The Great Big FANY Ride - a bicycle tour across upstate New York

Most people will travel to Niagara Falls on SATURDAY, July 21, 2012 (The FANY Ride will officially begin the next day, on Sunday July 22, 2012.)  We start biking Sunday morning.  Maps to the Niagara Falls starting area will be included in your confirmation e-mail.   (Yes!  We have camping arrangements for Saturday night in Niagara Falls.)

Driving/Bus You can drive to Niagara Falls, leave your car there during the FANY Ride, and take an optional bus back after the FANY Ride, or you can drive to Saratoga and leave your car there for the week, and take an optional bus out to the start. Use the Sign-up Form to reserve Charter Bus seats. Be sure you reserve a seat for the right day (out from Saratoga SATURDAY 7/2/12, return back to Niagara Falls 7/28/12)!   (NOTE: We apologize deeply that the return bus after the ride is more than the initial bus going out, however it's a math thing.  Traditionally more than twice as many people take the initial bus.) 

Amtrak  Riders may take Amtrak directly to Niagara Falls on SATURDAY July 21  - but be sure to get off on the NY side, not Canada, and not in Buffalo, either.  You'll make your own Amtrak reservations.  If you take Amtrak, you'll need to pre-ship your bike since Amtrak does not accept bikes. See pre-ship bikes- below.   After FANY, the Saratoga Amtrak is about 3 miles from where we end, offering limited departures, and is a quick cab ride away.  The Albany Amtrak is about 45 minutes away, but offers more frequent trains.   Use the Sign-Up form if you'll need a ride to the Albany Amtrak after FANY on Saturday, July 28, 2012.

Flying If you'll be flying into the Buffalo airport, there is a list of ground transportation options on the Buffalo International Airport website. If you don't want to fly with your bike, you can pre-ship it to Blue Sky Bicycles in Saratoga before the ride (see pre-ship bikes).   After FANY you can fly out of the Albany International Airport.  Use the Sign-Up form if you'll need to get back to the airport.

Rental Cars There are a couple of rental car companies near the Niagara Falls start - but BE SURE TO CHECK with your rental company to see if you can rent a car one-way and leave it in Niagara Falls. Not all of the rental companies will allow this, based on where your first rent the car from. 

Friends (That's why we love 'em!)  Of course, you can have a friend drop you off in Niagara Falls either Sat 7/21/12  or before 8 a.m. Sun 7/22/12

Do I have to pre-ship my bike? I've never packed my bike before. How do I do it?  First off, if you are driving to FANY and/or taking the optional Charter bus, you do NOT need to box or pre-ship your bike.  Only people who are taking Amtrak and some flights will need to box their bike for shipping.  If you are flying and will be using a disposable cardboard bike box from the airlines, and can reassemble your bike yourself, you DON'T need to pre-ship it, but make sure that all legs of your flight can accommodate your bike box.  You must pre-ship your bike to the start if you will be taking Amtrak  (which in their wisdom has eliminated baggage cars on most trains) or if you have a hard-sided bike box (sorry, but the FANY gear trucks will NOT be able to transport bike boxes during the week).  SO, if you're still reading this after all of that, you must have decided that you need to pre-ship your bike.  Please make your own advance arrangements directly with  at Blue Sky Bicycles, or at 518-583-0600 or (71 Church St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 a mere mile from where our charter bus will depart Saratoga) Blue Sky definitely knows their stuff and will be glad to talk to you. They will receive your bike, reassemble it (which includes a basic tune-up), store your case for the week, and then dissemble and repack it for approximately $175. When you make arrangements with your shipping company for delivery to Blue Sky Bikes, also make pre-arrangements for RETURN shipping as well.  After FANY Blue Sky will pack up your bike and hold for PU by your carrier of choice, but they do not make shipping arrangements. Shipping costs are additional and your responsibility.   NOTE: If you want The FANY gear truck to pick up your bike from Blue Sky and bring it to Niagara Falls - be sure to let us know its there!  Use the Sign-Up form to select the option you need, and also e-mail Blue Sky & FANY Ride your UPS tracking number, bike manufacturer & color at time of shipping so we make sure we pick up the right one.  Bikes must arrive at Blue Sky no later than Wed. 7/18/12.  After FANY please allow Blue Sky a day or 2 to pack it up.  NOTE: If you don't already own a hard sided bike case, and can't scrounge one from a friend, check out  shipbikes.com  (We've never used them, but they wanted us to tell you about their service.)

To box your bike for shipping, many local bikes shops offer that service.  You might try calling your bike shop.  Or, if you want to try it yourself, Harvey Botzman, of Cycle Tours, wrote a great "How-To" article for first time "boxers."