Erie Canal Forum

We are looking at attempting part of the trail. We will take Amtrak to buffalo exchange. From there how hard is it to get to the bike trail? How safe if a ride is it? Riding with my 13 year old. Neither of us have done long distance biking before. How’s the weather/bugs in late June early July. We are going to have about 5 days to ride. Any other recommendations or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Getting from Exchange to Canalside is easy, just use google maps and switch it to bicycle travel. It’s about a 5 minute ride, less than half a mile. Of traffic is a bother, you can always use the sidewalks.

Weather should be typical NE USA summer. There are parts of the canal that are swampy and will have lots of mosquitoes if you stop but they are no problem if you are riding (other than swallowing the odd one!). Otherwise you are passing through a lot of farm country.

Do you have a daily distance goal since you stated you haven’t done long distance riding before? Is this and out and back trip or terminating in another town? How do you plan on getting back to Buffalo? Are you staying at hotels/B&B’s or camping which means your are hauling gear? Some of these things will help people on this forum give some good advice.

The one piece of advice I would give you is to get out there and get some miles in before you do this trip. Even though the trail is flat, there’s still a lot of miles to cover. Do 10 miles one day, 20 on another. Take your time and enjoy it but knock out some miles and gradually build up. Do a 20 out and 20 back one day as you get close to your departure day.

Let us know what your plans are…

John

This might be a really dumb question, but where is mile O of the Erie Canal Trail in Buffalo? I keep reading various locations. Is it Canalside in Buffalo, or is that a connecting trail? Thanks for not laughing at me when you answer!

Pretty much Canalside. I believe there is now a kiosk there but it is for the Empire State Trail -- and EST mile 0 is NYC! This is an honor system challenge (if you are making this a challenge), so find a place that looks good and start peddling!

If I recall, the Canal is supposed to start over the water on the bridge at the Commercial Slip which is 42.8773245, -78.8793415 in Google Maps. Good to hear there is a medallion now, I was hoping they would acknowledge that a trail exists there. How do you not have a start and end point?

I hope the EST didn’t mess up the order of the mile numbers. They have a clean slate to number them whatever they want during this rebrand of the trail.

John

Here is the medallion. They are definitely keeping it on the down low.
https://goo.gl/maps/LL2RhVq8UGYDahro9

Google Maps has it marked as a place, too.
https://goo.gl/maps/6ZnrbCaQvcjyHKb39

Go down to the end of Canalside to The Dish and order whatever you want. With all those miles, you deserve it! And get a Big Ditch Hayburner. Brewery named for the canal, brew named for the mules that towed the barges.
https://untappd.com/b/big-ditch-brewing-company-hayburner/754872

The Trip Planner tool now has a new "Timeline" feature. You can provide your starting time and travel speed, to get a listing of the expected times of arrival at each town along your route, as well as travel times between towns.

Your timeline appears in a new table underneath the business listings. You can check it out by clicking the link above, or "Trip Planner" in the menu near the top of this web page.

I welcome any suggestions and feedback.

Happy trails!

Cool idea, Ray. I hope people will plan to ride it nice and slow. :)

Are we able to rent a room in which we have our own bathroom?

You'll need to get in touch with Pat Fox directly at the numbers listed for her. I don't think that she frequents this group.

Looking for hotel options near the exchange street Amtrak station and the Erie Canal trailhead at mile 0. Thanks Sis

Buffalo Grand was fine. Close to Canalside, room was older, but clean. No issues taking our bikes to our room. Inexpensive.

I am looking for the same thing. The Buffalo Grand has been sold. It is now the Ramada and undergoing a renovation, but they can't guarantee when they will be open (maybe June, but they said not to count on it). And the hotels around the start of the trail in Buffalo are $350+. If anyone has any other ideas, I would welcome them.

Buffalo Marriott right at Canalside is showing $199. That's still pretty steep.

We'd like a copy of itinerary too. Thanks
Soccersteve47@gmail.com

I rode the canal trail from Albany to Buffalo last summer and am planning a trip for this year. I am going to start in NYC and ride to Albany, but thinking about riding the Champlain Valley Trail North to the Canadian boarder, then turning left and riding Route 11 with stops in Malone, Canton, Watertown and then Syracuse to Buffalo. I would like to hear from anyone who has taken that Northern route regarding traffic, lodging, and whether it is worth six days of riding on roads.

