Road Cycling Routes

Cycling in the Adirondack Mountains

The Whiteface Region is home to countless miles of beautiful country roads, perfect for road cycling during your spring vacation in the Adirondacks. There are so many miles and combinations of roadways for riding, it’s impossible to get to them all in a single visit to the area. Whether you're training for one of the area's races, want to challenge yourself on steep climbs in the mountains, or enjoy a more casual ride through picturesque valleys, there is a route here for every cyclist.

Two cyclists ride up Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway with the mountains in the background.

Plan a biking vacation in the Adirondacks

The Adirondacks is the ideal place for your next cycling vacation. Heading out of Wilmington in any direction will yield a fantastic road cycling experience with many options and varying degrees of difficulty to choose from. To the west, riders can climb over the shoulder of Whiteface Mountain and eventually arrive in Saranac Lake. To the east, riders gradually descend into the Ausable Valley. To the north, you will find the seldomly-driven roads of Taylor Pond and Silver Lake. To the south, following the legendary Ausable River through the Wilmington Notch, lies the village of Lake Placid.

Stay close at one of our lovely inns or charming B&Bs.

A man and woman walk their bicycles on a covered bridge.

Peak performance and the most scenic training rides

If competition is your cup of tea, you’ve come to the right place. The Whiteface Region plays host to many road cycling events each year.

The Whiteface Mountain Uphill Road Race is a unique event that draws riders from all over the northeast annually. This climb takes riders 3,647 vertical feet from the start to just below the summit of New York's fifth-highest peak. There is also an annual road race hosted by Team Placid Planet that takes riders on a beautiful circuit along Silver Lake Road, which offers some of the best views in the area.

Cyclists ride down a road with a giant mountain in the background.

The internationally famous Ironman Lake Placid also comes through the area on its 112-mile course each July. Ride the Ironman loop for the wonderful scenery, and don't worry if you'd rather take your time.

Whether you are signing up, supporting your friends, or just spectating, these events are great reasons to visit the Whiteface Region. With a beautiful set of roadways surrounded by mountains, lakes, and rivers, you'll experience an Adirondack biking vacation and adventure unlike any other.

Bike safety and road etiquette

Just as we share beaches and hiking trails, we share roadways, too. We want everyone to have a fun, safe time in the Adirondacks, whether you're on a Cervelo, Schwinn, or cruising in your minivan. Here are some rules of the road and suggestions to ensure everyone has fun, safely.

Bicycles are considered vehicles just like cars and obey the same laws.
Cyclists may ride two or more abreast if space is available but must go single file when being overtaken by a vehicle.
Cyclists should ride as close to the right-side edge/curb as possible, but they are not required to ride in a designated bike lane or shoulder if it is not safe to do so (condition of pavement, too narrow, etc.)
Bicycles are not required to travel at a minimum speed.

To learn more about these rules, visit our page on Politely Adirondack Bike Safety.