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Presents:

The 2017 Finger Lakes Tandem Tour

Saturday, July 22nd through Sunday, July 30th

Enjoy traveling around this gorgeous land of lakes and vineyards. We will be riding 3 of the distinctive Finger Lakes, passing by Canandaigua, Seneca, and Keuka Lakes, with an abundance of wonderful biking. Cycle along the lakeshores, riding past waterfalls, orchards, vineyards, and spectacular views.
Relax at our lakefront lodging on Canandaigua Lake. Discover the beauty of Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, strolling through the nationally famous color gardens established there in the mid 1800's. We'll pass sprawling fields of colorful crops, like sunflowers on Canandaigua Lake and rolling vineyards on Keuka and Seneca Lakes. Enjoy tandeming along valleys, hills, and across farmlands with quiet country roads.
Taste the best of New York State - great food at restaurants overlooking the water, fine wines like Merlots and Chardonnays from vineyards overlooking Seneca Lake, and grape pies from farms near Canandaigua Lake. Explore the wonderful Watkins Glen gorge, where rippling waterfalls cut through the deep stone. Learn about the early days of bike, motorcycle, and flying inventions at the Hammondsport Glen Curtiss Museum. Enjoy the distinctive character of Hammondsport by Keuka Lake.

As you ride, you’ll discover why this region of New York State has been valued as a beautiful summer getaway.

The tour package includes:
Seven (7) days of riding
Eight (8) nights lodging
Four (4) dinners
Four (4) afternoon 'Happy Hour' get-togethers
Maps and cue sheets
Baggage transfers

The tour will be limited to nine (9) couples on tandems.

Total cost per Couple is $3400

As of April 6 only 2 spots left

Registration and Waiver forms

The 2017 Finger Lakes Tandem Tour

Arrival Day in Watkins Glen, NY Watkins Glen is known for the beauty of the glen, auto racing, tourism, and ...salt manufacturing. Salt??? With salt located >1,800 feet below ground, this salt deposit runs all the way back to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan! These were also one of the contents of mineral springs and wells that once supplied famous spas in the area. People would come far and wide to be "cured" of a variety of ailments in by-gone times.
Our home for the next two nights is the Villager Hotel in Watkins Glen.
Happy Hour and group dinner tonight.


Day 2 Past Orchards and Vineyards - Up the East Coast of Seneca Lake, around the lake or south to Corning
Rides of 29, 35, 40, 42 and 86 miles

Seneca Lake is the deepest of the Finger Lakes, with steep sides cut by streams and waterfalls. The ~40 mile Winery Ride climbs up along Seneca's coast. . You can stop at one of the wineries for lunch (Wagner's Ginny Lee Cafe, Red Newt Winery, or Logans Run). Continue riding along the east coast of Seneca Lake and then swing up to the ridge east of Seneca. There is a 1 1/4 mile section of unpaved road on this route. The outbound of this route allows you to ride past many of Lindy's favorite wineries, where you can stop and sample their wines! Wineries are clustered along this road because of the great growing conditions here in the Finger Lakes.
There is a 29 miles option with less climb, traveling up and back along Seneca's east coast on Route 414. Or take a rest day and hike the Glen at Watkins, a wonderful series of waterfalls open to the public since 1864. Stroll downtown Watkins Glen, enjoying the bakery, antique shops and specialty stores.
This area has a wonderful history. Montour Falls itself is worth a stop, to wander through the downtown 19th century buildings at the historic "T" intersection at West Main St. We're always amazed at the circular columns made from brick. Stop by She-Qua-Ga Falls a 1/2 block to the left (south) of West Main St.
If you are energetic, you can do the circumnavigation of Seneca Lake, a ride of 86 miles.
Looking for some art and culture, ride down to Corning and visit the world famous Corning Museum of Glass, the largest in the world. Also worth visiting is the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. 42 mile round trip to CMOG.


Day 3 Across the Ridge to Canandaigua
Rides of 49 and 50 miles

The glaciers that carved these lakes also left ridges of land between them. We've laid out rides that give the most gradual climbs through farmlands overlooking the lakes. The easier route of 49 miles travels initially up the west coast of Seneca on a busier road, and then swings west onto country roads. The 50.4-mile route has an initially more difficult climb, and then has a very pretty ride along the ridge, meeting up with the easier option.
Penn Yan is a midway point for both rides for a stop. You can visit the local Oliver House Museum (200 Main St.) and see a touch of how physicians lived during Victorian times. We are staying at Canandaigua's Inn on the Lake, along Lake Shore Drive, our home for the next two days. Located directly on Canandaigua Lake, this is the premier hotel in the area.
We will have a Happy Hour this afternoon / evening followed by a group dinner at Koozina's, "a lovely Ontario County attraction" Italian restaurant within walking distance of the motel.


