Adirondack Sports July 2023

JULY 2023 7
BICYCLING
Come Ride with Us!
Late Summer Events
▲ POST-RIDE PARTY AT THE PAT
STRATTON RIDE AT MT. PISGAH.
SARANAC LAKE KIWANIS CLUB
▲ START OF THE WEEKENDER
RIDES AT PAUL SMITH’S
COLLEGE NEAR SARANAC LAKE.
DAVE KRAUS
By Dave Kraus
The Covid pandemic has brought
a world of changes to the entire
country since the spring of 2020.
It also seems to have brought new life to
cyclists’ desire to get outside and enjoy
new experiences, and there’s a wealth of
old reliables and newly created cycling
events of all kinds across upstate New York
to help you explore new roads and trails
and make new friends on two wheels.
In only a few years, Bike Adirondacks
has become a major force in upstate
cycling events that support all types of
riding in the Adirondacks. Owner Doug
Haney runs his own marketing agency,
but then fills his spare hours partnering
with local non-profits to create events that
draw more cyclists to the region while funneling
profits to deserving local charities.
Late summer includes some of BikeADK’s
headliner events and you can get more
info and register at: bikeadirondacks.com.
Do it quick because most have limited
capacity and may be close to filling up.
The Weekender at Paul Smith’s
College is on Friday-Sunday, August 4-6
– This weekend of road riding and family
entertainment is based out of the stunning
campus of the college, north of Saranac
Lake. Three days of fully supported 30- to
55-mile rides are accompanied by off-bike
adventures including live music, educational
presentations, canoeing, and great
camp tours. Meals are included and lodging
options include tent camping, bring
your RV, stay in one of the dormitories, or
in a hotel in Saranac Lake – and discounts
for groups are available. The event supports
the Paul Smith’s College Center for
Sustainability.
Great Camp Sagamore Gravel
Experience is on Sunday-Wednesday,
August 13-16 – Head out for a guided gravel
ride each morning, then return to the
Vanderbilt Family’s former great camp for
an afternoon of canoeing, hiking, or even
roll a game at the estate’s own open-air
bowling alley. This four-day gravel riding
experience at the historic great camp
includes meals and lodging. Funds go to
the Great Camp Sagamore Public Trust
that maintains this heritage landmark.
Handlebarley Gravel Weekend on
Saturday-Sunday, September 16-17 –
Two days of scenic gravel riding combine
to show you some of the best scenery in
the North Country, with start/finish each
day at Paradox Brewery in North Hudson.
Note the Saturday and full weekend packages
are already full, but there are spots
▲ JOHNSON POND ROAD DURING THE
HANDLEBARLEY GRAVEL WEEKEND
NEAR PARADOX BREWERY. DAVE KRAUS
left for the featured 42-mile Sunday ride
that shows off rolling paved and gravel
terrain showcasing historic farms, 1800s
stacked stone walls, remnants of old
mills, and sweet-smelling cedar groves –
plus a rest stop in Ironville at the Penfield
Homestead Museum, which benefits from
funds raised in this event. Then enjoy a
post-ride pizza feast back at Paradox.
Pat Stratton Ride on Saturday, August
26 – BikeADK now handles the registrations
for this 23rd edition of this awesome
Saranac Lake area ride that includes 22-,
49-, and 100-mile distances. The ride is
based at Mt. Pisgah Lodge and benefits
Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club, with over
$100,000 raised to date for area youth
programs in Saranac Lake. Each route
includes fully stocked rest stops and road
support, plus an event T-shirt, a post ride
cookout, tasty homemade pies, live music,
raffles – and the good feeling that comes
from benefitting kids by riding your bike!
A wide variety of nice riding events
fill up the weeks going from late July into
August and September.
Churney Gurney Mountain Bike
Races and Festival on Saturday-Sunday,
August 5-6 – Held at Gurney Lane Park in
▲ CHURNEY GURNEY MOUNTAIN BIKE
RACES AT GURNEY LANE PARK IN
QUEENSBURY. KERI JONES
Queensbury, this year’s event will be a full
two-day mountain bike festival featuring
demo bikes available from a variety of
makers, plus local shops, a beer tent, raffles,
and available barbecue. It’s also Race
#3 of the NYS MTB Series. Saturday features
a downhill race on the Rogue/Rogue
Ext. singletrack trails; race multiple laps to
get the fastest time. On Sunday, there are
cross country races for all classes and kids
races that will add to all the fun. Saturday
also offers a trail running race on the singletrack
trails. For more info and to register,
go to: bikereg.com.
Tour of the Catskills on Sunday,
August 13 – This year marks the 15th
year for this Catskill area mainstay that
is now a welcoming gran fondo format
with 27-, 52-, and 75-mile open distances,
all on paved roads with aid stations,
See BICYCLING 9 ▶