Empire State Ride Rundown
You are embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, and the funds you raise will power cutting-edge clinical trials and cancer research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Whether this is your first Empire State Ride or your tenth, we have you covered with everything you need to know for a successful week on the road.
Key dates in 2024
June 1
ESR Travel Survey due date.
July 15
Shipped bikes must arrive at Campus WheelWorks in Buffalo, NY. ESR will bring shipped bikes from Campus Wheelworks to bike drop-off on July 18.
July 18
Bike drop-off (bikes only) at 901 Washington St., Buffalo, NY 14203, from 2 – 6 p.m.
July 20
Charter bus departs Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo to Wagner College on Staten Island. Please arrive at Roswell Park by 7 a.m. Bus departs as soon as it’s full, no later than 8 a.m.
Bus arrives at Wagner College around 3:30 – 4 p.m.
Mandatory Wagner College Orientation, starting with dinner at 5 p.m. – 631 Howard Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310.
July 21 – 27
500+ Miles to Niagara Falls!
July 27
Finish Line at Niagara Falls!
Traveling to
Staten Island
Transportation to and from the Empire State Ride is your responsibility.
Here are some options to make it easier.
Charter bus
(Registered riders only. Find information on transporting your bike here.)
ESR offers a charter bus on July 20 from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY, directly to Wagner College on Staten Island, where the adventure begins. The cost is $150 per person, one way.
ESR also offers a charter bus from Niagara Falls, NY, to Wagner College on Sunday, July 28, departing at 9 a.m., for riders returning to the NYC area. The cost is $150 per person, one way.
The registration form to reserve your bus tickets will be available in Spring 2024.
Airports
Fly to Newark, LaGuardia or JFK airports in New York City, then find ground transportation to Wagner College in time for orientation on Saturday, July 20, beginning with dinner at 5 p.m.. Travel with your bicycle and luggage or ship your bicycle to Buffalo by July 15 (see bike shipping).
Train
Take Amtrak to Penn Station, New York City. Take the subway to the Staten Island Ferry. From there, take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to Wagner College in time for orientation at Wagner College, beginning with dinner at 5 p.m. Travel with your bicycle and luggage or ship your bicycle to Buffalo by July 15 (see bike shipping).
Driving and parking
The charter bus is for registered riders and luggage only (no bikes). Riders, including those flying or taking the train, can drop their bikes off at 901 Washington Ave. in Buffalo, NY, on July 18 for the bike truck. On July 20, charter bus riders traveling to Wagner College should gather at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Weeklong parking is available at Roswell Park for any rider, free of charge.
Alternatively, riders can be dropped off at Wagner College or drive there and park their car for the week at no cost. ESR offers another charter bus from Niagara Falls, NY, back to Wagner College on Sunday, July 28.
Transporting your bike
Shipping your bike
You can ship your bike with Bike Flights. Bike Flights offers event pricing, boxing options and detailed shipping instructions.
Ship your bike to Buffalo, NY, before ESR, to arrive no later than July 15 at Campus WheelWorks, our Buffalo bike shop and bike shipping partner. Campus WheelWorks will unpack and rebuild your bicycle, and we will transport it to Wagner College. We will also transport your bicycle from the Niagara Falls finish line to Campus WheelWorks for return shipping. Bike shipping both ways is at your expense.
Bicycle shuttle truck
The bike truck departs from Roswell Park on July 19, and will bring shipped and local bicycles directly to the start line at Wagner College. If you are in the Western New York area, bring your fully assembled bike, without attachments, to 901 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 on Thursday, July 18, between 2 – 6 p.m. The bike truck departs Buffalo early Friday, July 19, to Wagner College.
Bike rentals
Though we encourage riders to train on and ride the same bike for Empire State Ride, we recognize that this may not always be an option. If you can’t get your bike to Staten Island, you can rent a bike for the week through Unlimited Biking at event pricing.
Your rental will be dropped off at Wagner College on July 20 and picked up at Niagara Falls on July 27. Helmets are provided.
Have an eBike?
Read our blog all about eBikes at ESR.
