Otisco Lake Cycle — WOW!

 

View looking forth from the Causeway on the west side

A sweet little 20 mile ride around Otisco Lake is not long enough to make my seat sore — but the vertical on the west side of the lake will destroy any quads you thought you had.

Where else where you see a lunar lander but Otisco!

Park on the east side of the lake at the Lakeside Park (free but only about 6 spots!)  and head clockwise so you can enjoy the winding, picturesque Otisco Valley Road that goes right up next to the water and rides pretty flat from North to South.

Beautiful barn at sunrise

 

View at the southern end of the lake as you cross the flats to the western side.

Make the turn at the southern end of the lake and enjoy rolling fields of grass. Ride along the lakeside (113) up to the point of the causeway and take a break and walk out onto the causeway and enjoy the view.

Once you hop back on your bike you have an enormous climb up Stanton Rd (246) straight up the side of what feels like a mountain. You continue to climb up all the way to Route 41. Once on 41, you get beautiful glimpse of Skaneateles Lake as you race downhill towards Borodino.

It was a very windy day. This was the first time I worried that the combination of gusts and downhill speed would blow me off my bike. I think I was traveling about 40+ mph and felt myself veering into the ditch.

Once you hit Borodino you turn right and head back to Otisco on Rt 174. You’ll pass by some very pretty barns and farm land as you head back towards the north end of the lake.

The view as you return to the northern end and ride down the very long hill.

 

There is a wonderful quick video of a bike race that goes around Otisco. It gives you a quick look   challenging and charming this ride is.

Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area

The south end of the lake view

Its nice to find a kayaking spot where you run out of energy (or daylight) before you run out of discoveries. The Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area is a big paddle.

Honeoye Lake operates a boat launch at the south end of East Lake Road. On weekdays you can park for free ($7.00 weekends) and put your kayak in close to the Inlet.

Entrance to the Inlet — beautiful view towards the south

Paddle south and you can enter the inlet and enjoy!