The Ilion Gorge Run

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > New York

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 5 visitors

State: New York
Date Submitted: March 1, 2007
Submitted by: Johnny S
Motorcycle Road Length: 11 Miles

Written Directions

Start your route in the town of Ilion, NY (which is just 10 miles southeast of Utica, NY) and head south on Rt 51 to East Winfield, NY.

Scenery

This short and sweet 10 mile run is a NY route that is one of those routes that is a well kept secret and all but unkown to most NY riders - until now! Route 51 or the "Ilion Gorge" is carved in a narrow valley that winds along a small creek bed. The steep cliffs on both sides limit the amount of deer that are visible. During the fall months, the leaves are beautiful and during spring the gorge is roaring with melted snow runoff. There are numerous stops to fish, swim, whatever.

Road Quality

The quality of the road varies, they State keeps it up pretty well, but the extremely sharp turns (which are all banked perfectly) sometimes collect debris, so be careful around turns.

Roadside Amenities

Ilion is a nice little upstate NY town. Home of Remington Arms and has plenty of amenities. The south end of the gorge is Cedarville, not much there more than a country store/diner with gas and a beer garden right at the stop sign. Perfect!

Additional Info

- Check out an online video of this route

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather.

Nickname (optional) Johnny S

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Reviewed by Guest on October 18, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: chuckyj95
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Triumph
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: There is some videos of this ride on utube.
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Reviewed by Guest on August 1, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Team All
motorcycle_year: 2010
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I don't think Joe Rocket has been on this road recently - I took the Gorge Road four days ago on a quick trip to Cooperstown. The pavement is in excellent condition and is well maintained by NYS DOT. A couple of nice tight turns, a couple of sweepers, and no issues with dirt or debris in the corners. At the end of the gorge, consider continuing south another three or four miles on ST-51 to US Highway 20. Turning east will get you to Richfield Springs, or a turn west will get you to West Winfield - Both are small farming communities with great character - amenities are readily available.
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Reviewed by Guest on July 12, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Joe Rocket
motorcycle_year: 2010
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: This used to be a great road. But unfortunetly that has changed, the road is now horribly maintanied and animals are everywhere. Not to mention the motorcycle deaths every year, which brings more and more cops.....
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Reviewed by Guest on November 28, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: bikrchik42
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: I rode this on the back of another person's bike - in probably 1993. And it stuck with me! That's how amazing this short little ride is! I can't remember the last name of the guy I rode with, or exactly when it was, but this little ride was the stuff that I have dreamt about for years. Now I am planning to take my husband up through this gorge next summer.... and maybe run into Gary if I'm lucky!
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Reviewed by Guest on May 17, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Sue Wightman
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: I grew up on the Ilion end of this road. It has become a favorite of mine for a short ride. You do need to watch out for dirt and rocks from the slides that happen once in a while. It is a fun road.
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