After considering the findings of the survey work, reviewing the experience of other areas, and discussing bicycling with numerous individuals around the region, the following six key ingredients appear to be most important in the successful development of a premier bicycling area in the Adirondack North Country Region:

Activities:

Industry Participants:

Collaborators:

Each ingredient plays an important role. If one is left out, the goals of this planning effort may still be accomplished, but probably not as quickly, and most likely not as successfully. Additionally, the ingredients can be mixed together in various forms. For example a list of bicycle events and bicycle shops can be included on bicycle maps. Bicycle clubs can help to evaluate bicycle maps and can help organize events. Highway departments can evaluate bicycle routes and work with clubs to clean and maintain shoulders. Working together, the six ingredients are a recipe for success.

Examples of published maps currently available in the region, by county, include:

Essex County

Boquet River Bicycle Map

Franklin County

Mountain Bike Trail Map

Fulton County

The New York Bicycle Touring Guide (route through county)

Herkimer County

Mountain Bike Map (featuring many trails in Hamilton County.

The New York Bicycle Touring Guide (route through county)

Jefferson County

Seaway Trail Bicycle Map

Lewis County

County Bicycle Map (in progress)

Oneida County

The New York Bicycle Touring Guide (route through county)

Oswego County

Seaway Trail Bicycle Map

Saratoga County

County Bicycle Map (in progress)

The New York Bicycle Touring Guide (route through county)

St. Lawrence County

Seaway Trail Bicycle Map

Warren County

Mountain Biking Map

In addition, at least two regional mapping efforts are underway. NYSDEC is preparing a regional map as part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve Public Use and Information Plan, while the Visitors Interpretive Center at Paul Smiths is beginning work on a series of sub-regional maps for the Adirondack Park.

A surprising finding from the bicyclist survey is the importance of events in bicyclists' decisions to take a bicycling vacation in a new area. Granted, the sample was comprised mainly of people who have done some long distance touring, so they may be more interested in events than the average cyclists. However, events seem to provide the impetus for a cyclist to come to an area for the first time.

When asked what would entice them to bicycle in the North Country Region, 23% of the respondents to the question mentioned that a bicycle event would influence their bicycling the North Country. A variety of events were mentioned: century rides, short tours, races, and fund raising events for charities. If they like what they see, as seems to be the case for those who first came to the North Country region for an event, then they will often come back again for a vacation. Word of mouth advertising comes into play with events as well, with event participants telling their friends and family about the enjoyable time they had. Word of mouth, by the way, is the form of advertising the majority of cyclists -- and tourists in general -- use to obtain information on a new area.

This same "multiplier effect" of events reportedly occurs around the annual Adirondack Canoe Classic (i.e., the 90 miler from Old Forge to Saranac Lake). Participants in that event have reported that the Canoe Classic was their first introduction to the area, and because of it, they now regularly vacation in the Adirondacks. Additionally, many now have a family tradition of participating in the event every year (personal communications: September, 1994)

Bicycle events can range in size and extent from a few bicycle club members getting together for a weekly ride through the countryside, to the cross-Iowa bicycle ride (RAGBRAI) that runs for eight days and attracts 5,000 or more riders. Bicycle clubs are often the impetus for bicycle event, and the importance bicycle clubs are outlined above.

The financial benefits of bicycle events to an area are well documented. The Iowa RAGBRAI generates over $1 million in direct expenditures during its 8 day duration (Blumenthal 1987). The Canton GEARS event in 1992 generated over $300,000 in direct expenditures in a few days.

There are many bicycle events occurring in the region already, some with a long history. A preliminary listing of bicycle events in the region is in the Appendix. The Fulton County Bike Race Weekend has been held for at least 12 years, the Tour de Tug is its 7th year. One successful race, the Tour of the Adirondacks, is no longer held after losing a main sponsor and organizer. Taking a regional perspective, it is important for event planners to coordinate the type and scheduling of events with each other. There are three advantages to coordinating events. First, by avoiding timing conflicts, events avoid drawing participants away from each other. Second, by coordinating schedules, complementary events could be scheduled for the same weekend in the same general area. For example, having a road race one day, and a mountain bicycle race the other. Or two mountain bike races on alternate weekend days, in neighboring communities. Third, by studying the current type and schedule of events, organizers of a new event can take advantage of open dates and uncommon events.

Looking at the preliminary list of North Country bicycle events (included as an appendix), there are not many bicycle events currently taking place in June, and there do not seem to be many mountain bike events in the early part of the summer. This type of understanding points to bicycle, and economic opportunities for local communities.