STBC Ride Database
Before embarking on an unfamiliar ride route, please take time to carefully review the information found in the ‘View Route and Terrain’ link, which connects to ride route maps provided by “Ride with GPS”. In particular, pay close attention to the elevation profile, names of roads, and the marked route.
Comments, suggestions for new rides, and the reporting of any errors is always welcomed and appreciated ! Please write to bike@southerntierbicycleclub.org
25 to 50 Mile Long Ride Descriptions by COUNTIES
(Based on Starting Points):
Warren Center
Binghamton, Chenango Forks, Chenango Valley St Pk, Conklin Ave, Endicott, Ninevah, Vestal Rail Trail, Whitney Point, Windsor, etc
Moravia, Hammondsport
Chemung
Afton, Greene, Norwich
Cortland, Cincinnatus, Marathon, Skaneateles Lake, Truxton, etc
Deposit, Cannonsville Reservoir, Sidney
New Milford, Susquehanna
Apalachin, Berkshire, Candor, Flemingville, Lounsberry, Newark Valley, Owego, Speedsville, Tioga Center, etc
15 to 25 Mile Long Ride Descriptions:
Shorter / Less Challenging Rides
Additional Ride Files and Collections:
Great Finger Lakes Bike Tour (GFLBT) maps, 2006 - 2019
Bike the Finger Lakes 11 Challenge
Cranks from Cooperstown - by Dennis Savoie
(Transcribed into Ride w/ GPS routes by Steven Powell)
(a powerpoint presentation shown to the Binghamton Lyceum 5/3/21)
Ride w/ GPS
The Southern Tier Bicycle Club has a “club membership account” with Ride w/ GPS. This is a significant benefit to your STBC membership, as a fully functional personal membership with Ride w/ GPS normally costs $10 per month -- but by logging in with the STBC’s “club membership account” you receive the same functionality for free !
The STBC account on Ride w/ GPS provides us with a web space to document and share routes. They are easy to download to a phone or other GPS device, and to print hardcopy maps and cue sheets. Ride w/ GPS can also be used for logging routes.
And by downloading the Ride w/ GPS mobile app to your phone, you will also be able to take advantage of their “voice navigation” feature while riding !
Click to learn how to set up your Ride w/ GPS account w/ Access to the STBC license:
Lead A Ride
Attention All Ride Leaders:
- Tuesday and Thursday “Wheels-to-Meals” ride leaders – please click HERE to sign up to lead a Tuesday / Thursday, during the day, ride.
- Need someone to fill in as a substitute to handle a Saturday or Sunday ride you are scheduled to lead ? Click HERE to see the list of possible ‘substitute’ ride leaders for you to reach out to.
It is easy to lead a ride! STBC welcomes new ride leaders and encourages you to offer to lead your favorite ride.
- Select a route. Use the club library of rides or scout your own. The club library can be accessed at: http://www.southerntierbicycleclub.org/bikeridedatabase.lhtml
- If you plan your ride sometime in advance of the ride, add it to the ride calendar by sending information to bike@southerntierbicycleclub.org.
Be sure to include:
- Date and time of ride
- Route
- Meeting place, directions to it and parking instructions (*)
- Distance
- Speed
- Terrain (hilly, flat, rolling….) See ratings below for speed and terrain codes
- Whether you will be stopping for food along the way
- Your first name, last initial and email address.
(*) It is the responsibility of ride leaders to seek permission ahead of time when planning to park in a church lot or other privately owned area to ensure that it is ok, and that there are no other activities going on at the same time.
- During the week before the ride, send a reminder to the membership to preview the ride. Include all information. (Date, time, route, rating, distance, meeting place, etc.) You may also want to provide information on weather and appropriate clothing for the ride. (“Rain possible, bring jackets.” “Cold forecast but warming up, dress in layers”)
- Be as welcoming and friendly as you can. The club wants to encourage people to ride and a friendly greeting and introduction to other riders will help new riders feel welcome . Remember that the ride leader is the face of the club and, as such, has a responsibility to represent the club to the riders.
- If you decide to offer a spur-of the moment ride anytime within the week of the ride, simply post it to the STBC Google group. Again, be sure to include all the information as listed in item #2, in your note.
- In cases of inclement weather it is up to the discretion of the leader to conduct the ride or cancel. If a ride is to be cancelled, send the notice of cancellation as soon as possible to ensure that all potential riders receive the notice.
- If you feel you need support on the ride ask another rider to help. Rides often have a ‘sweep’ who can make sure all riders return safely and who, with the help of other riders, can make any repairs needed on the ride. If a repair can’t be made, it is customary for another rider to offer to go back in a car and pick up the rider.
- Leaders may alert riders to any unusual terrain or detours and may also remind riders of important safety information. STBC encourages riders to ride single-file, to keep alert for narrow shoulders on the road, NOT to pass other cyclists on their right side and, when stopping to gather in groups, NOT to block intersections. When you pass other cyclists please use the customary ‘on your left ’ to notify them of your presence. Use hand signals for turns and alert others when you are slowing or stopping along the route.
- After the ride the leader should be sure all riders return to the parking lot.
- Ride reports and photos are really enjoyed by the members and we encourage you to provide them. Reports can be sent to STBC Google group. You may post photos to the appropriate album on the STBC website: http//www.southerntierbicycleclub.org/photos.html.
