Spring Rides and Races

By Dave Kraus

It’s mid-March in Upstate New York, and that means... SPRING! Well, maybe, kind of, almost… But while the daffodils aren’t quite blooming yet, green leaves, and warmer days are on the horizon. For area cyclists, it’s time to dust the cobwebs off those bikes, and schedule a tune-up with your local bike shop advertised here in Adirondack Sports. Then, mark this spring’s events on your calendar, and register for them, to make sure you and your friends do them together. 

Check out all these great cycling events coming your way as spring advances into early summer. Bring your helmet, and ride on!

 Sunday, April 6, Chatham – In the backwoods, a super-sized thunderstorm is a “Toad Strangler” and this gravel grinder’s fourth annual running kicks off the spring season with a 40-mile challenging route on the scenic gravel roads of northern Columbia County, paired with a 10-mile family friendly marshaled route that gives younger riders and their families the opportunity to experience the joy of gravel riding. Add post-ride lunch, a free draft from Chatham Brewery, NICA-benefit bike wash, custom Toad buff, discounted entry for juniors, and you have a winner of a day on the bike for everyone. There are field limits so register soon. Visit: bikereg.com.

 Saturday, April 12, Coxsackie – This year’s Trooper David Brinkerhoff Memorial & Army Cycling Classic Road Race benefits from a partnership between the Capital Bicycle Racing Club  and the Army West Point Cycling Team. There’s increased prize money and races for all qualified ages with multiple laps on the 12-mile loop course. This year, there’s also a pre-race clinic hosted by racing veterans Ben Kramer and Andy Ruiz, who runs CBRC’s Junior Development Team. Event proceeds are donated to local volunteer organizations, youth charities, and the Coxsackie-Athens H.S. Scholarship in memory of NYS Trooper David Brinkerhoff, who was killed in the line of duty on April 25, 2007. Note there’s no day-of-race entry. Go to: bikereg.com.

 Multiple dates starting March 8, Schuylerville – Local bike shop owner John Ceceri is a veteran brevet rider who sponsors the Saratoga Brevet Series with distances starting at 62 miles in March up to 372 miles later in the season. Brevets are not for the faint-of-heart as they emphasize self-reliance and endurance, with no road markings or on-course support, and all riders are timed. If you’ve got the legs, John has the route for you! There’s 126 miles on April 27, 188 miles on May 18, and 255 miles on June 21, before finishing with a 372-mile marathon on July 12. Whew! Check out: adkultracycling.com.

 Multiple dates starting March 8, Schuylerville – John also offers the Adirondack Ultra Challenge with this series of 100+ mile rides throughout 2025, starting with the Adirondack 136 in July. Routes differ, but all start/finish at his Adirondack Ultra Cycling bike shop in Schuylerville and require the same self-reliance as the brevet series. See the website for more info. Visit: adkultracyling.com.

Sunday, May 4, Plattsburgh – The 10th Tour de Force offers bike rides of 25 and 50 miles highlighting the beautiful roads in scenic Clinton County, starting at Point Au Roche State Park near Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain. This year’s event will honor NYS Polic Captain Christopher Garrow and Trooper Robert Burney, both of whom tragically passed away due to injuries sustained from 9/11. If friends/family are runners, there’s also a Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & 1M run/walk: runsignup.com. Check out: bikesignup.com.

 Saturday, May 10, Cambridge – Battenkill is back. The grassroots reincarnation of this “America’s Queen of the Classics” race/ride, offered by original promoter and founder Dieter Drake with family and friends, under a slightly new name. Based once again in Cambridge, this fully supported mixed terrain gran fondo for those who want to enjoy the scenic villages, covered bridges, amazing views and challenging terrain of rural Washington County, and USAC race with juniors to professionals with overall and age group awards, and exciting finishes in downtown Cambridge. There will be routes of 63, 46 and 23 miles with staffed rest stops, chip timing, traffic control, T-shirts, Battenkill Expo, afterparty with live music, and 21+ riders will receive a pint from Artisanal Brew Works of Saratoga Springs. Register soon as Battenkill is over half-full and expect to fill. Visit: battenkillrace.com.

