OVERVIEW: If you haven’t ridden Western NY, you’re missing a hidden gem! The area is full of history, great scenery and fabulous riding on quiet roads with little traffic. New York isn’t ALL about the Big Apple…come to where the apples are actually grown!

Looking at a map of the Finger Lakes, you will find numerous lakes situated in deep glacial valleys ranging from a few miles to 40 miles long, many less than a mile wide. Between the lakes, rich agriculture land boasts hundreds of vineyards and dairy farms. Recently, many Amish and Mennonite families have moved to the area after selling off their Eastern Pennsylvania farms for development. Don’t be surprised to pass (or be passed!) by horse and buggy or a Mennonite family cycling to church! There is very little flat terrain here - expect rolling hills with some steep climbs. 

We meet in Rochester, NY for an introductory happy hour and dinner at a locally owned restaurant. The next morning we will shake out those travelling legs with a couple of ride choices. One is a fairly easy day riding the Erie Canal Heritage Trail, the Genesee River Trail and assorted roads in and around Rochester. The other choice is a great roller coaster ride that is a favorite with the local racing crowd.  Your choice depending on how you feel; either is sure to please.

Day 2 we will wind our way east along the canal for a few miles before heading southeast into the Finger Lakes. Our route will take us through pleasant, rolling agricultural land before reaching the village of Canandaigua. The native Iroquois called this "Kah-nan-dah-kwe” meaning “the chosen place”, and it’s hard to find a more beautiful lake…until we visit the other five lakes on this trip! Dinner tonight will be a special treat at the Culinary Center of the Finger Lakes…prepare to get your hands dirty before eating!

Day 3 we will ride the shore of Canandaigua before headed east toward Seneca Lake, passing through Geneva. The hamlet of Seneca Falls is our final destination, generally believed to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls, the fictional town portrayed in Frank Capra’s classic 1940 film, It’s a Wonderful Life. Seneca Falls played a prominent role in the Women’s Rights Movement, and riders may want to visit the Women’s Rights National Park.

Day 4 we will make our way toward the picturesque village of Skaneateles, riding down the east shore of Cayuga Lake (the longest of the Finger Lakes) and up the west shore of Owasco Lake. We will spend two nights in Skaneateles giving you many options, either on or off the bike. Day 5’s optional ride is one of the best, taking you around Skaneateles Lake and high above Otisco Lake.  If you prefer you can take one of the many available boat rides or give your derriere a break by walking across the street to the Mirbeau Spa where, for an additional charge, they will pamper your body and relax your mind.

Day 6 we will head to the city of Ithaca, home of Cornell University. We will be staying downtown with its many dining options, including the famous Moosewood Inn, a groundbreaking vegetarian restaurant. You will be delighted how good their fare is, and very reasonably priced too! A new menu is announced daily, so prepare to be surprised!

Day 7 will be one of more arduous days as we ride north on the east side of Cayuga Lake, passing through Taughannock State Park. We then turn west toward Seneca Lake, where you will have beautiful lake vistas before dropping into the village of Watkins Glen.

Mileage is short and sweet on Day 8, so we will kick it off with a hike through a Watkins Glen State Park’s 400’ deep gorge teeming with 19 waterfalls before heading northwest to two nights in Penn Yan. Day 9 is our only complete shoreline circumnavigation of a Finger Lake as we spin out our legs around beautiful Keuka Lake. After a couple fairly easy days you have to pay the piper, and you will be doing just that on Day 10 as we travel from Penn Yan back to Canandaigua. But these tough climbs do come with rewards as you will see one of the most beautiful vistas in the Finger Lakes…a full length view of Canandaigua Lake while perched 800’ above the water surface. We return to Canandaigua one more night before returning to Rochester via the Erie Canal Trail and our departing dinner.

RIDE RATING: There are 8 days of mandatory riding and 3 days of optional riding, but in reality you won’t want to miss two of these optional days due to the beauty of the ride. The average elevation gain is 2,156 feet per day and the average mileage is 43.3 per day. Nevertheless, please note the required riding days that exceed the 2B rating: day 4 is 2,600’ in 52 miles; day 6 is 2,600’ in 50 miles; day 7 is 3,350 feet in 58 miles; day 11 is 4,100’ feet in 43 miles. Day 5 Optional Ride has 3,200’ of climbing over 45 miles. The terrain is rolling with frequent short steep climbs and descents; there are some climbs over 8% for a mile or more. Late spring in Upstate New York is usually comfortably warm, but is famously variable.  Cold weather or rain is possible.. There will not be sag service except for emergencies. Some riding on flat, packed aggregate is required along the Erie Canal Heritage Trail, the Genesee Riverway Trail and two short stretches on Day 7. A 25c or bigger tire is adequate for this terrain.

LOGISTICS: Arrive on Thursday, June 6, 2013 in Rochester, NY. Complimentary hotel shuttle service is available from the Rochester (ROC) airport. Parking and bike box storage for the duration of the trip is available at no extra cost. Overnights are in Rochester (3 nights); Canandaigua (2 nights), Seneca Falls, Skaneateles (two nights), Ithaca, Watkins Glen and Penn Yan (2 nights)

COST: Estimated tour cost is $2,000 per person which includes: 12 nights lodging, 10 breakfasts, 3 dinners, 8 happy hours, luggage van, and maps and route sheets. A solo single supplement is estimated to be an additional $1,000. In such cases where the establishment prohibits our providing our own refreshments, happy hour will be on a cash basis in the lounge. A deposit of $1,000 is required upon ride acceptance. A second payment of $500 is due by December 1, 2012. Final payment is due by March 1, 2013. Single riders will be accepted who are willing to share a room and we will assist with finding a room mate. Due to lodging limitations, there are only two rooms available with two beds.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds are dependent on obtaining a replacement from the wait list. If your position can be replaced immediately, you will get your refund less the $50 BAC ride fee. If your position is not filled, your share of the fixed costs and any cost that would have resulted in an increase to the remaining participants will be deducted from your refund. A single who cancels and is not replaced will be responsible for any single supplement charges for the remaining roommate. Your costs that can be recovered will be disbursed after the tour is completed and the final accounting takes place.

REGISTRATION: To register, use the signup link below. You will be contacted by the ride director who will tell you more about the ride. Upon acceptance to the ride, the director will tell you where to send your deposit (which includes the non-refundable BAC $50 registration fee) along with signed ride application and waiver forms (found on the BAC web site under "more"). When these have been received, your name will be moved from the "wait" list to the "participants" list. Members with questions may contact the Ride Director by clicking the name at the top of the page.