Erie Canal Forum

My husband and I came in here on Friday for breakfast around 10am. We ordered two coffees and asked if they had flavored creamers. They said they did, but it would cost extra. The coffee arrived and it tasted watered down. It was as if they again were trying to make extra money with subpar product. The food came and it was good. I really can't complain about that.

The problem that we had with West Wayne restaurant was that we left the waitress a tip, and she added an extra digit to it. Obviously we didn't know until the next day. I felt very violated!! We called them and the waitress admitted that she stole from us! She said to call back at 9am to speak to the owner. We called back and he said that we could come back and get the money that was stolen off my debit card, but we don't live out that way and happened to be passing through.

Report it to your credit card company. They will take it off your bill.

Sorry to have to post this

Barb and Bob are lovely people, but they should no longer be in the business of hosting people in their home. Website, property description, and more are not accurately depicted. The home is filled with clutter, there are no common areas in which to sit, breakfast is presented outside on the porch because there is nowhere to sit inside the home. The home and the rooms have seen a better day.

Would this be a good place to park for a three-day bike trip?

I believe it’s an Erie County park so call their parks dept and also the Town of Tonawanda police dept., tell them your plans and if it’s ok to leave your car overnight and is there something to put in your car dashboard to avoid towing. If they refuse to let you park at Isle View, ask them if they could suggest somewhere you can park. You never know if someone might let you stay at a personal residence, school, church, etc. You never know what they will suggest. Good luck!

John

How is this motel?

Can we please .aintain the port a John on lock 8. It is overflowing with fieces and absolutely disgusting.

I'm doing a multi-day cycling trip on the Erie Canal Trail. Is it permissible to park overnight at this location?

I'm doing a multi-day cycling trip on the Erie Canal Trail. Is it permissible to park overnight at this location?

Starting from Buffalo 9 14 23 and wondering if I will see others riding this time of year? Any trail issues to be aware of?

I don't know about the portion between Tonawanda and Lockport.

However, in mid-August I biked between Lockport and Gasport and saw only 1 other couple on the towpath during my entire ride.

my experience with " vague fear of trail issues" is: its a boogey man that doesn't exist on the towpath. There are no gremlins, sticky bandits, or people waiting behind trees with a baseball bat, or bad road condiitons.

WHile there are parts that are paved, there are parts where it is just really nice hard flat dirt.

Also, if it rains, you may get wet unless you hole up on a nearby bar that you can find using this web site by clicking on the circle on the map above that is the place you want to investigate.

The way to think of the towpath is: it is not unlike the road of life... if you peddle, you'll certainly get thru it, and if you are not so deterined to race thru it, you'll find that it is a beautiful ride and the road will be the least of your problems.... and will be one of the most memorable experiences you've ever had.... and you'll think back on it when you become an old man, get an e-bike, and try to do it again.

However, it might be a good idea to take a tire repair kit, just in case. Always have a Plan B in life, and a tire patch kit will be your Plan B on the towpath.

You will never forget your ride on along the canal. Stop every few miles, just to see what's arround you.

The Road bekons you. Answer its call.

I ride the trail between Canajoharie and Amsterdam a couple times a week. (Old man on a Ebike).

Very few other riders between none and a dozen depending on the weather forecast.

Watch out for horseback riders, Amish wagons and the exhaust that comes out of the horses.

In my opinion it is the best thing New York State has ever done.

Schoharie crossing visitor center has nice clean bathrooms and welcome trail riders.

Karens Produce and Ice Cream has good burgers.

Where can I park in Buffalo for a week. Riding to Syracuse

Run a personal ad in the Buffalo Evening News for a few weeks, requesting to rent a garage for the duration.

If you are cheap and just park it someplace, there is strong possibility that your car will get towed to who knows where? City ordinances often prevent this sort of thing. If the City impounds your car, you'll have a hard time locating it, and then will have to pay cash to get it back from the secure lot where the City impounded it.

Or if leave it in a shopping lot: they are private lots and your car will get towed.

Run and ad, make a clean deal, and pay the $: half when you leave (get a receipt) and half when you return. You're car will be there when you return.

That's your cheapest and most secure option.

My brother & I are planning a bike trip along the Erie Canal. He wants to bike Tonawanda to Youngstown along the lake to Rochester & back the Erie Canal to Buffalo. I want to bike the Erie canal Buffalo to Syracuse leave our bike then come back & get them. Sept 23-28th. What do you think?

Both options are good. You'll see the lake... they way your brother wants to go. However, with that route, you'll run side by side with more car traffic... between Tonowanda, the US Falls, where you connect with Lake Erie. Heading east from there, it should be peaceful with great views of the Lake.

