|
October 9 - October 12, 2009 This fall foliage tour visits places like the Farmer's Museum, Fenimore House Museum, where life masks of prominent 19th century Americans are displayed and the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
|
"James Fenimore Cooper Territory"
iscover this tour's glorious pastoral settings that are typical of the central New York landscape. Beautiful farmland vistas abound around every turn along with brilliant fall colors at their peak of glory. Stops include Cooperstown, NY, home of a plethora of world renowned sites like the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Farmer's Museum, Fenimore House, and the Otesaga Hotel.
Cooperstown is named after James Fenimore Cooper who wrote The Last of the Mohicans and other famous historical fiction novels. He gave exposure to a rather forgotten Indian tribe in our country's heritage. No, Chingachook was not the last of the Mohicans. This tribe still exists and is thriving in Wisconsin. Many are making a pilgrimage back to their origins in Stockbridge, Massachusetts where they were patriot allies in the American Revolution.
This tour has been developed in cooperation with the Safflyn Corporation. www.safflyn.com
DISTANCES:
| Saturday: | Option 1 | Approximately 45 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Option 2 | 68 miles | |
| Sunday: | Option 1 | 41 miles |
| Option 2 | 61 miles |
TERRAIN:
Hilly
WEATHER:
Average temperature: 51 degrees with a range of 40-61 degrees. Note however, temperatures have been known to dip below that mark.
PACE:
Casual
COST:
| $250.00 | per person for tent camping option at Gelston Castle Estate. |
|---|---|
| $50.00 | Day trip option for Saturday or Sunday |
| $80.00 | Day trip option with dinner on Saturday or Sunday |
PAYMENT METHODS:
PayPal, Personal checks or money orders
PayPal riders please bring your receipt for proof of payment.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Friday October 2, 2009. See note below.
All payments must be received by October 2, 2009 Minimum number of riders is 10.
Send checks payable to Kyle Jenks to: Kyle Jenks 13B Woodcliffe Drive Clifton Park, NY 12065 PLEASE INCLUDE NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE AND E MAIL WITH YOUR CHECK. IF A DAY TRIPPER, PLEASE INDICATE WHETHER IT IS FOR SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.
20% of all proceeds will be donated to the Green Leadership Institute.
Cost excludes attraction entrance fees, Saturday and Sunday lunch and alcoholic beverages.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS:
Minimum of 10 and maximum 100 participants who wish to camp in tents on the grounds of the estate. A large tent will be set up to shelter all tents underneath. Outdoor showers and porta potty facilities available.
This tour is self guided. It includes 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners. It is equipped with two support vehicles, one for on road bicycle repair. Participants are expected to bring bicycles that are in excellent working order with at least one spare tube in case of a flat tire along with their helmets, a lock, appropriate seasonal attire and a cell phone if one is owned. Transportation to a local bicycle shop is available if needed. Note that during the fall this geographic location may require rain gear and warm clothing worn preferably in layers. Helmets are required.
ITINERARY:
| Friday October 9, 2009: | |
|---|---|
| 1:00-3:00pm: | Suggested arrival time at Gelson CastleEstate www.gelstoncastleestate.com Meet Dennis Savoie, author of Cranks from Cooperstown. He will be available to sell and autograph his awesome book. |
| 1:00-3:30pm: | Registration. Fill out registration form and sign waiver. (Note: Minors must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian).Receive rider packet with itinerary, contact information, maps and cue sheets. Arrival time of around 1-2 pm is suggested if you would like to ride a 15 mile moderately hilly warm up loop. Support vehicle on road until 4:00 pm. |
| 4:00 pm | Tour of historic Gelston Castle Estate |
| 5:00pm: | Wine and cheese party featuring Jeff Tew portraying famous local historical figure Sir William Johnson. Interact with Sir William and get a flavor of the relevance the nearby Mohawk Valley played in forging our nation’s future. |
| 6:00pm: | Catered dinner at Gelston Castle Estate. Complimentary alcoholic beverage per person served at dinner for those of legal age. Cash bar after that. |
| Saturday October 10, 2009 | |
| 7:30am: | Catered breakfast at Gelston Castle Estate. |
| 8:00am: | Ride briefing |
| 8:15am: | Depart Gelston Castle Estate. |
| 8:00am-Lunch: | Ride to Cooperstown, NY with a stopover at Fly Creek Cider Mill for snacks and restrooms. |
| Lunch-3:00pm: | Suggested Cooperstown stops are the Farmer’s Museum (lunch available), Fenimore House 09 Museum (lunch available) or the National Baseball Hall of Fame (lunch in town). Adult admission fees: $16.50 Baseball Hall of Fame $11.50 Farmer’s Museum $11.50 Fenimore House |
| 3:00pm: | Suggested departure time for Gelston Castle Estate. Snack station at midway point. |
| 6:00pm: | Catered dinner at Gelston Castle Estate. 1complimentary alcoholic beverage per person served at dinner for those of legal age. |
| 7:30-8:30pm: | Living historian Paul Stillman will entertain you with a first person interpretation of Teddy Roosevelt, one of the historical figures with direct ties to the estate. |
| Sunday October 11, 2009 | |
| 7:30am: | Catered breakfast at Gelston Castle Estate. |
| 8:00am: | Ride briefing |
| 8:15am: | Depart Gelston Castle Estate |
| 8:15am–Lunch: | Ride to Glimmerglass State Park. Snack station located at midway point. Hike approximately 1/4 mile to impressive caves on wide, walkable trail. RECOMMENDED. |
| Lunch-1:00pm: | Boxed lunch at Glimmerglass State Park |
| 12:00-12:45pm: | Optional custom tour of Hyde Hall |
| Admission fee: | $10.00 |
| 1:00pm: | Suggested departure time for Gelston Castle Estate Snack station located at midway point. |
| 5:00pm: | Return to Gelston Castle Estate |
| 6:00pm: | Catered dinner at Gelston Castle Estate. 1 complimentary alcoholic beverage per person served at dinner for those of legal age. |
| 7:30-8:30pm: | Paul Stillman returns to the stage with his Native American program based on the Iroquois Seneca culture. His native dress and artifacts truly engage the audience in an exchange of cultures. Hoskahasyana is his phonetic name. |
| Monday October 12, 2009 | |
| 7:30am: | Catered breakfast at Gelston Castle Estate |
| 8:00-9:00am: | Depart Gelston Castle Estate |
Directions to Gelston Castle Estate:
By Car:
From NYC: Take I-87 North to I-90 West to Exit 30 (Mohawk / Herkimer) make left at light and merge right onto Rt 5S West. Follow to Rt. 28 South (Mohawk) make left. Follow to top of 2.5 mile climb. See a sign for Denison Corners on your right. Opposite the sign on your left is Robinson Rd. Turn left onto Robinson Road. Follow Robinson Road for approximately 3.3 miles. Look for brown sign with yellow letters that says Gelsten Castle . Turn right here. Follow estate road 0.8 miles until you reach the end at the registration point.
From Albany & Buffalo: Exit 30 on I-90. Make left at light and merge right onto Rt 5S West. Follow to Rt. 28 South (Mohawk) make left. Follow to top of 2.5 mile climb. See a sign for Denison Corners on your right. Opposite the sign on your left is Robinson Rd. Turn left onto Robinson Road. Follow Robinson Road for approximately 3.3 miles. Look for brown sign with yellow letters that says Gelsten Castle . Turn right here. Follow estate road 0.8 miles until you reach the end at the registration point.
Note: Refunds up to and including October 2nd are 50%. Living history entertainment subject to change depending on performer availability.
Additional bike support services provided by Cooperstown Bicycle Works
  |
