FLCC> Fwd: Need help plotting a route from Towanda................

[Andrejs Ozolins]

David Ruppert wrote:
> I got a request for help with a bike route, but I'm not that familiar 
> with the area where she will be cycling.  If anyone can help Marcia with 
> route planning, please respond directly to her and send a copy to me. 
> Dave

Dave,
I got the same request (route from Towanda to Ithaca) and sent her the 
following notions. If anyone has any comments, corrections, or 
contradictions, please send them along.
a/

-------- Original Message --------

Marcia,

I don't know anything about the Pennsylvania end of your trip --
Yesterday, I was down there for the Tour de Shunk and we drove down 220,
so I"ve seen that. I guess I wouldn't mind too much cycling along most
of it; it seems wide enough for bikes and traffic. On the map, though, I
see there's another road that parallels 220 just to the east -- seems to
be called Riverside Drive. I guess that would be a good road to take
north toward Sayre/Waverly.

When you get to Sayre, it's places I know some more about.

If you're thinking about the most direct route, there wouldn't be any
harm in crossing north at Sayre and following NY 34 all the way to
Ithaca. It's a good highway with excellent shoulders all the way. But,
of course, it's a highway and not a very restful ride. In terms of
climbing, it's a really great choice -- it's very gently climbing for
half the distance and then descends by lots of little swoops to the
elevation of Ithaca. Traffic isn't too bad, but I'd favor non-rush times
(mid-day or weekends) if possible. You'll arrive in Ithaca on NY 13,
which is where the "big-box" store (Walmart, etc) development is. It's a
nasty stretch of traffic and ugliness. Avoid that by taking a left on NY
13A just before you get into town. There will be a traffic light (the
first one since Spencer) and a left-turn lane. Take 13A until the T
intersection; then, go right into the city on what becomes State Street.

For more of a bike ride, staying off the main roads, I'd suggest going a
bit east before heading north.

Instead of taking the bridge across to Sayre, stay on Riverside and
continue for several miles (it becomes River Rd) until you're at an
interchange for Route 17 and there is a left to cross the river on NY
282. (This is about 8.5 miles from the bridge back at Sayre.) Then, take
a right on NY 17C for about 3 miles to Tioga. There, take a left on
Halsey Valley Rd to NY 96 (14 miles). Go right 5 miles; take a left on
Gridleyville Crossing Rd. This takes you to NY 96B. Left on 96B for 3
miles to Wilseyville; take a right through the few houses, just past
them the road takes a small rise and there is a right turn; that's
Coddington Rd, and you can take that all the way to downtown Ithaca.

There are a few tweaks you can make to this route, and if you want them,
I can provide more details. But, in general, it's a beautiful way to get
into Ithaca without incurring any excess climbing.

I don't see any reason to go as far east as Owego if you are going from
Towanda to Ithaca.

I hope this helps; don't hesitate to write if you need more or different
information. I'm always glad to think about bike routes.

Andrejs