Camping and hotels
Catered camping is the core of the Empire State Ride experience and is strongly encouraged. We camp at state parks, fairgrounds, colleges and schools. A room block is available to riders who are unable to camp, at their expense. Hotel suggestions and room blocks are coming soon!
Apps to download
Download the Empire State Ride navigation apps prior to check-in to stay connected and informed while on the road. Check the route page for official maps!
The Empire State Ride team will continue to provide details for registered riders as we get closer to the weeklong adventure.
TraQCentral.
Prior to check-in at Wagner College, all riders must download the TraQCentral app from the App Store or Google Play.
Coming soon
Ride With GPS Experience App.
The ESR Ride With GPS Experience App includes day-by-day details, route maps and daily map meeting updates. We’ll be using this app to post daily updates, so it’s a must-have for all riders. Download the app by Friday, July 21.
[H1] Empire State Ride Rundown
You are embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, and the funds you raise will power cutting-edge clinical trials and cancer research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Whether this is your first Empire State Ride or your tenth, we have you covered with everything you need to know for a successful week on the road.
[H2] Key Dates 2024
June 1 ESR Travel Survey due date
July 15 Shipped bikes must arrive at Campus WheelWorks in Buffalo, NY. ESR will bring shipped bikes from Campus Wheelworks to bike drop-off on July 18.
July 18 Bike drop-off (bikes only) at 901 Washington St., Buffalo, NY 14203, from 2 – 7 p.m.
July 19 Bike shuttle truck departs Buffalo for Wagner College on Staten Island (New York City).
July 20 Charter bus departs Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo to Wagner College on Staten Island. Please arrive at Roswell Park by 7 a.m. Bus departs as soon as it’s full, no later than 8 a.m.
Bus arrives at Wagner College around 3:30 – 4 p.m.
July 20 Mandatory Wagner College Orientation, starting with dinner at 5 p.m.
– 631 Howard Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310.
July 21 – 27 500+ Miles to Niagara Falls!
July 27 Finish Line at Niagara Falls!
[H2] Traveling to Staten Island
Transportation to and from the Empire State Ride is your responsibility. Here are some options to make it easier.
[H3] Charter Bus (Registered riders only. Find information on transporting your bike here.)
- ESR offers a charter bus on July 20 from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY, directly to Wagner College on Staten Island, where the adventure begins. The cost is $150 per person, one way.
- ESR also offers a charter bus from Niagara Falls, NY, to Wagner College on Sunday, July 28, departing at 9 a.m., for riders returning to the NYC area. The cost is $150 per person, one way.
The registration form to reserve your bus tickets will be available in Spring 2024.
[H3] Airports
- Fly to Newark, LaGuardia or JFK airports in New York City, then find ground transportation to Wagner College in time for orientation on Saturday, July 22, beginning with dinner at 5 p.m.. Travel with your bicycle and luggage or ship your bicycle to Buffalo by July 15 (see bike shipping).
[H3] Train
- Take Amtrak to Penn Station, New York City. Take the subway to the Staten Island Ferry. From there, take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to Wagner College in time for orientation at Wagner College, beginning with dinner at 5 p.m. Travel with your bicycle and luggage or ship your bicycle to Buffalo by July 15 (see bike shipping).
[H3] Driving and Parking
The charter bus is for registered riders and luggage only (no bikes). Riders, including those flying or taking the train, can drop their bikes off at 901 Washington Ave. in Buffalo, NY, on July 18 for the bike truck. On July 20, charter bus riders traveling to Wagner College should gather at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Weeklong parking is available at Roswell Park for any rider, free of charge.
Alternatively, riders can be dropped off at Wagner College or drive there and park their car for the week at no cost. ESR offers another charter bus from Niagara Falls, NY, back to Wagner College on Sunday, July 28.
[H2] Transporting Your Bike
[H3] Shipping Your Bike
You can ship your bike with Bike Flights. Bike Flights offers event pricing, boxing options and detailed shipping instructions.
