It doesn’t get much better than the Adirondacks for two-wheel adventures. From scenic country roads to impressive landscapes with sparkling waters, rolling farmland and gentle forests, the Adirondack region of New York State is a cycling mecca.
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Lake Champlain
Nestled between the Adirondack and Green Mountains, the Lake Champlain Region offers extensive cycling options on scenic roads with picturesque farmlands, forests and mountains. Travel through five different apple orchards on the 24.4-mile Acres of Apples ride with amazing river gorge views along with the spectacular “Grand Canyon of the East,” the Ausable Chasm. The Fort to Fort loop features two of America’s most historic forts and an amazing flat route with views of Lake Champlain and the distant mountains. There are services in Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and note that the historic sites have entry fees. The popular and picturesque 26.1-mile Iron to Iron route through Port Henry pays homage to the Industrial Revolution with two museums along the route. Mostly paved, there are some very hilly remote roads with limited services and some logging truck traffic. Two of Lake Champlain’s great cycling routes for more experienced, longdistance riders are the northern sections of the 750-mile Empire State Trail, covering the entire state and welcoming cyclists and hikers alike. The 27-mile route from Ticonderoga to Westport and the 30-mile section from Westport to Keeseville near the Canadian border feature sweeping views of the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain. With plenty of gorgeous, cultural stops and quaint small towns along the way, along with local harvests and brews for re-fueling, the Lake Champlain Region beckons your next legendary ride.
Whiteface Region
The Whiteface Region is home to countless miles of beautiful country roads, perfect for road cycling during your next unforgettable Adirondack vacation. One of the most spectacular rides in the Adirondacks, on July 16, the Ride for the River supports the conservation work of the Ausable River Association to protect the clean waters, healthy streams, biodiverse habitats and scenic beauty of the Ausable River watershed. Featuring two breathtaking routes with distances
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CYCLING THE ADIRONDACKS
of 30 or 43 miles, the event also hosts a 20-mile “tailgater” group ride on July 15 for those who’d like to come into town a day or two early to make it a weekend getaway. A visit to the Adirondacks is not complete without a historic ride up the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway to the top of New York State’s fifth-highest peak at 4,867 feet. Along the way, you’ll ride through the hamlet of North Pole, NY with Santa’s Workshop which is sure to bring a smile. Soon after, you’ll hit the toll house and have numerous rest spots along the way to catch your breath and for photo ops. At the top, you can access the summit lookout via the Alpine Nature Trail, where you can enjoy truly spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the Adirondacks, New England and Canada. The Whiteface Region offers a wide array of lodging options from cozy bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, and cabins to campgrounds, private rentals, lodges and classic Adirondack camps.
Lake Placid
The Lake Placid region has more secondary roads and scenic tours with spectacular views than you can explore in a single trip to the area. The views are so spectacular that sometimes it’s hard to keep both wheels on the pavement. The internationally famous 56km Ironman Lake Placid
