04.25.26 – OATKA TO LACY LOOP

Join us at 11am on April 25th at the Pathfinder’s Shelter in Black Creek Park for the first ride of the 2026 touring season!

Route: *link to route here*
Length: 35+ miles
Height: 1300 feet

The route begins the swollen spring banks of the Black Creek – one of two major creeks flowing easterly into the Genesee river that our ride will navigate today. As we travel south along the rural roads towards Becoda and Beulah, we’ll reach the Oatka Creek and follow it towards a large glacial escarpment that was once used by the Seneca as a Fort Hill. We’ll make a quick 125′ climb (the biggest all day) to the top of the hill at around mile 14 before a leisurely lunchtime picnic stop at Buttermilk Falls.

Upon completion of our picnic and enjoyment of the raging spring waterfall, we’ll pack up and take the questionably legal road back the way we came from the east. Moving along, we’ll pass the Genesee Country Village and Museum while heading towards Mumford and then Caledonia. Enjoy the historic buildings along it’s main street before taking a loop around the traffic circle.

Once leaving Caledonia, Feely road will deliver you unto the most glorious dirt road in our area, Lacy road, which comes complete with rusted farm machinery, scrappy climbs, and even a murder story! Follow it north back to the start of the ride at Black Creek park to complete just over 36 miles of relatively flat early-season riding.

Q: What bike should I bring?
The majority of the route is on moderately rough country roads with a smattering of dirt road and gravel thrown in for 3 miles on Lacy Road. A road touring or sport touring bike with between 32-42mm tire size is optimal. Fenders are a good idea.

Q: What gear should I bring?
The route in case you get lost/separated
Two water bottles (one for before lunch, one for after)
Snacks for the ride
A simple packed meal for the picnic lunch
Inner tubes, pump, and repair kit
A rain jacket

Q: What sort of riding should I expect?
Expect to bike at a moderate pace (10-12mph) for the duration of the ride, with some slower and some faster bits based on terrain/vibe. It’s not a roadie peloton situation, but more a social group ride for folks that want to spend all day biking around the countryside and making picnics and sketches and photographs and art. We will wait for you at intersections/turns if we notice you’re missing.