Musselman Bike Course


A white deer, famous for living at the Seneca Army Depot, near the Musselman course. Photo taken by Lou Katz.


On Friday Jan and I rode the new Musselman bike course.

We found the first 8 miles or so to be a gradual incline, nothing horrible, just a grind. Once we turned on to route 414 though, it was great. We averaged around 21 mph for 8 miles. When you hit route 89, along Cayuga Lake, the course heads south, instead of north as previously. The right turn from 89 to Swick road, near an Amish furniture market, is tough. It is a heart pounding long, steep climb up Swick.
The course is fairly flat after that, a few little inclines, but nothing severe.

Once you hit 96a there is a long (2 mile?) downhill that is sweet, heading back to Seneca Lake. Eventually you end up in Sampson State park, riding through there for a few miles. We found the roads in park rough, so be ready for those bumps.

Then it's just 10-12 miles along East Lake road to the finish. A few gentle climbs, but nothing severe.

We think this new course is easier than the previous one. I expect some expert riders to be able to really cruise on this course and everyone else to find it won't beat them up. It is nice not to be fighting the westerly wind for the last 15 miles, like the old course design forced you to do.

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