Bike Flights button to link: bikeflights.com
- Ship your bike to Buffalo, NY, before ESR, to arrive no later than July 15 at Campus WheelWorks, our Buffalo bike shop and bike shipping partner. Campus WheelWorks will unpack and rebuild your bicycle, and we will transport it to Wagner College. We will also transport your bicycle from the Niagara Falls finish line to Campus WheelWorks for return shipping. Bike shipping both ways is at your expense.
Campus WheelWorks mailto: ejohnson@campuswheelworks.com
[H3] Bicycle Shuttle Truck
The bike truck departs from Roswell Park on July 19, and will bring shipped and local bicycles directly to the start line at Wagner College. If you are in the Western New York area, bring your fully assembled bike, without attachments, to 901 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 on Thursday, July 18, between 2 and 7 p.m. The bike truck departs Buffalo early Friday, July 19, to Wagner College.
[H3] Bike Rentals
Though we encourage riders to train on and ride the same bike for Empire State Ride, we recognize that this may not always be an option. If you can’t get your bike to Staten Island, you can rent a bike for the week through Unlimited Biking at event pricing.
Your rental will be dropped off at Wagner College on July 20 and picked up at Niagara Falls on July 27. Helmets are provided.
Button Rent a Bike
[H2]
Have an ebike? Read our blog all about ebikes at ESR.
[H2] Apps to download
[icon and link for TraQCentral] [icon and link for Ride for GPS]
Download the Empire State Ride navigation apps prior to check-in to stay connected and informed while on the road. Check the route page for official maps!
The Empire State Ride team will continue to provide details for registered riders as we get closer to the weeklong adventure.
Check-in.
Check-in will go from noon until 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, at Wagner College. Dinner will start at 5 p.m. with a mandatory orientation at 6:15 p.m.
Monitoring air quality.
At this time, we’re closely monitoring air quality as measured by the Environmental Protection Agency and will follow EPA and ESR medical staff recommendations. We’ll notify you no later than one week before orientation about any major changes, but be aware that some logistics may shift during the week in the event of poor air quality.
As we work through backup plans, please do the same. You can use the Air Now app for air quality updates and check your email for updates from the Empire State Ride. If you have any breathing issues or are sensitive to air quality, reach out to Katie Kaplewicz to explore your options or take a medical deferment for ESR24.
To-do list.
Before you leave for Saturday’s orientation at Wagner College, make sure you have the following:
Bike supplies such as a patch kit, tire levers, tools and spare tubes.
Your favorite snacks and hydration.
Kits and clothing to avoid doing laundry for the week.
Sleeping bag and pillow
Your wallet with your ID and any extra spending cash you might want.
Don’t forget to check your Travel Planner for a full packing list and other details.
Play Video
Camp schedule.
Saturday, July 22
Wagner College, Staten Island
Sunday, July 23
Somers High School, Somers
Monday, July 24
Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck
Tuesday, July 25
Shaker Heritage Society, Albany
Wednesday, July 26
Donovan Middle School, Utica
Thursday, July 27
Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport
Friday, July 28
Ferris Goodrich American Legion, Spencerport
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
1 p.m.
Camp opens: HUB available for information, towels and recovery snacks
3 p.m.
Last rest stop target time — 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
Safety.
Safety comes first when out on the road. Here are a few reminders to keep you safe and healthy throughout your 500+ mile journey:
You MUST wear your helmet when you’re on your bike. No exceptions.
Make sure you check the weather before heading out each day, and dress accordingly.
Avoid headphones to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
Hydrate and carry snacks and electrolyte powders. Drink before you’re thirsty and use nutrition to prevent fatigue throughout your ride.
Ride no more than two abreast and use your voice and hand gestures when changing lanes or turning.
Have your apps and safety numbers ready if you need them. Call 911 first in the event of an emergency.
Fundraising.
Keep up the great work with fundraising and stay strong through the finish line! When you’re on the road, people are interested in your journey. Post about your ride on social media and remind people that we’re raising money for cancer research at Roswell Park.
Finish line.
Tell your family and friends to welcome you and your fellow road warriors on Old Falls Street in Niagara Falls on Saturday, July 29. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. with food trucks, music and more.
