Before the best bike tours increase in price or sell out, cyclists looking for an epic autumn adventure should sign up for one of these 10 organized bike rides. Even if you're not an avid cyclist, this guide offers plenty of easy, intermediate and advanced routes that take you through some of the most beautiful country in the Northeast.
Golden Apple Ride | Westchester, NY
When: Sept. 1st
Cost: $55 through August 30th; $65/day of tickets available
Why: Independent riders will be inspired to do more group rides and experienced group riders will want to join the Westchester Cycle Club, which originally started the Golden Apple ride 32 years ago. Choose from 25, 50, 75 or 100 mile-routes, plus a Hill Climb Time Trail and a Dirty Apple Metric Century for the off-roaders. The Golden Apple is a well-organized ride that delivers a lot of bang for your bike buck, from the superb SAG support and refuel stations to the backdrop of horse farms and spectacular estates to the post-ride gourmet lunch, homemade gelato and free massage. If you love to ride, there isn't a better way to spend Labor Day weekend.
How to get there: Take Metro North to Golden's Bridge Station. The ride starts at Best Plumbing, Tile and Stone in Somers NY, an 8-minute bike ride from the station. Visit the site for ride maps and more info.
Bike the River Valley | Hudson Valley, NY
When: Sept. 15th
Cost: $100
Why: The Hudson Valley is a cyclist's paradise, if you know which roads to follow. Leave the route--choose from 35, 70, and 100 miles--to bike tour god Glen Goldstein and just enjoy the ride. Bike the River Valley begins and finishes at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, where a massage and all-you-can-eat meal awaits your return. A few pedal strokes into the ride, you'll feel like you're in big sky country as you roll by vast fields of gold and green, and shout, "horse up!" on the occasion your head isn't turned to marvel at the wide open views.
How to get there: Transportation can be provided for riders. Check the site for details.
Highlander Cycle Tour | Finger Lakes, NY
When: Sept. 6-7
Cost:$65/adult and $25/kids under 16 through August 31
Why: Wine not? This annual tour benefits several local charities and features all kinds of rides, from a vineyard-hopping Corkscrew Century to the Mountaineer with 9,000 feet of climbing over 105 miles to much shorter distances. If you've never been to the Finger Lakes, and even if you have, you'll appreciate this stunning region from a whole new vantage point. Register before September 1 and receive some sweet schwag along with a post-ride feast.
How to get there: Though there are several options (Greyhound, Amtrak) for getting to nearby towns like Buffalo, Geneva, Rochester and Syracuse, you'd do best to consult oM's guide to renting a hybrid in NYC to get to the startling line at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort.
The 6th Annual Tour de Farms | Shoreham, VT
When: Sept. 15, 9:30am - 3:00pm
Cost: $28/adult, $13/kids under 16
Why: Bring a friend and an appetite on this two-wheeled culinary cruise through farm country. Ride a 10 or 30-mile loop around Shoreham and Orwell, relaxing with baby cows and tasting cheese, tomatoes, fruit, maple products, sausages, apple cider and much more along the way. There's also a two-mile "Tricycle Route" for walking and biking with youngsters.
How to get there: Take Amtrak's Adirondack line to Ticonderoga, NY. The ticket costs $72 one way. To get to Shoreham, hop the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry $2/one way with your bike.
19th Annual Escape NY | Manhattan and Beyond
When: Sept. 21 at 7am
Cost: $40 until midnight 8/25
Why: The only transportation you'll need are your two wheels. Meet on the Upper West Side, have a muffin, and embark on a fun 25, 50, 65, 0r 100-mile ride with the New York Cycle Club and fellow bike enthusiasts. Zip through familiar territory along the Hudson River, up to Piermont and into Bergen and Rockland Counties. Expect fully-loaded refueling stations on each route and a pedal party back in Manhattan with sandwiches and ice cream. Just for registering, you could win things like a VBT Tuscany By the Sea Bike Tour and a Jamis Xenith road bike.
How to get there: Meet at Sakura Park at West 122 St. & Riverside Drive, across from Grant's Tomb.
