Presents:

The 2018 Thousand Islands Tandem Tour

Saturday July 21st through Sunday July 29th

Explore the 1000 Islands region of upper New York and Canada. Experience the beautiful river and rolling countryside, learning why this area became the millionaire's playground in the 1800's. Take in the spectacular views of the 1000 Islands aboard a cruise, seeing romantic castles, villas, and awesome landscape. Discover the British and American history that awaits you around every corner. Delight in the Canadian hospitality and the American resort ambiance. Taste the great foods of two countries. Explore historic villages and wonderful coastal by-ways.

The tour package includes:
Seven (7) days of riding
Eight (8) nights lodging
Five (5) dinners
Five (5) afternoon 'Happy Hour' get-togethers
Ferry Tolls
Maps and cue sheets
Baggage transfers

The tour will be limited to eight (9) couples on tandems.

Total cost per Couple is $3300

Registration and Waiver forms

The 2018 Thousand Islands Tandem Tour

(As of March 4th just two tandem spots available)

Arrival day in Watertown, NY

Pre-tour Possibilities Join us on Saturday in Watertown. The evening lodging and dinner are included in the tour. Come early and enjoy the museums of this "up-state" small city. Set up your tandem and get settled in, ready for tomorrow.
Happy Hour and group dinner.

Day 1 Watertown, NY to Sackets Harbor, NY
9, 30, and 44 mile options

We'll bike the rolling countryside from Watertown south. You'll pass through gentle farmland in this area just west of the Tug Hill Plateau region of New York. This is quiet country, populated by hardy folk who brave the snowy winters. The Tug Hill area gets more snow than any place in the US east of the Rockies!
Eventually we head west and then back north as we head for Sackets Harbor. Once a major Naval site, the Military Barracks now is the site of a great convenient store with a nice deli section. The Ontario Place Hotel is our home for the next two days. With its fine restaurants, the group dinner at Sackets Harbor will be a time to share stories of the days ride.
Happy Hour and group dinner.

Day 2 Sackets Harbor, NY
38, and 48 mile options

Discover this historic village with its beautiful Black River Bay. The Bay made Sackets Harbor ideal for the young American Navy in the War of 1812, and set Sackets Harbor to be the future site of 1/3 of all Naval personnel. There's lots to enjoy here - touring the battlefield and Commandant's quarters; visiting the Seaway Discovery Center; getting an overview of local history at the State Heritage Visitor Center at the Augustus Sacket Mansion; or strolling the quaint shopping area. Riding the country roads and coastal byways are also a possibility.

Day 3 Sackets Harbor to Gananoque, Canada
51, and 55 mile options

We'll bike the rolling countryside from Sackets Harbor to the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River. Cycle the peaceful coastal roads of Lake Ontario to Cape Vincent, with its serene tree lined roads and Federal period buildings. Here we take a small ferry to the Canadian Wolfe Island, with its rural country roads. We pass through Customs, cycle across the island, and then take another ferry to Kingston, Canada. The ferry rides are short and visually stunning. The wide vistas of the Kingston cityscape are phenomenal from the ferry. The spectacular Fort Henry is also visible overlooking the city. Take the time to visit Fort Henry, with its re-enactments of British military life in the 1830's and its insight into British/American history. It's great fun and provides a wonderful mid-day break. Then cycle along the St. Lawrence to the welcome at Gananoque. Water and land meet spectacularly in Gananoque, as the small village provides the Gateway to the Canadian 1000 Islands. We will be staying two evenings at the historic Gananoque Inn, the premier hotel in this area. Enjoy our dinner together at the Inn, where a spectacular smorgasbord of food can be found. One breakfast is included for our stay.
Happy Hour and group dinner.

Day 4 Gananoque
21, and 34 mile options

Gananoque is an Indian name which has been translated as "the place of health" or "the place where water ran over the rocks". Local legend has it that natives moved to the confluence of the Gananoque and St. Lawrence Rivers in the spring each year to recover from their tough winter. Have a scrumptious breakfast, with choices from a buffet to Belgian waffles. Then enjoy biking the countryside around Gananoque, through farmlands reminiscent of Ireland - stone houses and walls, open rolling plateaus, and wonderful riverside routes. Or take a day off and enjoy the cruises of the islands, the picturesque shorelines, and the quintessential small-town charm. Visit the local heritage center and absorb the areas history. Look at the wonderful architecture, like the great clock tower, beautiful churches, and Victorian homes. Shop downtown with its great international flavor.

Day 5 Gananoque, Canada to Alexandria Bay, NY
53, 56 and 66 mile options

We will cycle back toward Kingston and the ferries. Once back in the US we will cycle along the St. Lawrence Seaway. The terrain was smoothed and sculpted by glacial action 1000's of years ago. You can make stops along the way in Clayton to view some of the many small, local museums.
Captain Thomson's Resort is our home for the next two days, where all of the rooms have views of the harbor/ islands. We'll share stories over dinner, while overlooking the famous Boldt Castle, a wonderful European style mansion.
Happy Hour and group dinner.

Day 6 Alexandria Bay
28, 34, and 51 mile options

There is a choice of bike routes through this gorgeous region. Bike along the St. Lawrence Seaway and absorb its beauty. Or cycle through the country side to the Village of Clayton and take a walking tour of its unique collection of nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings. Visit the Antique Boat Museum with its impressive collection of inland recreational boats in the world. Stop by the Handweaving Museum or 1000 Islands Decoy and Muskie Museum . You can also enjoy the day with folks met on the tour. Take the boat cruise of Millionaire Row and of Boldt Castle. It is not to be missed! Romantic Heart Island provides the setting of the saddest of true love stories ever told, where the 120 room Boldt Castle was constructed by a millionaire for his wife. Tragedy struck before the castle's completion with the death of his wife. Abandoned for 73 years, the castle was recently restored and is considered the premier attraction of the 1000 Islands.

Day 7 Alexandria Bay to Watertown
34 miles

This last day of touring has us on a quiet inland route back to Watertown. We will be on many unsigned roads, and roads with names like 'Dog Hill' and 'Shantyville'. Evokes images of a bustling area:). We will ride past a vast wetlands area, please yield to ducks crossing the road. Then we skirt the Salmon Run Mall in order to get back to the Ramada Inn.
Happy Hour and group dinner.