Erie Canal and the 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 $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

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 Western NY, where the apples are actually grown! This is a repeat of our 2013 ride with an additional night in Ithaca and a few minor logistical changes. Please see the Tripper Report at http://www.bicycleadventureclub.org/html/rides/?action=viewTripper&rideid=642 

Looking at a map of the Central and Western NY, you will find numerous lakes ranging from a few to 40 miles long and many less than a mile wide situated in deep glacial valleys. Between the lakes, rich agricultural land boasts hundreds of vineyards and dairy farms. Recently, many Amish and Mennonite families have moved to the area after selling 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 a few extended climbs. 

We meet in Rochester, NY on Wednesday, June 8  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 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 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.

On Day 2 of riding, we head to the Finger Lakes. Our route takes us through pleasant, rolling farmland before reaching the village of Canandaigua. The native Iroquois called this "Kah-nan-dah-kwe” meaning “the chosen spot”, and it’s hard to find a more beautiful lake…until we visit the other five on this trip! Dinner tonight will be at a local establishment.

Day 3 we ride the shore of Canandaigua before headed east toward Seneca Lake, passing through Geneva and the hamlet of Seneca Falls, generally believed to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls, the fictional town in the classic 1940 film, It’s a Wonderful Life. Seneca Falls also 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 make our way toward the picturesque village of Skaneateles, riding down the east shore of Cayuga Lake (the longest of the lakes) and up the west shore of Owasco Lake. We spend two nights in Skaneateles. 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 will be staying downtown with its many dining options, including a group dinner at the famous Moosewood Inn, a groundbreaking vegetarian restaurant. You will be delighted how good their fare is with a new menu is announced daily. Day 7 is an optional ride day.

Day 8 is 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 we have beautiful lake vistas before dropping into the village of Watkins Glen.

Mileage is short and sweet on Day 9, so we will kick it off with a short hike through Watkins Glen State Park, boasting a 400’ deep gorge teeming with 19 waterfalls. After our hike we head northwest, enjoying two nights in Penn Yan. Day 10 is our only complete shoreline circumnavigation as we spin out our legs around beautiful Keuka Lake.

After a couple fairly easy days we have to pay the piper, and we will do just that on Day 11 as we travel from Penn Yan back to Canandaigua. But the climbs do come with rewards as we 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 on Day 12 via the Erie Canal Trail and our departing dinner. Your departure date is Tuesday, June 21.

RIDE RATING: There are 8 days of mandatory riding and 4 days of optional riding, but in reality you won’t want to miss two of these optional days due to their beauty. The average elevation gain is 2,156’ per day over 43 miles. 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 8 is 3,350 feet in 58 miles; Day 11 is 4,100’ feet in 43 miles. Optional Day 5 has 3,200’ of climbing over 45 miles and Optional Day 7 has 2,800’ over 43 miles. 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 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 short steep climbs and descents; there are a couple climbs over 8% for a mile or more.

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 possible.

LOGISTICS: Arrive on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 in Rochester, NY. 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); Canandaigua (two nights), Seneca Falls, Skaneateles (two nights), Ithaca (two nights), Watkins Glen and Penn Yan (two nights). We have confirmed that high end rental bicycles are currently available from a local bike shop. Contact us for more details.  The tour ends after breakfast on June 21.

COST: Estimated tour cost is $2,100 per person which includes: 13 nights lodging, 9 breakfasts, four dinners, eight happy hours, luggage van, maps and route sheets. In cases where the establishment prohibits us 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 $600 is due by December 1, 2015. A final payment of $500 is due by March 1, 2016. A solo single supplement is estimated to be an additional $1,000.  Single riders who are willing to share a room are encouraged and we will assist with finding a roommate. Due to lodging limitations, two-bed rooms may be limited.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds are dependent on obtaining a replacement. 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. Costs that can be recovered will be disbursed after the tour is completed and the final accounting takes place.