Rail Bike Tours – Rail Explorers Cooperstown

Located four hours north of New York City and 1.5 hours north of Albany, Rail Explorers in Cooperstown will open for the summer and fall seasons from May 6, 2023 to October 31, 2023. The Cooperstown Division features two tour options, including Milford Track which is a 12-mile round trip (the national brand’s longest ride yet!) that journeys north through farmlands and forests along the Susquehanna River, as well as the Charlotte Valley Express which is an 8-mile Southern roundtrip that also meanders alongside the River and goes over the majestic 200-foot long Portlandville Trestle. Both journeys incorporate an electric pedal assist system for the entirety of tours.

Rail Explorers Cooperstown’s depot is located in Milford, New York approximately 15 minutes south of downtown Cooperstown at 136 E. Main St., Milford, NY 13807. Nearby attractions include the Ommegang Brewery and Fly Creek Cedar Mill, in addition to the major attractions, such as the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Rail Explorers Cooperstown operates Thursday through Monday. There are no tours on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Ten 2-person Tandems or nine 4-person Quads are available and can accommodate up to 56 riders total. The Milford Track Tour start at $95 for 2-person or $175 for 4-person, while Charlotte Valley Express Tours start at $90 for 2-person or $160 for 4-person. Free parking is available for Rail Explorers at the train station.

Rail Explorers’ vehicles are custom-built and carefully engineered with steel wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, and the latest technology, focusing on safety, design and ease of operation, so that riders of all ages and all physical ability levels can participate safely. Guests have included couples young and old, groups of friends, and multi-generational families. This commitment to inclusion prompted the design of a custom electric pedal assistance system to overcome the difficulty of pedaling uphill, and led to a frame construction strong enough to have no weight limit.

Pets are also welcome! For pets up to 40 pounds, there is NO pet fee, and a dog mat will be included for FREE. Note only one pet is allowed per guest/group. Previous pet guests have included dogs, cats, lizards, parrots, and even ducks.

Details of both Rail Explorers Cooperstown tours are included below:

Milford Track: A 12-mile round trip tour starting northbound, crossing the Susquehanna River at two points long steel truss bridges. Coasting through woodlands and fields, and hills, it not only offers views of nature but takes guests right through Cooperstown Dreams Park, with baseball fields on both sides backed by rolling foothills. Come baseball season, guests have the chance of potentially seeing teams on the fields adjacent to the tracks. The Milford Track turnaround point offers both shade and sun along the riverside with plenty of places for guests to sit and relax; a short footpath down to the riverbank offers views of the waterfront and the Phoenix Mills Historic Bridge.

Charlotte Valley Express: An eight-mile round trip tour starting southbound, the Charlotte Valley Express crosses the Susquehanna River on a long, low-to-the-water steel truss bridge that offers stunning views of the river and forest. Carrying guests through the woodlands and fields, this route is mostly flat and tracks along the Susquehanna for much of the tour, offering shading along much of the way. With rolling foothills and mountains stretching off into the distance on both sides, it travels near several small working farms where guests are known to see livestock grazing. The Charlotte Valley turnaround point is tucked away deep within the pine forest.

Milford Track Fireside: Encompassing the same views as the daytime tours, the Fireside tours will roll through the wilderness to the turnaround point where there will be several campfires. Guests are invited to cozy up on Adirondack chairs or benches. Guests are welcome to bring blankets. Rail Explorers will also offer marshmallows and roasting sticks for purchase in the depot before departure.

For both Cooperstown tours, there will be a 15-to-20-minute break while the guides turn the bikes for the return trip. Railbikes in the Cooperstown Division are equipped with an electric pedal assist, which is used for the entirety of the tour.

Group, private and educational tours are also available. In addition, special tours are available for those who are visually or hearing impaired or with cognitive disabilities with direct supervision.

For more information, visit www.railexplorers.net or call 877-833-8588. Reservations are highly recommended.