Late Summer Events

By Dave Kraus

The Covid pandemic has brought a world of changes to the entire country since the spring of 2020. It also seems to have brought new life to cyclists’ desire to get outside and enjoy new experiences, and there’s a wealth of old reliables and newly created cycling events of all kinds across upstate New York to help you explore new roads and trails and make new friends on two wheels.

In only a few years, Bike Adirondacks has become a major force in upstate cycling events that support all types of riding in the Adirondacks. Owner Doug Haney runs his own marketing agency, but then fills his spare hours partnering with local non-profits to create events that draw more cyclists to the region while funneling profits to deserving local charities. Late summer includes some of BikeADK’s headliner events and you can get more info and register at: bikeadirondacks.com. Do it quick because most have limited capacity and may be close to filling up.

The Weekender at Paul Smith’s College is on Friday-Sunday, August 4-6 – This weekend of road riding and family entertainment is based out of the stunning campus of the college, north of Saranac Lake. Three days of fully supported 30- to 55-mile rides are accompanied by off-bike adventures including live music, educational presentations, canoeing, and great camp tours. Meals are included and lodging options include tent camping, bring your RV, stay in one of the dormitories, or in a hotel in Saranac Lake – and discounts for groups are available. The event supports the Paul Smith’s College Center for Sustainability.

Great Camp Sagamore Gravel Experience is on Sunday-Wednesday, August 13-16 – Head out for a guided gravel ride each morning, then return to the Vanderbilt Family’s former great camp for an afternoon of canoeing, hiking, or even roll a game at the estate’s own open-air bowling alley. This four-day gravel riding experience at the historic great camp includes meals and lodging. Funds go to the Great Camp Sagamore Public Trust that maintains this heritage landmark.

Handlebarley Gravel Weekend on Saturday-Sunday, September 16-17 – Two days of scenic gravel riding combine to show you some of the best scenery in the North Country, with start/finish each day at Paradox Brewery in North Hudson. Note the Saturday and full weekend packages are already full, but there are spots left for the featured 42-mile Sunday ride that shows off rolling paved and gravel terrain showcasing historic farms, 1800s stacked stone walls, remnants of old mills, and sweet-smelling cedar groves – plus a rest stop in Ironville at the Penfield Homestead Museum, which benefits from funds raised in this event. Then enjoy a post-ride pizza feast back at Paradox.

Pat Stratton Ride on Saturday, August 26 – BikeADK now handles the registrations for this 23rd edition of this awesome Saranac Lake area ride that includes 22-, 49-, and 100-mile distances. The ride is based at Mt. Pisgah Lodge and benefits Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club, with over $100,000 raised to date for area youth programs in Saranac Lake. Each route includes fully stocked rest stops and road support, plus an event T-shirt, a post ride cookout, tasty homemade pies, live music, raffles – and the good feeling that comes from benefitting kids by riding your bike!

A wide variety of nice riding events fill up the weeks going from late July into August and September.

Churney Gurney Mountain Bike Races and Festival on Saturday-Sunday, August 5-6 – Held at Gurney Lane Park in Queensbury, this year’s event will be a full two-day mountain bike festival featuring demo bikes available from a variety of makers, plus local shops, a beer tent, raffles, and available barbecue. It’s also Race #3 of the NYS MTB Series. Saturday features a downhill race on the Rogue/Rogue Ext. singletrack trails; race multiple laps to get the fastest time. On Sunday, there are cross country races for all classes and kids races that will add to all the fun. Saturday also offers a trail running race on the singletrack trails. For more info and to register, go to: bikereg.com.

Tour of the Catskills on Sunday, August 13 – This year marks the 15th year for this Catskill area mainstay that is now a welcoming gran fondo format with 27-, 52-, and 75-mile open distances, all on paved roads with aid stations, on-course support, full course signage, and police support at selected intersections. It’s brought to you by Anthem Sports Tours, who originally brought you Tour of the Battenkill. After the ride, there’s an after-party at The Last Chance Café. If you’re doing the 75-mile course, you can experience the infamous Devil’s Kitchen climb that tops out at 22% – easy-peasy! There’s also a ride-sharing feature if you want to carpool to get to/from the event. Register at: bikereg.com.