Day 4 Around Beautiful Canandaigua Lake
Rides of 21, 33, 41 and 49 miles

Canandaigua is a beautiful lake, with a great overlook on the east coast. All three rides give you the chance to see this wonderful view, with a bit more climb than the other days. The East Coast Ride, 32.7 miles, runs along some of the less frequented parts of the lake. Or ride around the whole lake, 48.6 miles, which gives you a chance to visit Naples as a mid-way point. These are wonderful rides, past fields of sunflowers and grapes, and the many lake cottages. We will ride through Vine Valley. The high banks of the area are wild, steep, and tremendous.
Or you can take the ride over the ridge to the northern end of Seneca Lake. This is a more gentle ride of 42 miles. There is a great lunch stop at the Belhurst Castle on the lake. This is a wonderful Victorian mansion with great food and wonderful interior. There is also a mid-point cut-off on this ride if you are just looking for an easy 21 mile ride.
Or take a rest day. Canandaigua has a community spirit and focus on arts and crafts. Sonnenberg Gardens is a famous Victorian mansion and flower garden that is well worth visiting. Rich has included a map to Sonnenberg. Other museums and shops provide a chance to walk and enjoy. Stokers may enjoy stopping by the Country Ewe, a great clothing store.


Day 5 Over the Ridge to Hammondsport and Keuka Lake
Rides of 39 and 42 miles

We turn south to ride through farm country to the southern tip of Keuka Lake and the village of Hammondsport. The glaciers created ~3 ridges between Canandaigua and Keuka Lake. We've plotted out 2 ride options to minimize the hills from these ridges, but this is still a hilly day. Both rides follow the same route for ~24 miles. Rest stops are few, so we would recommend stopping at the Hitching Post Restaurant in Potter Town. The Hitching Post has great ice cream, sandwiches, and other food, and a rest room. It is a fun country place, where the locals will be talking about those tandem bikes for ages after.
The next possible rest stop is at the northwest end of Keuka Lake in Branchport. From here you have two choices of routes for finishing the day’s ride. There is an 800 feet difference in climb between the long and short routes, and it's a tough extra 800 feet. The longer route climbs up to the ridge that runs parallel to the lakeshore. It will pass four local wineries: Hunt Country, Dr. Frank, Heron Hill, and Bully Hill. Stop and take some tastings! The shorter option runs along Keuka Lake's west coast, with rolling ups and downs.
Hammondsport is the cradle of wine country. Dr. Frank Konstantine, Bully Hill, and Heron Hill wineries overlook Keuka Lake and make great wines. The Greyton H. Taylor Wine Museum at Bully Hill has exhibitions of early wine production. Down in the valley is the Glen Curtiss Museum of early aviation, as well as bike and recreation vehicle innovations!
We will again have a Happy Hour and group dinner.


Day 6 Around Keuka Lake
Rides of 45 and 58 miles

The ride around Keuka Lake is one of the favorite rides for local cyclists in the Finger Lakes region, because of how close the lake is to the road. Ride around the complete lake, including its Bluff Point, a ride of ~58 miles. Bluff Point has a wonderful view looking south. Or ride the ~45 mile option, which skips the Bluff Point area. Lots of short, rolling hills with one additional climb at Bluff Point (only 300 ft.). Branchport is a mid-way location for a rest break. The east coast of Keuka Lake has a small road that comes back and forth to Rt. 54, the main, busier road. It is worth finding its many entrances, which we've tried to mark on the cue sheet, as it is more scenic and shaded, with less traffic than the main road.
Later, visit the Glenn Curtiss Museum of early aviation or stroll downtown. Or relax by the lake before dinner. Restaurants and a pub overlook the Hammondsport Village Square.


Day 7 Hammondsport to Watkins Glen
Rides of 27, 31, or 44 miles

This ride starts along the east coast of Keuka Lake and then rises up to the ridge between Keuka and Seneca Lakes. Once up on the ridge you have your choice of three routes to Watkins Glen. The longer meandering route of 44 miles, the medium more direct route of 31 miles, and the direct "over the top" route of 27 miles. They are all beautiful, scenic routes going along mostly quiet roads. All three routes end with a glorious downhill run into Watkins Glen. We are back at the Villager Motel for our final two nights.


Day 8 Past Orchards and Vineyards - Up the East Coast of Seneca Lake, around the lake or south to Corning
Rides of 29, 35, 40, 42 and 86 miles

Seneca Lake is the deepest of the Finger Lakes, with steep sides cut by streams and waterfalls. The ~40 mile Winery Ride climbs up along Seneca's coast. . You can stop at one of the wineries for lunch (Wagner's Ginny Lee Cafe, Red Newt Winery, or Logans Run). Continue riding along the east coast of Seneca Lake and then swing up to the ridge east of Seneca. There is a 1 1/4 mile section of unpaved road on this route. The outbound of this route allows you to ride past many of Lindy's favorite wineries, where you can stop and sample their wines! Wineries are clustered along this road because of the great growing conditions here in the Finger Lakes.
There is a 29 miles option with less climb, traveling up and back along Seneca's east coast on Route 414. Or take a rest day and hike the Glen at Watkins, a wonderful series of waterfalls open to the public since 1864. Stroll downtown Watkins Glen, enjoying the bakery, antique shops and specialty stores.
This area has a wonderful history. Montour Falls itself is worth a stop, to wander through the downtown 19th century buildings at the historic "T" intersection at West Main St. We're always amazed at the circular columns made from brick. Stop by She-Qua-Ga Falls a 1/2 block to the left (south) of West Main St.
If you are energetic, you can do the circumnavigation of Seneca Lake, a ride of 86 miles.
Looking for some art and culture, ride down to Corning and visit the world famous Corning Museum of Glass, the largest in the world. Also worth visiting is the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. 42 mile round trip to CMOG.


Tonight we will regroup for our final Happy Hour and group dinner.



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