Summer Tours and Rides

By Dave Kraus

There are few fitness activities as pleasurable as riding your bike in the warm summer months. But one thing that can make your rides even more rewarding is the knowledge that just by riding you can contribute to worthy causes. This summer and fall there are three different cycling events that will let you do just that!

The first, from July 9-16, is the 25th anniversary Cycle the Erie Canal to benefit Parks & Trails New York, a non-profit founded in 1985 that dedicates its mission to working to expand, protect and promote a network of parks, trails, and open spaces throughout New York state for use and enjoyment by all. That includes a wide variety of projects and services that help the public enjoy the state’s trails, whether for cycling, hiking, walking, or doing winter sports.

Up to 650 cyclists start their canal trek in Buffalo, riding eastward along the historic route of the Erie Canal for eight days and 400 miles to conclude in Albany. Riders cover between 40 and 60 miles per day on the mostly flat terrain of the canal as it travels across the state. About 85% of the route is on the off-road Canalway Trail and the rest is on public roads with good shoulders, almost all are part of the Empire State Trail.

As riders head east, they pass historic Erie Canal locks and aqueducts and stay overnight in Buffalo, Medina, Fairport, Seneca Falls, Syracuse, Rome, Canajoharie and Schenectady in a tent city, with glamping options with a service available to setup your tent each night. Not a “tent person?” No problem! There’s a variety of lodging and amenities available, from national hotel chains to B&Bs. The tour includes everything you could need to have a great time on your bike, including: indoor and outdoor camping with hot showers; eight breakfasts and six dinners; two daily refreshment stops; evening entertainment; guided tours of the canal, historic sites, museums, and other attractions; kick-off reception and end-of-tour celebration; baggage transport; SAG wagon and mobile mechanical support; daily maps, cue sheets, route markings; and more.

Paul Steely White, the executive director of Parks & Trails New York, is looking forward to riding on this 25th anniversary tour. “We’ve always had some amazing events, food, and celebrations on the tour. This year we’ll be doing more trailside hospitality that goes hand in hand with the increasing popularity of the Canalway Trail and the entire Empire State Trail. It’s going to be a celebration of everything the Canalway Trail has encouraged in the past 25 years.”

Cycle the Erie Canal has also received longtime support from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, New York State Canal Corporation and New York Power Authority. These organizations administer the state’s canal system, protect and preserve the corridor, and various sites that celebrate its construction and importance in state and national history. Canal Corporation’s Director Brian Stratton has ridden along with CEC riders in multiple years to help serve as host for riders and hear their reactions to their tour experience. “I’m excited that we’re able to partner with PTNY on this tour, and we’re looking forward to the Canal Corporation supporting both this event and Parks & Trails this year and in the future. It’s a fantastic way to spend a vacation on your bike, meet new friends, experience history, and see some wonderful scenery.”

Spots for the eight-day tour are still open and more information is available at: ptny.org.

This year also marks the premier of another fully-supported multiday tour organized by PTNY from July 29 to August 5. Cycle the Hudson Valley is a brand new seven-day ride that will take participants from the start line in Troy, heading south 200 miles to Manhattan following the Hudson River section of the Empire State Trail, now the longest multiuse trail in the nation. 

The trail in the Hudson Valley is more than 60% paved, with the remaining portions stone dust and some on local roads. Long-term parking for the tour is available in Troy, and for an additional fee, riders and their bikes can get a shuttle back at the end. The tour includes: route support each day; one or two rest stops each day; overnight camping sites with hot showers; seven breakfasts; four dinners (three dinners on your own with shuttles to area restaurants; evening activities and shuttles to area attractions.

Paul stated that Cycle the Hudson Valley is a renewal of a ride the organization did in the past, but much has changed in the years since. “Today, since the advent of the Empire State Trail with all its improvements, we want to showcase the amazing things that have happened to the trail in just the last couple of years. Riding from the Capital Region to New York City today is a very different experience from only five years ago. There’s more cohesion in the route, there’s more hospitality, and above all it’s safe. It’s come a long way in a couple of years, and we want to show the world how it’s gone from being a bit rough around the edges to being a world-class trail. It’s a wonderful ride, and I’m planning to ride both of these tours. That’s the best part of my job.”