Twin Lights Bike Ride | Highlands, NJ
When: Sept. 29th
Cost: $65/adult, $35/kids under 14 until Sept. 24
Why: You'll ferry away from Manhattan towards a 30, 55, 75, or a 100-mile course through off the beaten path spots like the Turkey Swamp Wildlife Area and the coastal towns of Spring Lake, Sea Girt and Brielle. After biking by beaches, funky homes, wild animals, and pumpkin-speckled signs of fall, you'll want to take a photo with your bike at the 150-year-old Twin Lights Lighthouse atop the Navesink Highlands. Then unclip your helmet at Huddy Park, grab your free t-shirt, and chow down on some fresh local seafood and pie at the post-ride festival.
How to get there: Bike New York has chartered two ferries to take riders from NYC (Pier 11 in Manhattan) to Highlands, NJ on the morning of the ride. Ferries depart Pier 11 at 6:30AM and 8:30AM. Roundtrip tickets ($55) are available when registering.
Bicycling Magazine's Fall Classic | Trexlertown, PA
When: Oct. 06 at 8am
Cost: From $35/10 miles up to $95/90 miles
Why: If it's not enough incentive that you'll be shifting gears next to the editors of Bicycling and retired pro cyclist George Hincapie, consider this: travel-worthy terrain with farms, forests and rolling hills, a Roubaix-style victory lap around the "T-Town" velodrome track, and a post-ride celebration with lunch, free beer, live music, massages, and prizes. Choose from 10, 25, 50 or 90 mile routes on Bicycling's favorite roads in Eastern Pennsylvania.
How to get there: Consult oM's guide to renting Hybrids. Consider arriving on Saturday for Velofest, the country's largest outdoor cycling flea market, at The Valley Preferred Cycling Center (pictured), where the ride starts and ends on Sunday. To get to the center from New York City, take I-78 West to Exit 49A (Route 100 South). Follow Route 100 South past the 3rd traffic light and turn right onto Route 222 South/Route 100 South. Get into the left lane and make a left turn at the next traffic light onto Cetronia Road. Take the second right turn onto Mosser Road and follow .4 miles to the Velodrome, located on the left side of the road.
Grand Isle Bike Tour | South Hero, VT
When: October 7, 10:30am - 2:30pm
Cost: $45/adult, $35/17 and under
Why: Locals will agree that the best way to explore Vermont is by bike. And if you only have a weekend to spare, this 15-mile loop covers a lot of ground as you'll visit a vineyard, farm, art gallery and cafe during the short but sweet tour, which includes all tastings and lunch.
How to get there: Ride Amtrak ($65/one way) 7 hours to Plattsburgh, NY. Hop the Grand Isle ferry ($4.75) 25 minutes to South Hero, VT. The starting line is at Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery.
Peak Season Century | Lake George, NY
When: October 12
Cost: $100
Why: Benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, this is an all around feel good ride, from the cause to the beautiful course through the Adirondacks and around Lake George. Climbers will love both the 60 and 100-mile routes, and will be well-rewarded with lunch at Ticonderoga, a cool commemorative t-shirt, and a post ride party featuring live bands, massages, and catering by Chipotle.
How to get there: There are multiple transit options forreaching Lake George, including Amtrak, Greyhound, and Adirondack Trailways. Head to visitlakegeorge.com for specific directions.
Shenandoah Fall Foliage Bike Festival | Staunton, VA
When: October 18-20
Cost: $85/adult, $15/17 and under through Sept. 30
Why: In its 23rd year, the Shenandoah Fall Foliage Bike Festival is the quintessential autumn ride. The leaves will have turned all colors of the fall rainbow, there are 13 routes from 10 to 100 miles to choose from, the roads feel car-free, and the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains are a sight to behold. With your bike festival admission, enjoy discounts to local attractions like the Black Friars Theater, Grand Caverns, and much more. Explore Downtown Staunton's "Red Brick District" for arts and eats and a good night's sleep at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, which is offering a special rate of $142/night to festival cyclists.
How to get there: Take Amtrak to Staunton Station, a 4-minute bike ride to the hotel. The train ride is 8 hours and a one-way ticket is $86.
For more car-free fall adventures near NYC, visit offMetro.com.
--Lauren Matison
Photos: Chris Howell, WCC, Bonnie Gustin, The Valley Preferred Cycling Center