North Carolina To Central New York Trip
 

Hello All,

Planning a trip from the Charlotte, NC area to Bridgeport, NY 3rd week of June to visit family now that I'm retired and wanted input from the group on good secondary roads, places to see, chow to eat along the way. Planning on 2 days travel each way. A buddy once recommended Highway 219 up thru WV, PA into Western NY, but I wanted a range of options. Going to do some day rides once up there, Lake Placid, Etc. Any good tips?

Thank,
Frank

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I'm in N Central PA, and yes, there are lots of things to stop & see, but everything I'd suggest in PA is maybe a little further west than where you're headed. Letchworth State Park is a must-see also. It's in NY, but again, maybe further west than where you're going. Great riding around the Finger Lakes which are closer to Bridgeport. Do you know where you'll be entering PA? Do Google searches on these attractions, and then you can decide for yourself if they're too far west. PA Grand Canyon, Kinzua Bridge State Park, Kinzua Dam, Letchworth State Park in NY. I can give you route numbers also for nice rides. How far west you gonna be on your trip north?

Thanks GG,
I've been looking at taking 219 up to Olean then 417 East to 13 which would take me past my old stomping grounds of Chittenango. I like that area near the Finger Lakes.

Letchworth State Park and the Finger Lakes are an absolute must if you're going to be close. Letchworth has multiple falls, awesome canyons and is absolutely gorgeous! If your a race fan, Watkins Glen is in a great stretch of towns, including Hammondsport and Ithaca, along the bottom of the Finger Lakes. Great towns to stop and have a bite to eat or just chill out on Keuka or Seneca Lake. We hit Ithaca at least 5-6 times a year. Great little town with 2 colleges and a cool little farmers market on Saturday.

You're going to love upstate ny. There are so many twisty roads along with beautiful scenery. It funny that most people not from here consider all of ny to be city or something but in reality, 90% of the state is wilderness. Try sticking to two lane roads and staying off the highways and you'll love it. Have fun and ride safe on your trip.

Some ideas- Gettysburg is on US 15. Take 22-322 towards State College, Pa. Take the 144 and or the 44 north through the Endless Mts. On 6 you can go to the Grand Canyon of PA or head east to US 15 again to Corning. Corning has a great Mexican place near the Town offices on the main drag. The Corning Museum of Glass is there.

Then rt 13 north towards Ithaca. Then north on 89 or 90 to US 20. US 20 to Skaneateles to 81 and 690 east to 481 North to the Bridgeport exit (rt 298) There's the new Point Place Casino in B'port. Tuesday nites are bike nite at Sylvan Beach on the east end of Oneida Lake.

Or you can enter Pa near Cumberland, W.Virgina and hit the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. From there it's a short drive to a local sight-seeing marvel called GRAVITY HILL. Look for a small sign off Route 96 with an arrow pointing to Bethel Hollow road. Then a small handmade sign that sez GH. Google it. 219 North then gets you to Olean.

From Olean, US 86 to Bath and then 54a north along Keuka Lake. It's a nice twisty section.

From Bridgeport to Placid, everyone takes the 28 to Placid thru Old Forge to 30 to Placid. For me, it's my back yard so I'd do 365 to Rome, NY on thru to Rt 8 to rt 30 north to Tupper Lake and then rt 3 to Placid. In Tupper is the Wild Center. You'd get a great feel for the history of the Adirodack Park. To save time coming back, Rt 3 west to rt 81 south to rt 481 south to the Bridgeport exit. Watch for moose in the ADK Park. Over 500 head in side the "Blue Line" of the park.

I'm in the 'Cuse so you can PM me if you want more info on area stuff. Oh yeah, in Syracuse hit the Dinosaur BBQ on Willow St. It's still a local bike place with good food.