Dieler

Heading to Buffalo NY for a week or so. Anyone have any suggested routes, nothing crazy in length but 20-30 miles maybe. Will be south of the city, near Orchard Park. Thanks for any assistance.

cleansheet

Its been a while since I've been out there, but if you have a car to get out of Orchard Park, there can be some good rides to the west of O.P. in the farmland. Also head south on Rt. 5 a bit and bike along rt. 5/Lakeshore Dr. closer to Chatauqua County, the better.

FredOak

Basicaly go a little more south of OP and you should find some good areas. North and you'll run into narrower streets some without much room to move and a higher incident of idiot cagers doing 60 in the 45.

If you have a car, I agree the nearer Chatauqua the more senic.

rankin116

Chautauqua is pretty far from OP.

Maybe you could head out somewhat South into East Aurora/Wales/Marilla/Holland? I haven't ridden there in quite a long time, but those areas are rolling hills and farmland. Not the most scenic, but I'm sure you could find some quiet roads out that way.

Where in Orchard Park will you be?

cleansheet

Chatauqua the county, not the village, is only 15 miles south, or so. Start out around Silver Creek.

Dieler

Thanks all for the input. Been here a few days now and came up with the following routes;

Abbott road from Rich stadium to Powers Road riding towards Chestnut Ridge. Can either roll through the park or cross 277 and continue towards 240. If in the park, going down the gully (north) and back up to top of ridge has some good elevation gain and at a good grade at times. Once to 240 been heading south and cutting back and forth on country side roads. Nice rolling hills headed towards Springville.

Anyways, been good weather and nice country. Thanks again.

Headed to Skaneateles tonight (outside Syracuse). Going to find a route there as well. Again, nice country in those parts as well.

zacster

In Skaneateles you should go around the lake. I don't recall any roads being very busy over there. I'm going to be in Skaneateles in a few weeks myself and I'm bringing my bike. Give a report on your rides and I'll do the same.

cleansheet

ABSOLUTELY-GO AROUND THE LAKE. Amazing ride. Rolling hills, some fairly good sized, but it is around 30 miles. Spectacular place. Top it off with dinner at the Sherwood Inn or Rosalie's Cucina.

Dieler

And the obligatory beer at Mo's after.............

zacster

I'm in Skaneateles right now. There's been a severe thunderstorm watch all day but it didn't rain until about an hour ago. I was a little hungover so I didn't get out anyway.

I'm going to try to do the lake loop tomorrow. My sister-in-law says that the road on the west side doesn't go up the ridge but stays along the lake. Coming up rt 41 in the car from Cortland it appears that you are on the flat, but the lake is well below you and it is a steady descent into Skaneateles village. I looked across and figured the road around the other side went up. I'll find out more tomorrow.

Dieler

The west side of the lake has a few areas with good grades and elevation change. I grew up on the west side of the lake and not sure I would say there is a defined ridgeline although there are some points of higher elevation further west of the lake road. About 7-8 miles out and again at maybe 10-12 miles out I remember a few good uphill sections. At the south end of the lake on the west side you will descend through a nice treed area with some twisty roadway which is in a valley of sorts. Coming back north on 41 (the east side) you are at a higher elevation on the southern lake section, that is a bit of a ridgeline. Going either way around will give you enough of a workout, I would go south on the west side and north on the east.

If you get adventurous, and want to add distance, try the following;

Rt41A South out of Skaneateles to end of lake (West side of Lake)
Rt 41 North towards Skaneateles
Right on Stanton Rd
Right on Willowdale Rd
Left on Moon Hill Rd
into Spafford Valley
Left on Sawmill Rd
Left on Otisco Valley Rd (brings you north on East side of Otisco lake)
At North end of Otisco lake take Rt174 South
Cross over Rose Hill Rd onto Eibert Rd.
Right onto Rt41 North towards Skaneateles

Gets you views of 2 finger lakes. Otisco lake is about 6 miles long and you head east about 2 miles to Otisco. So, maybe figure another 8-10 miles max added to Skaneateles loop.

Enjoy