Information and registration for Cycle the Hudson Valley is available at the PTNY website at: ptny.org.

On Friday, Sept. 22, a different kind of worthy cause will be getting attention during the annual Albany Ride for Missing Children, a 100-mile ride to be held in Saratoga County in support of the mission and programs of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. New York rides are also held in Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and Utica.

According to Albany ride chairperson Fred Alber, this will be the 15th annual ride in Albany following the establishment of the first New York State ride in Utica 25 years ago. It was started by among others, the father of Sara Anne Wood, who was abducted from near her home in Frankfort in 1993. Mr. Wood and other community members organized the first ride, to Washington, DC to raise awareness for missing children nationwide.

Last year 120 riders rode in this all-day Albany area event, which this year starts and ends at the Southern Saratoga YMCA in Clifton Park, and visits five or six schools along the way. At the schools, they make presentations that emphasize child safety and call attention to the nationwide problem of missing and exploited children. Fred says this is a particular highlight for many riders who are often relatives of students or employees at the schools.

He also emphasizes the event is a ride, not a race, and riders pedal two abreast in traffic, supported by Sheriff’s and State Police officers, in addition to local police who seal off intersections, and with coordinated rest and lunch stops with provided food and drinks. To prepare for the public 100-mile ride, participants are also required to attend at least two training rides, which are held nearly every weekend over the summer.

With funds raised from the rides the organizers are also able to reach out to provide in-person education free of charge in local schools and remote outreach to many more. These programs are taught by former law enforcement personnel and are designed to teach children how to stay safe in the community and when they are online. 

Fred says that on event day riders can expect to experience a wide range of emotions, including excitement, joy, exhilaration, happiness and sadness. They will laugh, and many will be moved to tears throughout the day as they complete this unique century ride, many for the first time. 

If questions, contact Fred at albanyrfmc@gmail.com or text 518-847-6279. For more info on the ride, orientation and training ride schedule (June-Sept.), registration as a rider, volunteer or to donate, go to Facebook (Albany RFMC Ride Family) and their website: give.missingkids.org/theride.

In addition to the “Early Summer Rides We Love” in the April 2023 issue, here are three more excellent options:

It’s the 10th anniversary of the Valcour Brewing Company (VBC) Century Ride Weekend in Plattsburgh on Saturday, July 8. Perks include a custom cycling jersey (register early), shirt, lunch, and a beer. The 50- and 100-mile supported rides are organized by the Adirondack Garda Cycling Club, with a 75-mile option. The routes travel along the shore of Lake Champlain and into the Adirondack Park. On Sunday, there will be another supported 62-mile ride. Money raised will be donated to Tour de Force charity. Visit: active.com.

On Sunday, July 9, the Canals & Lakes Century returns, presented by Adirondack Ultra Cycling bike shop in Schuylerville. The 100-mile paved ride is a rolling loop through Saratoga National Historical Park, Champlain Canalway Trail, Mohawk Hudson Bikeway, and along Ballston and Saratoga lakes. A 27-mile option is rolling to hilly, through Saratoga National Historical Park and by the Saratoga Monument. To register, go to: adkultracycling.com.

Finally, the 22nd annual NY Capital Region Road Race is in Ravena on Saturday, July 15. Presented by Capital Bicycle Racing Club, it’s also the NYS Bicycle Racing Association’s Road Race Championship. The fields include pro/elite, junior boys/girls 9-14, men category 3/4, masters 40+/50+, category 5/citizens and juniors (15+), women, and men category 4/60+. The race is on a 21-mile loop that riders will do a certain number of times, depending on the category. New this year is a 13-mile race for junior boys/girls with separate starts. More at: bikereg.com.

Dave Kraus (dbkgrafik@gmail.com) is a longtime area cyclist, photographer, writer, and cycling tour guide who is looking forward to another great season of cycling in upstate New York. Visit: krausgrafik.com.