Drums Along the Mohawk Bicycle Tour

"America's First Western Frontier"

his tour will bring you into the heartland of the Iroquois Confederacy, our indigenous peoples who had power over the entire Mohawk Valley of upstate New York before the Europeans came.

e4 ™ approved event
(Exercise, Education, Entertainment, Environmentally responsible)

August 2-August 9, 2012

Start Location: Herkimer, NY
Total Distance: Approximately 355 miles.
Duration: 8 days -7 nights: 6 days of riding. [AVG 60 MILES PER DAY]
(Easy day: 40-60 miles alternated with 60-80 mile hard days).
Terrain: Estimated hilly on most days
Surface: Scenic, history packed, paved back roads.
Theme: It’s the year 1777. Our American Revolution has begun in earnest. General Washington has suffered a series of debilitating defeats. Can the patriots ever conceive of winning their independence from the world's most powerful nation; Great Britain? The answer is yes! 1777 marks a turning point in the patriot's struggle for independence. Where does this turning point take place? It occurs partly in a little known part of upstate New York. Some of our history’s finest heroes are largely unknown to a significant portion of the public. These patriot heroes resided in the backwoods of the westernmost reaches of Colonial expansion, the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York.

This tour will take you to these “secret” locations.

Accommodations: Award winning and comfortable cabins.
Unique e4 ™ feature:

Attendance at the

World-Premiere of

Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama by Walter D. Edmonds©.

This production occurs in conjunction with a huge, national Revolutionary War encampment and reenactment that features the 1777 theme. Approximately 1,000 Revolutionary War military reenactors will be on site during your visit to Gelston Castle Estate.

Visit

www.oriskany235th.org

Additionally, you will be visited periodically along the route by families of the Revolutionary time.

An Erie Canal cruise accompanied by a living history character is currently being arranged.

Price per person: $1,495.00. Maximum number of riders: 10. This tour is already filling up fast. Act soon to avoid disappointment!

This tour is a fully supported event. Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, non alcoholic beverages, snacks and SAG support. Your hosts will accompany you in a fully stocked SAG vehicle. An expert On Road Ride Leader will also be by your side. He will provide commentary, ride leadership, route guidance, repair services and communication with the support vehicle.

ITINERARY

Late afternoon Aug 2, 2012

We will all converge at one of KOA’s celebrated “Campgrounds of the Year”, on a bright early August afternoon. With the beautiful and historic setting alongside the West Canada Creek, our location is perfect for exploring colonial and Revolutionary War sites that are within a challenging and scenic bicycle ride away. Today, however, is reserved for getting settled into camp and meeting with your travel mates. Your hosts at American Heritage Bicycle Tours anticipate your arrival. We pride ourselves as experts at providing unique and rewarding adventure experiences featuring the e4 ™ mark of distinction.

Friday Aug 3, 2012

Bright and Early! Our first day on the road. Matt, our multi-talented Ride Leader, will direct us through the former lands of the Iroquois Indian Confederacy to such legendary places like the Oriskany Battlefield and Fort Stanwix, the object of the British invasion of the time. Our route will follow the equally historic and legendary Erie Canal for part of the day. A challenging afternoon return to camp will test our legs and lungs!

Saturday Aug 4, 2012

After a scrumptious breakfast our second day out will certainly test your hill climbing abilities. We make our way to Gelston Castle Estate, accessible only by a 2.5 mile ascent followed by rolling terrain. The added elevation will afford you a breathtaking vista of the Mohawk Valley. Gaze north and see the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. We will be witness to the world premiere of “Drums Along The Mohawk Outdoor Drama”, written, produced and directed by our main man at American Heritage, Kyle Jenks. The drama will bring life to the sites we visited the previous day. On our return to camp we’ll visit the home of General Nicholas Herkimer, the main character featured in the drama and cruise through the village of Little Falls, site of geological and manmade wonders.

Sunday Aug 5, 2012 Moving out day! We are going to explore the Richfield Springs/Canadarago Lake area and the absolutely gorgeous Otsego Lake, “meeting place of the Iroquois Nation”. After a fine, healthy dining experience, we will retire to our next cabin accommodations.

