentions of a second railroad that once ran through the area. Additionally, the author points out Kutik’s Honey, a local business that started in the late 1970s and has since grown into a significant honey producer in the region. The ride concludes with the onset of a thunderstorm, adding a dramatic touch to the adventure.

Opinions

The author enjoys the physical challenge and the historical aspect of the bike ride, particularly the presence of the historic railroad trestle.
The gentle uphill grade of the road is seen as an advantage for a good workout.
The author values the ease of the return trip, describing it as a "wonderful 3 mile plus coast back to the car."
The weathered historic marker is noted as being hard to read, prompting the author to share additional information about the trestle.
The remnants of the trestle's stone piers are appreciated as "remnants of years gone by."
The author finds the existence of two parallel railroads and stories of engine races in the old days to be of historical interest.
Kutik’s Honey is highlighted as a point of interest and a successful local business, with the author noting its growth and the availability of its products along the road.
The author's experience is punctuated by the urgency of outrunning an approaching thunderstorm, adding excitement to the ride.

The Road Less Travelled-A Series

Volume 12-Biking On Lyon Brook Road Where A Historic Railroad Trestle Once Stood

Biking on Lyon Brook Road/Author Photo

Welcome back. This bike ride took me on an 8 mile ride on Lyon Brook Road, a side road off of County Road 33 here in Chenango County, NY. I have ridden here before, it is a nice road with not too much traffic. It has the added bonus of some history involving a huge wooden railroad trestle that once once towered over the road.

I like this ride because of one main advantage. Starting out from County Road 32, the road is level at first but over about the next 3 miles it rises gradually. Mostly gentle grades. A good workout especially beyond 3 miles. The great thing is, once you turn around, it is a wonderful 3 mile plus coast back to the car!

https://djpfeifer58.medium.com/membershipAbout a half-mile in from the County road, the historic trestle once stood. There is a historic marker at the intersection of Lyon Brook Road and County Road 32. The sign is weathered and hard to read, so I will give some of the info. This 1200 foot span was erected in 1869 by the New York & Oswego Midland Railway, which later became the New York, Ontario, and Western Railway (O & W). It was 156 feet high!

Author Photos

This trestle served the railroad until the late 1950s when it ceased operations. Some of the stone peers still stand along the brook. Remnants of years gone by.

Photos Courtesy of Bridgehunter

Lyon Brook Train Trestle Stone Pier/Author Photo

This area actually had 2 railroads running through for many years. The other was the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western. At some points, the 2 tracks paralleled each other. There are stories of engine races in the old days.

Scenes Along Lyon Brook Road/Author Photos

Another point of interest on Lyon Brook Road is Kutik’s Honey. This business started on this road in the late 1970s and has become a huge honey producer in this area. They since have built a larger facility near Oxford, NY. There is still some activity at the original site along with a kiosk where you can purchase honey and related products.

After completing my ride on this road, I also rode a little along County Road 32, however, there was a thunderstorm approaching so I hurried back to my car just before the heavy rains came!

Stay tuned for adventures.

The Road Less Travelled-A Series

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