Best of the NY Finger Lakes 2027

† 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 wineries and craft breweries, which is reason enough to come experience this part of the country. This ride was last held in 2025, and one can view the tripper report from that ride at Best of the New York Finger Lakes 2025 Tripper Report. The ride was so successful that we decided to run it again! 

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.

Day 1 we meet in Rochester, NY on Saturday May 29, 2027 at 5:00 PM for an introductory happy hour and group dinner. The next morning, day 2, starts us off with a very interesting tour of Rochester. We ride along the Erie Canal Heritage Trail, the Genesee River Trail, and assorted roads in and around Rochester. For those wishing to ride the morning of May 28 as a pre-tour warm-up, we have posted a fun rural roller coaster ride (Mendon Ponds loop ride) that is a favorite with locals.  

Day 3 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 restaurants and wineries.

Day 4 we explore the countryside between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes before arriving at Seneca Falls. This charming town is the home of the Woman’s Rights National Historic Park which tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848, as well as the home of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. The town is also 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. Dinner tonight is at our hotel, The historic Gould.

Day 5 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 sunset dinner cruise on Skaneateles Lake. Day 6’s optional ride is one of the best, taking you around Skaneateles Lake and high above Otisco Lake.

Day 7 we head to the city of Ithaca, home of Cornell University. We will stay in the heart of Ithaca with its many dining and sightseeing options. Tonight, we feast at the famous vegetarian Moosewood Restaurant.

Day 8 is an optional ride day – ride the Cayuga lakeshore, visit the farmers’ market, explore the countyside, or just hang out at the Cornell University's dairy bar and eat ice cream!  

On Day 9 we explore the east side of Cayuga Lake, passing through Taughannock State Park (don’t miss the incredible waterfalls). We then turn west toward Seneca Lake, where we have beautiful lake vistas before dropping into the village of Watkins Glen. The Glen is renowned for its International Speedway and Watkins Glen State Park, perhaps the most spectacular of the NY Parks. Tonight, we dine on authentic Thai food.  

On Day 10, we begin the day with a hike through the Watkins Glen Park, boasting a 400’ deep gorge teeming with 19 waterfalls. After our hike we head northwest for a short ride to Penn Yan which sits at the north end of Keuka Lake. Tonight is BBQ and freshly baked pie night (with vegetarian options, of course).

Day 11 we enjoy an optional shoreline circumnavigation around beautiful Keuka Lake, possibly the most beautiful of the finger lakes. Along the way we pass several wineries and breweries which should provide ample opportunity to sample some of the local hops and grapes. A stop not to be missed along the route is the Glenn H Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport. This one-of-a-kind museum preserves the rich history of the development of the first motor-powered bicycles, boat building, and aviation in the Finger Lakes region.  

Day 12 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 13 brings us back to Rochester, with some of the route along another stretch of the Erie Canal Heritage Trail, and our closing dinner. Your departure date is Friday morning, June 11. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to
ride. Should someone become ill, putting the group’s health and safety in jeopardy, the ill person will be expected to isolate from the group until well again.  When isolation is not possible, the ill person will be expected to wear a mask.The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned. 

RIDE RATING: This ride is rated a 2B (35-50 miles with 1500-2500 feet of elevation). 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 any of these optional days due to their exceptional beauty. The average elevation gain is ~2,100’ per day over 45 miles. On many days there are short and long ride options. Please note there are two required riding days where the long ride options exceed the 2B rating. Optional day 5 has ~3,000’ of climbing over 45 miles, and optional day 7 has a long ride option of ~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, and a 25c tire is adequate for this terrain. The Finger Lakes terrain at times is challenging. There are many rolling hills with some short steep climbs and descents; there are a couple climbs ~8% for a mile or more. However, on the more challenging days we have developed alternative routes that are also beautiful but with less climbing and distance.   

ROUTES: Downloadable electronic RWGPS files and route maps will be provided. Riders can print their own maps and cue sheets, if desired, from the RWGPS files. 

WEATHER: Late spring in Upstate New York is usually comfortably warm, with average late May-early June highs of 74 and lows of 54 degrees F 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 and local classic inns and lodges.  Seven group dinners, five breakfasts, and happy hours each evening are planned. One of the group dinners includes an evening cruise on picturesque Skaneateles Lake.

LOGISTICS: Arrive on Saturday, May 29, 2027 in Rochester, NY. The tour begins at 5:00 PM with a social hour at the Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Pittsford-Victor Rd (585-249-6031) where we will spend the first two nights and our last night. It is a 20 minute drive from the Frederick Douglas Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) to the hotel. The hotel does not provide shuttle service. Uber/Lyft/taxi service is conveniently available at the airport. Parking and bike box storage for the duration of the trip is available at the hotel 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. Contact us for more details about local bike rentals. The tour ends after breakfast on Friday June 11.

TANDEMS AND E-BIKES: We welcome tandem riders and those who wish to ride pedal assist e-bikes.

COST: Estimated tour cost is $2880 per person which includes 13 nights lodging, seven group dinners, five breakfasts, evening happy hours, and the cargo luggage van. A deposit of $1500 is required upon ride acceptance. A second and final payment of $1380 is due by February 5, 2027. A solo single supplement is estimated to be an additional $1850. The second payment and the solo supplement may be adjusted slightly down or up, depending primarily on the final number of ride participants but also on hotel costs, a number of which are currently estimated rather than firm contract rates. Single riders who are willing to share a room are encouraged, and we will assist with finding a roommate. Due to lodging constraints, rooms with two beds are limited at some locations. 

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY:  A “single” is a member who signs up and wishes to share a room with another participant. A “solo” is a member who signs up, does not wish to share a room, and pays the solo supplement. It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. Due to hotel limitations on rooms with two beds, we can only accept six singles on this tour. After receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until February 5, 2027 to find a roommate. If they are unable, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the solo supplement and stay on the ride. They may continue to seek a roommate but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. If a roommate is found, the solo supplement will be returned. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. 

The solo supplement payment of $1850 is due by February 5, 2027 and can be paid by Zelle or by check. To pay using Zelle:
● In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email
address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org
● Initiate a payment
● In the Message block, enter the name of your ride.

To pay by check, the check should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

If you have questions about the solo supplement, please contact Nancy Bohnett at nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. 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 canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling 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 canceling 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. 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 the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. 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 might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions

INSURANCE: BAC maintains two insurance policies: a) United States, and b) Foreign (all other countries). Both the U.S. and Foreign policies are considered secondary policies to your personal medical insurance policy. They are subject to a $1000 deductible and may not cover all expenses related to an accident. Copies of the current policies are located under the “Docs” tab on the BAC website. Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. While touring in the U.S, the BAC insurance includes coverage for injuries due to accidents during the bike trip. Members’ personal insurance will need to cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected illness (i.e. treatment for unexpected illnesses, including Covid, are not covered). 

SIGN-UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. There is an $85.00 domestic ride fee and $150.00 international ride fee. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.