Finger Lakes, NY cycling trip recommendations?

[tv_vt]

My wife and I are thinking about a summer cycling trip in the Finger Lakes area. Is that a good idea?

Any recommendations for towns to use as a base? Places to stay (B&B, etc)? Nice riding routes? Is there a cycling map for the area? Restaurants? Other tips?

Thanks!

Thom

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

My wife and I are thinking about a summer cycling trip in the Finger Lakes area. Is that a good idea?

Any recommendations for towns to use as a base? Places to stay (B&B, etc)? Nice riding routes? Is there a cycling map for the area? Restaurants? Other tips?

Thanks!

Thom

PM majorpat, I believe he lives there.

[eddief]

http://bontonroulet.com/

[MattTuck]

I went to undergrad out there. There is some nice riding, for sure.

What else are you two into?

Lots of wine tasting in the finger lakes, if that's your thing. Ravines Winery, one of many out there. (http://ravineswine.com/welcome/) Also google Keuka and Cayuga wine trails


Cornell has a decent art museum Herbert Johnson Museum (https://www.google.com/search?q=herbert+art+museum&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=PzI&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&sclient=psy-ab&q=herbert+johnsonart+museum&oq=herbert+johnsonart+museum&gs_l=serp.3..0i7i30j0i8i7i30l3.7908.8577.0.8783.7. 7.0.0.0.2.148.660.5j2.7.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.6.psy-ab.leNqxBdTwKw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.43828540,d.dmg&fp=78fe916aef1a5004&biw=1280&bih=860)

Lots of water falls, check out Taughannock falls, for instance. (https://www.google.com/search?q=tougannok+falls&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=KMy&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=taughannock+falls&spell=1&sa=X&ei=d21IUaKKEe7I4APcjIH4Dw&ved=0CDIQvwUoAA&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.43828540,d.dmg&fp=78fe916aef1a5004&biw=1280&bih=860)

Gambling? (although I wouldn't recommend it, because there are better casinos around, Turning Stone is potentially on the way).

[roydyates]

What about quadzilla? Would your wife enjoy that?

Have any husband/wife teams completed quadzilla? Perhaps you would be the first? :)

[druptight]

I grew up in the area and it's nice riding around there. Hilly and fairly rural. I haven't done a ton of riding because I didn't start riding until after I moved away, but I have ridden around Canandaigua lake a few times, which is a nice ride (think it's about 50 miles around). The town (city) of Canandaigua is quaint and the lake is gorgeous, although it can be pretty busy during the summer. All the lake can be ridden around and between (some longer rides than others), I think it's a good choice for a summer riding vacation.

[fiamme red]

Have any husband/wife teams completed quadzilla? Perhaps you would be the first? :)The Blayleys did Quadzilla Staged last year. :)

http://blayleys.blogspot.com/2012/08/quadzilla-day-1.html
http://blayleys.blogspot.com/2012/08/quadzilla-day-2.html
http://blayleys.blogspot.com/2012/08/quadzilla-day-3.html
http://blayleys.blogspot.com/2012/08/quadzilla-day-4.html

[MattTuck]

Thom,

To expand on my earlier post, I've been thinking about doing a long weekend out there this summer, and this would be my approach.


Thursday night, drive out (possibly stay at above mentioned casino, or direct to Ithaca.

Friday, around Cornell, bike some of my old stomping grounds, maybe visit an old professor, hit museum, restaurants (Ithaca has a good restaurant scene.), Buttermilk Falls, Treman State Park, Cornell Plantations (big garden)

Saturday, Drive out to This place. (http://www.glenora.com/Inn), do some wine tasting, cycling, etc. Probably bike around Keuka lake.

Sunday, bike again, TBD, drive back.


Another thing that some people are into is visiting http://www.mackenzie-childs.com/ Never got the allure, but it's an option.

As far as more specific bike stuff, I think you're going to find it similar to the Upper Valley. Around the lake shores, you'll probably find flatter roads, and will have to climb significant hills if you want to explore areas in between the lakes, much like the UV.

What length rides are you two looking for? How long of a trip were you thinking? If anything else pops into my head, I'll let you know.

[alessandro]

In Trumansburg, hit up the Rongovian Embassy--great music place, funky bar, killer drinks. Seriously: Suffering/Dying/Dead Bastards... :beer:

[rpettet]

I live in Watkins Glen. Happy to ride/show you routes or whatever. My wife and I ride daily with 100 mile rides on weekends. PM me if interested.

Rick

[EDS]

My wife and I are thinking about a summer cycling trip in the Finger Lakes area. Is that a good idea?

Any recommendations for towns to use as a base? Places to stay (B&B, etc)? Nice riding routes? Is there a cycling map for the area? Restaurants? Other tips?

Thanks!

Thom

I like Keuka Lake personally, and would rent a house on the bluff. Also love Skaneateles. Skaneateles and Geneva both have more in the way of restaurants and other entertainment. Geneva has a great bike shop (Geneva Bicycle Center), for what it is worth.

Great riding all around that region though.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . out of Keuka College the weekend of July 21 that I will be doing. I did it last year and it is great countryside and friendly people.

PM me and I can tell you more . . .

BBD

[zennmotion]

In Trumansburg, hit up the Rongovian Embassy--great music place, funky bar, killer drinks. Seriously: Suffering/Dying/Dead Bastards... :beer:

The Rongo has changed hands, yet again and is not currently open, though scheduled for this Spring, but who knows what it will be. Sadly, each iteration is a watered down version of the last IMO, as an exiled Trumansburger who visits frequently.

[Tom]

A few years ago we stayed at the Acorn Inn in Bristol the weekend of the Highlander. It was really nice.

