Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L. A. W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.
Some time ago we published in this Department a series of maps giving the trip from New York to Albany along the east bank of the Hudson River. Before taking up the question of Chicago maps it will be wise to extend the route from Albany somewhat further into New York State. To begin this, we give this week a map of the city of Albany itself. The wheelman approaching Albany from New York will cross the Hudson at South or Greenbush Bridge. After crossing into the city, turn right into Broadway, and proceed along Broadway until State Street is reached at the Post-office. Turning left into State Street, go on to North Pearl Street, stopping at the Kenmore Hotel.
The city of Albany is not by any means a bicyclist's paradise. The roads that are asphalted in the city are few in number, though there are here and there single blocks paved in this way, which, of course, do not prove of any value to the wheelman. From the Kenmore Hotel, if you desire to go northward, the best method is to go through Pearl Street to Broadway, run out Broadway to the Loudonville Plank Road, turn left into this, and proceed on towards Loudonville. This is the road to Buffalo. To leave Albany on the south, the rider should make for Madison Avenue as directly as possible, proceeding by State Street and Eagle Street. To turn immediately south, Madison Avenue is left at Delaware Avenue. To run in a more westerly direction, Madison Avenue is left at Lake Avenue, which runs into New Scotland Plank Road. These are merely exits from Albany. As for any riding in the parks or streets in Albany for pleasure, it is quite impossible. The only possible runs are direct from Albany out to some neighboring town and back, and of these the run to Newtonville, Latham Corners, Centre, and Watervliet is the best. Evidently the Albany authorities have not yet become aware of the importance of bicycling, for when they do the streets of the city will be paved in asphalt with more care as to continuous routes than at present. There are more asphalted streets in the city than are marked on the accompanying map, but few of them extend more than one block, and none of them carry you to any definite point. They are of no use to the wheelman, therefore, unless he is riding to some particular house within the city, when it is, of course, some help to be able to take advantage of even one block of this pavement.
There is little to delay the wheelman in Albany if he is on a trip from New York or Boston to Buffalo and Niagara. The city, apart from its Capitol, is not one that you would naturally choose for sight-seeing, and with a good night's rest the wheelman is advised to go on his way rejoicing that he has not got to pedal over more badly paved streets. The Capitol, however, is well worth a visit; and as it is close at hand from the Kenmore Hotel, one is advised to go there and look at the artistic and architectural work put upon it.