As a finger lakes native, I am aware of how beautiful and unique this region is for cycling among other outdoor activities. However, I'm specifically here hoping to find people's favorite routes to ride through the finger lakes region. I am also ALWAYS searching for the largest, toughest climbs around, so if you know of one or two, name the road!
Currently, I've ridden around Canandaigua, Skaneateles, otisco, and Keuka lakes, as well as the finger lakes associated towns of Bristol, Tully, and Pompey. These towns all offer nice riding with some significant climbs, but I'm sure there is some more out there.
I'd say get' yourself a Delorme's Atlas of New York, wait for a rainy day, and go for a drive. I've been out there and it's hard to find a bad place to ride. N/S is pretty flat. E/W, not so much. Enjoy!
Cayuga Lake is a must-do! it's about 90 miles, but if you extend up through Montezuma you can make it into a century ride. Around Owasco is also nice about maybe 30 miles or so.
Rode 132 miles yesterday and bumped into 4 of the lakes (Otisco, Skinny, Cayuga, Owasco, and Skinny again). I would say the climb out of Moravia on 38A was the most fun. As was said above, go east to west and pick up multiple lakes.
If you did Otisco, how did you like Church Hill Rd? In my two seasons of riding, it is the only hill that has forced a dismount.. sniff sniff. I already have plans of trying again next year, maybe with a compact crank.
I've ridden around otisco a couPle times where I start up at the north point (amber) and head down the south east side, looping around the bottom. You should check out moon hill road, it's pretty challenging at around 11.5%
My dad has been on church bill road and I haveent had a chance to go up it, but can't wait to try it
Don't know where you are out of, but there are many great routes that aren't lake specific. Route 90 from King Ferry over through Summer Hill and into Homer is a great ride, and makes a nice west-east through fare. If you take that to Homer, then 281 North to 11, you can climb a nice overlook of the valley going into Lafayette, and then head west again on 20.
Moravia and Locke are great towns to hub out of, ride into, take a random turn and explore. I like Branchport on Keuka for that as well, however I find the roads to that side less friendly.. no shoulder, lots of blind curves cresting hills, large sections of pavement heave.
Virgil is a beautiful area to cycle. Leave Dryden heading east into Virgil, then cut down to Marathon and over to Greene. Switch back toward Whitney point, and then to Richford, and you can pop north back to Dryden on 38. Actually, do that the opposite way, hills are better. Little traffic either direction. If you don't do a big loop, head toward Virgil and use Daisey Hollow (great hill on the Virgil side) to cut over to Harford, then make a left on 38, at the Church in Harford take a left, and you wind back into Marathon. Nice rolling terrain.
Edit: forgot to mention that no, I have not done Moon Hill. We do the same route you describe, but follow the west shore up to the causeway, and then climb Church Hill. I think some of the guys mentioned that there used to be a race that finished on Church. Not that I race, but that would blow.
went out with the intention of going up church hill road in otisco today, but some light rain and loose gravel had me change my mind. Went up moon hill road instead (right next to church hill road). if anyone is curious to see what this area looked like here is the data : http://app.strava.com/rides/2341220
love that ride, including Moon Hill Rd. Also +1 on RollCNY's suggestion of Rt 90 King Ferry to Homer, you can then head up 281 and turn onto Otisco Valley Rd and head up to Otisco Lake, excellent loop.
Sorry to take this off-topic...but can anyone here direct me to the FL ride this past year that offered a vintage looking black and white jersey? It may have been wool, but I'm not sure. I'm trying to see if I might be able to buy one that may be left over from the ride. I was born and raised in Rochester and would love to "raise the flag" here in GA. Gorgeous cycling weather right now...but boy the summer humidity can be brutal.
I would guess you're talking about the bon ton roulet. I'm not sure if they have left over jerseys or if they sell to non registrants but you can inquire at bontonroulet.com I happen to be doing my first century ride this past July and I crossed paths with these folks 2 times. It looked like they were having a blast.
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