Enjoy Late Summer – Rides, Tours and Races

By Darryl Caron

September is a great month to ride so learn more, sign up, ride/train, and we’ll see you out there.

Great Camp Sagamore: Gravel Experience in Raquette Lake on Sunday-Wednesday, Sept. 6-9. This multiday experience blends two days of guided, scenic gravel cycling in the morning with 20-25 miles per day on low/no traffic roads with a modern mini-vacation that provides you with a true connection to the landscape and history of Great Camp Sagamore, built in 1897. The afternoons are all about camp exploration and relaxation, with canoeing, hiking, a historic open-air bowling alley, or simply lounging by the lake. If you’re interested, act now because registration is capped at 20 and only four spots remain. The ride benefits the Great Camp Sagamore Public Trust. Register: bikeadirondacks.com.

With Bike Saratoga, you can now pedal into history aboard an e-bike to experience the historic Saratoga Battlefield, where it comes alive as you ride through the scenic 10-mile loop. You can rent an e-bike daily from 10am-5pm or call to arrange an early morning ride. In addition to e-bike rentals, they also offer guided bike tours that delve into the rich history of the area. Upcoming events include the Bike Saratoga: History Caravan Guided Tours on Saturdays, Sept. 12 and 26 at 9:30am. To connect, visit: bikesaratoga.com.

Handlebarley Gravel Weekend in North Hudson on Sept. 12-13. Hosted at Paradox Brewery, the Handlebarley features two incredible fall days of mixed surface backroads, supported riding in the eastern Adirondacks. You can sign up to ride just Saturday, only Sunday, or make it a full weekend. You’re guaranteed some awesome dirt, amazing views and a lot of fun. Saturday’s ride is an afternoon social cruise to stunning Elk Lake Lodge followed by drinks at the brewery. The main event will be Saturday this year with a fabulous 43-mile mixed surface route that ventures east of the brewery to history Ironville (“Birthplace of the Electric Age”) for a stop at the Penfield Homestead, and then to Moriah for another rest stop at Hunter Way Farm, before heading back to the brewery for a pizza and salad feast complete with cold drinks and live music. In between, you experience some of the fines paved and gravel backroads anywhere in the region. 

Sunday’s ride is a mid-morning cruise to stunning Boreas Ponds, follows be post-ride drinks at the brewery. Mileage options are 30-43 miles, it’s limited to 150 riders, and benefits the Penfield Homestead Museum. If you make it a weekend, nearby lodging options include The Lodge at Schroon Lake, Blue Ridge Motel, Spacious Skies Camping, and Adirondack Lodging. Register: bikeadirondacks.com.

The Goat CXing Cyclocross Races are in Scotia on Sunday, Sept. 13. It kicks off Capital Bicycle Racing Club’s Cyclocross Series, made up of five local grassroots races – low-key, no pressure, it’s “NY’s most fun cross series!” so you can earn racing points and have fun. If you’re really enjoying it, you can register and race for two events in one day for just $10 more. Goats CXing replaces the Nomad CX, but is still at Collins Park, a great location that will have some challenging obstacles – and it’s close to anywhere in the Capital Region. In addition to men, women, masters, they offer tons of opportunities for juniors to race. All money raised will go directly to the local NICA team and Flow Riders to help get more kids on bikes! Upcoming series races include Uncle Sam Grand Prix in Troy on Oct. 10-11, Hometown CX by Grey Ghost Bicycles in Glens Falls on Oct. 25, and Bethlehem Cup in Delmar on Nov. 8. Info and register: cbrc.club.

If your kids are PreK to Grade 12, get them ready to ride this fall with Shredders MTB Fall 2026 Programs. Shredders are a New York statewide youth cycling organization whose mission is to get more kids on bikes through community-based mountain bike programs and Bikes in Schools partnerships. There are programs in Albany, Queensbury, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Orange County. Fall sessions start on Sept. 14 and end on Oct. 23. Learn more and register now before they fill up: shreddersmtb.org.