However, the Canal is a bothmarvel of man's handiwork and nature. Its a definitive famous ride. As you get way from he Buf metro area it becomes a dreams ride: don't forget to look around t the farm and field surrounding you and not just at the towpath ahead of you.

I did a chunk of it this summer. You'll love the bars and pizza places in that are just a stone's throw front he canal in tiny towns along the way. It is so gorgeous!

With either option, make sure you are in very good shape, riding daily for a few months before you go, and have your doctor check you out and ok you for the ride.

On the ride I did I came a couple from NYC who had taken the train to the western part of the tow path: he was having cardiac issues, and she had to deal with that. Not a happy situation.

Please be prepared and get cleared for it from your DR before you go.

You could compromise and head east out the tow path to someplace between Lockport and Rochester, head north from there, and then head west along the lake. That would be very, very nice.

Old Jimma, thanks for the info. You mentioned pizza and pubs. Do you or anyone else know if there are hotels along the canal also. I could not find a lot on airbnb

You know what? This web site is pretty good for figuring out things about the resources that may avlail themselve so to you along the way.

For exammple,click on "Towns and Sevices." Also, look on "Interactive Map."

Start there. And look for books, too.

I agree with Old Jimma, this website is great for finding places to stay along the trail. It will show hotels and B&Bs. I don't know about Air B & Bs and VRBOs. I'll be doing a ride 9-17-23 - 9-21-23 from Tonawanda to Rockport and found the hotels and B&Bs on this site. You can just click on the town you will be staying in, and a list of all of the services (food, lodging, etc) will come up. You can also see how close they are to the trail.

Thanks, Cathy from Churchill.

Because of the capability of this web site, I gave thought to having a cell phone mount of my bike.

However, having been out in rural Western NY again this summer, rural cell phone coverage is not always there.

I wondered more about having a GPS since GPS coverage is quite good in my experience.

i don't like gadgets, but I like getting lost even less.

Is it possible to ride a bike from the Train Station in Syracuse to the trail? We plan to take the train from Amsterdam to Syracuse then bike back.

Its easy as ice cream.

From the train station (called the Walsh Regional Transporation Center):

* head SW on Harborside Dr
* turn rt on Hiawatha Blvd
* turn rt on Empire state trail... that's the towpath

Most importantly:
On the bikeeriecanal.com discussion page"
* click on the dot on the map that corresponds to Syracuse
* move the map around so that you can see the lake and look for the blue pin marker 51. thats the train station.

Use the directions above to see the map route I've suggested.

Consider getting a phone mount for you bike and use this map to guide you.

My guess is that you'll have to be cautious on the Empire State Trail while you are in the city of Syracuse.

Stayed car camping on the night of August 17th. Also had the Cops come and shine their flashlights in my car. I never woke up, caught it on my cars security camera. Not sure they want people camping here.

There is no water, no electricity, and no camping allowed here. We had the police shining us just after midnight. Don't do it!

Hi - We are planning our bike ride in early Oct, starting from Buffalo to Albany. Any tips regarding Oct weather and things to consider?
Many thanks in advance.
Zivit

August is nice riding in upstate NY. September is cool. October will be COLD, with frosts and maybe even snow flurries.

Many seasonal businesses will be closed.

Is there space here for our *small* camper?

If we want to ride from Syracuse to Camillus which says 10 miles on the mileage chart, what is the address of the starting point? There seems to be many locations in Syracuse.

When you click on Syracuse on the map above, you will see a 0 on the map. That's where the trail miles are measured from.

How much parking is available at train station in Buffalo and can you long term park there while you ride back to Buffalo from Albany.

Out for a ride east from Fairport to about as far as Macedon. At Yellow Mills Road there's a detour to Rt. 31. This is a busy road with big trucks. The detour seems to have been in place for years. Why? When will that part of the trail reopen? How long is the detour?

As a side note, we turned around at that point after having lunch at the Yellow Mills Diner, very close to the trail. It's standard diner fare and did the job. It ought to be included in the web site's listing of businesses. Here's the phone number (315) 597-4613. The address is 2534 NY Rt 31, Palmyra, NY 14522.

Looks like it was like that in 2021 when we rode it. The PTNY map shows a detour there.

The distance on Yellow Mills and 31 is about 0.6 miles. You get back on the trail at Pal-Mac Aqueduct County Park.

We rode on the highway so much that day that I don't even remember that little stretch.

I was wondering can I put a tent up at the camp site at the fort plain NY locks and stay for a extended stay because I would be living out of my tent till I could find a apartment to move into

I was wondering can I put a tent up at the camp site at the fort plain NY locks and stay for a extended stay because I would be living out of my tent till I could find a apartment to move into

I was wondering can I put a tent up at the camp site at the fort plain NY locks and stay for a extended stay because I would be living out of my tent till I could find a apartment to move into

FYI, this store has been closed since mid-July because of an electrical fire and is not slated to reooen (so I've heard) until mid-August.