Scott:

I have ridden much of the local roads and Champlain Canal Trail from Albany north to Whitehall, and drive all of those roads regularly. The State of NY has made tremendous improvements to the trail in the last 3 years, some of which were not completed until last summer. This should be a great ride other than the section of shared road riding on route 4 north of Fort Ann which has lots of truck traffic but also a nice wide shoulder. It is very hilly from Whitehall north to Plattsburg, but then is rolling and beautiful when you enter the Saint Lawrence River Valley.

I've driven route 11 from Vermont to Watertown, then down to Syracuse or Rochester quite a bit in the past while working at Fort Drum. Much of the roads don't have a great shoulder, and there is some truck traffic, but in general it is a pleasant rural route with not much traffic, large commercial dairy farms, and smaller Amish and Mennonite farms. TRoute 3 from Sacketts Harbor south to the Three Rivers area will be a nice ride, and then you'll have to figure a route via local roads to the trail west of Syracuse.

The Marina Inn in Sackets is a gem of a place, right on the water with beautiful sunsets. As many have posted on this site the lodging west of Syracuse is limited, the highway motels in Weedsport are clean, convenient, and inexpensive.

How far by bicycle from Rochester AMTRAK Station to Erie Canal path heading east

Interesting question -- best idea is to cut over to South Ave and pick up the Genesee River Greenway Trail that runs N-S thru Genesee Gateway Park. It connects to the Erie Canalway. That's several city blocks and then a couple miles(?) on the Greenway. But at that point... who cares, you're on the trail for all intents.

Got a link to this article today. Thought it might be helpful to folks who want to use Amtrak.
https://canalwaytrailtimes.org/2022/03/09/bikes-on-board-a-guide-to-using-amtrak-to-ride-the-erie-canalway-trail/?mc_cid=ed5ef4c31e&mc_eid=7cf3989fa3

You can't park at Blatnick overnight. The parking lot by the lock (not by the boat launch) should be okay, as well as the parking area near the corner of Lock 7 road. I often park there for night rides.

3 of us will like to ride the Errie canal and Hudson Valley trails. We are from Los Angeles, we plan to fly in Buffalo and depart from NYC, so we need to rent a car, bike rack (we may skip some sections) and 3 bikes from Buffalo and possible return them in NYC. Any recommendations? Thank you for your help. Happy New Year!

I'm also from out of town so can't help with recs sorry, but am looking at a similar trip this spring. Curious what you anticipate needing the car for, what you've planned so far, and if you'd share what you have.

We are planning for (maybe) 2 of us to ride each day while the 3rd drives ahead to the destination. Switch off each day.

Aethos from Boston, we need a car to transport luggage. I have purchased the Erie Canal and Hudson Valley books from the NY Parks & Recreations. I have some idea but no solid plan yet.

Lindsay from RSM, we thought about doing that too.

I have not ever heard of renting a rack. Maybe you could rent a full size van, and have room for your bikes inside? More secure that way, too.

Walmart sells decent and inexpensive Allen bicycle racks. So, for a limited investment, you could solve the rack situation. You could even return it to Walmart if you felt so inclined.

There are other discussions on this Forum about bicycle rentals, but I'd be hard pressed to believe you can return them in NYC. If you have a car rental - why not return to Bflo and fly out of there? It's a relatively short drive -- like about 6 hours. I've gotta believe cheaper flights (RT) and no drop off fee for vehicle.

Riding Buffalo - Albany - NYC in June, and in the process of booking flights now. It appears that the cost of PDX-BUF and JFK-PDX flights differ very little from round trip to either of those, so we are flying to one and back from the other. We're also shipping our own bikes rather than rent, as Alaska, American, Delta and United have all changed their policies to allow bikes as a piece of luggage. Protecting them and finding bike boxes in NYC may be a challenge, but that's the plan!

Witch section of the path is the best to bike tomorrow?( Friday) is the path is open? And do you still have snow/ice on it?!?

Thanks

the park in Holley at one time was open for camping along the Canal. They closed it a couple of years ago. Is it still offlimits as a hiker/biker site?

I called holly last Spring and was told it was closed due to the park getting trashed by partiers.
Write to the town directly and see if that has changed

Hoping to get some accurate info on a few things:

1. If we take the Amtrak back from Albany with our bikes (not boxed), can we roll-off at the Exchange street station in Buffalo? Or, is the only option the station at Depew?

Depew station is how far from the Erie Canal trail?

