Enjoy Fall

Rides, Tours and Races

By Darryl Caron

There’s no beating October riding. The weather is cool and comfortable and the foliage and scenery is magnificent. Upstate New York has some of the best events whether you’re riding or spectating. 

It’s normal to expect drama at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series coming to Lake Placid on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 3-5. After all, the world’s best riders on challenging courses are super exciting to see. But this year, it’s all going to be cranked up even higher. Our 2025 races will be energized to the extreme as top Canadian and American athletes vie for the biggest of all the wins – season championship titles.

In France, Canadian downhill riders Jackson Goldstone and Gracey Hemstreet flew down mountains in the Alps in unbelievably filthy, muddy, slippery conditions. The biggest crowds of the season were looking on as both riders held precariously onto their positions in the overall standings. After a nightmare of a first run with every second offering chances to lose ground, Goldstone survived holding onto a slim lead in the overall standings, just ahead of France’s Loïc Bruni. In the women’s standings, the battle remains between Hemstreet and Austrian Valentina Höll as the two are riding at a level above all the others, with Hemstreet just seconds off snagging the first-place position away from Höll. A total of just 25 points currently separate the two top men and 59 points separate the women.

When they come to Lake Placid, the downhill races on the steep slopes of Whiteface Mountain will be incredibly intense. The extreme effects of gravity combined with the potential of season championships being either clinched or slipping away will produce radically raw moments for spectators and racers alike.

Just 12 miles away at Mt Van Hoevenberg, we’ll have a similar scene as American Christopher Blevins gives it his all to clinch the season champion status in the Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) World Cup. The current leader, ahead by a massive 361 total points, Blevins did not finish his last three races the way he wanted and will be pushing hard in Lake Placid to lock his first overall championship. That makes the XCO a race not to miss.

These World Cup races are always thrilling to witness anytime throughout the season. But now, with things as tight and tenuous as they are for these elite Canadian and American athletes, the results at Lake Placid are sure to be major, and the excitement will be reverberating throughout the High Peaks’ fall foliage.

Time is drawing near, so gear up for a weekend of major thrills and the unparalleled fall scenery around Lake Placid. And if you haven’t already, get your tickets here today: lakeplacidlegacysites.com.

Get on your bike and enjoy the changing leaves and the crisp autumn air, at the third annual Saratoga Foliage Ride on Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 11-12, on some of the most scenic routes at the most beautiful time of the year. Two days, six routes and a whole weekend of fun in Saratoga Springs. All routes start and finish at the Saratoga Regional YMCA in Saratoga Springs but quickly head out to the rural roads of Saratoga County. Ride one or both days with options of 30, 50 and 75 miles. Each day you will enjoy a catered lunch, SAG support, bike mechanics, plus you’ll receive an event T-shirt. Participants will also receive a 10% discount at restaurants and stores, hotel deals and a YMCA day pass. 

Saturday’s rides wind through fields, farmlands and foliage with stops at local legend King Brothers Dairy farm store and the Saratoga Battle Monument, a 55-foot-tall stone obelisk erected in 1883. Sunday’s rides will honor the 248th anniversary of the Battle of Saratoga. Ride the backroads through the very fields where American forces first defeated the British army – the turning point of the American Revolution. 

Meet your fellow riders at the Friday night pre-reg and meetup at Whitman Brewing with food and drink specials. After the weekend rides, relax, shop and dine in downtown Saratoga Springs. The event also offers a weekend downtown Happy Hour for exclusive rider specials on wine and craft beer. Register: saratogafoliageride.com. 

On Sunday, Oct. 12, check out the Farm to Fork: Berkshires Fondo, starting in Pittsfield, Mass. Choose your adventure from one of four scenic distances, each thoughtfully designed to include farm stops featuring fresh, locally sourced snacks to fuel your ride. Kick off your weekend with a signature pre-fondo gourmet dinner experience. This Farm to Fork Fitness Adventures ride supports local farms and highlights the best of the region’s seasonal flavors. After, celebrate your ride and your accomplishments with a lively post-ride barbecue. Enjoy delicious food, great company, and the energy for a ride well done. 

If you’d like to take your fondo experience to the next level, sign up for their three-day cycling adventure with the Berkshires Weekend Getaway from Friday-Sunday, Oct. 10-12 starting in Pittsfield, Mass. Enjoy two days of pre-fondo guided bike tours, exclusive behind-the-scenes farm visits, and tastings that immerse you in the Berkshires Region rich farm-to-table culture and vibrant local community. Register: farmtoforkfitness.com.

For cyclocross spectators, bring your cowbell! The Capital Bike Racing Club’s Cyclocross Series presents three more cyclocross races in the series (NomadCX took place in Scotia on Sept. 14). Adults and juniors are welcome, and so are newbies – if you’re fit from summer biking, running or triathlon, give it a try. For the faster folks, there are equal prizes for men and women. No worries if you don’t have a cross bike, as mountain bikes are allowed without bar ends. The Uncle Sam Grand Prix is New York State’s longest-running cyclocross race, with two days of racing in Troy’s Prospect Park on Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 11-12. On Sunday, Oct. 19, head to beautiful Crandall Park in Glens Falls for the Hometown CX – which is well organized by Grey Ghost Bicycles, with shops in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs. Finally, on Sunday, Nov. 16, it’s the Bethlehem Cup at Elm Avenue Town Park in Delmar – another long-running, classic race to do or cheer on the riders. Register: bikereg.com.

Many would agree that fall may be the best season for gravel biking. The MHCC Gravel Goblin combines fun, scenic dirt rides on quiet country roads in Columbia County, with an opportunity to help fellow eastern Upstate New Yorkers combat food insecurity. The 8th annual Gravel Goblin runs Saturday, Nov. 1 from S&S Farm Brewery in Nassau with all proceeds benefiting the Regional Food Bank. Organized by Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club, riders have their choice of 54, 41, and 30 miles, with staggered starts so they return around the same time range. Once back, riders can kick back with their friends or make new friends, and enjoy some gourmet foods from the well-known Gourmeli’s Taste food truck and craft beer from S&S. 

Additionally, Blueline Spokes & Gears will be there with their mobile bike shop to help any rider with minor bike adjustments before the ride. This event, which has contributed nearly $50,000 to the food bank since 2018, draws about 200 riders so it turns into a fun group ride and post-ride party.

Fees increase on ride day so register early. If needed, you can register the day of the event with a check payable to the Regional Food Bank. Riders are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food and personal care items on the day of the event and place them in the donation bins. Register: bikereg.com.

The Adirondack Ultra Cycling Century Series has three events slated for this fall. The Haunted Hundred Overnight Century is Saturday, Oct. 25, the Canals & Lakes Century is Sunday, Nov. 9, and the Shortest Day Century is Sunday, Dec. 21. All rides start/finish at Adirondack Ultra Cycling Bike Shop in Schuylerville, owned and operated by ride leader, John Ceceri. Rides are unsupported on the road but snacks, pocket food and drinks will be provided at the start, middle (if returning to the shop) and finish. Riders should expect to be self-sufficient and have the ability to follow GPS directions and/or a cue sheet and use convenience stores to resupply along the route. Register: adkultracycling.com. I’ll see you out there!