Bike Tour of the Adirondacks and Vermont

Meet the group in either Saratoga Spring for a courtesy shuttle, or at the home base for the night, Friends Lake Inn.  Quickly we will be on country roads leading into the Adirondacks.  Valley roads and a few short climbs will take us by babbling streams, lake views, and forested land.  Arriving at Friends Lake Inn by early afternoon, there will be time to relax and enjoy the beautiful inn.  The inn has canoes and kayaks for exploring Friends Lake, hiking trails, and a pool and sauna.

Later we'll reconvene for dinner onsite at Friends Lake Inn's acclaimed restaurant. 

It is a big ride today that takes us from the Adirondacks, across the southern end of Lake Champlain, and into southern Vermont.  Included is a short ferry that takes us from the Empire State to the Green Mountain State.  From there, the ride introduces beautiful Vermont farmland between mountain ridges.  You'll arrive in the quaint town of Brandon where you may want to grab a quick ice cream cone on the town square before checking in at the outstanding Lilac Inn a block away.  Brandon bills itself as the "Art & Soul" Village of Vermont.  It is what you might expect of a Vermont village: a vibrant, walkable center of art galleries, studios, shops and restaurants.  Pop in the Brandon Museum, which also happens to be the birthplace of Stephen A. Douglas.

As our layover day, you will have opportunities to bike a little, a lot, or not at all.  The recommended route will include beautiful Middlebury, VT, home to Middlebury College and a charming downtown area.  Along the way, pass through a covered bridge, and take a short walk to a beautiful waterfall.   In the village center is the cascading falls of Otter Creek, where the town grew around a series of water driven mills.  Pause here for lunch on your own at any of the many downtown Middlebury options, including the historic Marble Works.  Amongst the beautiful stone and marble, you’ll find an eclectic mix of businesses, including restaurants, and River Front park, which offers the best view of Middlebury’s falls.  You may also opt to hammer your way back to Brandon for lunch there.

Back in Brandon, take some time to browse local shops and relax on the grounds of the Lilac Inn.

Leaving Brandon behind, we'll pedal south through gorgeous Vermont countryside on our way to Manchester.   If you are a fan of covered bridges, this is your day!  At least 4 of them will be included in your route.  Also along the way, you will pass through Vermont marble country.  The Vermont Marble Museum is on the route so that you can learn more about the importance of local marble industry and see creative works that have been carved into marble over the years.  Late afternoon, you'll reach the upscale tourist town of Manchester in time to explore retail opportunities and museums.  Dinner is included at the spectacular Reluctant Panther restaurant nearby.

Today we bicycle to Saratoga Springs from Manchester.  The route will follow the Batten Kill River part of the way.  The Batten Kill River Valley is a favorite area for local cyclists.  Beautiful rolling farmland greets us as we return to New York, then cross the Hudson River on the way to Saratoga Springs.  On the way, take a break at the Saratoga Monument.   It contains large bronze plaques of stylized views of the Revolution.  The Monument was built in 1877-1888 and dedicated in 1912 to commemorate where the British General Burgoyne surrendered.  A ranger is available for brief talks at the monument, now part of Saratoga National Historical Park.  The talk and the climb up and down the 155-foot granite monument totals about 30 minutes.  The view from the top offers a perspective of the farmlands and countryside where the Continental Army battled and the history of the world took a sharp turn towards liberty.

Saratoga Springs is a booming town famous for horse racing.  “Health, History, Horses” is the town slogan.  Health in the healing mineral waters, history includes the Battles of Saratoga, and horses at the Saratoga Race Track.  There are 17 public mineral springs which offer naturally carbonated, mineral-rich waters famed for their health benefits.  By the mid-1800s, healing springs tourism led to the growth of Saratoga Springs.  Today, one location for mineral baths is the Roosevelt Baths at Saratoga Spa State Park, certainly an option after a long bike ride!

Dinner tonight will be a short walk away in downtown Saratoga Springs.

Our loop ride today takes us to Saratoga National Battlefield Park.  You may want to take in the Visitors Center.  After breakfast, we will take a ride through nearby rolling countryside.  Along the way, we will pedal though the Saratoga Battlefield on the banks of the Hudson River.  Visit the National Park Service visitor center for insight into the events that took place here in 1777.

As always, showers and lunch will be provided before departure.  Shuttle available to Albany International Airport for those flying.