A Summer of Great Riding – Away we go, on our bikes!

By Dave Kraus

It’s summer, time to ride! You may have been sweating hard on that trainer all winter (haven’t you?) and venturing outside in jackets and tights this spring. Now it’s time to reap the rewards of that dedication and get out to ride in just a jersey and shorts. Remember what that’s like? Even if you’re a casual cyclist, the summer sun blesses everyone on a bike, so call up your calendar for the summer and mark these dates and events. Then head over to each website to sign up and enjoy a summer of great cycling with your family, friends and new friends.

Saturday, June 1, Whiteface Uphill Bike Race – Start your summer off with a bang and a big climb at the 22nd annual event where you and about 300 fellow cyclists ride eight miles and 3,500 feet up the scenic Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway. Your rewards will include a T-shirt, finisher’s medal, and a voucher for a post-ride meal at one of the area’s participating restaurants. But the biggest reward may be the 360-degree panoramic view of the Adirondacks, Vermont and Quebec. Last year, race organizers combined it with the 39th annual Whiteface Uphill Foot Race – about 75 runners start right after cyclists – which was very well-received by the participants and spectators! Runners: runreg.com. Bikers: bikereg.com.

Sunday, June 2, Tour de Cure Capital Region – This longstanding regional event is back and better than ever in 2024 to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association to fight diabetes. Meet at the Ellms Family Farm near Ballston Spa to ride rural routes varying from 10-62 miles, plus full support with rest stops, bike mechanics, sag vehicles and local law enforcement support. Plus enjoy the post-ride lunch live band, and beer garden when you finish. Visit: diabetes.org/capitalregion. 

Sunday, June 2, Voorheesville Family Bicycling Day – The emphasis is on family fun at this eighth annual free public event presented by the Voorheeseville Running & Cycling Club. From 12-3pm, Grove Street in Voorheeseville will be closed to traffic and participants will be able to ride there and on the Helderburg-Hudson Rail Trail. They can also take part in various activities such as a bicycle skills course, arts and crafts, and purchase food/drinks from Buena Comida-Tacos. This popular event is completed by live music from the country-blues band, Red Haired Strangers, and pony rides by Ponies for Hire. More info: vrcclub.org. 

Saturday, June 8, North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge – In this Adirondack gravel grinder, the “Challenge” is to ride the 40 miles from Inlet to Indian Lake, in annually alternating directions, over the unpaved roads of the Moose River Plains in the central Adirondacks. This year’s 27th annual event is already sold out with 1,000 riders, but you can find a waiting list online (or next year, signup early). Go to: blackflychallenge.com.

Sunday, June 23, The Gravel Pitt – Take your pick of 30-, 50- or 71-mile route options at the second edition of this gravel bike rides sponsored by Capital Streets to support cycling advocacy efforts in the Capital Region. Learn more: capitalstreets.org. All routes start and finish at Otter Creek Farm in Pittstown (east of Troy, near Tomhannock Bicycles), and include some beautiful unpaved roads in northern Rensselaer County that have been a well-kept secret… until now, so signup and explore! Each course will have a supported aid station, and the finish line welcomes you with a complimentary beer and food available for purchase. Camping options are available. Visit: bikereg.com.

Sunday, June 23, Rapid River Fondo – The “rapid river” at this day of riding is the Hudson, and riders can choose from 33-, 48- or 62-mile gorgeous routes along southern Adirondack waterways heading out of the Warren County Fish Hatchery in Warrensburg. All rides are supported and include eat/drink rest stops at The Hub in Brant Lake. The Adirondack Multi-Sport Club organizes this third annual fundraiser for Adirondack Cycling Advocates, a non-profit group that does a great job promoting safe and quality bicycling in the southeastern Adirondacks. If you’d like to race against the clock, the club also hosts a Summer Time Trial Series in Ballston Spa and Fort Edward (see Calendar for details). Go to: bikereg.com.

Friday-Sunday, June 28-30, Adirondack Women’s Weekend – This popular event organized by Bike Adirondacks gives women a chance to attend solo or with friends or family in a small group experience that’s all about fun, relaxation and having a great time, on and off your bike. This year’s event is already sold out, but you can contact Bike ADK to get on the waitlist – or signup for another of their bike events. Visit: bikeadirondacks.com.

Sunday, June 30, NY Capital Region Road Race – The 23rd edition of this popular race offers categories for all levels of racers, with distances of 47, 68 and 89 miles. Event organizer, Capital Bicycle Racing Club, has added a 13-mile race for junior boys/girls 9-14 years old (9/10, 11/12, 13/14 categories) – with separate starts for boys and girls. All races will start/finish at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School, just 10 miles south of Albany, and there is no day-of registration, so register early. Go to: bikereg.com.

Saturday, July 13, North Winds Gravel Classic – Produced by the Adirondack Foothills Cycling Club, the second annual North Winds gravel race/ride will draw people from the Northeast for outdoor adventure, beautiful scenery, and pristine dirt roads of the Tug Hill Plateau – that are built for year-round recreation! North Winds has 30- and 60-mile routes that offer fast hard racing – it is the 2024 NYS Gravel Championships – AND a fun, doable challenge for recreational riders to enjoy! Following the event, all riders are invited to celebrate at the after-party featuring live music from the Loose Gravel Band, food, and craft beverages. Proceeds benefit AFCC’s cycling education and safety programs for youth in the North Country. Visit: bikereg.com.

Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14, Ride for the River – For a decade, this ride, sponsored by Bike Adirondacks, has been a do-not-miss celebration of the scenic Ausable River watershed, which raises funds to benefit the Ausable River Association – working to protect this vital resource. Featuring multiple route options, the event also hosts a 20-mile “tailgater” group ride on Saturday for those who’d like to arrive a day or two early to make it a weekend. The start/finish at the Wilmington Town Park offers a public swimming beach, changing rooms, and when you finish, enjoy the post-ride BBQ with live music and other fun activities. Go to: bikeadirondacks.com.

Sunday, July 14, JAM Fund Grand Fundo – Journey to the heart of the Berkshires in Cummington, Mass., to have a great time while supporting a good cause, the JAM Fund development program that makes young cyclists’ dreams come true. Choose from three routes of 29, 55 and 85 miles on routes that are mostly gravel and double track dirt roads in the Pioneer Valley. For the longer ride, you’ll see why some call it the “Farmer’s Daughter of the Berkshires.” The Grand Fundo has a family fun component with kids rides of six and 12 miles. Camping is available at the Cummington Fairgrounds event headquarters. Post-ride, there’s an event DJ, included BBQ, craft brews, family-friendly events, and drawings for special prizes. Visit: jamcycling.org.

July 27-August 4, French Canada Rivers & Lakes Tandem Tour – If you’re a tandem couple, join the folks at Gear-To-Go Tandems, based in Saranac Lake, for this weeklong tour in French Canada along the Richelieu River, Monteregie Region, and the townships east of Montreal – where you can enjoy quiet roads and dedicated bike trails in this area filled with orchards and rolling fields. Quebec has a reputation for being bicycle friendly and you’ll find out why on this this tour that includes seven days of riding, lodging, and many other features. They also offer a French Canada Tandem Tour on August 4-12. Go to: gtgtandems.com.

Dave Kraus (dbkgrafik@gmail.com) is a longtime area road and gravel cyclist, photographer, and writer who is looking forward to another season of listening to his knees creak as he tries to keep up with friends on a variety of rides. Visit: krausgrafik.com.