New York Velo Opera Bike Tour

Cycle to New York’s Glimmerglass Opera Festival

Visit New York’s leatherstocking region, immortalized by James Fenimore Cooper with his “Leatherstocking Tales” including Last Of The Mohicans and The Deerslayer. We’ll visit museums, historic villages, farmsteads, folk art treasures, music festivals, and geological wonders that draw thousands of visitors each year.

 

Cycle to Cooperstown, the “Village of Museums” and the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as well as charming boutiques and restaurants. Explore New York’s natural wonders — cycle along historic Erie Canal, past clear lakes and rolling hills, and go underground to see majestic caverns. Visit the historic and quirky spa village of Sharon Springs, home of ” the Fabulous Beekman Boys” and their lifestyle brand, Beekman 1802. The trip’s highlight is a visit to the Glimmerglass Festival, a one-of-a-kind summer destination that blends world-class opera and musical theater with the relaxed, casual atmosphere of central New York.

 

P.S. Your guides for this special tour will be native New Yorkers and Glimmerglass fanatics, Paul Kingsbury and Lori Liskovec!

 

*This unique tour is a one-time offering, allowing you to combine some of the best cycling in upstate New York with one of the most interesting cultural events in the state. Make sure you book this tour early, because this romantic weekend will fill up quick! 

Tour Highlights

Glimmerglass Opera Festival

Howe Caverns

Historic Cooperstown, New York

Ride on the Erie Canal Trail

Lodging Options

Howe Caverns Motel

The Inn at Cooperstown

Day 1: Schenectady to Cobleskill

Meet the group in Schenectady and take a short shuttle to the beginning of your ride. We’ll take a 25-mile spin along quiet roads, finishing at the Iroquois Museum. Here you’ll have a chance to learn about the Iroquois culture and view the world’s most comprehensive collection of modern Iroquois art dating from the 1960’s to the present. After that, we’ll check into our lodging at the Howe Caverns Motel and spend some time exploring the impressive caverns for which the motel gets its name! Finish the day and get to know your travel companions with a delicious dinner in the quaint village of Cobleskill.

Day 2: Cooperstown

Riding from Howe Caverns this morning, we’ll meander westward towards Cooperstown on scenic rural, winding roads. Our 34-mile ride will wrap up with lunch at the Inn at Cooperstown, complete with its own bike shop, the Big Ring Bicycle Clubhouse. The innkeepers, who are also cyclists, have renovated an old cobbler shop, turning it into a space where guests can work on their bikes, watch cycling movies, or just kick back with a beer and talk about favorite rides. Afterwards, you might choose to take a boat ride on beautiful Otsego Lake, visit the Fenimore Art Museum or the Farmer’s Museum, then take your time strolling around bustling, historic Cooperstown – sports fans will love the National Baseball Hall of Fame! Dinner will be on your own tonight, and there are lots of options near the hotel.

Day 3: Glimmerglass Festival

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you can head out for an optional 8-mile loop around Cooperstown. (If you’re tired, feel free to take it easy and relax until the riders return!) Then we’ll depart for the main event of the tour — the Glimmerglass Festival! We’ll enjoy a fun picnic lunch on the festival grounds, enhanced with some special touches from our tour guides. Then after an informative Opera Talk we’ll experience some of the best summertime opera in the country. After the show, we’ll return to the Inn at Cooperstown, and enjoy one last dinner together.

 

Day 4: Sharon Springs to Amsterdam

Today, after exploring Sharon Springs, we’ll ride nine miles of downhill to Canajoharie, then stretch out our legs on the historic Erie Canal Trail ! Take some time to appreciate the historic bridges and locks as we pedal along the Mohawk River, then finish your tour with lunch together at the end of the ride. We’ll end up back in Schenectady where we began.

“Wonderful trip. Our guides… made it awesome. They were both super reliable and helpful. The bikes were well attended to as well. Great accommodations and service throughout the trip. Thanks.”

~Diane P., CO

Trip Information

4

Trip Length - Days

New York Finger Lakes Bike Tour
Tour Type
Mostly road, some rail trail
Active-Difficulty
Tour Rating
Active
Bike Tour Routes with Elevation gain and loss
Route Overview
10-35

Daily Mileage

Check In Location
Hampton Inn Schenectady 
Tour Area
SAG Vehicle New York Finger Lakes Bike Tour
Support & Gear Vehicle
18

Minimum Age

Meals

3 Breakfasts | 4 Lunches | 2 Dinners

Pricing
  • PP Double Occupancy

    $1640
  • Single Supplement*

    $500
  • Bike Rental

    $140

*This is required if you are traveling solo or if you are traveling with someone but require separate beds.

RESERVE ONLINE BY DATE

Select your departure date and click to reserve your bike tour!

  • 2023 Date
  • This tour is only available for private departure, please call our offices to book.

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