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Rides Menu Pharsalia NY Quick Links
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Pharsalia - North Pharsalia, NY by Dick Mansfield, from Central New York Mountain Biking. 11 miles Beginner -- dirt roads with some moderate climbs. After an initial climb into the Wildlife Management Area, you'll have shaded dirt road riding with a side trip to Bear Wallow Pond. The ride ends with two miles of downhill back to the car. Because this is a wildlife area, there is very little development and few signs -- it is left quite natural. Don't be surprised to see work details of prisoners from nearby Camp Pharsalia doing maintenance work in the Wildlife Management Area.
How To Get There From Norwich on Route 12, take Route 23 west to North Pharsalia. Park on the south side of the highway on the ample shoulder opposite the large farm in the center of the hamlet. From Route 81, exit at Whitney Point and follow Route 26 to Lower Cincinnatus and then Route 23 to North Pharsalia. The Ride Head east (toward Norwich) on the wide shoulder of Route 23 and after a quarter mile, you will come to an unnamed dirt road that is marked with a "Pharsalia Wildlife Management Area" sign. Turn left and start the steep climb up through an orchard of apple trees. After a half mile climb, you will be on top and riding through groves of maples on a Jeep trail. At Mile 1, pedal past an abandoned farm house and the state land begins just ahead. This is perfect mountain bike terrain: the road is rutted and often marked with loose rocks and gravel and there are just enough dips and climbs to make it interesting riding. Pass by a private road on the right at Mile 1.7 and start down a nice little run. Note the stands of mature evergreens on the left. You'll see plenty of these majestic stands before you are done.
Bear to the right at the intersection at Mile 2 and cruise through the spruces on smooth level road to the next intersection. (Mile 2.6) Note the gnarled old maples lining both sides of the road just prior to the junction. Head straight down the hill and right away you will come to the unmarked Pigeon Hill Road. Turn left. As you pedal along, ignore the road coming down from the left and continue straight ahead, passing by another private dwelling. There's a cemetery with a well-built slate wall around it on the left as you climb up from the creek crossing and just beyond, a sharp left turn up the hill on Cole Hill Road. (Mile 3.4) The climb is steep but mercifully short and soon you are pedaling easily on another road lined with maple trees. At Mile 4, turn left and ride the gentle half mile to visit Bear Wallow Pond. Bears or no bears, it's a pretty little pond with dark tannin-colored water.
When you return to Cole Hill Road at Mile 5, turn left and continue west. The next mile is easy mountain bike riding on a level dirt road. When you come to the unmarked intersection at Mile 6.3, turn left and cruise down Preserve Road. The next five miles are going to be fun. Preserve Road is smoother than the roads you have been on. It drops gradually, passing a series of weirs which were built in the Civilian Conservation Corps days to control the brook. At Mile 7.9, at the intersection with Johnson Road, bear right and then take a quick left, continuing your southerly jaunt toward Route 23. You'll pass the Finger Lakes Trail but stay off that with your bike. Continue ahead and pass by a larger impoundment. At Mile 8.7, you will have your next-to-last climb, a brief one, and then swing down past a beaver pond. The last mile is a steeper drop. As you descend, you'll be able to see the traffic on Route 23 up ahead. After one last little climb up to the highway at Mile 10, it's an easy trip home. Cross the highway carefully and turn left, enjoying the cooling descent back to North Pharsalia.
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