Has anybody done the ride around Lake Skaneateles? (Finger Lakes)

[zacster]

Has anybody ever done this ride? I was up there this weekend without my bike and drove down route 41 on the east side of the lake. There was a lot of uphill and you end up on a plateau over the lake. There is a turn-off to route 41a at some point which takes you back up the other side of the lake. I've only been on that road once and at night and wasn't really paying attention to the hills as I was more worried about staying on the road. The shoulder on 41 looked OK for riding too, but again didn't notice on 41a up the other way. I only saw one rider on the entire trip today so it must not be a popular route.

I'm up there every now and then as my brother-in-law lives there and would like to ride there. I know a lot of roads are way too hilly for my spindly legs.

(I just googled it and one of the few references was me asking the same question 4 years ago. I don't even remember that.)

[chipg5]

yes I've done that ride quite a few times in different directions, beautiful ride, definitely some climbing though nothing major. roads are fine, not a lot of traffic and very decent shoulders.

[chipg5]

profile counterclockwise: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/560315

clockwise: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/72212

[zacster]

Thanks, these profiles are just what I was looking for. What worries me is the dip back down to lake level halfway through the ride after a long steady climb. One looks harder than the other, but at least there are options.

[mkmartin]

http://app.strava.com/rides/6370822

[JoeB14]

profile counterclockwise: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/560315

clockwise: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/72212

i have done a variation of the counterclockwise loop and turning towards shore on the West side-as this does-is a nice change from seeing the lake from the upper elevations. It brings you down to the edge of the water at the South end of the lake. There is an unusual camp on the West side of this road-a train car set up on a masonry foundation.

If you have the time, you may want to head over to Otisco lake on the return, and ride up the East side. The road is on the lake shore.

[summerman]

I grew up in Skan... Its a good ride. the lake is 16 miles long or so... In summer the Glenn haven restaurant is open on the south end of lake and you can take a swim. the lake is one of the cleanest you ever been in. take 41a (west lake road...west side of lake to New Hope) turn left on glenn haven road. when you hit T go left to restaurant or right to hit rt 41. you can cut it short and go up vincent hill road to hit 41 but it is a little gravelly. After typing this I'm thinking or you could just look at google maps... the Glennhaven restuarant is very good. West side is tougher than East side so that's why I would go west side first. Just looked at above post... Duh... never mind... all the info is there..