Road Cycling
Scenic Routes for Every Rider
With leisure routes along lakeshores to famous cycling races, the Adirondacks are a haven for bicyclists looking to have a beautiful backdrop while they recreate. Explore possible routes, the regions they run through, and events meant just for cycling enthusiasts.
Cycling Through the Adirondack Regions
Lake Placid
Whether you’re cruising casually alongside the Ausable River or doing the cycling portion of the world-famous Lake Placid IRONMAN, experiencing this region and its scenery can best be done by bike. The views come with access to bike shops in town so that you can rest assured that nothing can stop your cycling getaway. Be sure to share the road responsibly!
Lake Champlain Region
Through scenic farmlands and lakeside byways, the Lake Champlain Region offers views and wonderful road cycling opportunities. The roads here are quiet, the shoulders are wide, and the views of both bodies of water and high mountains makes this region a pleasure to cycle through.
Experience Our Adirondacks
Quiet backroads and small towns make this region exceptional for cycling. There are long, flat courses and hilly loops to choose from. Along the way, stopping by the roadside ice cream stands, historic sites like small-town museums, and cafes can really make a ride with a core memory.
Whiteface Region
The Whiteface Region puts on a handful of tough road races each year, including some that ascend the Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway. There are also a variety of road loops that beginners can find fun in. Because of the mountainous terrain, this region is also a great option for intermediate to advanced riders looking to get in a good amount of elevation gain.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake sits at the center of the Rail Trail, which has a paved portion right in town that pairs well with several different road loop options. With loop options that range from a quick morning ride around Moody Pond to a couple dozen miles traversing Norman Ridge, you can plan a day around a specific cycling objective, or make riding a nice little slice of your day.
Adirondack Hub
The rides in the Hub involve lots of wilderness, expansive scenery, and opportunity for long loops from town. These quiet and winding roads are engaging for all riders, and long-time cyclists will particularly enjoy the trip planning, engaging hills, and solidarity that this region brings. Short and sweet routes are an option, too, along picturesque lakes and ponds.
Tupper Lake
With the popularity of the Tupper Lake Tinman, a renowned triathlon, it's no surprise that the region has incredible road cycling opportunities. Take it from the top tier athletes that come here to train and compete in the Tinman each year. Relaxing rides, multi-day loops, and even hopping onto the Adirondack Rail Trail, are just some of the ways to enjoy biking in Tupper Lake
Frequently Asked Questions
Our springs, summers, and falls offer the best road conditions for road cycling. During spring, cycling affords the perfect opportunity to get out of the high elevation hiking trails and do an activity that doesn’t harm the environment. Cycling during the fall can also be one of the best ways to experience the colorful foliage.
In towns like Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, specialized shops meant just for cyclists are there for your convenience.
You can rent road bikes at many places in the Adirondacks! Placid Planet in Lake Placid, Silver Birch Bicycles in Saranac Lake, and High Peaks Cyclery in Lake Placid are popular options, just to name a few. You can even rent e-bikes to take out to spots like the Adirondack Rail Trail.
Across the Adirondacks, you’ve got Ride for the River in the Whiteface Region, The Weekender in Saranac Lake, and Bike the Barns in the Lake Champlain Region.