Schroon's Starring Role in Cycle Adirondacks
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By Doug Haney, Co-Director, Cycle Adirondacks
Those familiar with road cycling in the Schroon Lake region know all about the incredible 1-Eye Classic fall tour, the challenge and beauty of the Grand Loop, and, of course, the countless routes that link with Brant Lake’s own “The Hub” bike shop and bar.
Yep, the area has all that and then some. But this summer, the “then some” includes none other than one of North America’s premier cycling tours – Cycle Adirondacks.
Celebrating Schroon Lake
Known as the ultimate cycling vacation, Cycle Adirondacks is an award-winning, fully supported, road-cycling tour that has quickly become a national leader in bicycle tourism. Why?
Simple. With Cycle Adirondacks, it’s all about the communities. And that’s exactly why the 2017 tour is spending two consecutive nights in each of three overnight host communities. The first two, August 19 and 20, are right here in Schroon Lake.
For those two days, the Schroon Lake Central School athletic fields will become a tent city filled with cyclists arriving from over 35 different states and provinces, many of which will utilize local lodging while in town.
But remember when I said it’s all about community? Both evenings will feature free live community entertainment on the Schroon Lake waterfront thanks to the wonderful owners of the Wood’s Lodge property. The venue is complete with a wine and beer garden showcasing fine New York craft beer from Good Nature Farm Brewery and local favorite Paradox Brewery.
Local Scene, Local Fun
We know our cyclists are going to have a great time on the roads, but we also know that the best connections and memories happen through conversations with the great people of places like Schroon Lake. Especially when there’s a beer garden.
The beer garden opens each day at 3 p.m., but things really kick into action at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, when the Willie Playmore Band takes the stage for a two-hour set loaded with all of your sing-out-loud classic rock favorites. These guys played for Cycle Adirondacks in a torrential downpour last summer during an overnight in Ticonderoga, but that didn’t stop the crowd from puddle stomping up some Smoke on the Water.
The free community entertainment continues on Sunday, August 20, at 7 p.m. with New York state school superintendent by day turned physical comedian and juggler by night Stephen Gratto. His performances are fast-paced and exciting displays of juggling, unicycling, rope walking, object balancing, and many other feats of daring, bravery, and “side-splitting foolishness.”
My family has seen Stephen and his sons — Schuyler (17), Gabriel (14), and Christian (11) — perform numerous times at Saranac Lake’s annual New Year’s Eve Celebration. We can testify to witnessing all of the above, even the bravery.
Now, are you ready for the coolest element of Cycle Adirondacks? Good. I thought so.
The event is designed to give back to each of its host communities. In Schroon Lake, we’re helping our camp (AKA Schroon Lake Central School) create a farm-to-table program complete with chicken coop and garden beds.
But What About The Cycling?
Oh right, the cycling. So, here’s the thing about Cycle Adirondacks. It’s basically a cruise ship for people who love to ride bicycles. When they say “fully supported,” they really mean it. The only thing Cycle Adirondacks guests are responsible for is riding their bikes and having fun, which is very easy to do when riding a bike. Plus these amazing amenities:
- Three locally sourced gourmet meals each day
- Complete route support
- Daily entertainment
- Mechanical and medical team
- As few as three or as many as six incredible riding days
- Wellness services (massage therapy and yoga)
- Hot showers and clean restrooms
- Unique interactive science program
- And surprises!
When they say surprises, they mean…wait a tick. Let’s not give too much away. What I can do is show you our cycling routes in and around Schroon Lake. Check out these gems.
From Schroon Lake, the tour rolls northward to the heart of the Adirondack High Peaks in Keene Valley and onward to the birthplace of Cycle Adirondacks, also known as Saranac Lake, before the tour returns to Schroon Lake. But remember, every single night of the tour features free public entertainment, so whether you’re cycling with the tour or not, you can still be a part of the show.
Cycle Adirondacks' mission is to grow and support bicycle tourism in New York’s Adirondacks. Its flagship event is an annual award winning, fully supported, weeklong road cycling tour. The 2017 weeklong tour is scheduled for August 19-25, with a start and finish location of Schroon Lake and overnight stops in Keene Valley and Saranac Lake. Now in its third year, the event is recognized as one of the most well organized, most amenity-rich, all-inclusive, fun, and relaxing bicycle tours in North America.
