Best Fall Rides

By Darryl Caron

If you are ready to enjoy crisp autumn weather and beautiful scenery on your bike this fall, these are some of the best rides in our backyard. 

The Capital Bicycle Racing Club Cyclocross Series is coming to you this fall. Nomad CX, Uncle Sam GP, Hometown, and Bethlehem Cup are joining forces for the CBRCX series. Not sure what it is? Stop by one of the many local races to check it out. Cyclocross is a unique blend of mountain bike skill and road cycling power, typically with a good laugh or two. Courses are off-road in grassy parks using the natural terrain to make each course a little different. The new series includes Nomad CX in Collins Park, Scotia on Sunday, Sept. 11; Uncle Sam Grand Prix at Prospect Park in Troy on Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 8-9; Hometown CX at Crandall Park in Glens Falls on Sunday, Oct. 23; and Bethlehem Cup at Elm Ave Park in Delmar on Sunday, Oct. 30. Register: bikereg.com.

Experience the great outdoors On the Canals with free trail and waterway bicycle rides and workshops, thanks to the support of Canal Corporation and NY Power Authority. The very popular On the Canals: Bike & Boat Friday and Sunday Cruises are sold out but there are many other popular offerings. These include On the Canals: Saturday Bicycle Skills Workshops: Intro to Night Riding on Oct. 8 and Intro to Fall/Winter Riding on Oct. 22. On the Canals and Surrounding Area: Sunday Excursions: Canals & Lakes on Sept. 11; Feeder Canal & Lake George on Oct. 2; Saratoga Battlefield on Oct. 16; Haunted Overnight Century on Oct. 29; Haunted Day Ride on Oct. 30; and Saratoga Battlefield on Nov. 13. On the Canals: Fix a Flat & Simple Bike Maintenance on Saturdays, Oct. 1, 15, 29, and Nov. 5. These are all organized by Adirondack Ultra Cycling Shop in Schuylerville on the Champlain Canal. For details and registration: bikereg.com.

The 9th annual Harry Elkes Ride is based out of The Hub in Brant Lake on Saturday, Sept. 17. Adirondack Cycling Advocates invites you to ride with them to celebrate 1990s world-class bike racer and Glens Falls native, Harry Elkes. Choose from four routes: 50- and 32-mile scenic lake rides; a 15-mile Brant Lake family ride; and an 18-mile gravel ride. Ride your interest, at your ability level, with other cyclists on quiet North Country roads and around beautiful lakes. All riders receive a T-shirt. Post-ride, lunch and drinks are available for purchase at The Hub, and there will be a Harry Elkes video playing. Register: bikereg.com.

Staying north, Bike Adirondacks has some nice fall offerings, including the Great Camp Sagamore Experience with gravel cycling and more in the Central Adirondacks from Sunday-Wednesday, Sept. 18-21. The Handlebarley Fall Gravel Tour at Paradox Brewery in North Hudson is on Saturday, Sept. 24. Gravel, bikes and beer, choose from the original 42-mile mixed surface route, new 20-mile Elk Lake Lodge loop, or combine the two for a 62-mile challenge. The tour includes rest stops, ride support, Penfield Homestead Museum entry, and post-ride pizza and salad feast, Paradox craft beer, live music and T-shirt. Make it a weekend at nearby Blue Ride Motel with discounted rates for riders. The Southern Adirondack Weeklong features foliage riding on backroads in the North River and Chestertown area on Sunday-Friday, Oct. 9-14. More info and register: bikeadirondacks.com.

The Ride for Missing Children is back! What started as a small group of bicyclists that hoped to raise awareness for the plight of one missing child has grown into the biggest annual fundraiser for The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Choose from fall rides in Albany on Friday, Sept. 23, Utica on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and Syracuse on Friday, Sept. 30. For more info and registration, visit: missingkids.org/theride.

Bring the family and bike or hike four parks over two days at the RideOn Weekend on Sept. 24-25. Explore new trails at Gurney Lake Mountain Bike Park, Brant Lake Bike Park, Garnet Hill Lodge & Outdoor Center, and North Creek Ski Bowl. Enjoy a meal on Saturday with lunch at The Hub in Brant Lake and Sunday with a culinary tour at various locations in North Creek. Don’t miss the new GRIT Mountain Bike Race is at Garnet Hill Lodge on Sunday. The event is sponsored by WPM Trails, The Hub, and Adirondack Cycling Advocates. More info: rideonny.com. Register for the weekend and race: bikereg.com.

The Cross Mountain Crusher: Catskill Mountain Gravel Grinder is held at Catskill Recreation Center in Arkville on Saturday, Oct. 15. This event is designed for those who wish to challenge their physical abilities to the maximum, while enjoying beautiful backcountry roads in the Catskill Mountains. The 55-mile course features five hefty hills and 5,000 feet of elevation gain, with portions of the ascent of Cross Mountain exceeding 20%. There will be feed station support, mechanical and vehicular support as needed. Many of the roads are seasonal so rough climbing and descending should be expected. All participants receive a free meal after the event and post-ride beverages will be available. Proceeds support the Catskill Recreation Center in keeping the doors open for the future fitness of residents and guests of the Catskill Mountains. Register: bikereg.com.

The MHCC Gravel Goblin will be held at Sabba Vineyard in Old Chatham on Sunday, Oct 30. It features fun, scenic gravel rides of 45, 28 and 26 miles on quiet country roads in Columbia County. Post-ride will offer gourmet foods, craft beer and wine – this new venue is just 20 minutes southeast of Albany. Similar to the popular Gravel Gobbler rides, Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club’s Gravel Goblin benefits the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. Register: bikereg.com.

I’ll see you out there – biking’s a great way to enjoy fall!