Chatham NY Lions Club Fall Foliage Ride presented by Lichen Bike Tours and OK Spoke

For the 5th year we are coming together to raise money for the Chatham Lions Club by riding bicycles! This charity fundraiser showcases the dirt and gravel roads around Chatham, NY during peak peak fall foliage. Before the end of the cycling season we want to bring people together to share an outdoors experience on a gravel route with gorgeous scenery AND raise funds for a good cause. This is one of the last big fundraisers of the year for the Lions, and the money raised helps them design next year's programs for the community. We look forward to seeing you the morning of Sunday October 13th. 

Event info is always available at https://fallfoliageride.com/. Early registration by the end of day on Tuesday, September 10th for $40. The price rises to $45 after that date. The first 100 to register will receive a free long-sleeve shirt with the Fall Foliage Ride design. For any questions not answered here, please email [email protected] 

OVERALL INFO

This is a ride, not a timed race, so we encourage riders to go at an enjoyable pace and socialize with the people around them. For some of us that means doing the longer course in under 3 hours and still being able to hold a conversation, and for others that means averaging 8-10mph and finishing the longer course in around 4 hours. The shorter route is available for folks who want to skip a few hills and still feel the adventure.

This is an excellent ride for inviting your friends, family, or partner who might not be as “into” cycling because you can go at a slower pace, stop and take photos, and trust that there will be mechanical support if anything goes wrong. There's an aid station with snacks and water refills during the ride, a free coffee or beer at the finish, plus a food truck serving hot meals at additional costs. 

PACKING LISTRiders bring: A bike with wider tires, at least 35mm width recommended. This is due to the large amount of dirt and gravel surfaces that we are climbing and descending, and we want you to feel confident on your bike throughout the whole ride.Weather appropriate layers of clothing - you'll want options at the start of the ride. For example: a vest, a long sleeve, a short sleeve, maybe a pair of light gloves and pair of heavier gloves, sunblock, sunglasses, and rain jacket. Helmet. Blinking white and red lights for the front and back of your bike, or at least a red light on the back. A flat fix kit or replacement tube that will work on your bike. Fall Foliage Ride provides: Free long-sleeve shirt for the first 100 people who register. Pre-ride hot coffee, hot apple cider, and water at the start available for all riders and families. Turn by turn signs along the roads on both routes, which means riders don't need to navigate on your phone/bike computer.Aid station with snacks and water: mile 28 on the longer route and mile 12 on the shorter route. Post-ride free coffee or beer. DAY OF THE RIDE

The start/finish of the ride is at S&S Farm Brewery (address in google maps). They are a working farm with beer brewing operations on site! https://www.sandsbrewery.com/ 

8:30am registration opens . All riders must go to the registration table to check in. Yes we do same day registration! $45 cash.9:15am final registrations and check ins. 9:30am 40 mile route starts9:45am 25 mile route starts 2pm expect most riders to finish ROUTES

Both of our 2024 routes intentionally seek out gravel roads with very little vehicle traffic. In this part of NY State, gravel surfaces means hill climbs and steep descents, so bring your wider tire diameters (recommend at least 35mm tire width). The routes stay on-road, which means there are no Class IV / singletrack sections. Our longer route takes us over the Taconics foothills and back again in 40 miles with 4300ft of climbing. Our shorter route totals 25 miles, 2200ft of climbing and it cuts out some of the hilly miles on Cemetery Rd, Schillings Crossing Rd, and Colane Rd. The shorter route re-joins the longer route near the aid station on Wadsworth Rd and both routes share the final 13 miles together, starting and ending at S & S Farm Brewery 174 Middle Rd, Nassau NY 12123. These routes are designed by Tyler Burton of Lichen Bike Tours.

Longer Route - 40 Miles 4300ft Climbing on RideWithGPS - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47751782 Shorter Route - 25 Miles 2200ft Climbing on RideWithGPS - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47847559 Strava routes coming soon…

 

The organizers of this ride are: 

Lions Club of Chatham, NYLichen Bike Tours of Hudson, NYOK Spoke local bike shop of Kinderhook, NY