By Donald D. Dowling
NORTH COAST WINE COUNTRY
Starting Point – Dunkirk, NY | Approximate Distance – 61 miles | Riding Time – 1 hour, 40 minutes
Further west on Rt. 5, you will discover Lake Erie State Park, a great place to camp beside Lake Erie. Rt. 5 parallels the lake shore with moderate changes in elevation and comfortable sweepers and great views of both water and vineyards.
Two more miles east is the picturesque village of Westfield. Two restaurants you might wish to try are the Parkview Café and Brazil’s on Main Street (Rt. 20). Also a half block east is the Westfield Diner with a cool 1960s vibe.
From EBC West, go back to the stoplight where Rte 73 crosses Rt. 20. Turn left (north) on Temple Street for .1 mile to Central Avenue. Turn right on Central (east) and shortly after entering Dunkirk, slow down! You are about to pass one of the best ice cream shops ever. The “Big Dipper” on the right can’t be missed if you love ice cream! Your sweet tooth satisfied, ride north on Central Ave to your starting point, the Dunkirk Pier.
SOUTHERN FARM COUNTRY
Starting point – Jamestown | Approximate Distance – 86 miles | Riding Time – 2 hours
After leaving the deli head west on 474 to Blockville and turn right onto Open Meadows Road (Rt. 35). Enjoy wide views until reaching a “T” intersection. Turn left on Rt. 33 south to Panama. At the light turn right and follow the signs to Panama Rocks, a natural wonderland. There are picnic tables, a restroom, and a great tour through an amazing rock formation. It is shady and cool even on the hottest days, and makes a wonderful spot for a quiet break and picnic.
Later, returning east on Rt. 430, stop in the little village of Sherman. You’ll know you are there when you see the old west style covered sidewalks with railings to hitch your pony. Franklin’s Pizza offers a buck off for bikers on any pizza or sub. (Tell’m Don sent you).
THE GREAT BEER CHASE
Starting point - pick your own | Approximate Distance and Riding Time – varies
There are four destinations on the brewery tour, and they are at opposite ends of the county. If you want to hit all four, you may wish to make each a stop on another tour or a destination of its own. Each has its own special appeal.
Destination #1: The Ellicottville Brewing Company in Fredonia, known as EBC West. This brew pub has a great restaurant. It is just a block west of the traffic light on Rts. 20 and 73, next to the town park and the center of town. Make reservations for dinner and enjoy. If you are definitely through riding for the day you might try EBC’s “Pantius Droppus”, Imperial pale ale. It packs a royal punch.
Destination # 3: The new Ellicottville Brewing Company location in Bemus Point. Located in downtown Bemus Point right next to the lake you can enjoy beautiful sunsets and participate in the array of entertainments in this dynamic town.
Chautauqua County – Yours to explore. For help in advance planning, be sure to pick up a copy of the Chautauqua County Travel Guide or visit the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau.
Donald Dowling has been a motorcyclist for over 55 years. His first bike was a 500cc BSA stripped for off-road riding. He has owned bikes from most major manufacturers, ranging from 50cc to 1800cc. A competitor in motorcycle scrambles racing as a young man, he has been a road rider most of his life. He has been a writer for nearly as long and most recently completed a Western novel, "The Gold of Vanishing Creek". Dowling has been a resident of Chautauqua County for over thirty years, and has loved great eats even longer. He is always ready to talk bikes and good food. Read more about his adventures on his blog at donalddouglasdowling.com