Tomorrow, We Ride

By Darryl Caron

Summer is here at our doorstep and there are more people than ever enjoying all kinds of bicycling. Fortunately, upstate cyclists have some of the best riding anywhere right out their front doors. It’s been a fantastic season so far of road or gravel riding, mountain biking. That’s true, whether it’s been organized events, club rides, challenging races – or just casually enjoying the outdoors on one of the region’s many miles of bike trails.

The largest slate of events offered this coming season comes from one of the newest organizations. Bike Adirondacks in Saranac Lake promotes all types of cycling in the Adirondacks. They also support charity-driven events and tours, curate a library of routes on their website, and build custom tours. The Bike Adirondacks schedule includes something for everyone.

Great Camp Weekends on July 10-13, Aug. 7-10, Aug. 21-24, Sept. 18-21 – Great Camp Sagamore hosts this this multiday experience that blends road or gravel cycling with a modern mini-vacation that provides you with a true connection to local landscape and history.

Ride for the River, July 16-17 – This event to benefit the Ausable River Association returns for its 12th year with the optional 20-mile tailgater ride on Saturday and the flagship event on Sunday with route options of 30 and 45 miles, a finish line BBQ, and live music along the Ausable River at Lake Everest Beach. 

Multi-Sport Weeklong Tours on July 17-23, Aug. 14-20 – These six-day tours feature cycling, hiking, paddling, and first-class lodging and dining in Wilmington and Saranac Lake. Southern ADK Weeklong Tours on Aug. 1-6, Oct. 9-14 – Six days of stunning scenery, plus great lodging and food as you cycle some of the best roads in the North Creek and Chestertown areas.

Other events sponsored by Bike Adirondacks this season include: The Weekender at Paul Smith’s College, July 29-31; Pat Stratton Ride, Aug. 27; Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival, Sept. 2-4; and Handlebarley Gravel Grinder, Sept. 24. Details: bikeadirondacks.com.

Wild Flow Mountain Bike Tours, Ongoing – The Adirondacks are prime mountain biking country, and Wild Flow Tours, based in Lake Placid, offers two-day camps, group rides, and custom tours with a group of local guides who can help improve your skills, then show you some of the best trails in the region. Check them out at wildflowtours.com.

If you’re looking for something totally new to add to your cardio, visit Adirondack ElliptiGO bike shop in Plattsburgh, visit their Facebook page, or go to: elliptigo.com. It’s a stand-up workout that’s low-impact, full-body, and time-efficient.

On the Canals, Ongoing – Sponsored by NYS Canal Corp. and NY Power Authority, these free trail and waterway activities are a great way to experience the outdoors. Locally, in the Greater Capital-Saratoga Region and Mohawk Valley, many of these are led by Adirondack Ultra Cycling bike shop, based in Schuylerville. On the Canals activities include basic bike maintenance, intro to cycling, supported bike rides of short and long distances. Sign-up for notices: onthecanals.com.

Champlain Canal Cycling Carnival, Aug. 7 – Free from 1-4pm at Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville. Kids should bring a helmet and their bike, while parents learn about fitting the bike/helmet, servicing a bike, and it’s a good opportunity to learn proper riding skills. Learn more: champlaincanalwaytrail@gmail.com.

Churney Gurney, August 6-7 – Gurney Lane Mountain Bike Park in Queensbury will again be hosting the popular race weekend, which includes Saturday trail running races and mountain bike downhill races, and cross-country mountain bike racing on Sunday. Visit: churneygurney.com.

Pat Stratton Ride, Aug. 27 – Often called “The best bike ride in the Adirondacks,” the ride includes a Super Century 100-mile, Postcard Pedal 56-mile, and an Ice Cream Run of 28 miles. Based out of Mt. Pisgah in Saranac Lake, the celebration includes a raffle, cookout, music, tasty homemade pies, and a ride T-shirt. The ride has raised over $60,000 to date for Saranac Lake area youth programs. Find them: bikeadirondacks.com.

Empire Cyclefest, August 28 – Sponsored by Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club, the largest cycling club in the Greater Capital-Saratoga Region, offering over 300 rides per year for all ages and ability. The Empire Cyclefest takes over this year as their largest event, replacing the Century Weekend of years past. It will feature road rides of 80, 50 and 30 miles, staged out of Mabee Farm Historic Site at Rotterdam Junction. Go to: bikereg.com. You can explore all the other benefits MHCC membership provides to area cyclists at: mohawkhudsoncyclingclub.org.

Catskill Mountain Cycling Challenge, Sept. 4 – Explore beautiful riding in the Northern Catskills at the cycling challenge with three distances offered of 29, 57 and 100 miles. The supported ride is based out of Catskill Recreation Center in Arkville. Visit: catskillrecreationcenter.org.

Harry Elkes Ride, Sept. 17 – Sponsored by Adirondack Cycling Advocates, Harry Elkes, a budding road cycling champion, died at age 25 in 1903 in a bike racing crash, and is buried in a Glens Falls cemetery. The event, based at The Hub in Brant Lake, includes road routes of 15, 32 and 50 miles, plus a 17-mile gravel ride, and is an annual fundraising event for ACA. Visit: adkcyclingadvocates.org.

The Ride for Missing Children, Sept. 23 – This annual national fundraising 100-mile event to publicize the tragedy of missing children includes rides in Albany, Syracuse and Utica this year. The ride is open to all riders aged 16 and over and includes a schedule of training rides, full road support at the event, plus law enforcement escort. For updates and to register, search “Albany RFMC Ride Family” on Facebook or go to: missingkids.org.

Handlebarley Gravel Tour, Sept. 24 – A 42-mile gravel, mixed surface ride on eastern Adirondack backroads, with a 20-mile Elk Lake Lodge option, or combine the two for a big 62-mile adventure. A pizza feast, craft beer, live music and more are included – all staged out of Paradox Brewery in North Hudson. Visit: bikeadirondacks.com.

Ride-On MTB Weekend, Sept. 24-25 – This popular event showcasing mountain biking destinations in Warren and Saratoga counties has been moved to the fall. Riders can explore new trail systems and also collect tokens to earn a local craft beer, soda, or ice cream as they ride one or both days. Visit: rideonny.com.

Bike the Barns, Oct. 8 – Back from a two-year hiatus, this 30-mile Champlain Valley farm-by-bike ride features local foods, craft beverages, and live music. Based at The Hub on the Hill in Essex, overlooking Lake Champlain. bikeadirondacks.com.

Cross-Mountain Crusher: Catskill Mountain Gravel Grinder, Oct. 15 – This epic 55-mile, mixed surface ride covers 5,034 feet of elevation gain in the beautiful Northern Catskills. Sponsored by Overlook Bicycles, and staged out of Catskill Recreation Center in Arkville. Visit: catskillrecreationcenter.org.

Finally, a northeastern New York summer is not complete without multiple visits to The Hub in Brant Lake, our favorite bike, hike, paddle from here destination. Where else can you eat, drink, and get your bike serviced – plus, explore their very own mountain bike park. For live music, events and suggested rides, go to: thehubadk.com.

To paraphrase Jean Bobet, author of Tomorrow, We Ride… Keep on riding, because we always understand each other best on bikes. In the words of the folk song, take the high road and the low road. Take pleasure in cycling together, whether on our intimate journeys, in the mountains, or during the frenzy of a race.