Must-Dos for Cycling Season

By Dave Kraus

Are we back to normal yet? Let’s hope so! It’s been a long two years of pandemic precautions and controversy. As spring arrives at our doorstep there are more people than ever enjoying all kinds of bicycling. Fortunately, upstate cyclists have some of the best riding anywhere right out their front doors. It’s going to be a fantastic season of road or gravel riding, mountain biking – or just casually enjoying the outdoors on one of the region’s many miles of bike trails.

The largest slate of events offered this coming season comes from one of the newest organizations. Bike Adirondacks in Saranac Lake promotes all types of cycling in the Adirondacks. They also support charity-driven events and tours, curate a library of routes on their website, and build custom tours. The Bike Adirondacks schedule includes something for everyone.

ADK Unite, May 1-31 – This virtual event benefitted 10 different area charities last year when participants ran, walked, or rode a total of 16,487 miles during the month of May. Run, walk, bike, treadmill or spin bike. What better way to get in shape for the summer?

Women’s Weekend, June 24-26 – Now in its second year, this weekend ladies-only getaway guided tour pairs some of the most stunning road cycling in the Adirondacks with delicious local dining in postcard-perfect Saranac Lake. 

Great Camp Weekends on July 10-13, Aug. 7-10, Aug. 21-24, Sept. 18-21 – Great Camp Sagamore hosts this this multiday experience that blends road or gravel cycling with a modern mini-vacation that provides you with a true connection to local landscape and history.

Ride for the River, July 16-17 – This event to benefit the Ausable River Association returns for its 12th year with the optional 20-mile tailgater ride on Saturday and the flagship event on Sunday with route options of 30 and 45 miles, a finish line BBQ, and live music along the Ausable River at Lake Everest Beach. 

Multi-Sport Weeklong Tours on July 17-23, Aug. 14-20 – These six-day tours feature cycling, hiking, paddling, and first-class lodging and dining in Wilmington and Saranac Lake.

Southern ADK Weeklong Tours on Aug. 1-6, Oct. 9-14 – Six days of stunning scenery, plus great lodging and food as you cycle some of the best roads in the North Creek and Chestertown areas.

Other events sponsored by Bike Adirondacks this season include: The Weekender at Paul Smith’s College, July 29-31; Pat Stratton Ride, August 27; Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival, September 2-4; and Handlebarley Gravel Grinder, September 24. Details on all events are available at: bikeadirondacks.com.

Toad Strangler, April 3 and Farmer’s Daughter, May 15 – Both of these popular gravel grinders held near Chatham help support youth and adult programs for the Capital Bicycle Racing Club and other non-profits in Columbia County. Each is currently sold out, but waiting lists are open online: bikereg.com.

Great North, April 9 – Now in its second year, the Great North offers three different challenging gravel routes options of 20, 55, and a leg-busting 75 miles, plus a 25-mile paved road ride, all starting in Cambridge in Washington County. It’s an epic adventure-cycling challenge, featuring dirt, seasonal, and challenging primitive roads that raises money for the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Company. There’s still time to sign up at bikereg.com.

Team Billy Ride & Walk for Research, May 15 – Organizers, Ken and Cherie Grey, are excited that the event, based in Saratoga Springs, will be back in person to promote awareness and support to find a cure for brain tumors. The 10- and 25-mile route is in Saratoga County, and the 50-mile route includes the historic Saratoga battlefields. For non-riders, there’s a three-mile walk in the historic city.

Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race, June 4 – The 3,500-foot climb up the scenic Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway celebrates its 20th year. This year’s race starts in the center of Wilmington, instead of Whiteface ski center, so the uphill pedaling punishment is reduced from 11 to eight miles.

North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge, June 11 – Always held the second Saturday in June, Black Fly Challenge is “America’s original gravel grinder” that changes direction every year – it goes from Inlet to Indian Lake in 2022. What originally started out as a mountain bike race has now morphed into an event for mountain bike, cyclocross and gravel bikes, tandems, and even unicycles! With up to 1,000 participants, it’s guaranteed to be a good time. Get more info at: blackflychallenge.com.

Churney Gurney, August 6-7 – Gurney Lane MTB Park in Queensbury will again be hosting the popular race weekend, which includes Saturday trail running and MTB downhill races, and cross-country MTB racing on Sunday. 

Empire Cyclefest sponsored by Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club, August 28 – MHCC is the largest cycling club in the Greater Capital-Saratoga Region, and the Cyclefest takes over this year as their largest event, replacing the Century Weekend of years past. You can also visit them at: mohawkhudsoncyclingclub.org for details on Cyclefest, and to explore all the other benefits MHCC membership provides to area cyclists.

Harry Elkes Ride sponsored by Adirondack Cycling Advocates, Sept. 23 – Harry Elkes, a budding road cycling champion, died at age 25 in 1903 in a bike racing crash, and is buried in a Glens Falls cemetery. The event, based at The Hub in Brant Lake, includes routes of 15, 32 and 50 miles, and is an annual fundraising event for ACA. Learn more online: adkcyclingadvocates.org/event/annual-harry-elkes-ride.

The Ride for Missing Children, September 23 – This annual national fundraising 100-mile event to publicize the tragedy of missing children includes rides in Albany, Syracuse and Utica this year. The ride is open to all riders aged 16 and over and includes a schedule of training rides, full road support at the event, plus law enforcement escort. For updates and to register, search “Albany RFMC Ride Family” on Facebook or go to: missingkids.org.

Wild Flow Mountain Bike Tours, Ongoing – The Adirondacks are prime mountain biking country, and Wild Flow Tours, based in Lake Placid, offers two-day camps, group rides, and custom tours with a group of local guides who can help improve your skills, then show you some of the best trails in the region. Check them out at wildflowtours.com.

If you’re looking for something totally new to add to your cardio, visit Adirondack ElliptiGO bike shop in Plattsburgh, visit their Facebook page, or go to: elliptigo.com. It’s a stand-up workout that’s low-impact, full-body, and time-efficient.

Ride-On MTB Weekend – This popular event showcasing four mountain biking destinations in Warren County has been moved to the fall. Riders can explore new trail systems and also collect tokens to earn a local craft beer, soda, or ice cream as they ride one or both days. While an exact date hasn’t been set yet, updates will be at rideonny.com.

Dave Kraus (dbkgrafik@gmail.com) is a longtime area cyclist, photographer, writer, and now cycling tour guide for some of the best companies in the Great Northeast. Visit his website at krausgrafik.com.