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, racing or spectating. 

Lake Placid is ready for another awesome WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Finals at Mt Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface in Wilmington on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-4. The XC tour is in Solider Hollow, Utah on Sept. 19-20, followed by downhill at Whistler in British Columbia on Sept. 25-27, before XC and DH convene in Lake Placid for the season finale. Lake Placid will serve as the final stop of the 2026 international circuit, and the season’s overall World Cup champions will be crowned based on the results. Expect great spectator experiences, expanded fan zones, more athlete access, live entertainment, incredible fall scenery, and nonstop energy all weekend long. From elite downhill at Whiteface and cross-country racing at Mt Van Hoevenberg, to an immersive atmosphere throughout Lake Placid. For details on the racing/events schedule and tickets, visit: lakeplacidlegacysites.com/uci.

In addition, The Grind Junior XC Mountain Bike Race will take place on Friday, Oct. 2 at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. The Grind invites young riders of all levels to experience the thrill of racing during the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Cup weekend. Racers will start and finish under the official World Series gantry – just like the pros – on a dynamic two-mile course. Riders can choose one, two or three laps, taking on fast and wide cross-country ski trails, two sections of twisty singletrack, and one big climb. Register: bikereg.com.

Before The Grind race, Ride Like a Pro on Friday, Oct. 2 at Mt Van Hoevenberg. Join the Olympic Authority for a free guided ride at 1:45pm on the XCC course! Participants will pick up number plates in the paddock next to the NICA Rockshox booth by 12:45pm. You do not need to race in The Grind to participate in Ride Like a Pro. Free registration is required and it’s open to ages 5-plus: bikereg.com.

Anticipated ancillary events during the weekend include Fogo Azul drum line; Saranac Lake Lawn Chair Ladies; Deerock DJ; Circus with Sammy stilts; ADK Raptors; Women in MTB film, panel discussion, and podcast; WBD Sports inflatable activation space); Foam Show for kids; and more.

The Golden Arrows Ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 4 at Lake Placid Conference Center will bring together athletes, teams, organizers, media and industry leaders for a celebration of excellence across mountain bike), and the overall UCI World Cup trophy for the season’s leading riders and teams.

The Friday Night Bike Jam is returning on Oct. 2 from 5:30-7:30pm at Sheffield Speed Skating Oval. Activities include Dialed Action BMX and Trials stunt show; kids skills park; bike features for kids/adults to showcase their riding skills; and more to come. For details on the racing/events schedule and tickets, visit: lakeplacidlegacysites.com/uci.

The fourth annual Saratoga Foliage Ride weekend getaway on Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 10-11 combines cycling on scenic country roads with afternoons and evenings to enjoy everything in Saratoga Springs. The leaves are changing, the shops and restaurants are less crowded, and Autumn air is perfect for riding – especially with miles of scenic, low-traffic rural roads surrounding the city. You can ride along the Hudson River, past horse farms, dairy farms and harvested cornfields, and travel the grounds where American patriots won the Battle of Saratoga.” This year, it’s a “Victory at Saratoga Siege Weekend” event, honoring our nation’s 250th and Saratoga’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. Reenactors and history interpreters will gather at Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville – a rest stop on the ride – for military encampments, musket and artillery demonstrations and 18th century music. After the ride, cyclists come together for a catered lunch with live music at the Saratoga Regional YMCA pavilion. There’s time to enjoy a sauna or take a swim using the free YMCA day pass.

The Foliage Ride’s downtown happy hour is very popular promotion, with riders getting food and drink specials at a variety of local favorites. Last year, the ride drew cyclists from 13 states and two Canadian provinces: saratogafoliageride.com.

For cyclocross spectators, bring your cowbell as the Capital Bike Racing Club’s Cyclocross Series presents three more cyclocross races in the series (Goat CXing took place in Scotia on Sept. 13). 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. 10-11. On Sunday, Oct. 25, 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. 8, 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.

The Saranac Lake 3P Multisport Race, covering 31M across five segments on Saturday, Oct. 17 is one you won’t want to miss. Participants will start at Charlie’s Inn in Lake Clear, by biking along the Adirondack Rail Trail before transitioning to a trail run up Floodwood Mountain, then continuing by bike to the paddle along Rollings Pond, then wrapping up by bike once again to finish at Charlie’s Inn. Post-race lunch and activities will be part of the after-party with an awards ceremony celebrating a love for multisport. Proceeds from the Saranac Lake 3P support youth-based initiatives, recreation opportunities, and programs that inspire the next generation to get outside, stay creative, and embrace adventure. Jump in with the 3Ps – pedal, paddle, peak: saranaclake3p.org.

On Sunday, Oct. 18, the Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon will take you on a two-mile run, 12-mile road bike, and two-mile run through farm country in Clifton Park. The start, transitions and finish line are staged at Riverview Orchards. Individual and team participants will love the scenic course on one of America’s Byways. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, a nonprofit that seeks to increase awareness, enjoyment and linkage of the wide variety of scenic, recreational and historic resources along the Mohawk River and Erie Canalway corridor from Waterford to Schenectady: trisignup.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 Upstate New Yorkers combat food insecurity. The ninth annual Gravel Goblin is on Sunday, 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 56, 41, and 30 miles – plus a 30M road ride, with staggered starts so they return around the same time range. Once back, riders can kick back with their friends, make new friends, and enjoy some great selections from the onsite 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 over $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 and there are discounts for riders age 20 and under. If needed, you can register the day of with a check payable to the Regional Food Bank. Riders are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food and personal care items and place them in the donation bins: bikereg.com. See you out there!