Bikes and Brews Around The Finger Lakes
Come with us to this little corner of the world between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake, just north of Watkins Glen, New York.
You’ll be greeted by farmland and sprawling vineyards on one side and the majesty of Seneca Lake on the other. There’s little traffic and you sense that all around you the world has finally slowed down.
This is what our Seneca Lake Bike Tour is all about.
Watkins Glen
Coming from our HQ in Pennsylvania, our gateway to the Finger Lakes is always Watkins Glen.
This town is truly something special, and we’re lucky to spend some quality time there on our Seneca Lake Back Roads & Brews Tour.
The most obvious point of attraction for Watkins Glen is the spectacular hike through the gorge in Watkins Glen State Park. This park is nothing short of amazing, and my first visit here left me speechless. As you traverse the stone paths that lead you further into what feels like the center of the earth, you’re rewarded with these incredibly peaceful moments of epic natural beauty.
As you spend more time in Watkins Glen, you start to see that there’s so much more to it than you first expect.
For example, just outside of town is the beautiful Lake Side Park. On any given summer day you’ll see plenty of people picnicking against the backdrop of the lake, and at sunset you can watch the lake “catch fire” with the reds and oranges and yellows of the setting sun.
It’s moments like those when you know you’ve really arrived on your vacation.
In town you have your pick of excellent local eateries ranging from delicious pub fare all the way to some excellent Thai cuisine. (Shoutout to Thai Elephants on 4th Street… So good!)
On Day 2 of our tour we’ll have the chance to take a relaxing afternoon lake boat cruise around Seneca Lake. I don’t know about you, but ferrying around a glacial lake on a sunny summer afternoon is the epitome of relaxation.
The Lodge at Grist Iron Brewing
This 4-day vacation is what we call a “Hub and Spoke” tour, meaning we stay at the same place each night (yay you only have to unpack once!).
For our Seneca Lake Gravel Tour, that place is The Lodge at Grist Iron Brewing.
This is the only lodging in the region with a microbrewery on-site. During your entire stay you have easy access to some of the best beer and BBQ in FLX, and the views from the rooms and the brewery are even better.
Luckily, I have firsthand experience with just about all the food and beer Grist Iron has to offer (a noble quest that I was happy to undertake) and this place really has something for everyone and the quality and service is top tier.
Seneca Lake Bike Tour
The riding around Seneca Lake, and specifically around the Finger Lakes National Forest, is characterized by scenic views, rural farm roads, and hard-packed gravel roads.
Our Seneca Lake tour is more of a road bike tour with the occasional dirt road and rail trail. Most of our time is spent on back roads, and the dirt roads we ride on are well-maintained and free of that chunky, loose gravel that you’ll see on more intense gravel routes.
On Day 3 we’ll ride the Black Diamond Trail into Ithaca. For my skiers out there, don’t let the name of the trail fool you! The Black Diamond Trail is 8 miles of gradual downhill trail riding that allows you to coast most of the way without having to pedal hard or be hard on your brakes.
Planning a Biking Vacation to the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region is a really unique area both culturally and ecologically. Everywhere you go the lush landscape is punctuated by breathtaking lakes, waterfalls, and gorges.
The history surrounding the region is just as impressive, and its reputation as a viticultural area is awesome to experience firsthand. Our Seneca Lake Bike Tour is hands-down one of the best ways to explore what the Finger Lakes has to offer. Each day is a new adventure both on and off the bike, and each night is spent at one of the area’s best breweries.
If you’ve never been to FLX, this is the place to start! Who knows? This might become your new favorite vacation destination!
Wilderness Voyageurs Bike Tours operates Inn-to-Inn Bicycling Vacations across the United States.
If you want to experience the sights, sounds, culture, and geography of a place, what better way than from the saddle of your bike?
All Wilderness Voyageurs tours are fully supported with a Support-and-Gear vehicle and include beautiful routes through stunning landscape, excellent food and accommodations, top rate equipment, and dedicated and enthusiastic guides.
Give our wonderful reservations staff a call to book your next bike tour vacation (800) 272-4141