A Plethora of Spring Events

By Dave Kraus & Darryl Caron

It’s April in Upstate New York, and that means... SPRING! Well, maybe, kind of, almost… The daffodils are blooming, green leaves, and warmer days are on the horizon. For area cyclists, it’s time to dust the cobwebs off those bikes, and if you haven’t already, get a tune-up with your local bike shop. Then, mark these late spring’s events on your calendar, and register for them – to make sure you and your friends or family do them together. 

Check out all these great cycling events coming your way as spring advances into early summer. Wear your helmet, be seen, and ride on!

Adirondack Multi-Sport Club’s Women’s Cycling Clinic & Ride is on April 25 at Gurney Lane in Queensbury. This camaraderie driven educational health and bike clinic (free with club code) for women-by-women with optional road or MTB no-drop rides after the clinic. Go to: bikereg.com.

Tri-City BMX offers a beginner-friendly racing league that’s the perfect way for kids (ages 3-17) and families (parents/siblings 18+) to learn, ride, and have fun together. It includes instruction, a jersey, number plate, swag bag, membership, and award/pizza party. The season is on Thursdays from May 7-June 4 in Rotterdam. Join their Open House on Thursday, Apr. 30 from 5:30-7:30pm. Register: bmxracingleague.com.

Bike Adirondacks has announced their event schedule of single and multiday fully supported tours. It starts with the ADK Unite virtual bike, run, hike, or walk from May 1-31 to raise money for Adirondack Regional Food Pantries. You can register as an individual or team of five, and enter your miles moved to a live digital leader board. Prizes are awarded to the top individuals and teams: biking, running, walking, and multisport. Since 2000, ADK Unite has generated $47,000 for community food pantries: bikeadk.com.

The second race in the Trooper David Brinkerhoff Memorial Road Race Series is on May 2 in Coxsackie. Capital Bicycle Racing Club presents this great early season race, offering eight separate fields in two waves, and juniors race free. There’s prize money and races for all qualified ages with multiple laps on the 12-mile loop course. Proceeds are donated to local volunteer orgs, youth charities, and Coxsackie-Athens High School’s scholarship in memory of NYS Trooper David Brinkerhoff. For events, coaching, and membership: cbrc.club. Pre-registration only: bikereg.com.

The 10th annual Voorheesville Family Bicycling Day on Sunday, May 3 in Voorheesville – From 12-3pm, enjoy a traffic-free Grove Street and explore the paved Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail. There’s a skills course, bike mechanic, food vendors, arts/crafts, bouncy house, fire engine, animals and music. The rain date is May 10: vrcclub.org.

For the 20th year, Battenkill is back again on May 9 in Cambridge. The grassroots original ‘America’s Queen of the Classics’ for recreational to professional riders. This fully supported mixed terrain (20% dirt roads) gran fondo is for those who want to enjoy the scenic villages, covered bridges, amazing views, and challenging terrain of rural Washington County, and USA Cycling race with overall and age group awards, and exciting finishes in downtown Cambridge. There will be routes of 61, 45 and 23 miles with rest stops, chip timing, traffic control, race shirts, finisher medal, race expo, afterparty with live music, Battenkill Valley Creamery chocolate milk, and a pint from Artisanal Brew Works of Saratoga Springs. Register: battenkillrace.com.

Experience Lewis County at the Tour de Lewis on May 16 at Castorland, with great people and beautiful scenery. The road rides start at CrossRoads Tavern in the hamlet of Castorland in the Black River Valley, with three route options of 61, 34, and 13 miles with rest stations – and all abilities are welcome. Presented by Adirondack Foothills Cycling Club, Tour de Lewis includes a celebratory afterparty with great food, drinks, and live music. Registration includes a swag bag and T-shirt, and rates are discounted for juniors. To save $5, use code ADKSports2026: bikereg.com.

If you’re a mountain biker, the third annual Mighty SMBA Challenge is on May 16 in Saratoga Springs. SMBA’s challenge shows off and challenges riders at their very own Daniels Road State Forest trail system – known for its rocky and rooty fun, with stellar 10-mile intermediate (about two hours) or 20-mile advanced (about four hours) ride options – both self-supported rides start and end behind Artisanal Brew Works. It’s not a race, the primary goal is to come together as a community and give back to the trails. Friendly competition is encouraged, but safety is the top priority on these fantastic rides. Saratoga Mountain Bike Association partners with Artisanal on this event, which is held rain or shine, and all proceeds benefit SMBA and the trail networks they manage. Each entry comes with a delicious burger (veg options), chips, and a beer from Artisanal. Register: bikereg.com.

For scenic and challenging terrain, ride The Farmer’s Daughter & Granddaughter Gravel Grinders on May 17 in Chatham. The Farmer’s Daughter covers 63 miles, with 6,000 feet of climbing, and sections on single- and double-track trails. This 13th annual ride through some of the most scenic dirt roads in the Northeast is also a day of fun with lots of company starting from the Columbia County Fairgrounds. If the Daughter is too much, then choose the Farmer’s Granddaughter, a 43-mile route with 3,700 feet of climbing and no off-road sections. No matter which you choose, there’s cool swag, the Bountiful Bread lunch stop, and delicious post-ride lunch at the finish, plus the Chatham Brewery’s Rye IPA that inspired the event name. It’s produced by CBRC and proceeds benefit many Columbia County nonprofits. Register soon because the 1,000 rider field limit is 85% full: bikereg.com.

