After a picnic lunch, we’ll stop at Watkins Glen State Park for a gorgeous hike through the deep narrow gorge. The 200’ cliffs surround the rushing stream that falls two miles through the park. The easy path takes us over and under numerous waterfalls and quiet pools. It’s a welcome cool and shady respite from the day’s ride.

We’ll overnight at a B&B on a hill overlooking the lake. Take a dip in our private pool while our guides prepare a wonderful dinner for you. 47 miles.

DAY 3: Today we cross over to Keuka Lake, curiously but naturally shaped like roads that wind through fertile farmland. You’ll undoubtedly pass a few horse-drawn carriages, as this area is home to many Amish and Mennonite families.

You’ll have a couple ride options, depending on how much energy you have left. Then we’ll overnight at another beautiful inn. Be sure to take a minute after dinner to sit on the mansion’s porch and admire the stunning view of Keuka Lake before you. 35 or 48 miles.

DAY 4: We’ll finish our tour by biking past cabbage fields and more vineyards back to Seneca Lake. We’ll enjoy one last picnic lunch together in Geneva before saying our farewells. Then we’ll shuttle you back to Rochester by 2:00pm. 23 miles.

Imagine vistas of sapphire blue lakes between verdant, vineyard-covered hills, quiet roads with smooth, wide shoulders, and village stores selling homemade grape pies. This is New York’s Finger Lakes region. Glacial advances in the Ice Age carved the 11 parallel lakes out of sedimentary rock. Folklore says a giant bear walked among the forests to create the fresh-water fjords. Today the area serves as a backdrop for some wonderful cycling. We consider it the backyard of the WomanTours office, and we’re proud to show you what we think is one of the best-kept cycling secrets in the country.

DAY 1: We meet at the beautiful Belhurst Castle in Geneva, NY. Come dressed and ready to bike for our orientation at 1:00pm. Then we’ll conduct a rental bike fitting and have our first bike ride. Geneva is an old college town on the shores of Seneca Lake. The first female medical doctor graduated from here in 1849

We’ll bike to the edge of Cayuga Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes and then onto the town of Seneca Falls. It’s home to the Women’s Rights Historical Park where Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton began the national crusade for women’s suffrage. You’ll have time to learn about this fascinating bit of American history at the small museum.

You can also visit the Women’s National Hall of Fame and walk the main street of this cute town that claims to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls in the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life.

After cycling back to Geneva and a quick shower, we’ll enjoy dinner together at the fascinating castle. History buffs can learn about the man who first lived there under an alias and whose true identity as the embezzler of the Covent Garden Theater in London wasn’t learned until long after his death. 27 miles.

DAY 2: We’ll have a hearty breakfast and then bike down the length of Seneca Lake. Named after the Indian tribe that still inhabits the area, Seneca Lake is the deepest of all the Finger Lakes. At more than 600’ deep, it’s used for testing submarines, and the locals joke that whales live in it. It’s also lined with numerous wineries and you’ll have plenty of time to stop for tastings of the area’s famous dry Rieslings along the way.