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Camping

From tent set-up to catered meals, here’s what to expect from camp life!

Camp life is the cornerstone of Empire State Ride. All riders get a designated tent, an air mattress, catered meals and more. Our team handles set-up and tear-down so riders can focus on the adventure. We make it easy to get settled in after a long day of riding by taking care of the basics.

Camp is part of the camaraderie that makes ESR so special. It’s a great way to meet other riders and hear why people are there.

Steve Mars, veteran rider
Steve Mars, ESR co-chairman
Two women smile with their arms around each other at an outdoor event. One wears a "Black Girls Do Bike" jersey, the other a purple T-shirt and hat. Tents are visible in the background, set against a backdrop of trees.
A group of people sit and talk in camping chairs near a row of tents outdoors. Some wear hats and casual clothes, creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere at a campsite.
A person lies on a blue exercise mat on grass, wearing cycling gear with "ONE MISSION" visible on their back. They have a cap, wristband, and watch. Their hands rest on their back, and they are in a relaxed pose.

What's included?

No-hassle tent camping with a tent, chair, air mattress, clean towels and daily delivery of your luggage

Shower truck and restrooms

Mechanics support

The ESR HUB, a central location for all information, complete with beverages, snacks, first-aid supplies, sunscreen and cue sheets

Catered breakfast and dinner with consideration for dietary restrictions

Charging stations for devices, like GPSes, Garmins, phones, cameras and more

eBike charging station at camp (eBike charging is not provided at rest stops)

A man and a woman are inside a trailer set up as a charging station, organizing electronic devices and cables. Shelves are filled with equipment, and a sign reads "Charging Station." Another person is in the background, and a car is parked outside.
A man sits smiling in a camping chair among rows of tents on a grassy lawn, with a large brick building featuring towers in the background on a sunny day.

Extras

Nightly mission-based programs

Optional massages for purchase

Wellness support, including first-aid and physical therapists

Hammocks and lawn games

Camp Schedule

Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. with a nightly program at 6:30 p.m. that unites everyone around our shared mission to end cancer. After the program, there is free time until 10 p.m. when quiet hours begin. Select venues will have live music and drinks to enjoy.

Check out the venues!

Orientation Day / July 25

Wagner College, Staten Island

Day 1 / July 26

Hendrick Hudson School District, Montrose

Day 2 / July 27

Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck

Day 3 / July 28

Shaker Heritage Society, Albany

Day 4 / July 29

Utica University, Utica

Day 5 / July 30

Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport

Day 6 / July 31

Ferris Goodrich American Legion, Spencerport

Day 7 / August 1

Finish Line in Niagara Falls, NY
(No camping option. Hotels available at rider's expense.)

A map of New York State marks a route from Staten Island to Niagara Falls, with stops at Somers, Rhinebeck, Albany, Utica, Weedsport, Spencerport, and labeled locations for each day’s stop.
Two women sit cross-legged on a blanket in the park, enjoying a day-to-day moment. One holds a bowl, the other has papers in her lap, both smiling amid the greenery and tents that hint at a casual outdoor gathering.
Sign for the Empire State Ride to End Cancer shows "Comfy Campers Tent Check-In" under a graphic of a bicycle and text "500 Miles, One Mission." The sign is located outdoors with grass and a paved path in the background.

Hotels

Camping is highly encouraged but may not be for everyone.

Riders wishing to stay in a hotel can choose from room blocks at their own expense. Riders should call the hotel directly to book and pay for their room. ESR does not give rider information to the hotel.  Rooms are limited and available at a first-come, first-serve basis. Riders staying at hotels will have the option to take an ESR shuttle to and from camp. The ESR hotel shuttle service starts on Day 1 – Sunday, July 26, 2026.  The fees for the shuttle are $140 for the week or $20 per day.

Reasons you should camp!

At the end of the day, it's not about the ride. It's about the funds raised. And it's about hanging out at camp when you get there. Trust me, the beer tastes really good after a day of riding.

Richard Noll, veteran rider

In 2025, Empire State Ride will start at Wagner College with stays at the following camps :

Day 1

Somers Middle School

Day 2

Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck

Day 3

Shaker Heritage Society, Albany

Day 4

Donovan Middle School, Utica

Day 5

Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport

Day 6

American Legion Post, Spencerport

Day 7

Finish Empire State Ride in Niagara Falls* Overnight accommodations are NOT provided on day 7. Hotels are at riders’ own expense.

Camping info

Orientation Day:
Saturday, July 26

Rows of orange and gray tents are set up on a grassy lawn in front of a large, historic brick building with arched windows and a stone entrance. Tall trees and shrubs stand proudly in the background, blending day-to-day life with timeless architecture.
Wagner College,
Staten Island

Day One:
Sunday, July 27

A cyclist wearing a helmet and a Roswell Park jersey looks out from a ferry at a city skyline across the water on a clear day.

New York City to Somers
Traditional Route: 65 miles
Bonus Miles: +16.7 mile loop

Day Two:
Monday, July 28

A group of cyclists wearing helmets and athletic gear rides across a bridge on a sunny day, capturing the essence of day-to-day adventure. The bridge is enclosed with a mesh fence, and a forested hillside is visible in the background.

