15.7 miles
Easy — Mix of dirt and pavement
This is an easy ride on dirt and pavement that starts and ends beside theMontezuma National Wildlife Refuge, one of the major nesting and feeding areas for migratory waterfowl in the Northeast. The 6,432-acre refuge is unique in that it is bisected by one of the country's busiest highways, the New York State Thruway. So, as you pedal along the route, tractor-trailers may roar in the distance, but you'll undoubtedly see Canada geese, great blue herons, and perhaps even a bald eagle. If you ride this route during the spring or fall migration periods, you'll see countless flocks of ducks and geese. Since this ride skirts a wildlife refuge, always yield the right of way to creatures with feathers or fur. (Note: bring a bike lock along so that you can take a short hike.)
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages the refuge (315-568-5987). There is an information center which is staffed in the summer and which has rest rooms and an observation platform. The Service has not permitted mountain bikes on Refuge roads and trails in the past so do not ride there without permission. The route described here skirts the Refuge on lightly traveled public roads.
There are miles and miles of back roads in this area that are wonderful for cruising by mountain bike. Sprinkled with farms and homes, and both din and pavement, these tend to follow the north/ south orientation of the glacial terrain. This is easy riding and as you will see. It is very inviting for more "do it yourself exploration.
How To Get There
The refuge is about twenty miles west of Syracuse or five miles east of Seneca Falls on Route 20. From the NYS Thruway use Exit 41 and follow Route 318 five miles to Route 20. Turn left and head north on Route 89 for two miles. You will find a large parking area on the right (east) side of the road overlooking the refuge. This is your starting point. 
The Ride
While you are getting the bikes ready to go, get out the binoculars and look over the refuge that lies down below you. You'll see some lovely meadows, the main marsh, and off to the southeast, the Visitors Center and observation tower.
Cross the road and turn left, heading south on the bike shoulder of Route 89. In just over a quarter mile, you'll see the Esker Brook Trail sign pointing off to the right. Take the paved road and climb past a lovely stone house. You'll see nesting boxes in the field as you climb up to the intersection. Take a few minutes and see if they have attracted bluebirds.
Continue straight ahead on to the dirt road (Lay Road) and past several large farm fields. As you approach paved County Road 101, note the stately home surrounded by evergreens off to your right. Turn left on CR 101. (Mile 1.5) Be careful of the quarter-mile on the County Road (there's no shoulder) and turn right on the narrow Nearpass Road. You'll cross several irrigation ditches on the flat dirt road as you head west. This is red-winged blackbird country. At Mile 2.9, turn right on Middle Black Brook Road. Pedal past a lightly populated area and climb up over the New York Thruway on a narrow bridge. Take the next left and scoot down a little drop, crossing White Brook and swinging up to the right to a maple-lined lane heading north. As you ride along, you'll traverse field after field of farmland which will be in corn some years, pasture in others.
Pass by Stevenson Road and be alert for a dog at Mile 5.0 coming off from your left. At West Tyre Road, turn right and swing down the little hill, taking the next left on Sutterby Road. This long dirt road takes you past the Town Clerk’s office with a gentle climb before you drop down to Lamb Road at Mile 6.6.
Lamb Road reminds one of "You take the high road..." lyrics as you ride past an interesting mix of lovely new homes next to abandoned farms on this elevated road. At Mile 7.7, carefully approach the drop to the intersection with Turnpike Road (County Road 105) and turn right, watching for traffic. You'll have a little more traffic and several small climbs to deal with as you head east for a little less than a mile to Gravel Road, which of course is not gravel any longer. Turn right. (Mile 8.5)
Gravel Road will be easy riding on smooth pavement. Looking off to the right, you'll see that you are paralleling the route that you came north on. At Mile 10.5, you will arrive at a four-way intersection marked by the Magee Volunteer Fire Department Building 2. Bear left and pedal through the little hamlet of Tyre, continuing straight ahead, climbing up over the Thruway at Mile 11.5.
Take the next left turn, Durling Road, which will lead you around to the Esker Brook Trail parking area. Plan to take a little walk here. Lock up your bike --do not ride on the Esker Trail! The trail crosses the tiny brook and has a quick climb up to the ridge. This walking trail winds along the esker and through brushy, moist habitat, as well as grassy former orchard habitat. It is a good place for warblers, vireos and flycatchers. Walk north up to the small pond and take a moment at one of the overlook areas to watch for wildlife. Don't be surprised to see large carp cavorting about in the algae-rich water. It's easy to forget, in this tranquil spot, that the Thruway is just over the ridge. The trail back to the starting point is well marked and easy traveling.
Back at the Esker Trail parking area, turn left and bike on up to Tschache (pronounced "shocky") Pond. Take East Tyre Road south to the intersection you passed on the way in. Turn left and cruise down to Route 89. Turn left and you'll find the parking area a half-mile ahead. Continue on another mile to check out more of the refuge. 
Bike north on the wide bike lane, again climbing up over the Thruway, to Tschache Pool which will be on your left (Mile 14.7). Stop by the lookout tower and take the pedestrian walkway along the pool. This trail goes about four miles up to the tip of the pool but will likely be posted, during nesting season, against travel more than a few hundred yards. Be sure to observe any "no pedestrian traffic" signs. The flooded timber area of the Tschache Pool is a heron rookery. (Note: the refuge is taking part in a drawdown research program so the formerly flooded area may be grassy.) Take some time and look over the area — note the nests in the stark dead trees in the distance. Some of these were once used as bald eagle hacking sites.
From Tschache pool, retrace your path on Route 89 south, using the wide shoulder as a bike lane. After a half mile, you will pass the North Spring Pool. There are nesting boxes in the woods off to your right as you pedal along this gentle road. You will be back to your car in about a half-mile.
Another option, which will double the length of your ride, is to head north from Tschache Pool and visit the new Montezuma Audubon Center, a state-owned facility operated through a cooperative agreement between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the National Audubon Society. Here you will find a large exhibit area, classroom, nature store, office area, auditorium, and a meeting room. On its 198 acres, there are five different types of habitat, two restored freshwater marshes, a one-mile hiking trail, and an all-access observation platform. It is about seven miles north on Route 89 to the facility.