The American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure: Capital Region is on June 13 at Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa. This is the moment for corporations, organizations, and individuals to come together and show our community how much we care, and how much we’ll do to end diabetes for good. By joining the fundraising event, you’ll help ADA increase awareness, provide vital programs, fund lifesaving research, and work toward a cure. The Capital Region tour route has options – 62, 32, and 10 miles that wind through beautiful countryside in Charlton, Galway, and the Adirondack foothills. The fully supported rides have well-marked routes, bike mechanics, medical personnel, and a hearty post-ride lunch. More info: diabetes.org/capitalregion.

The Adirondack Rail Trail Community Day is celebration of the trail on June 20, where participants can do stewardship projects, explore the trail with an interactive scavenger hunt, and join various segment rides. It ends with party featuring craft breweries, food vendors, live music, and a raffle. New this year is a shuttle service for those who would like to experience the entire 34-mile corridor one-way. Proceeds support the Adirondack Rail Trail Association with their efforts to help people of all ages and abilities enjoy the landscape, history, and beauty of the rail trail and communities: bikeadk.com.

Farm to Fork Fitness Adventures offers scenic biking, locally sourced food with farm and festival visits, and achievable challenge distances with two one-day fondos, three weekend getaways, and four international tours this season. For fondos, Champlain Islands, VT is on July 12 and Amish Country in Lancaster, PA is on Aug. 29. The weekend getaways include Shanandoah Valley, VA on June 4-6, Island/Coast Penobscot Bay, ME on July 29-Aug. 1, and Adirondack Foothills in Saratoga Springs on Sept. 24-26: farmtoforkfitness.com.

If you’re a climber, the Whiteface Uphill Bike Race is June 6 in Wilmington. Pace yourself up the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, then catch your breath at the finish, and enjoy the incredible views from the summit. The eight-mile race climbs 3,500 feet to the top of New York’s fifth highest peak at 4,867 feet for a 360° panoramic view of the Adirondacks, New England, and Canada. Your race fee includes a post-race meal voucher for one of the local restaurants, a finishers medal, and T-shirt: bikereg.com. If or a friend would rather run, the Whiteface Uphill Foot Race is held at the same time: bikereg.com.

Adirondack Multi-Sport Club’s West River Road Time Trials are on June 9, July 7, and Aug. 11 near Fort Edward. It’s 10 miles out/back with time trial/triathlon and road bike divisions, and there’s a 20K option: bikereg.com.

The 29th annual North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge is on June 13, from Inlet to Indian Lake. The biggest “challenge” may be getting entered, and this year proved it again – the race sold out on Feb. 11 with 1,000 riders in a record 10 days. This year’s Adirondack gravel grinder starts in Inlet and finishes 40 miles later in Indian Lake after traversing the gravelly, sandy roads of the Moose River Plains. Save some energy for the rockin’ post-race party that’s on tap. If you’re looking for an entry, see their transfer info: blackflychallenge.com.

Bike ADK’s Adirondack Women’s Weekend is on June 26-28 at the Voco Waterfront Hotel in Saranac Lake. The weekend getaway pairs with stunning road – and Adirondack Rail Trail – cycling in the Adirondacks with delicious local dining in picturesque Saranac Lake. The guided, supported rides cover 20-30 miles per day, with delicious dining, and its limited to 40 riders. 

Whether attending solo or with friends or family, this small group experience is about fun, relaxation, and having a great time, on and off your bike – knowing everything is taken care of. A portion of the proceeds benefit Pendragon Theater, a nonprofit building a new home in town. There’s also a Fall Adirondack Women’s Weekend on Oct. 9-11 in Schroon Lake. Register early, it fills: bikeadk.com.

The inaugural HeartsHerd Hootenanny Charity Gravel Ride is on June 27 in Buskirk. MHCC will have 28 or 36 mile routes on scenic, quiet country roads in Rensselaer County, and proceeds benefit Heartsherd Animal Sanctuary & Rescue Center. The ride open to MHCC members only, so consider joining this great club for only $20: mohawkhudsoncyclingclub.org.

Adirondack Multi-Sport Club’s Rapid River Fondo is on June 28 at Bandstand Brew Works in Warrensburg. The fully support road rides of 62, 48, and 33 miles – all ages and abilities welcome – follow along scenic waterways in Warren County, with a rest stop at The Hub in Brant Lake: bikereg.com.

The 25th annual NY Capital Region Road Race & NYSBRA Road Racing Championship is on June 28 in Ravena – Capital Bicycle Racing Club hosts this premier road race that offers categories for any rider 15 or older on a 21-mile race loop that spins out to a flat, fast finish at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School. It’s the perfect event for veteran and aspiring road racers of almost all ages. There’s no day of event registration: bikereg.com. See you on the bike!

Dave Kraus (dbkgrafik@gmail.com) is a road and gravel cyclist, photographer, writer, and professional guide for Discovery Bike Tours and Farm to Fork Fitness who would be happy to show your bike tour group a good time all over the Great Northeast.