Monday Aug 6, 2012

Another exciting day on the road. We will ride through one of the villages most adversely affected by the Tory invasions of 1778-1782. Cherry Valley was the site of a famous and horrendous massacre in 1778. We will ride a short section of the Erie Canalway Trail as we explore colonial sites along the Mohawk River. We overnight at our third cabin campground.

Tuesday Aug 7, 2012

In pre-Revolutionary War times, there was one man who had more influence than any other in the Mohawk Valley. He was Sir William Johnson, Indian Agent and title holder of a vast baronial estate that centered around Johnstown, NY. Visits to his home and other sites will be followed by a longer section of the Canalway Trail. It will meander through a section called “The Noses”. This is the natural opening through the Appalachian Mountain chain that made possible the Erie Canal. Without the Erie Canal, western expansion to the otherwise isolated “Northwest territories”; today’s Ohio, Indiana and Illinois would not have been possible.

Wednesday Aug 8, 2012

Our final day of cycling ties it all together with a ride along the Old Military Road with stunning views of the Adirondack Mountains as your constant companion. Our overnight is in a familiar spot, where it all began, the KOA.

Thursday Aug 9, 2012

Say goodbye to a wonderful experience of challenging rides in a beautiful setting. Take home a better understanding of who these revolutionary people were, where they lived, fought and died. Hold dear the memory of living and riding with a group of like-minded adventurists. Your hosts at American Heritage Bicycle Tours wish you all to return on a future historical journey.

The Mohawk Valley

Legendary places like Fort Stanwix and the ErieCanal. Historic events like the Battle of Oriskany to the floods of Huricane Irene. Heroic people like Nicholas Herkimer and (yes) Benedict Arnold, a one-time American hero before his traitorous act in 1780. With panoramic views of the valley and challenging hills to test your grit, this is some of the best bicycle riding in the entire country. You’ll find all that and more in an American Heritage bicycle adventure!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COMPANY!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS TOUR PLEASE CONTACT US AND INDICATE THE DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK TOUR. ALL OUR TOURS TIE OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE TOGETHER. TAKING ANOTHER ONE OF OUR TOURS GETS YOU ONE STEP CLOSER TO A DISCOUNT! COLLECT 4 TOURS ON OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE PASSPORT AND SAVE 50% OFF YOUR 5TH TOUR!


