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Six Lakes Tour
Cazenovia, NY, US
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Route Overview

Central NY Road Rides

Starting in beautiful Cazenovia

Ambassador
44 mi.
2,572 ft.

A true lake-lover’s ride, this route features six bodies of water, beginning with Cazenovia Lake, a natural lake, and including Erieville Reservoir that was created in 1850 as a feeder for the Erie Canal and 4 other reservoirs designed as feeders for the Chenango Canal. Not as famous as the Erie Canal, the Chenango was connected to the Erie and served 18 towns between Utica and Binghamton in the days before trains. There are two big ascents, otherwise the terrain is gently rolling. Eaton is the only place on the route to re-fuel. Spring, summer, and autumn are the best (and only) times to do this loop. Rural southern Madison County is noted for its network of paved, low-traffic roads, scenic vistas and recently a revival of its once thriving hops farming.

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Route Details

This ride starts at Lakeland Park in the quaint village of Cazenovia, home of Cazenovia College and replete with historic homes and a variety of eateries. Parking is available at the park, on village streets or behind the library. Restrooms are at the park.

In the center of town turn right on Mill St/Chenango St and head south and east past Erieville Reservoir (AKA Tuscarora Lake). If it’s hot, stop for a swim by the dam, near the intersection of Erieville and Hardscrabble roads. From Erieville gear down for the 1.5 mile ascent up Jackass Hill. The pay-off is a long descent to Eatonbrook Reservoir. At the bottom of the hill slow down for the right-hand turn on to Hatch Lake Road. It heads uphill, bends to the left, treats you to a grand vista on your right and then a fast downhill to NYS Rt. 26. Cross this to Westcott Road. You’ll now cycle along the shores of Hatch and Bradley Brook Lakes. At the T, turn right and prepare for the second big hill. The long downside brings you into Lebanon, a small ag-centered community. After a few miles you’ll see the amphitheater-like setting of Lebanon Reservoir, the 6th lake on this loop. The return route to Cazenovia passes through Eaton (where there are eats), and offers a second and totally different view of Eatonbrook and Erieville Reservoirs.

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