If scenic biking, locally sourced food, and achievable challenges are more your speed, join the Farm to Fork Fitness Adventures’ Adirondack Foothills Weekend Getaway on Friday-Sunday, Sept. 25-27. With awesome routes in Saratoga and Warren Counties, you can escape the routine with small groups, open roads, and local farms. The weekend getaway is more than a ride, it blends cycling, culture, and local flavors. Farm to Fork is known for their great service, and giving riders opportunities to meet the region’s farmers, artisans, and makers. Whether you live here or are from out of town, you can explore like a local with fully guided three to four days of supported riding, while enjoying food from local farms and venues, plus breakfast, lunches, dinner. Participants receive a nice Farm to Fork cycling jersey and much more: farmtoforkfitness.com.

The Albany Ride for Missing Children in Clifton Park is on Friday, Sept. 25. I encourage you to join the ride, as 100 other riders have already done – it’s a powerful 100-mile cycling event dedicated to raise awareness to protect children. The ride will roll through Saratoga County, bringing together riders, law enforcement, and the community to raise awareness, educate children and honor missing children and their families in the Capital Region. Along the route, they honor families of missing persons, pay tribute to law enforcement and visit area school partners. This event raises funds to support their mission of child safety and abduction prevention. If interested, they’re also looking for volunteers. Register: albanyrfmc.org.

Adirondack Cycling Advocates invites you to their 13th annual Harry Elkes Ride in Brant Lake on Saturday, Sept. 26. It features quiet country road rides of 50 and 32 miles along scenic lakes, an 18-mile gravel ride, and a 15-mile Brant Lake road ride – all in beautiful northern Warren County. With a start/finish at The Hub, you can enjoy a post-ride lunch, craft beverages, meet other cyclists, and watch a video of 1900s bicycle racing, featuring world-class racer and Glens Falls native Harry Elkes. Choose from four routes, ride at your ability level with other cyclists, and enjoy the Adirondacks. The event is a fundraiser for Adirondack Cycling Advocates, who supports safe cycling in Warren County and the surrounding area: adkcyclingadvocates.org. Register: adkcyclingadvocates.org.

There’s only one way to experience the rich agricultural story of the Adirondacks and Champlain Valley, and that is Bike the Barns in Westport on Saturday, Sept. 26. But don’t hesitate, this farm-by-bike tour is capped at 200 riders and sells out in advance. This fall tour from the Essex County Fairgrounds, with awesome views across Lake Champlain, features farm stops while experiencing the landscape, on rides of 20 or 30 miles. You can see, smell and absorb more when moving by your own pedal power. Then, kick back with a locally sourced meal provided by ADK Food Therapy, craft beverages by Ausable Brewing, and live music by Midnight Stargazers. Your registration supports Adirondack North Country Association’s work to bolster local food systems, reduce food insecurity, and improve community health outcomes. Register: bikeadirondacks.com.

If you’d like a change of scenery, consider the 15th annual Hungry Lion Bike Tour based in Whitingham,  a small mountain town in southern Vermont, on Saturday, Sept. 26. It features supported fall foliage rides on beautiful, quiet country roads with bountiful rest stops in Vermont and Deerfield Valley of western Massachusetts. The Hungry Lion’s 35-mile “Rowe Zipster” has been their signature ride since 2012, with a downhill schuss to the Deerfield River, then ascends past the Hoosick railroad tunnel, and back to town. There are also road rides of 75, 50, and five miles, and an updated 23 mile “rocky & Rolling” gravel grinder. If you have friends or family who’d rather walk, two hiking options are offered. Back at Town Hill, there’s a post-ride party with a BBQ and a live band. It’s presented by the Deerfield Valley Lions to support local families facing food insecurity. Register: hungrylionbiketour.com.

If you’d like more, join the Adirondack Multisport Club’s 10th annual Cider Ride from South Glens Falls on Sunday, Sept. 27. It departs from Common Roots Brewery in South Glens Falls to visit Saratoga Apple for cider and donuts (included) in Schuylerville and then ride back – to receive a beer token for Common Roots. There are two distance options of 32 and 43 miles, and all are welcome, so enjoy this fun group ride. Register: bikereg.com. 

Enjoy this wonderful time of year to be on your bike!