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	Drums Along the Mohawk Bicycle Tour "America's First Western Frontier" his tour will bring you into the heartland of the Iroquois Confederacy, our indigenous peoples who had power over the entire Mohawk Valley of upstate New York before the Europeans came. e4 ™ approved event (Exercise, Education, Entertainment, Environmentally responsible) August 2-August 9, 2012 Start Location: Herkimer, NY Total Distance: Approximately 355 miles. Duration: 8 days -7 nights: 6 days of riding. [AVG 60 MILES PER DAY] (Easy day: 40-60 miles alternated with 60-80 mile hard days). Terrain: Estimated hilly on most days Surface: Scenic, history packed, paved back roads. Theme: It’s the year 1777. Our American Revolution has begun in earnest. General Washington has suffered a series of debilitating defeats. Can the patriots ever conceive of winning their independence from the world's most powerful nation; Great Britain? The answer is yes! 1777 marks a turning point in the patriot's struggle for independence. Where does this turning point take place? It occurs partly in a little known part of upstate New York. Some of our history’s finest heroes are largely unknown to a significant portion of the public. These patriot heroes resided in the backwoods of the westernmost reaches of Colonial expansion, the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York. This tour will take you to these “secret” locations. Accommodations: Award winning and comfortable cabins. Unique e4 ™ feature: Attendance at the World-Premiere of Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama by Walter D. Edmonds©. This production occurs in conjunction with a huge, national Revolutionary War encampment and reenactment that features the 1777 theme. Approximately 1,000 Revolutionary War military reenactors will be on site during your visit to Gelston Castle Estate. Visit www.oriskany235th.org Additionally, you will be visited periodically along the route by families of the Revolutionary time. An Erie Canal cruise accompanied by a living history character is currently being arranged. Price per person: $1,495.00. Maximum number of riders: 10. This tour is already filling up fast. Act soon to avoid disappointment! This tour is a fully supported event. Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, non alcoholic beverages, snacks and SAG support. Your hosts will accompany you in a fully stocked SAG vehicle. An expert On Road Ride Leader will also be by your side. He will provide commentary, ride leadership, route guidance, repair services and communication with the support vehicle. ITINERARY Late afternoon Aug 2, 2012 We will all converge at one of KOA’s celebrated “Campgrounds of the Year”, on a bright early August afternoon. With the beautiful and historic setting alongside the West Canada Creek, our location is perfect for exploring colonial and Revolutionary War sites that are within a challenging and scenic bicycle ride away. Today, however, is reserved for getting settled into camp and meeting with your travel mates. Your hosts at American Heritage Bicycle Tours anticipate your arrival. We pride ourselves as experts at providing unique and rewarding adventure experiences featuring the e4 ™ mark of distinction. Friday Aug 3, 2012 Bright and Early! Our first day on the road. Matt, our multi-talented Ride Leader, will direct us through the former lands of the Iroquois Indian Confederacy to such legendary places like the Oriskany Battlefield and Fort Stanwix, the object of the British invasion of the time. Our route will follow the equally historic and legendary Erie Canal for part of the day. A challenging afternoon return to camp will test our legs and lungs! Saturday Aug 4, 2012 After a scrumptious breakfast our second day out will certainly test your hill climbing abilities. We make our way to Gelston Castle Estate, accessible only by a 2.5 mile ascent followed by rolling terrain. The added elevation will afford you a breathtaking vista of the Mohawk Valley. Gaze north and see the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. We will be witness to the world premiere of “Drums Along The Mohawk Outdoor Drama”, written, produced and directed by our main man at American Heritage, Kyle Jenks. The drama will bring life to the sites we visited the previous day. On our return to camp we’ll visit the home of General Nicholas Herkimer, the main character featured in the drama and cruise through the village of Little Falls, site of geological and manmade wonders. Sunday Aug 5, 2012 Moving out day! We are going to explore the Richfield Springs/Canadarago Lake area and the absolutely gorgeous Otsego Lake, “meeting place of the Iroquois Nation”. After a fine, healthy dining experience, we will retire to our next cabin accommodations. Monday Aug 6, 2012 Another exciting day on the road. We will ride through one of the villages most adversely affected by the Tory invasions of 1778-1782. Cherry Valley was the site of a famous and horrendous massacre in 1778. We will ride a short section of the Erie Canalway Trail as we explore colonial sites along the Mohawk River. We overnight at our third cabin campground. Tuesday Aug 7, 2012 In pre-Revolutionary War times, there was one man who had more influence than any other in the Mohawk Valley. He was Sir William Johnson, Indian Agent and title holder of a vast baronial estate that centered around Johnstown, NY. Visits to his home and other sites will be followed by a longer section of the Canalway Trail. It will meander through a section called “The Noses”. This is the natural opening through the Appalachian Mountain chain that made possible the Erie Canal. Without the Erie Canal, western expansion to the otherwise isolated “Northwest territories”; today’s Ohio, Indiana and Illinois would not have been possible. Wednesday Aug 8, 2012 Our final day of cycling ties it all together with a ride along the Old Military Road with stunning views of the Adirondack Mountains as your constant companion. Our overnight is in a familiar spot, where it all began, the KOA. Thursday Aug 9, 2012 Say goodbye to a wonderful experience of challenging rides in a beautiful setting. Take home a better understanding of who these revolutionary people were, where they lived, fought and died. Hold dear the memory of living and riding with a group of like-minded adventurists. Your hosts at American Heritage Bicycle Tours wish you all to return on a future historical journey. The Mohawk Valley Legendary places like Fort Stanwix and the ErieCanal. Historic events like the Battle of Oriskany to the floods of Huricane Irene. Heroic people like Nicholas Herkimer and (yes) Benedict Arnold, a one-time American hero before his traitorous act in 1780. With panoramic views of the valley and challenging hills to test your grit, this is some of the best bicycle riding in the entire country. You’ll find all that and more in an American Heritage bicycle adventure! WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COMPANY! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS TOUR PLEASE CONTACT US AND INDICATE THE DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK TOUR. ALL OUR TOURS TIE OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE TOGETHER. TAKING ANOTHER ONE OF OUR TOURS GETS YOU ONE STEP CLOSER TO A DISCOUNT! COLLECT 4 TOURS ON OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE PASSPORT AND SAVE 50% OFF YOUR 5TH TOUR! Home \| Tours \| Living History Productions \| Products \| Special Events \| Contact Us \| Links \|