The following cue sheets are for rides in the Elmira, NY area (starting from Gear To Go Tandems), for rides around some of the Finger Lakes,and for rides in the Watkins Glen area. Enjoy!
| Name | Distance | Total Climb | Description |
| River Rambler & Petting Zoo | 20 | 686 | KID FRIENDLY: This route heads west out of Elmira following the Chemung River to Big Flats where you loop around before heading east back to Elmira. The only significant hill climb is a 4% grade for 3/8 mile on the way back. The petting zoo route takes you to the north side of Rt. 17 in Big Flats. The route can be extended up to four miles (without adding hills) by staying on route 352 longer before making your turns, or by repeating the loop in Big Flats. |
| Scenic Hill Climbs | 33.1 | 2240 | The Scenic Hill Climbs route takes you up to Harris Hill, the Soaring Capital of the World, where you get a beautiful panoramic view of the Chemung Valley. After a rapid descent, you go along the valley until you once again climb up along Whiskey Creek and go back down along a ridge, with views of hills and farms on both sides, back to Elmira. The tougher climbs on this route include three sections of ~6-7% grade for ~1/2-2/3 miles, and two sections of ~8-10% for 1/6 mile each. Do-able, but you'll know you've been climbing! |
| Hilly Metric Century | 61.2 | 2999 | The Metric Century Challenge route consists of a series of four hill climbs (going from hardest to easiest) with great downhill runs. The ride also follows rolling terrain along streams with wetlands, birds and wildlife, and back along the Chemung River. There are some rather steep (5-10%) grades, but other than one 1-mile long climb of 6%, they are less than 1/4 mile each. The 3-5% grades vary in length from 1/6 mile to 3/4 mile. The first hill climb is tough, but the top provides a panoramic view back into Elmira and the Valley. The cue sheets give alternatives to the first and last hills to eliminate ~500 feet of climb. Note: Between the 19 1/2 mile and 45 1/2 mile convenience stores there are no facilities available. There is an ice cream stop at Bradley Farms, 4.5 miles before the finish if you must! |
| Three Bumps & a Grind | 54.4 | 3609 | This most challenging route consists of a series of four hill climbs, (with the most difficult climb of the STTR at the end) and two great downhill runs. Three Bumps and a Grind is not for the faint of heart, nor the heavy of body, but if you love great views and downhill runs, this is the ride for you. There are several steep (10%+) grades, plus 1/3 mile of 16% toward the end of the ride. The first hill climb is tough, but the top provides a panoramic view back into Elmira and the Valley. The second climb, the easiest, is up along a hollow into the hills south of Watkins Glen. The third climb is back over the ridge toward the airport in Big Flats. The downhill run from this climb is superb! On your way to the airport you will pass the newly opened National Warplane Museum. The last climb is up to the top of Harris Hill, the hard way! From the top you get a panoramic view of the valley below, and can even take a ride in a glider if you desire. You will be 1/8 mile from the glider field and the National Soaring Museum. Hang onto the bike on the way down. The cue sheets give an alternative to the last hill to eliminate ~800 feet of climb. |
| Creeky Crawly | 31 38.7 |
1331 1414 |
Creeky Crawly is a tandem friendly route that follows creeks and rivers as they meander up and down the hollows and valleys of the area. The outbound is a continuous gentle grade except for a few short steeper sections. On both routes there is a 5% grade for 1/4 mile, the short route has an additional 5 1/2% grade for 0.4 miles. These routes both have nice downhill runs and are two of our favorite rides. |
| Nichols Metric | 64.5 | 2200 | The route heads east out of Elmira along the Chemung River. Generally flat to rolling terrain. Meanders along the route traveled by General Sullivan's Army during the Revolutionary War. There are restrooms available throughout the course. On the Metric Century, there is an Ice Cream Shop (The Gazebo) at the mid-point! On the return, you climb up to O'Brien's Inn (1 1/3 mile 4% grade). From the top of the hill and on the way down there is a great view of the Chemung River Valley. The downhill ride is wonderful!! (4.4% grade for 1 3/8 miles Stoker & Captain alert: Look out for the bumps as you cross the railroad tracks at 8 miles on the way out (same location on the way back). KID FRIENDLY: There is ice cream, miniature golf, playground at Bradley Farms 4.5 miles before the finish (and from the start!). |
