Gear Up for Cycling Season – Early Summer Rides We Love

By Dave Kraus

The ground changes from brown to green, and the weather gets warm enough to be able to ride without getting dressed for the North Pole. It’s spring, finally! Spring events are happening, legs are slowly waking up and getting stronger, and you’re thinking ahead to riding with friends, enjoying good times, riding new events, or revisiting memories of great rides taken at past events by doing them again.

We know exactly how you feel! We can’t pump up those tires for you, but we can let you know about all these great upstate events that will help you make this your best season of cycling in a long time!

First up on Saturday, June 3 is the Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race that could definitely be described as a challenge. Break out your climbing legs and pedal eight miles up with an average grade of 8% to the top of the Veteran’s Memorial Highway for some spectacular 360-degree views while you get your breath back. Whiteface is New York’s fifth highest peak and you can see all the way to Montreal! The race starts at 5:30pm, so there will also be some late day sunset vibes, plus fruits, snacks, and beverages at the finish line. All participants get a T-shirt and bragging rights. Remember, “It ain’t bragging if you’ve really done it!” Visit: whitefacerace.com/bike.

The very next day on Sunday, June 4, also in the Whiteface region, is the Wilmington Whiteface 100K & 50K Mountain Bike Race. The courses feature a mix of rugged backcountry roads, stretches of flowing and smooth singletrack, and plenty of climbing on the 62- and 31-mile routes. You’ll be able to explore Jeep roads near Jay and Saddleback mountains, along with technical stretches of singletrack at Hardy Road Trails, Blueberry Hills trails, and Flume Trail Mountain, with rest stops every 12 miles, a post-race meal, finisher medal, and an athlete gift. Go to: bikereg.com.

Also on June 4, if you’re not quite up to climbing a mountain, you can contribute to supporting the 29 million Americans who live with diabetes by riding in the Tour de Cure: Capital Region at the Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa. This longstanding area event, organized by the American Diabetes Association, offers 10-, 30-, 62-, and 100-mile routes with full support along the roads with bike mechanics, volunteer route marshals, rest stops with food and water, cheering volunteers and more. It’s a great way to have a good time while helping others. Check out: diabetes.org/capitalregion.

The next weekend on Saturday, June 10 is the 26th annual North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge Adirondack gravel grinder, starting this year in Indian Lake and finishing in Inlet after 40 miles of riding across the Moose River Recreation Area. The rider cap is 1,000 and BFC is now sold out. There will be six water stops available along the rough dirt roads, but plan to bring your own snacks and spares, and enjoy the party at the end in Inlet with awards, live music and beer. Just remember it’s a race, not just a ride, so be prepared to be able to finish within the five-hour limit. Visit: blackflychallenge.com.

On Sunday, June 18, you can haul out your mountain bike for the Helderberg Cliffhanger Mountain Bike Race in Voorheesville, just south of Albany. Sponsored by the Capital Bicycle Racing Club, this popular event features routes from 7.5 to 22 miles, depending on age and racing class. Thacher State Park offers some great mountain biking with stunning waterfalls and views of the entire Capital Region from the Helderberg Escarpment. There will be a food truck available at the finish and prizes for all racers. Go to: bikereg.com.

Bike Adirondacks offers great events in the early summer starting with their exclusive Women’s Weekend on Friday-Sunday, June 23-25, based out of the Saranac Waterfront Lodge. It includes two days of guided rides and abundant chances for fine dining, making new friends, and exploring all the village of Saranac Lake has to offer. New this year is available massage therapy to add to your post-ride experience. BIKE ADK events support local charities, and this year proceeds will be donated to Play ADK, a nonprofit creating a world-class children’s museum and family resource center in Saranac Lake. Register now as it’s almost sold out. Check out: bikeadirondacks.com.

On Sunday, June 25, the Rapid River Fondo near Warrensburg, benefits Adirondack Cycling Advocates, which supports safe cycling in Warren County and the surrounding area. Organized by Adirondack Multi-Sport Club, the Fondo features rides of 33, 48, and 62 miles for all abilities, along some of the southern Adirondacks most picturesque waterways. The bike rides all feature a finish or rest stop at The Hub in Brant Lake, offering a variety of food, drink, and mechanical services for riders. Visit: bikereg.com.

On Saturday, May 13, Adirondack Multi-Sport will also host a Women’s Cycling Clinic & Group Ride in Glens Falls to help women riders with four workshops: wellness, yoga for cyclists, group riding etiquette, how to change a tire. There will also be a group ride with multi-pace options. Go to: bikereg.com.

The next Bike Adirondacks event of the season is the Great Camp Sagamore Experience, based out of the famous great camp in Raquette Lake. Two four-day sessions offer road rides on Sunday, July 9-12, and a gravel focus on Sunday-Wednesday, August 13-16. Both sessions blend cycling with a modern mini-vacation that provides you with a true connection to the landscape and history of this special place in the heart of the Adirondacks, that’s also a National Historic Landmark. Morning guided rides transition to afternoons that are all about camp exploration and relaxation. Paddle a canoe, take a hike, or even bowl a line in the camp’s bowling alley! Check out: bikeadirondacks.com.

On Sunday, July 16, the Ride for the River Bike, also organized by Bike Adirondacks supports the Ausable River Association (ausableriver.org) in their efforts to protect the river’s watershed. Featuring two beautifully scenic routes with distances of 30 or 43-miles, “R4tR” also hosts a 20-mile “Tailgater” group ride on Saturday, July 15 for those who’d like to come into town a day or two early to make it a weekend. The Sunday main event features two fully supported routes, a finish line BBQ featuring live music, and an event gift. Visit: bikeadirondacks.com.

Also on July 16, the new North Winds Gravel Classic starting in Rodman, is a timed-event on the beautifully pristine unpaved roads set in the remote scenic wilderness of the Tug Hill Plateau. This inaugural event presented by the Adirondack Foothills Cycling Club (adkfoothillscyclingclub.org) promises to be a new favorite, with routes of 40, 65, and 90 miles to suit riders of all capabilities and interest. The name derives from the constant winds that travel across Lake Ontario, making the area perfect for sustainable energy generation through windmills. Included in registration is a swag item and the festive after-party you would expect, complete with food, vendors, and live music from the appropriately named Loose Gravel Band. Go to: bikereg.com.

Adirondack Foothills is also holding the North Country Short Track Mountain Bike Series of four races on Sundays, from July 23 to August 20. Races 1 and 2 will take place at Osceola Ski & Sport Resort in Camden on July 23 and August 6, and races 3 and 4 will be at Oswegatchie Education Center in Croghan on August 13 and 20. Short track racing means great opportunities for racers and spectators as riders do multiple loops of a closed circuit. Though there are two races at each location, there will be different courses for each race. Check out: bikereg.com.

Dave Kraus (dbkgrafik@gmail.com) is a longtime area cyclist, photographer, writer, and cycling tour guide who is looking forward to another great season of getting dropped like an anchor by his friends on all kinds of rides. Visit his website: krausgrafik.com.