Cycle the St. Lawrence on Sunday, August 27 – Presented by the Adirondack Foothills Cycling Club and 1,000 islands International Tourism Council, this whole-day event offers three different rides through those 1,000 islands with all the trimmings. Routes of 35-, 62-, and 100-miles give you a chance to see all the beauty the St. Lawrence Seaway has to offer with views of storybook castles and lighthouses from the river, plus vineyards and Amish Farms on the shores of Black Lake. Your day will end with an after-party celebration at Bonnie Castle with music, delicious food, and a breathtaking river-view sunset. Get more details and register at: bikereg.com. 

Chrissy’s Ride on Sunday, August 13 – This year’s 20th anniversary ride, based at The Hub Bike Shop & Café/Bar in Brant Lake memorializes Christine Nicole Perry, who was killed in an automobile collision in 2003 at age 18. Ride proceeds support Chrissy’s Fund, which has given over $100,000 to individuals and organizations throughout the North Warren community. Three rides are on the menu this year at 15-, 25-, and 40-miles – along the Schroon River and Loon-Friends-Brant lakes – at this event with its informal, welcoming vibe. A post-ride lunch is included, plus giveaways and raffles. It’s a fun day for a great cause. Preregistration is appreciated at: bikereg.com.

Harry Elkes Ride on Saturday, September 9 – Glens Falls native Harry Elkes was a world-class bike racer for five years before he was killed in a race in 1905. Adirondack Cycling Advocates invites you to ride with them at their 10th annual event. Based out of The Hub in Brant Lake, choose from the 15-mile Brant Lake family ride, 32-, and 50-mile scenic lake road rides, plus their 18-mile gravel ride. After your ride, have lunch and drinks at The Hub, while watching the fascinating presentation on Harry Elkes’ life and times. To register, go to: bikereg.com.

Gravel Pitt Gravel Bike Ride on Sunday, September 10 – No, that’s not a typo. The Gravel “Pitt” refers to the previously well-kept secret; an extensive network of gravel roads in the Pittstown area, just northeast of Troy in northern Rensselaer County. This inaugural event, is based out of Otter Creek Farms, near the Tomhannock Reservoir in Johnsonville. Choose the ride fruit of your choice, including the Cherry Pitt (29 miles), the Plum Pitt (53 miles), and the formidable Peach Pitt (75 miles) that only the hardiest of gravel cyclists may be able to digest! Overnight camping will be available at the farm, and food and drinks are available for post-ride celebrating. It promises to be an epic day out on the bike on beautiful, challenging roads that definitely require a gravel, cyclocross, or mountain bike. It’s presented by Capital Streets, dedicated to making biking and active transportation safer, more comfortable and accessible in the Capital Region. To register, click on over to: bikereg.com.

Catskill Mountain Cycling Challenge on Sunday, September 17 – The cycling challenge carries forth the long tradition of recreational road cycling in the Western Catskills. Your scenic pedal will raise funds helping to keep the Catskill Recreation Center open into the future. You can do the 29-mile Pepacton Short, the 50-mile Andes Loop, or the 100-mile Century Challenge that offers a rich mix of woodland, farm, hamlet, and valley scenery with some moderate climbs. All the routes include segments along the shore of scenic Pepacton Reservoir, plus usage of the center’s locker and shower facilities so you can clean up before enjoying the included lunch. To register, visit: bikereg.com.

Prospect Mountain Hill Climb on Saturday, September 23 – It’s just one hill, but that 5.67-mile uphill will challenge even the most fit of cyclists – and all levels of riders are welcome. The average gradient is 5.3%, with a maximum grade over 13%, and there is a total elevation gain of 1,610 feet. It’s presented by Unify Cycling in support of PTSD awareness and ending veteran suicide with family and community. You get a spectacular view at the top, plus automatic entry into the Bike Up a Mountain Point Series. To register, go to: 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 at many of these events. Visit his website at www.KrausGrafik.com.