| Metric Century (reverse Creeky Crawly) | 64.6 | 2171 | The route head west along the river then heads up into the hills of Caton. A tough uphill climb rewards you with a glorious downhill run back toward Elmira. The route then heads east out of Elmira along the Chemung River. Generally flat to rolling terrain. Meanders along the route traveled by General Sullivan's Army during the Revolutionary War. The metric crosses the river and returns via Chemung. There is a convenience store with restrooms at this turn around. Stoker & Captain alert: Look out for the bumps as you cross the railroad tracks at 41.4 miles on the way out (same location on the way back). KID FRIENDLY: There is ice cream, miniature golf, playground at Bradley Farms 4.5 miles before the finish! |
| Tandem Century | 100.5 | 3600 | There are only two difficult climbs on this generally rolling course that meanders along the Chemung River for much of the route. The route head west along the river then heads up into the hills of Caton. A tough uphill climb rewards you with a glorious downhill run back toward Elmira. The route then heads east out of Elmira along the Chemung River. Generally flat to rolling terrain. Meanders along the route traveled by General Sullivan's Army during the Revolutionary War. The metric crosses the river and returns via Chemung. There is a convenience store with restrooms at this turn around. There is an Ice Cream Shop (The Gazebo) at the turn-around point! On the return, you climb up to O'Brien's Inn (1 1/3 mile 4% grade). From the top of the hill and on the way down there is a great view of the Chemung River Valley. The downhill ride is wonderful!! (4.4% grade for 1 3/8 miles Stoker & Captain alert: Look out for the bumps as you cross the railroad tracks at 8 miles on the way out (same location on the way back). KID FRIENDLY: There is ice cream, miniature golf, playground at Bradley Farms 4.5 miles before the finish (and from the start!). |
| Scenic Chemung Valley-Hogback Half Century | 17.6 31.7 42.8 50.8 |
316 849 1433 2035 |
All routes head east out of Elmira along the Chemung River. Generally flat to rolling terrain. Meanders along the route traveled by General Sullivan's Army during the Revolutionary War. The routes turn around at either Chemung, or Waverly depending upon your choice of ride. On the return on the longer ride, you climb up to O'Brien's Inn (1 1/3 mile 4% grade). From the top of the hill and on the way down there is a great view of the Chemung River Valley. The downhill ride is wonderful!! (4.4% grade for 1 3/8 miles). The return from Chemung can either go back along the river or head up the hollow. On the 'hollow' return, you climb up Hogback Road to get to a 4-mile downhill run with views of the valley to the right. Not a screamer, but a nice ride. The other significant climb is a one mile 3% grade on the outbound. BIG KID FRIENDLY: There is ice cream and a playground at Bradley Farms 4.5 miles from the start & finish. Stoker & Captain alert: Look out for the bumps as you cross the railroad tracks at 8 miles on the way out (same location on the way back). |
| National Warplane Museum | 21.8 | 810 | This is a generally flat to rolling ride that goes out to Big Flats, past the Airport and the National Warplane Museum, before returning to Elmira via Horseheads. |
| Hogback Road | 39.7 | 1456 | The routes head east out of Elmira along the Chemung River. Generally flat to rolling terrain. Meanders along the route traveled by General Sullivan's Army during the Revolutionary War. The routes either return from Chemung or head up the 'hollow' depending upon your choice of ride. On the longer ride, you climb up Hogback Road to get to a 4-mile downhill run with views of the valley to the right. Not a screamer, but a nice ride. Stoker & Captain alert: Look out for the bumps as you cross the railroad tracks at 8 miles on the way out (same location on the way back). KID FRIENDLY: There is ice cream, miniature golf, playground at Bradley Farms 4.5 miles from the start and before the finish. |
| Purity Ice Cream: Ithaca | 70.7 | 3780 | |
| ALA Finger Lakes Tour Day 1 | 146 | 7400 | This 3 day fully sagged tour is sponsored by the American Lung Association of Rochester, NY. It is a wonderful tour with scenic views, great companionship, excellent food, and loads of fun. Lindy & I have done it every year since 1991 except for when we were in Japan. For 1999 it is the weekend of June 25-27, Friday to Sunday. Highly recommended! For more info, contact Ellen Scalzo at the ALA at 716-442-4260 or contact Rich at Gear-To-Go Tandems 607-732-4859 |
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