Long & Short Route

Two Tours in One – Long & Short Route

The Bon Ton Roulet is a different kind of bicycle tour, designed for relaxation, and just plain FUN!  Part of the Bon Ton Roulet’s wide appeal is that it’s actually two tours in one!  Since 2005 we’ve offered two fully supported routes; the Long Route and a Short Route.  Both routes take cyclists through quaint villages and past picturesque scenic beauty, and both offer Bon Ton Rest Stops along the way.  Since there’s no need to sign up for the shorter or longer option, riders choose which option they prefer.

The Long Route appeals to those riders who love the challenge of a 65-75 mile ride per day at a pace that’s typically quicker then most.  The Short Route, typically 45-50 miles per day, tends to attract newer riders and those who plan on spending the day leisurely browsing the markets and attractions along the way.  Many riders even switch back and forth between the Long and the Short during the week, making the Bon Ton the perfect tour!

Our 2012 tour is still being mapped.

 Check back for updates.

What Sort of Terrain Can I Expect?

The current landscape in this region dates back 10,000 years when a 1-mile thick ice-age glacier carved its way south, forming the deep valleys of the Finger Lakes.  As a result, traveling east or west between towns to the north (Auburn, Skaneateles, and Geneva) have fewer hills then a parallel path between southern towns (Hammondsport, Ithaca, and Watkins Glen) which tend to be hillier.  Melting glaciers and natural rain runoff also carved deep gorges along the sides of the lakes, and while north or south travel is more level, it too can offer the occasional tall hill.  Despite the hills, this area attracts thousands of bicyclists each year.

Elevations

To give you a better perspective on the area’s terrain we’ve included graphs that depict the elevation change along this year’s long and short route. Click on one of these graphs to enlarge it, and be sure to note the elevation on the left. We also offer turn-by-turn route maps. CLICK HERE to view them.

Turn-by-Turn Route Maps

Our 2012 tour is still being mapped. Check back for updates.