Biking to Ommegang
You may remember that glorious 350-mile cycling ride local beer enthusiasts took up to Brewery Ommegang last year for Belgium Comes to Cooperstown. (Note: that’s not me and I didn’t ride with nearly that much beer.) The folks who led the ride, Jeff Appletans and Lara Marek, are doing it again this summer, and you can join them.
The tour begins on Saturday July 25th and arrives at the brewery Friday, August 1st for the VIP Dinner and two nights of camping on the brewery grounds. It’s a bit of a grind, but yours truly managed it after just 6 weeks of training. There’s great food and beer and very comfy hotels every night and, the ultimate payoff is, without a doubt, one of the top 3 beer festivals in America.
The price will be $1250 (double occupancy + $400 for single), which includes accommodations and most dinners and breakfasts (alcohol & lunch not included) PLUS VIP tickets for the Belgian Beer festival along with 2 nights camping. Transportation of camping gear & clothing to the festival is provided, and with return transportation for you and your gear back to Philly. You will also receive a DVD video diary of the trip as well as a cycling jersey.
For more info, drop jeff an email: bicycleja at yahoo.com
In the meantime, check out this itinerary that Jeff sent along.
- Sunday, July 26th we ride about 38 miles to Delaware Water Gap with an optional afternoon ride of 20-25 miles to visit 2 breweries. We’re staying at the Deer Head Inn where we’ll eat dinner and enjoy an evening of Jazz. Breakfast is included the following morning.
- Monday, July 27th we have a spectacular ride through Delaware Water National Recreation Area to Milford, PA (about 40 miles) where we stay at the beautiful Hotel Fauchere. In the afternoon riders will have the option of riding to the top of NJ, in High Point State Park with dinner back at the hotel that evening. Breakfast is included the following morning.
- Tuesday, July 28th we ride to Hawley, PA (about 40 miles, there will also be an optional afternoon ride) where we’ll be staying at the The Settlers Inn, a fabulous Arts and Crafts style inn with an excellent dinner which includes a great beer selection. Breakfast is included the following morning.
- Wednesday, July 29th we ride about 70 miles to Hancock, NY where we’ll stay at the Hancock House Hotel. Dinner is on your own but we recommend the Bluestone Grill.
- Thursday, July 30th (breakfast at the hotel on your own) we ride 50 miles to Andes, NY and stay at the Andes Hotel for a special meal and more great beers.
- Friday, July 31st-(breakfast on your own, restaurant across the street) we ride the last 50 miles to the Ommegang Brewery where we’ll set up camp before the VIP dinner that evening.
- Saturday, August 1st - Before the Festival we plan to ride around Lake Otsego which is about 35 miles. There will be time to shower and get something to eat before the festival begins at 2pm and goes until 6pm. That evening we’ll enjoy a BBQ hosted by Iron Hill Brewery. Food is available for purchase day of the festival as well.
- Sunday, August 2nd – Break down camp, pack up and return to Philadelphia around 11am.
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