Somers to Rhinebeck

Traditional Route: 78.9 miles
Bonus Miles: +20.4 mile loop
Hilly Route: 71.9 Miles

Day Three:
Tuesday, July 29

Three cyclists wave and smile as they ride on a sunny road, enjoying their day-to-day adventure. The lead cyclist sports an orange and blue jersey, with two others following closely. Trees and a park-like setting surround them, adding to the tranquility of their journey.

Rhinebeck to Albany

Traditional Route: 80.7 miles
Bonus Miles: +22.8 miles

Bonus Routes

Looking for an even bolder challenge? Riders can choose to add on bonus miles or tackle a hillier alternative route! This is an ideal opportunity for experienced endurance cyclists or past riders looking to step up their road game.

Daily Distance

The total distance for the seven-day adventure is 500+ miles. Each day’s route will vary with the shortest ride day being approximately 60 miles and the longest day covering 100 miles. We anticipate riders cycling for an average of seven hours each day with rest stops approximately every 20 miles. Training to ride at 14-15 miles per hour will keep you on track to complete Empire State Ride.

So, how will it work?

Traditional Route:

The traditional Empire State Ride route covers between 60 and 100 miles each day from Staten Island to Niagara Falls.

Bonus Miles:

Want to go the distance? Riders have the options to add 20 additional miles to the end of either the standard or hilly route on days one and two. Day three has the option to add 23 additional miles by branching off from the standard route at the Albany rest stop.

Hilly Route:

Are hills more your speed? Riders can opt in to a hilly alternative route on days two and four that deviates from the standard route.

Relaxed Route:

Riders wanting to shorten the days’ mileage can take a morning shuttle to rest stop two as an added “boost.”

All routes end at a shared camp each night.

Check out all the routes
Five cyclists celebrate under the entrance sign of Weedsport Speedway, posing with raised arms and sporting helmets and cycling gear. The background features a clear sky and some trees.
Two cyclists in Empire State Ride jerseys pose in front of a fountain. They are smiling and making hand gestures, with a large building as the backdrop. The event appears to be a charity ride for cancer.
Two cyclists wearing helmets and matching jerseys are smiling while riding bikes in front of a large building with glass windows. The building has the word "ISLAND" visible. Another cyclist in safety gear stands nearby.
Trail marker post with "Canalway Trail Erie" and "Empire State Trail" signs. A flag reads, "One Mission 7 Days 500 Miles," and points right. Green trees and a path in the background.

Day Four:
Wednesday, July 30

A group of six smiling people stand outdoors, holding a large picture frame that reads "Empire State Ride to End Cancer" and "Halfway to the Falls!" Trees and grass are visible in the background. They appear happy in their casual sports attire, embracing the day-to-day joy of their journey.

Albany to Utica
Traditional Route: 100.7 miles
Hilly Route: 103.2 miles

Day Five:
Thursday, July 31

A group of cyclists in matching blue jerseys pose with their bikes in front of a U-Haul truck, embodying the excitement of their day-to-day adventures. They stand on a grassy area with trees and a building visible in the backdrop, everyone looking cheerful and ready for a ride.
Utica to Weedsport
Traditional Route: 84.1 miles

Day Six:
Friday, August 1

A group of four people in colorful sportswear gather in front of Pittsford Farms Dairy, adorned with patriotic bunting. This lively day-to-day scene features others entering the building, suggesting a biking or running event.

Weedsport to Spencerport
Traditional Route: 84.1 miles

Day Seven:
Saturday, August 2

A large group of cyclists in matching Empire State Ride jerseys gather for a photo near Niagara Falls. The mist from the falls and city skyline are visible in the background. The group appears cheerful and excited.

Spencerport to Niagara Falls
Traditional Route: 75 miles

Camp life

Empire State Ride takes you across the beautiful landscape of New York State in seven days.

Riders arrive at Wagner College on Staten Island, New York, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, for orientation and check-in. The next morning, hundreds of road warriors start the ESR adventure together. Each day, the average riding distance is about miles with support, like first-aid, mechanics and scheduled shuttles, along the way.

At the finish line, you’ll be welcomed by a mile of cheering, smiling faces as you ride down in Niagara Falls. From there, all that’s left to do is enjoy music, food, drinks, vendors and the eighth wonder of the world — Niagara Falls.

A man in a blue shirt is washing a bicycle with a hose, set against the backdrop of camping tents on a grassy area—just another scene from his day-to-day routine.
A group of cyclists wearing helmets rides along a wide, elevated pathway with a mesh fence on both sides, capturing the essence of day-to-day outdoor adventures. A person in a red shirt walks in the opposite direction, while hills loom in the background under a clear sky.
A historic brick building with two towers and arched windows stands under a blue sky, creating a picturesque backdrop to the day-to-day activities. In the foreground, several tents dot the landscape while lush greenery frames this timeless scene.

Daily schedule.

6 a.m.

Breakfast served at camp

7 – 8 a.m.

Depart from camp

1 – 5:30 p.m.

Rolling finish line into camp

3 p.m.

Target time for the last rest stop — cyclists struggling to finish should schedule the ESR shuttle to camp to avoid a late finish

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Dinner at camp

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Evening programming

8 p.m.

Free time

Four participants smile at the Empire State Ride
People stand outside of the red and white trimmed Pittsford Farms Dairy building
Smiling cyclists wave to the camera