Bicycling the Erie Canal
Grail, Apr 18, 12:39 The Erie Canal Bicycle Trail consists of several trails and highway segments that generally follows the route of the original Canal and its modifications for about 363 miles from Buffalo, NY to its junction with the Hudson River north of Albany, NY. Trail surfaces vary from stone dust to asphalt. Along the canal, the trails are level. There are a few hills on the highway segments.
New mountain bicycle I bought for this trip. It has hydraulic disk brakes!
View of a stone dust segment of the trail.
Another view of a stone dust segment.
Typical highway segment along the route of the trail.
On August 27, 2011, Mary, Ramona and I drove to Buffalo NY. We passed one accident on the Interstate, but we were close to the accident and had a short delay. We spent the night in the Quality Inn Airport, and ate dinner in downtown Buffalo. After dinner we found the start of Canal Trail. The map was not very detailed, and the marking of trail is obscure at the start.
The support team of Mary and Ramona
On 28 July Lee arrived at the Bufflo Airport at 1000 AM. We planed to play tourist the first day, so we drove to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls for pictures,a walked, and to enjoyed the view. Returned to Buffalo, had dinner in a family owned Lebaneese restaurant, which was excellent.
On 29 July, Lee and I road 35 miles from Buffalo to Lockport NY. Weather was overcast most of the trip, cleared late. Temperature was comfortable. Trail surface good, some on-road sections near Lockport. Stopped at the Carousel Museum in North Tonawanda. Nice homes along water front. Spent the night in the Lockport Comfort Inn.
On 30 July we road 62.5 miles to Rochester, NY, arriving at about 6:00 PM. Weather clear all day, temperature low to mid 80's. Trail surface stone dust, good surface. Route all along the canal, good view, lovely homes, good farmland. In Knowlesville, met Mike, a bridge operator. We asked him about how the lift bridges opened. He explained and showed us the mechanism,then let me rise the bridge under his supervision, of course. Mike is also a bicyclist, has ridden across the US on the southern route. Ate lunch in Albion,NY. Nice town. Good dinner in an Itialian Resturant nearby tonite. Spent the night in the Quality Inn, Rochester.
On July 31, road 38 miles to Newark NY. On the ride thru Rochester it was hard to belive we were in a city. The bicycle path follows parks and woods,and is well maintained. Hard surface, latter stone dust. Weather clear to part overcast temp mid 80's. Talked to Jeff, lock 30 operator. Explained several things about canal operations. Had lunch in Palamyra, the origin of the Morman religion. Stopped for the night in Newark early, and drove back to Palamyra with Mary, Ramona, and Lee. Toured the Morman visitor center, climbed Cumorah Hill, and toured Joseph Smith's boyhood home. Pizza for dinner. Spent the night in the Quality Inn.
A Lock on the canal.
Where the first edition of the Book of Mormans was published.
The visitor's center.
Cumorah Hill.
Replica of Joseph Smith's boyhood home.>
On August 1, road 53 miles to Jordan, arrived at 3:00 PM. Support team picked us up there, and we drove to Warners, NY to spend the night in the Holiday Inn Express. Route mostly on roads. Traffic on main roads heavy, but wide shoulders for bicyclist. Route led us to Seneca Falls, thru Montezume National Wildlife Refuge. Mostly farm land and woods, narrow roads but almost no traffic. Got directions from Amy, walking her German Shepard puppy. I took a picture of both. Talked to a group of Amish men and boys building a garage. Bought fruit at an Mennonite fruit stand. Lunch at a hotdog and ice cream stand. Temperature low 80's at start, 89-90 at end. Full sun most of the day.
Farm land along the route.
Amy and puppy.
Amish workers.
On August 2, rode 45 miles to Canastota, NY. Route stone dust until the vicinity of Camillus, then on road until through Syracuse. Outside the city, back roads with very little vehicle traffic. In Syracuse, heavy traffic, but shoulders and bike lanes. A bike friendly city, for sure. Back on the trail, surface stone dust and sometimes narrow. Toured Chittenango Landing canal boat museum, where canal boats were repaired. Interesting. Quit early to have dinner with Fuess family, parents of Lee's friend and partner's wife, Karan Schroeder. Beautiful farm country. Rode to top of nearby hill where wind turbines were placed. Big! Excellent dinner, good company. Spent the evening in Microtel hotel in Verona.
Replica canal boat under construction.
Dry dock for canal boat repair.
Gathering at the Fuess family farm.
Base of one of many wind turbines near Fuess family farm.
On August 3, road 48 miles to Utica, NY. Weather cool and clear in AM. Overcast and drizzle by noon, downpore last three hours of ride. Passed a private home with interesting carvings in the yard. Temp 70's all day. Visited ruins of Fort Bull, French and Indian War. The British lost that engagement. In Rome, NY visited restored Fort Stanwix, built and defended successfully by the U.S. in the Revolutionary War. Route mostly off road, stone dust and some hard top. One section where horses had passed was very rough, otherwise OK. Mosqitos were very bad along the path by the old canal.
Carving of wolves in private yard.
Judah
Segment of the old canal, complete with surface scum and mosqitos.
Site of Fort Bull from the French and Indian War.
Inside Revolutionar War Fort Stanwix.
On August 4,rode 35 miles to Palatine Bridge NY. Weather overcast and cool in AM, sunny and warm in PM. Toured Remington Arms museum in Llion, NY. Very interesting collection. Read history of Palatine Germans who setteled in this area at a site where they worked. Spent the night in an old Rodeway Inn (a dump) which I selected because we could bike to it. Bad choice. After arrival and clean up, drove with girls to Cooperstown to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame and have dinner.
Remington Arms museum.
Powerhouse at Palatine Bridge.
Palatine Germans.
Exterior of Baseball Hall of Fame.
Interior of Baseball Hall of Fame.
Dinner in outdoor resturant in Cooperstown.
On August 5 rode 65 miles to the end of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal at the Hudson River in Cohoes, NY. Weather prediction for August 6 is for heavy rain, so we decided to finish up in one day. Spent the night in the La Quinta Inn in Latham NY. Weather cool in AM,low 80's in PM. Route about 7 miles on road, rest on stone dust or asphalt. While having lunch in Amsterdam, NY called Mary and found that she and Romona were also in town. Joined us for lunch. (Thank the lord for On-Star.) Took picture of a house that George Washington visited in 1775 in Schenectady. Total distance ridden is 373 miles. Plan to make a tourist day and tour Saratoga battle field tomorrow after sleeping late.
House George Washington visited in 1775 in Schenectady.
Scene along the Mohawk River from the bike path.
End of the ride in Choes NY.
Guide mark from an organized ride in July. We followed this from Buffalo to Choes.
August 6 was a tourist day. Saw Falls of Cohoes on Mohawk River which are very impressive. The canal had to bypass these falls before joining the Hudson River. We then drove north to the Saratoga battle field and made the tour. The park is well maintained and the rangers present a good explation of the battle. Races in Saratoga Springs are on and makes it difficult to find accomodation so we drove back to Cohoes for the evening.
Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk River.
Mary by a display of Revolutionar War weapons. The spontoon (half-pike) was carried by platoon leaders in the American army.
A battlefield momument.
Spot where Benedcit Arnold, the real hero of the battle of Saratoga was wounded in the knee. His name is not on the momument, since he late betrayed the Revolution.
View over part of the battlefield.
Delivered Lee to Albany Airport at about 10:30 AM and departed immediately for home. Decided to drive straight through and arrived home at 1:30 AM August 8. Weather overcast most of day, occasional showers. Great trip but good to be home.
I presented Lee and Ramona a copy of all photos of the trip. The end.
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