LAKE CLEAR – Rail Explorers announced it will extend its rail bike rides from Lake Clear to Tupper Lake, among other regional tourism initiatives shared during an expo at the Lake Clear Lodge Tuesday.

The new route would stretch 18 miles through the scenic Adirondack lake country and take approximately two and a half hours to ride nonstop on the four-wheeled pedal cars, employees said. Plans to include local cuisine stops along the ride tie into the focus among businesses at the expo on food-related tourism in the region.

This summer and last, Rail Explorers – led by Alex Catchpoole and Mary-Joy Lu, a couple originally from Australia – have offered rail bike rides between Saranac Lake and Lake Clear. The state approved plans this year to remove the tracks between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid, but upgrade the tracks as far north as Tupper Lake. The group that runs the Adirondack Scenic Railroad has sued, but if that suit is unsuccessful, Rail Explorers would have to move.

About 100 people – a mix of business owners, government officials and citizens – were at Tuesday’s event to hear of new marketing efforts for the Paul Smiths, Upper Saranac and St. Regis regions.

The announcements also included a merger of several regional cuisine trails into the Adirondack Cuisine Trail. Paul Smith’s College is teaming with several local businesses to apply for a state designation for the trail.

Barb Rice, a Franklin County legislator and the state Adirondack Park Agency commissioner, gave a speech supporting the initiative.

“The development of the Adirondack Cuisine trail is an exciting opportunity for Franklin County and the region as a whole. It will give us the opportunity to showcase our incredible natural resources while guiding visitors to places they may not have discovered on their own. I am certain that we will see this grow and evolve over time,” Rice said in a press release.