Saturday, May 17, Camden – Head out to the Tug Hill plateau for the Tour de Lewis: Osceola to Onieda Lake, where their abundant winter snows melt to support beautiful green scenery for this unforgettable cycling journey in Lewis County, with all routes based out of Osceola Ski & Sport Resort. The 57-mile full “O to O” tour promised a perfect blend of adventure and serenity, featuring rolling hills, wilderness, charming villages, riding along the scenic Oneida Lake, and a challenging climb. The 34-mile Mad River State Forest is a fun and challenging route through rolling hills, villages and forests for riders of all abilities. The 10-mile family fun ride is perfect for new cyclists or families. E-bikes are welcome and all routes are paved. Get a timing chip or just relax and enjoy the scenery and solitude. There are manned rest stops, sag support, a commemorative poster, and a great afterparty with great food, drinks, and live music. Go to: bikereg.com.

 Saturday, May 18, Chatham – If you’re looking for a day of scenic gravel riding, The Farmer’s Daughter is 63 miles, with 6,000 feet of climbing, and sections on single- and double-track trails. This 11th annual ride through some of the most challenging terrain in the Northeast is also a day of fun with lots of company starting from the Columbia County Fairgrounds. If the Daughter is too much, then choose the Farmer’s Granddaughter 43-mile route with “only” 3,700 feet of climbing and no off-road sections. No matter which you choose, there’s the Bountiful Bread lunch stop, and included post-ride lunch at the finish, plus the Chatham Brewery’s Rye IPA that inspired the event name. Promoter Andy Ruiz always comes up with some cool piece of shwag. Bring you’re A-game, your gravel or mountain bike, and register soon because the 1,000 rider field limit is 80% full. Go to: bikereg.com.

 Sunday, June 1, Ballston Spa – The American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure is a seasonal staple on the upstate cycling scene that raises vital funds for diabetes support and research. It’s “where passion hits the pavement,” this year once again starting from the Ellms Family Farm near Ballston Spa. Choose from routes of 62, 52, 32, and 10 miles that wind through the beautiful countryside in Charlton, Galway, and north to the Adirondack foothills. There will be well-marked routes, stocked rest stops, support/gear vehicles, bike mechanics, medical personnel, TdC shirts, and a hearty post-ride meal. Check out: diabetes.org/capitalregion.

 Saturday, June 7, Wilmington – Fancy yourself a climber? The Whiteface Uphill Bike Race will give you all you could want and more. Pace yourself, stop to catch your breath and enjoy the incredible views from the Veterans Memorial Highway that winds to the top of New York’s fifth highest peak at 4,867 feet, where you’ll be rewarded with 360° panoramic views on a clear day. Your race fee includes a post-race meal voucher for one of the local restaurants, a finishers medal, and T-shirt. Plus, if you register by May 1 there’s also a race shirt. Aww, go ahead, it’s only eight miles – and 3,800 feet! If you’d rather run, it’ held in conjunction with the Whiteface Uphill Foot Race: runreg.com. Visit: bikereg.com.

 Sunday, June 8, Wilmington – If you’re not worn out from climbing Whiteface on Saturday, tackle the Wilmington Whiteface MTB 100K & 50K Race starting at Preston Memorial Park. The course features a mix of rugged backcountry roads, flowing and smooth singletrack stretches, and plenty of climbing as you wind through the hills and valleys around scenic Wilmington. There are aid stations at every 20K, and riders receive a T-shirt and a post-race meal. Don’t underestimate the challenge, they call this one “The Beast from the East!” Go to: bikereg.com.

Saturday, June 14, Indian Lake – The biggest “challenge” of the annual North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge is just getting entered, and this year proved it again – it sold out with 1,000 entries on March 4. This year’s Adirondack gravel grinder starts in Indian Lake and finishes 40 miles later in Inlet after traversing the gravelly, sandy roads of the Moose River Plains. There are water stops but no snacks on the race course (yes, it is a race, not a ride!) and watch out for those “baby head” rocks in the shady spots. But save a little energy for the rockin’ post-race party that’s on tap when you arrive in Inlet. If you’re looking for an entry, see their transfer info: blackflychallenge.com. See you on the bike!

Dave Kraus (dbkgrafik@gmail.com) is a road and gravel cyclist, photographer, writer, and professional cycling tour guide who would be happy to show your bike tour group a great time all over the Great Northeast. Visit: ciclismoclassico.com/guides/dave-kraus.