The Best of the New York Finger Lakes

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW

If you haven’t ridden in Western NY, you’re missing a hidden gem! The area is full of history, great scenery and fabulous riding on quiet, rural roads with little traffic. This region has also become a mecca for hundreds of craft breweries and wineries, which is reason enough to come experience this part of the country. This ride (albeit with different ride leaders and minor changes) was last held in 2016, and one can view the tripper report from that ride at https://www.bicycleadventureclub.org/html/rides/?action=viewTripper&rideid=949.

Looking at a map of Western NY, you will find numerous “finger shaped” lakes situated in deep glacial valleys. Between the lakes, rich agricultural land boasts hundreds of vineyards and dairy farms. The terrain is rolling hills with a few extended climbs.

We meet in Rochester, NY on Saturday June 5 for an introductory happy hour and dinner at a historic restaurant located on the Erie Canal. The next morning offers a choice of two rides. One is a fairly easy, riding the Erie Canal Heritage Trail, the Genesee River Trail and assorted roads in and around Rochester. The other is a great roller coaster ride that is a favorite with locals.

On Day 2 of riding, we head to the Finger Lakes. Our route takes us through pleasant, rolling farmland before reaching the town of Geneva. Perched at the northernmost tip of Seneca Lake, this historic college town is home to Hobart and William & Smith Colleges, and some of the region’s best theaters, restaurants, and wineries.

Day 3 we explore the countryside between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes before arriving at Seneca Falls, the inspiration for Bedford Falls which is the fictional town in the classic 1946 film, It’s a Wonderful Life. One can even visit the Museum dedicated to this film.  Seneca Falls also played a prominent role in the Women’s Rights Movement, and riders may want to visit the Women’s Rights National Historic Park and the National Women’s Hall of Fame. 

Day 4 we make our way toward the picturesque village of Skaneateles (“skinny atlas”), riding down the east shore of Cayuga Lake and up the west shore of Owasco Lake. That evening we board a boat for a delightful sunset dinner cruise on the Lake. Day 5’s optional ride is one of the best, taking you around Skaneateles Lake and high above Otisco Lake.

Day 6 we head to the city of Ithaca, home of Cornell University. We stay at the William Henry Miller Inn in downtown Ithaca with its many dining and sight-seeing options. Day 7 is an optional ride day.

On Day 8 we explore the east side of Cayuga Lake, passing through Taughannock State Park. We then turn west toward Seneca Lake, where we have beautiful lake vistas before dropping into the village of Watkins Glen. While The Glen is renowned for its International Speedway, the Watkins Glen State Park is perhaps the most spectacular of the Finger Lakes State Parks.  As our mileage is short on Day 9, we begin the day with a hike through the Park, boasting a 400’ deep gorge teeming with 19 waterfalls. After our hike we head northwest to Penn Yan on Keuka Lake.

Day 10 is our only complete shoreline circumnavigation as we ride around beautiful Keuka Lake. Along the way we will pass several wineries and breweries which should provide ample opportunity to sample some of the local hops and grapes.

Day 11 we travel from Penn Yan to Canandaigua which takes us to the most beautiful vista in the Finger Lakes…a full length view of Canandaigua Lake from 800’ above the water. The native Iroquois called this "Kah-nan-dah-kwe” meaning “the chosen spot”. Day 12 brings us back to Rochester and our departing dinner. Your departure date is Friday, June 18.

 RIDE RATING

There are 8 days of required point-to-point riding and 4 days of optional loop riding, but in reality you won’t want to miss two of these optional days due to their exceptional beauty. The average elevation gain is ~2,100’ per day over 45 miles. Please note there are two required riding days that exceed the 2B rating: Day 8 is ~3,000 feet in 58 miles, and Day 11 is ~3,600’ feet in 47 miles. Optional Day 5 has ~3,000’ of climbing over 45 miles, and Optional Day 7 has ~2,700’ over 40 miles.

There will not be sag service except for emergencies. We will be renting a cargo van to transport luggage which has limited passenger space. Some riding on flat, packed aggregate is required along the Erie Canal Heritage Trail, the Genesee River Trail and two short stretches on Day 8. These are popular, predominately flat bike routes - a 25c or bigger tire is adequate for this terrain. The Finger Lakes terrain is rolling, with some short steep climbs and descents; there are a couple climbs ~8% for a mile or more.

This tour was last run in 2016, and the .rwgps course routes from that ride, with a couple of changes, have been uploaded to the Ride Leaders documents. Scouting of the routes prior to the tour is planned.  

WEATHER

Late spring in Upstate New York is usually comfortably warm with average June highs of 77 degrees and lows of 56, but is famously variable. Cold weather or rain is always a possibility, so one must be prepared by bringing warm under layers and rain gear.   

 LODGING & MEALS

Lodging for the 13 nights will feature a combination of modern chain hotels (Hilton Garden Inn in Bushnell's Basin and in Ithaca (spillover if needed from the William Henry Miller Inn), the Ramada in Geneva, the Best Western in Penn Yan, the Holiday Inn Express in Canandaigua), and local classic inns and lodges (William Henry Miller Inn in Ithaca, Gould Hotel in Seneca Falls, Finger Lakes Lodging in Skaneateles).  Four group dinners are planned (ride start and finish, dinner cruise on Skaneateles Lake, and Penn Yan), eight breakfasts, and happy hours most evenings. 

LOGISTICS

Arrive on Saturday, June 5, 2021 in Rochester, NY. With 24-hour advanced notification, complimentary hotel shuttle service is available from the Rochester (ROC) airport from 7 AM to 11 PM. Parking and bike box storage for the duration of the trip is available at no extra cost. Overnights are in Rochester (three nights), Geneva, Seneca Falls, Skaneateles (two nights), Ithaca (two nights), Watkins Glen, Penn Yan (two nights), and Canandaigua. High end rental bikes are currently available from local bike shops.  We advise you to reserve any rental bikes at least three to six months in advance, to ensure availability. Contact us for more details about local bike rentals. The tour ends after breakfast on June 18.

COST AND ADMINISTRATION

Included in the cost of this tour are 13 nights lodging, eight breakfasts, four dinners, evening happy hours, and the cargo luggage van. Happy hours include an assortment of beer, wine, soft drinks, cheese and snacks. Electronic RWGPS route maps and cue sheets will be provided, and hard copies of the cue sheets will be provided at our first happy hour. A deposit of $1,110 is required upon ride acceptance. A final payment of $1,110 is due by February 1, 2021. 

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY

We encourage single riders to join us on this ride. If you are a single, it is recommended that you attempt to find a roommate on your own. Additionally, we will assist by putting you in touch with other singles who have signed up for the ride.  A single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until February 1, 2021 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $1,250 solo supplement and stay on the ride. None of our hotels offer solo rooms i.e. at a reduced rate. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate and if successful the supplement will be returned, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. Solo supplement payments are due Febuary 1, 2021, and need to be sent to the BAC office. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to lack of participation below stated minimum requirements.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. We will gladly accept tandems and e-bikes on this tour, and such participants must able to safely and competently operate and maintain their bikes. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP

To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $1,110 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.