Friday, February 12, 2010

Great Places to Ride Your Bike in New York

By PJ Williams

When most people think of New York, they probably think of the city. But there is so much more to the state than large cities. Upstate New York has some of the most beautiful country to be found anywhere in the United States. It comes as no surprise that bike trails abound here. Let's look at some of the absolute best bike trails in New York. We'll start with something easy and work up to those trails that are for the experienced biker.

If you are new to cycling, the Auburn Fleming Trail in Auburn, NY is a great place to start. This trail began its life at a railroad track. It is a short ride in biking terms (only 3 miles long), but there is tremendous scenery from start to finish. The only caution with this trail is that its inherent popularity makes it a bit crowded with other riders and pedestrians.

Mason Lake of Speculator, New York is the perfect network of trails for the beginner. It is 6 miles of old logging road that has been opened up for mountain biking. The gravel trail is kept well-maintained, has lots of great scenery, and isn't widely traveled. So, it's perfect for a leisurely ride in solitude or with friends and family.

Grab your camera and head to Weedsport. The Erie Canal/Cayuga Country Trail System offers one of the more distinctive trails in New York. Stretching from Buffalo to Albany, this trail follows the Erie Canal towpath. This trail is mostly rolling hills and the most scenic spots are actually flat. There are many paths leading on an off the trail throughout the 15 miles of track so you can customize your ride.

The Ninham Mountain trail is a 15-miles loop near Carmel, New York. There is something here for everyone, but since there are no maps of the area, it might be best to ride with someone who knows the trail. You absolutely must climb the old Ninham Mountain fire tower for incredible views of Catskills!

If you enjoy the well paved paths often provided by popular ski resorts, you will love the Dryer Road bike trails of Victor. There are so many options with these paths that you will not get bored. They often add new bike paths throughout the season, so this is a favorite among regulars. There is plenty to practice on with s-turns, descents and great cut backs.

The Hither Woods trails of Montauk, New York are for the more experienced biker. There are over 40 miles of extremely scenic trails on 3,000 acres of park land, so it is highly recommended that you get a map of the area so you do not get lost. Not all the trails are well-marked. There are five different trail heads and each trail has something different to offer. Most of the trails are packed sand and relatively narrow and tight with lots of up and down action. So, be especially careful near the cliffs or water. Be prepared for a challenge!

Hopefully we've covered a trail here that interests you. These trails also represent a wide variety of areas in New York. No matter what part of the state you find yourself in, there's always a great place to ride!

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