I'm planning a short trip ( 3-4 days ) in the finger lakes region, looking for suggestions on where to ride, places to see and stay. Need to get away before the winter and work starts again, leaving from long island ny and not so concerned with the ride there as much as just being there and enjoying the region.
Ron
Watkins Glen is an awesome ride, beautiful scenery that challenges some of our Colorado sites. Senca Lake is also a great ride, very large lake... take the ride that circles it (it'll take a couple of hours).... if you have time anywhere in the Adirondacks Mountain is also good.
Several years ago I spent a week touring that area. Here are some highlights:
- Stayed at the Hampton in Corning. Out near the highway but has every thing you need.
- Spent several days at the Corning Museum of Glass. This is a must see and don't forget the local flavor bars in old towntown Corning.
- Another must see is the Glenn Curtiss Aviation Museum in Hammondsport. A fine collection of his aviation and motorcycle experiments.
- While touring around Seneca Lake I found dozens of nice wineries open for tastings and horrible pot holed roads at the north ends. The wines are very New York, so don't expect Napa Valley. The crisp white wines are really nice while sitting on their deck overlooking the lake.
Did a ride there in 2003, it was a lot of fun. Great riding.
US 20 across to Buffalo / Niagara is a nice ride, if you want to brave the tourists at the falls.
+1 on the Corning Glass museum and Glenn Curtiss museum.
The Harley dealer in Corning was very helpful when I needed some parts, but I understand they are under new ownership now.
The last time I was on NY17, it was under perpetual construction. That was 2 years ago on the way to New England.
BnEUC
We were up there a few years ago...Can't add much to what has been said...
http://www.fingerlakes.org/ (http://www.fingerlakes.org/)
i did a 3 day around lake seneca in june. great roads. check into the bike packages at the holiday inn- waterloo, ny.
Ron,
I live at the north end of Seneca Lake. I would start at Ithaca and head north to Trumansburg and Taugannock Falls. From there I would head to Watkins Glen and visit the gorge. Then it would be on to Hammondsport and the Glen Curtis museum (see above). From there you could venture South to Corning or head over to Naples for some grape pie at one of the many stands that sell them. Then you could head North again along side of one of the Finger Lakes. A little to the West and you'd find yourself at Harriet Hollister Park with a elevated view of Honeoye Lake. Just West of Honeoye is Hemlock Lake, which has an active bald eagle nest nearby. Then stop by Geneva and buy me a beer. Just kidding. Shoot me an email if you'd like specific roads to ride. I ride all these roads ALL the time.
Mark
My better half and I love the WatkinsGlen and Seneca lake area. Try to make it up there once a year. At Watkins Glen walk the gorge trail it is just beautifull, do some wine tasting, there is a nice place at the edge of town right on the lake that serves a nice meal at a decent price. [cant think of the name] For around $10 you can get a 45 min boat tour with history lesson of the lake. Nice ride all the way up and around the lake, on the one side is a big waterfall that goes under the road. Not far from Cornning and the glass museum. I really cant say much about the other lakes as I spend more time around Seneca that I havent gotten to explore the other ones.
There's a ton of wineries, you can stop at any and sample differnet wines for free (at most of them). That is if you indulge. Senca Lake, Cayuga, Keuka, there's all great rides just bring a map and explore.
Thanks all for the replies, lot of good ideas, going to head up the 2nd week in Sept. Going to just kinda wing it, no reservations or definite plans, drive, find a place to stay and go from there. Will hit the Corning and Glenn Curtis for sure. Thanks
Ron
Quote from: hd06myway on August 12, 2009, 05:58:26 PM
There's a ton of wineries, you can stop at any and sample differnet wines for free (at most of them). That is if you indulge. Senca Lake, Cayuga, Keuka, there's all great rides just bring a map and explore.
oh yeah, forgot about that! Hammondsport still got the Taylor & Great Western wineries? Also recall a nice one up around Waterloo somewhere's.
Another :up: for the Glenn Curtiss museum.
If you want any company for part of your ride, gimme a holler.
Thinking of riding up the side of Lake Seneca on the way to Niagra Falls from Pa. Would like to hear some opinions on which side. Route 14 or 414?
are you kidding... you must...must...must check out this place. One of the most scenic places in the eastern U.S.
http://nyfalls.com/letchworth-main.html (http://nyfalls.com/letchworth-main.html)
Contact Information:
1 Letchworth State Park
Castile, NY 14427
Phone:
(585) 493-3600
Reservations:
(800) 456-2267[/size]