Summer Rides for All

By Darryl Caron

            July and August are the perfect months to go out for a big ride every weekend. Luckily, upstate New York and the surrounding area have a plethora of organized events to fill your schedule!

            The Adirondack Mountain Club’s 13th annual IDIDARIDE! Adirondack Bike Tour on Sunday, July 29 at the Gore Ski Bowl Town Park in North Creek. Riders can choose from the 75-mile loop or the new 23-mile gravel grinder.

The 75-mile ride is all on road, wide shoulders for much of the route. Riding through some of the most beautiful scenery – cutting right through the central Adirondack Mountains, most of which is public NYS Forest Preserve land. Cycle through the towns and hamlets of Bakers Mills, Wells, Speculator, Sabael, Indian Lake, North River, and back to North Creek – and alongside Mason, Lewey and Indian lakes. A long descent begins in the hamlet of Indian Lake, and meets the Hudson River in the hamlet of North River, with a relatively easy ride into North Creek. The distance along NY Route 30 and 28 to North Creek is designed for strong riders, with designated bike routes marked on the wide road shoulders.

ADK is excited to announce a new 23-mile gravel grinder route. It’s ideal for mountain, cross, fat and gravel-grinder bikes. For those who prefer being in the woods and a little closer to nature, rather than sharing the pavement along the traditional road course, they’ve replaced the short road bike ride from Indian Lake with this super-scenic tour loop. Some highlights include biking along North Creek, crossing both Straight and Chatiemac brooks and their waterfalls (familiar trail names to Gore Mountain skiers), biking along Mill Brook, passing tiny Riparius and its historic train depot, biking along rural sections of the mighty Hudson River as it flows through the village of North Creek to Riparius. And finally, biking on the cool suspended boardwalk trail that crosses under Route 28, bringing riders back to the Ski Bowl.

For the 75-miler, the elevation change is 3,460 feet. Half of that is uphill and half is down, you decide which is more fun. For the gravel grinder, it’s estimated that this new route is about 60% dirt road, 20% dirt and rock trail, and 20% paved road. On the 75-miler there are four rest stops with snacks and water provided. SAG wagon and mobile mechanical support is provided. Register by 7/13 for guaranteed T-shirt and size. All registrants can enjoy the après-ride party food, drinks and fun. Proceeds support ADK’s conservation, recreation and advocacy programs. (adk.org)

NINE MORE RIDES AROUND THE REGION

·      Capital Region Road Race – The Capital Bicycle Racing Club’s 17th annual race is on Saturday, July 14 at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School in the village of Ravena – 10 miles south of Albany. The race, directed by Beth Ruiz, is on a rolling 20-mile course with several short and steep climbs, with distances of 43, 63 and 83 miles depending on the category. There are races by category for men, women, masters, citizens and juniors, with equal cash prizes for men and women. Juniors may race by category for only $10. (bikereg.com)

·      Gear-To-Go Tandem Tours – Take a tandem vacation through tandem-friendly countryside, combining nice views, roads and sights along the way. The Thousand Islands Tandem Tour is from July 21-29 in New York and Canada. The Chautauqua Tandem Tour is August 4-12 along the shoreline of Lake Erie. (gtgtandems.com)

·      Farm to Fork Fondo – “A farm fresh feast from the seat of your favorite bicycle” is a series of rides from Wrenegade Sports. The second half of the 2018 series schedule includes Champlain Islands (VT) on Sunday, July 22, Finger Lakes on Saturday, August 11, Maine on Saturday, August 25, Berkshires on Sunday, September 30, and Garden State on Sunday, October 14. The events promote local farmers and food products, while giving riders challenging, rewarding rides through great scenery. Each route in the series includes some climbs that will challenge you, with aid stations where participants can sample chef-prepared items made from local ingredients, as well as on the road support, a post-ride party and prize raffles. (farmtoforkfondo.com)

·      Christine Nicole Perry Memorial Bike Ride – On Sunday, August 5, the 16th annual ride starts at The Hub in Brant Lake. The event raises funds for a variety of North Country charities and celebrates the lives of Christine Perry, who was killed at age 18 in an automobile crash in 2003, and her father, Mark, who died unexpectedly in 2014. The scenic rides offers two different routes of 40 and 15 miles, and registration includes post-ride lunch at The Hub. (bikereg.com)

·      Montreal Double Double – On August 10-12 the weekend will consist of a double century from Schuylerville to Montreal on Friday, a leisurely rest day in Montreal on Saturday, then another double century back to Schuylerville on Sunday. Entry includes rest stops, SAG support, and overnight accommodations in Montreal. Limited to 16 riders and the entry deadline is 7/31. (adkultracycling.com)

·      Rensselaerville Ride: From Hill to Hollow – On Sunday, August 19, is the third annual Rensselaerville Ride at the Carey Institute for Global Good. With four different, fully supported routes through the hills and hollows of the Helderbergs in Albany County, this has something for everybody. Rides include the Rensselaerville (10 miles), Berne (24 miles), Westerlo (44 miles), and Potter Hollow (64 miles) – a challenge that dips into northern Greene County. Registration includes a T-shirt, and family-friendly post-ride festival with live music from the Lustre Kings, BBQ lunch from Carriage House Restaurant, craft beer and cider from Helderberg Brewery, and swimming in Lake Myosotis. (bikereg.com)

·      Champlain Canalway Bike or Bike/Cruise Tour – Also on August 19 is the seventh annual ride at Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville. It heads north to Fort Edward, and continues along the Canalway and Feeder Canal trails to Hudson Falls, Glens Falls and Lake George, before returning to the park. The tour offers four options: 22-mile ride to Hudson Falls and Fort Edward with Mohawk Maiden Cruise back; 34-mile ride to Hudson Falls and back; 49-mile ride to Lake George and Fort Edward with cruise back; or a 64-mile ride to Lake George and back. The routes are easy to rolling with a few moderate climbs; for experienced cyclists the 64- and 49-mile rides are more of a challenge. The 22- and 34-milers include a few historical info stops. Lunch at Forged Restaurant in Hudson Falls is included and the first 50 registrants receive a T-shirt. SAG support will be provided by Inside Edge Ski & Bike. (adkultracycling.com)

·      Lake George Bike/Boat Ride – Again on August 19, is the bike/boat ride with Lake George Steamboat. Carry a change of clothes or stash a bag on the Mohican tour boat, then pedal north 40 miles to the dock in Ticonderoga, where the Mohican will pick you and your bike up, and take you on the 2.5-hour cruise back south. A 1pm boat departure gives you time to enjoy the bike ride north. With a snack bar, beer/wine, and the Lake George scenery, it’s a great workout (especially Tongue Mountain) – then unwind on the Queen of American Lakes. (lakegeorgesteamboat.com)

·      Pat Stratton Memorial Century Ride – On Saturday, August 25, head north to Saranac Lake for the “Best Ride in the Adirondacks.” The 18th annual event features fully supported rides of 100, 50 and 25 miles – on all new routes! The routes are wide-shouldered state roads and quiet backroads, sticking to valleys and easier grades, to give the mountain views without the climbs. Proceeds benefit the Saranac Lake Kiwanis. Registration is free for active duty military and law enforcement members. All rides start/end at Mt. Pisgah Ski Lodge, where riders will enjoy great prizes, a nice sports T-shirt and homemade pies! (active.com)

May the wind be at your back and the sun upon your face.