How to get around route 46 near durhamvile?

Is there a place to park a 30 foot boat trailer and truck for a week while we cruise the Erie Canal on our boat. We would like a safe place to leave our truck and trailer.thank you

I am in the planning stages for a trip. I am looking at taking a train from Erie, Pa to Albany, Ny. Any experiences with what happens to your bike? Can you take your Orlieb panniers as a carry on? Where can you buy canister gas for my rocket stove when in Albany? I was thinking of Ubering to Walmart in Albany to get food and other supplies.

The train question gets answered a lot. Search the group for Amtrak, and you will find soooo much info.

I am planning a bike ride from Buffalo to Albany on Erie Canal bike path. Are any of the trails closed from the current weather? Also what do you do with your bike when getting supplies , do you have to lock up your bike.

I am planning a bike ride from Buffalo to Albany on Erie Canal bike path.

**Great idea!

Are any of the trails closed from the current weather?

**Nope.

Also what do you do with your bike when getting supplies , do you have to lock up your bike.

**We lock ours.

Looking for a one way shuttle. Would like to park in Lyons and shuttle back to Lockport.

Does anyone know where I can find a map that shows where you have to share the road with motorized vehicles? The maps from back home are color coded for the type of road to show paved paths, gravel, shared with vehicles, etc. The website says 13%, but I’d like to know where that is so I can check it out ahead of time. I’m from Portland, Oregon, where cars seem friendlier to cyclists. Here it feels like every road ride is a ride for my life. Thanks!

Google PTNY Erie Map and then open their interactive map. Gray is road.

Can anyone comment on the safety of riding along Hwy 31 between Port Byron and Brown Rd near Lock 26. Seems a long way to be a road and that is the Empire Trail.

thanks

I’ve heard that camping is permitted on any canal corporation property though I haven’t found that information on any of the websites. Is that true that I can pitch a tent anywhere alongside the canal ?

How's it going?

Hi,

Is the bike path between Lockport and Medina paved?

In general, are all bike paths paved along the Erie Canal?

Thank you in advance,
-Karen

Google PTNY Erie Map and then open their interactive map. The different colors show the path material.

Was just out there in May and the surface for the most part was hard dirt. Very rideable. I had no problems. Enjoy your trip that is a section that I enjoy very much.

Hi bikers,
If you are traveling through Little Falls give us a try. We are right on the bike trail. We serve a full Grille menu, bbq and soft ice cream. We have restrooms to accommodate you personal needs. Stop by and have a great meal right on the trail. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Happy trails!

Hello, Does anyone have experience camping at the Middleport Park and Marina? I'm having trouble contacting someone there to see if it's a viable option. Thanks!

Have you looked this over? https://middleport-newyork.com/village-parks?

Middleport is a great option. They allow camping, you have power as well as bathrooms and showers available. They just ask for a $20 donation. I even asked the lock keeper to be sure. Very nice place.

I am flying into Albany and hope to store my bike carrier bags in Albany. Does anyone have any suggestions on services or locations? Willing to pay but it is a bit of an odd request to just leave the carriers for a week. We also would love to hear about any 'can't miss' eateries or places to see. Thx

If you spend the night in a place at the beginning, and at the end, they can probably hold them for you while you are gone.

My friend and I are planning to ride the trail in September. She thinks a road bike would be best but reading here that the trail is mostly gravel I'm wondering if a mountain bike would be better - I don't have a gravel bike. Please give me your thoughts. Thanks.

I've ridden a Trek Domane 4.3 25mm road bike between Medina and Fairport for thousands of miles over the years and had little trouble.

There are spots were the path washes out after a heavy rain that can be a pain depending on how many bikes have gone thru before hand. I can't speak for the enter length of the canal, haven't road the entire length.

Found this - "Surface. Mostly flat and off-road, the Erie Canalway Trail includes various surfaces. About 45 percent of the trail is paved, while 41 percent of the trail is stone dust, and 14 percent of the trail is on road. Very few natural stretches of trail remain."

My wife and I ride a MTB and town bike on our long trips. We find them comfortable and reliable.

We saw lots of people on road bikes. You and your friend should probably ride the same type of bike so that you can hold similar speeds and share inner tubes.

We did encounter some softer spots that would have been a little sketchier on a road bike, but they would be doable.

I too have ridden a Domane on the Canal. Just parts of it are good with that bike. The rest I used a Hybrid with 42mm tires and a Touring Bike with 38's. I find I don't care for straight handlebars much. You could just put a wider tire on your raod bike and be good to go.

