Chautauqua Lake & Bemus Point, NY
(NOTE: Bring your helmet as New York State has laws to wear them!)

DIRECTIONS:

For our starting point from Erie, we've picked the center of downtown, 6th and State Streets. Head East on 6th Street, also known as the Seaway Trail. Your first turn will be a right in Lawrence Park at Iroquois Avenue (Route 955 East)in 3.6 miles. In the meantime, you'll be passing East High School, GE and The Dog House bar on your way.

(TRIP MARK: 3.6 miles)
After your turn onto Iroquois Ave. (Route 955 E.), proceed a total of 3.7 miles staying left as you pass an old classic Dairy Queen on the right, and the PA State Police Barracks on your left. You'll continue on passing Whitford Park on your left and the GE Test Track on your right, and Downing Golf Course on the left just before coming to a stop sign in Harborcreek.

(TRIP MARK: 7.3 miles)
From this stop sign in Harborcreek, you are going to go straight, putting you on Route 20 East where you will travel 6.3 miles until you hit downtown Northeast, PA. At the beginning of this leg in Harborcreek, if you are hungry, there is the Fiddle Inn immediately on your right where they boast the "best wings in town" but remember, Harborcreek ain't all that big! If you want a food or refreshment stop, we suggest you continue on to Northeast were we'll tell you of a great loacation called Johnny B's. A couple other local biker-friendly sites to consider along the way and close to Northeast, is the Townline Tavern which comes up on the right, Presque Isle Wine Cellars and Gravel Pit Park both on the left.

(TRIP MARK: 13.6 miles)
You are now in Northeast, PA at the center of town at the corners of Route 20 and Main Street (Route 89). If you wish to stop at Johnny B's, travel one more block East on Route 20, turning right on to Vine Street. Johnny B's in just 2 blocks ahead on Vine to the right. Great food and a nice long step-up bar. The place is owned by the Buscemi family and we love em!
IF YOU ARE SKIPPING JOHNNY B'S, continue straight on Route 20 another 4.8 miles to the New York State Line. PUT ON YOUR HELMETS! On your trip out of Northeast, consider a stop at Arundale Farm on the right... great seasonal apple cider and great conversation with Mike & Emily Schultz!

(TRIP MARK: 18.4 miles)
You are now at the New York State Line and time to put on your helmet if you aren't already wearing one. You'll now be traveling 10,7 miles to Mayville, NY where you make a right turn on to Route 394 East. But if you have been holding off stopping, the historic and haunted Kelly Hotel and Bar is a great choice. Just about 60 seconds past the state line, Kelly's has a great selection of wings and is family owned. Currently it's a dirt parking lot but they have plans to pave soon. They also have a great bikenight on Sundays and serve delicious fresh bread pizzas for only $5. You'll also pass a multitude of wineries along this route if that is your thing! In order, there is Quincy Cellars, Noble Winery, Vetter Vinyards Winery and Johnson Winery from Ripley, NY at the start of the Chautauqua Wine Trail to Sherman, NY. Another nice stop is the old Meeder Restaurant is between Ripley and Sherman in Westfield, NY where they boast the "world's best pies and shakes!"

(TRIP MARK: 29.1 miles)
Once you roll into Westfield, NY for your turn, the tall building on the right corner is the old corporate headquarters of Welch's. Make your right turn and travel a relaxing scenic ride for 7.2 miles. Mostly uphill, it culminates with an awesome downhill glide to the city and shore of Chautaqua Lake. As you approach lake side you round a bend and immediately want to stop at the Lakeside Hotel on the right and immediately across from the lake! Very biker-friendly with line-up parking on the street. Sunday & Mondays usually bring live on-porch music and their coconut shrimp appetizer makes a nice light snack. Wednesday is wing specials and Friday & Saturday carry live bands. Some of the other days are pretty dead but the view always makes up for it. Sunday gets our best vote! Upon leaving you want to head back the way you came so be careful of oncoming traffic. Some have their eyes on the lake, not on the bikes where they should be!

(TRIP MARK: 36.3 miles)
Pulling out from Chautauqua's Lakeview Hotel you want to first, be careful, and second, head back the way you came just until you go around the bend... then take a quick right onto Lakeview Avenue! This is a road that sort of cuts corners and takes you along the head of the lake by cottages. Go just .2 tenths of a mile until you turn again to the right onto Sea Lion Drive.When you get to the stop sign, stay left onto Mill Street. Follow this right up to the intersection of Route 430 where you will turn right. All said, you will have traveled approximately 1.9 miles to this point. You will be facing the LCD Lake County Dairy Store. Remember this as it will come in handy as a landmark for your turn if you return this way.

(TRIP MARK: 38.2 miles)
Upon making that right turn, you are now on Route 430 traveling East to Dewittville and towards Bemus point. You'll travel with no worries for 8.7 miles when you will see an exit sign for "all traffic lanes" staying on Route 430 East. Shortly after that you will see another exit for Bemus point which brings you to a stop sign. A point of interest along the way is the historic Midway Park, an old amusement park resembling a mini Waldameer! If you stop, you'll be pleased with the view and charm and don't forget to check out the very cool roller rink! It's inside the main building on the second floor and overlooks the park to one side and the lake on the other.

(TRIP MARK: 46.9 miles)
At the stop sign, turn right heading to Bemus Point for less than a mile to your final destination at the center of town. At the stop sign in town, you should park where you can and see the rest on foot. You have a couple of great eating establishments: Hare N'Hounds Inn, The Italian Fisherman and the Village Casino but should check for their menu and pricing first as they can get rather pricey. Lake deck dining at the Casino is pretty cool! Note; the Casino Restaurant is not an actual casino, it only uses it in the name. Summer entertainment is great in Bemus Point with the "Floating Stage Concert Series" and other attractions right along the Italian Fisherman strip. Friendly bars, ice cream and especially shopping is a huge draw, so keep your saddlebags as empty as you can for the trip up!

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TRIP TOTAL ONE WAY: 47.7 miles
ENJOY! ... from your friends at Ride-Erie!