Anyone want to share their favorite rides around LP that do not include riding the IM loop (forward or backward)? Looking to keep it max 60 miles - heading up with the family, staying near town. Thanks.
There are some GREAT rides in and around Lake Placid other than the IM course. Not sure where you’re staying but assuming you’re in or around LP village … there are some great rides on the other side of Whiteface Mt. You can get there by riding out of the LP village on Rt 86 towards Saranac. Stop at Placid Planet Bike shop…it’s right on your way out of town towards Saranac on Rt 86. They have several routes mapped out with different distances.
When I was there for IM LP in July, a few of us rode out 86 to Saranac and around the back of Whiteface and came in about 200 yards down from the toll gate to the top of Whiteface (5 mile climb from there). Rode to the top of Whiteface and then back down to the bottom where you join up with Rt 86 again (take a right hand turn onto Rt 86) and then 10 miles back to town (this is part of the IM course). It was a great ride. You can find some roads back there and not see any cars or houses for miles and miles.
Enjoy !!!
Go anywhere west. Just make a note that there is not a whole heck of a lot out there. I lived in Saranac Lake for 3.5 years, and saw lots of really cool stuff out on rides including moose, bear, etc. Very few cars, and there really are not any climbs to speak of (most of the roads go around the mountains). Very nice rides though. If the Saranac Lake bakery still does this (the one attached to the hotel where they also have a culinary school); they sell all their fresh baked goods at 1/2 price for the last 15 minutes of the day (they closed at 3pm). If you time it right with a ride, it is a nice treat at the end, and a real motivator if you are lagging behind.
Stephen J
If you have a cross bike you could ride most of the Wilmington/Whiteface Leadville 100 Qualifying course. Placid Planet also lists a few “gravel grinder” type rides too. The Wilmington/Whiteface course is 100k but you could pass up the single track and the grind up Whiteface Mountain…several decent climbs on this route.