Hi there,
I'm trying to plan a solo ride on the Canal, for later this summer. I'll be getting a car ride to Buffalo, getting dropped off, and riding to Albany, hopefully.
I don't know how to reserve a seat on Amtrak, in a bike car. I don't know if I can get myself to Albany on a specific date, and time.
Any voices of experience welcome.
Thanks

We will be taking our boat from the Great Lakes to the east coast via the Erie Canal and will have bikes aboard. It would be nice to make several different day trips to get off the boat for a bit and get some exercise. Any suggestions for good places to stop and leave the boat for the day and get a nice ride in? Will be traveling in September of 23.

Amsterdam.

Dock at Riverlink park. Ride over the Overlook bridge, one block more and you are on the trail. East or West is a nice ride.

Get the Map.

https://empiretrail.ny.gov/request-map

Brockport, so you can go to Barber's.

You can use Google maps, look at each town, and see if it looks like there's good stuff there. Looking back, I don't think that there are any wrong places to stop.

Pittsford has a nice waterfront. Little Falls was kind of cool.

Keep in mind the Main Street bridge is closed in Brockport for cars. Dock at the south area between the two lift bridges for Barbers. You won't need a bike.

The Albany EC trail marker is missed by many. Go to www.hmdb.org search Albany basin you’ll get image location and gps. Search wedding of the waters and you’ll get Buffalo info. While riding the trail or night before you can search for local historical markers. hmdb is an historical marker database

Hi folks,
My boyfriend and I are planning a four day bike ride on the trail in June. We are looking for transportation with our bikes from Pittsford to Tonawanda or somewhere close by to these towns. Is there a bus, train, shuttle service, that anyone knows of? Also, we would love to find a service that could shuttle our luggage from place to place. Thanks for your input. ??

Train stops near your points would be Rochester (near Pittsford) and Buffalo (near Tonawanda) shuttle for gear will be hard to find and probably costly. I’m not sure about bus service.

Getting bikes onto a train when and where you want is a crapshoot. If I lived in Rochester near the train station and was planning to camp or sleep under a bridge, then I might try to take the train. But I don't, and wifey likes to sleep on a bed, so we need reservations, so I can't take the risk on the train.

So, I've been around here a bit, and I even looked to see where Bennington is, and here's what I'd suggest.

*Park at the Amtrak parking in Buffalo, which is supposed to be nice and safe and reasonably priced.

*Ride 4 days to Rochester. Get a hotel in Rochester, get some sleep.

*In the morning, pack all your stuff and your bikes and ask the hotel to hang onto it for you. (make sure they are cool with this ahead of time, of course). Check out of the hotel.

*Take Amtrak to Buffalo, jump in your car, drive back to Rochester, collect your stuff from the hotel, and then drive a little further and spend the night somewhere cool in the finger lakes area.

*Next day, drive the rest of the way home.

This saves you from trying to get your bikes and luggage on the train, but lets you have a train ride as a shuttle. Your car is parked somewhere safe. Your driving distances are easy.

Take the Amtrak from Rochester to Buffalo. You need to make a reservation for the bicycles, which locks in your dates, but it's reliable and inexpensive. The ride from Pittsford to downtown Rochester is pleasant. The bike trails around downtown Rochester have been improved over the years, with some information kiosks and overlooks on the Genessee River, etc.

Wilderness Voyagers may offer some sort of shuttle service. I know that they do for the GAP.

I have read that people typically start in Buffalo and finish in Albany. How crazy of an idea is it to start in Albany and finish in Buffalo?

Good evening! I think there are two issues to consider. First, going west to Buffalo, there is a slight elevation change. Buffalo is a bit higher than Albany which is a sea level. Again, not huge but there is an elevation change heading west. Secondly , there is the wind factor. The wind seems to be more active in the spring. Two weeks ago I drove to Albion and headed west. It was a pleasant sunny day with an active west east flow making cycling somewhat of a challenge. Leaving Middleport to Albion, I had the wind in my back and all was very smooth. I find west to east more agreeable. Safe travels!

Either would be fine. Going along with what Joseph says, wind would be the bigger issue, I think.

Thank You!

We cycled Albany to Buffalo last September. Did have a Dayton pretty Good headwinds, but by far, it was great to have the prettiest part of the ride the last 2 days. Out of all the cyclists we ran across doing the entire trail, we were the ONLY ones riding E to W. Glad we did!

Pat

It should have said…. We had a day of pretty decent (hard) headwinds, but got thru it all okay

Launched the Kayaks last week. The park was lovely, and both the ramp and the kayak launch sites were in great shape. My paddling buddy and I went across Route 5S to the little country store for egg sandwiches and picnicked at the park. The very conscientious state boat inspector was there on duty.