[zennmotion]

With wife and kids, you might think about combining your bike adventure with the Grassroots Music Festival in Trumansburg, just North of Ithaca in the southern end of the finger lakes, third weekend July 18-21. You can't ride all day every day, right? This is a great place to park family members while you do your epic long rides. Or ride in the mornings, and chill out when the music heats up in the afternoons. You can do all 4 days or just one or two to spice up your trip. The festival is family (kid) friendly- no need for close monitoring, 4 stages constantly playing with lots of open space for kids to run and play. Zydeco, bluegrass, rock, latin, jazz, folk, international, you name it. Crowd is laid back and safe, lots of kid activities (crafts, parades, costumes). Lots of healthy food sold on the grounds. And the music is fantastic. Oh yeah. And so is the riding- go north for flattish, south and west for hills. Dirt roads abound if you like, or paved with zero traffic-. There's swimming in the lake, hiking the local gorges, and of course Taughannock Falls right in town. There's festival camping, a nearby private campground, and several B&Bs in town- reserve early for that weekend though (like, now). Ithaca has a lot more lodging about 25 minutes drive away. http://www.grassrootsfest.org/festival/ Youtube footage of past festivals abounds. I never miss it.

[sc53]

Was going to suggest the Acorn Inn near Canandaigua as a great place from which to venture forth on area rides. The Finger Lakes Rambles used to be held near there, lots of great scenery and l-o-n-g hills.

[GregL]

My wife says that this is her favorite ride of the year:

http://www.southerntierbicycleclub.org/greatfingerlakestour.html

If you're doing an independent, unsupported ride, you can check out some of the route maps posted by local cycling clubs:

http://onondagacyclingclub.org/onondagacyclingclub.org/maps/ (look for maps starting in Auburn, Geneva, Ithaca, and Skaneateles)

http://flcycling.org/?page_id=22

- Greg

[Ken Robb]

Leslie and I have had two wonderful visits to Canandaigua, once in October and once in July. Our esteemed DBRK lives in the area and visiting with him was a nice addition to our enjoyment. I was surprised by how uncrowded the lovely lakeside town was in July. I guess there are plenty of lakes to go around.

It is the location of The Culinary and Wine Institute of New York where we had excellent food/drink overlooking the lake at very reasonable prices there are other good places to eat in the area.

On our second visit we stayed with Jack and Donna who own The Oliver Phelps B+B. It is our favorite B+B ever. The "new" part of the house was built in 1832 I think but most rooms have private baths and the whole place has A/C. When we were unable to get a table at a local restaurant Jack got us one with a personal phone call. See their web site for details.

Dr. Brooks nearly killed me one day on a hilly ride but the next day Leslie and I rode along the Erie Canal Tow Path where the only hills are overpasses. Every few miles there is a charming small town to explore or procure refreshments.

We drove to Keuka Lake for dinner in a restaurant famous for the food and wine list which is the size of a medium-size town's phone book. Next day we went to Watkins Glen. I had to see the auto museum and history associated with early sports car racing in the USA.

We flew into Buffalo and returned from Rochester and both airports were very nice and easy to use.

[tv_vt]

Just back from a mini-vacation to the Finger Lakes region of NY. My wife and I stayed in a B&B outside Penn Yan (Los Gatos) and rode 150 miles over a three day period. Went around Canandaigua Lake, Keuka Lake, through towns of Naples and Italy and dozens of others.

Wow. That's all I can say. I have never seen roads in such great shape for cycling. We did not see a single crack or pothole the entire time. Shoulders were great in most places, and the scenery was really exquisite. When we weren't riding along a lakeshore, we were riding up on a ridge taking in long views of beautiful rolling farmland and vineyards. And yes, to get from lakeshore to ridges, you gotta go up some hills!

The gorge at Watkins Glen State Park is quite amazing and good for a change of pace, not to mention wine tasting at the dozens of vineyards and wineries in the area. Recommended is Herman J Weimer Vineyards on the western shore of Seneca Lake.

It surprised both of us that we didn't see more serious cyclists on the roads. It's a fantastic area for riding!

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . next time:

http://www.innatcooperstown.com/

This is the area where we have the Dirtphalt events. Innkeepers Sherrie and Marc Kingsley are super friendly and Brewery Ommegang is 5 miles south of town. Mmmmm, Rare Vos! . . . :banana:

These were shot a few weeks ago. Ride shots are Paceline members CNYRider and MaxDog.

BBD

[majorpat]

Wish I had seen this back in March when you first posted, i live near Skaneateles in the NE area of the lakes, but you picked a good area to ride in as well. Always willing to give some suggestions on rides and places to bivouac. Glad you had a good trip.
Pat

[soulspinner]

Just back from a mini-vacation to the Finger Lakes region of NY. My wife and I stayed in a B&B outside Penn Yan (Los Gatos) and rode 150 miles over a three day period. Went around Canandaigua Lake, Keuka Lake, through towns of Naples and Italy and dozens of others.

Wow. That's all I can say. I have never seen roads in such great shape for cycling. We did not see a single crack or pothole the entire time. Shoulders were great in most places, and the scenery was really exquisite. When we weren't riding along a lakeshore, we were riding up on a ridge taking in long views of beautiful rolling farmland and vineyards. And yes, to get from lakeshore to ridges, you gotta go up some hills!

The gorge at Watkins Glen State Park is quite amazing and good for a change of pace, not to mention wine tasting at the dozens of vineyards and wineries in the area. Recommended is Herman J Weimer Vineyards on the western shore of Seneca Lake.

It surprised both of us that we didn't see more serious cyclists on the roads. It's a fantastic area for riding!

Lived here most of my life. Except for all this rain this year, the fingerlakes supply all the cycling challenges most of us can handle. Come back for the Highlander, 20 percent climbs at the END of the century plus, 10k climbing, makes me tired thinking about it.