2. Hotels seem very expensive in Buffalo near the trail. Many of the other Rails to Trails (especially the long ones like GAP, C&O, Katy, etc), hotels give riders discounts to stay in the area. Anyone know of any that do?

3. Long term parking 7-8 days. I see lots of queries in this forum, and a few responses. Any others anyone knows about?

Looking to ride end to end late August. Rea;;y not interested in paying near $300/nite :(

Appreciate any info provided for planning....thanks!!

If using Depew Station, several less expensive hotels Northbound on Rt. 78. Depew has roll off gotta take front wheel off though)
About 20 miles (+ /-) to Lockport
I believe you can get roll off at Exchange St. Check Amtrack site
doesn't look like any less expensive hotels near Exchange St.
Look into Warmshowers, maybe you can get a host to put you up

Thanks Ed!
Due to the cost of pretty much EVERY hotel in Buffalo being outrageous, and not offering riders any discounts, we've decided to start the ride in Albany, ride to Buffalo, and now take the Amtrak back to Albany. Much more affordable using these logistics!

The piece I just need to clarify and is NOT FOUND ON ANY OF AMTRAK'S info, is whether there is roll on service at the Buffalo Exchange Street Station? We have no intention of having to go to the suburbs and the Depew station, so hoping there is roll on service at Exchange Street.

I've looked and looked at everything I can look at on the Amtrak sites. Says nothing specific about whether we can take our bikes on there for the trip back to Albany.

If anyone can confirm this, that would be awesome!!

Thanks for the other info

Pat

Try booking to Exchange St. and see if roll off comes up.
I found the Amtrack app easier than the online site.
Call them and ask. You'll never get a response from an email.

I just tried booking seats from Albany to Exchange St. and services include roll on and off at Exchange St

Isn't the Buffalo Grand around $75 per night? It was serviceable.

You're going to have to call Amtrak and speak to a rep. If you don't think the one who answers is knowledgeable, hang up and call back. We have always gotten someone helpful. Because, you're right, the website is not super clear or helpful.

Hi everyone.

Trying to plan a 7 day ride on the Erie Canal Trail end of August/start of September 2022.

Looking for some hotel recommendations and secure parking fairly near the Amtrak station in Buffalo. (Exchange street Amtrak station...not Depew).

Plan would be to ride and be able to leave the car 8 days, take the Amtrak back from Albany which would get in around 9:30pm, so trying to be fairly near the hotel once off the train

If anyone can share what has worked for them, that would be appreciated....THANKS!

Pat

Looking to ride Buffalo to Albany. Is there a bike rental in buffalo that rents for a thru ride? Perhaps return with bike on train? Searched the forum but did not find an answer.

Check out Campus Wheelworks in Buffalo. Post what you find out please.

I was able to reserve a bike rental from Buffalo Bike Tours. They're located downtown at Canalside. Ask for Marc.

Nina! That's great. Details? What kinda bike, return set-up, price?

Hi - planning a trip in June from Buffalo to Albany. I’m planning to stop my first night in Pittsford. Have you camped at the lock there and if so, what was your experience?

Many thanks!!

Haven't stayed at Lock 32, but I took a look using Google Maps. I can't imagine that you'd have a problem staying there -- looks like there is plenty of grassy area. Not that you have to, but it's polite to call ahead to the Lock Master and ask him if he will allow you to stay over. I noticed that there is a YMCA across the canal -- nice if you want to shower up as they usually have guest passes (or if you have a membership). Doesn't look like there are any food or convenient stores close by, but you can fuel up in Rochester -- not that far before on the trail. And, right down the trail in the AM there should be places for eating a/o restrooms at the village of Pittsford.

More insight (being experienced) there are lots of places that you can throw up a tent along the trail on this end of the Canalway. Just a little past the Lock on the Canalway trail there is a spot that Google Maps identifies are a "Erie Canal Nature Preserve". Street mode is available there and it looks like a perfect spot right along the canal and not really near anything.

Enjoy your ride and have a good time. PS: Know that there is an awesome Ice Cream place just a block off the Canalway in Pittsford, Pittsford Farms Dairy & Bakery Open Daily 7:30 AM - 9 PM. Google them. Breakfast is waiting!

Definitely get breakfast at The Dairy, not at the place on the other side of the canal where it took us 2 hours to get food.

I am interesting at this campground. I will be traveling by bike in mid-September. When should I make a reservation?

You should contact them directly. They might not see your message here.

I'm registered for the Erie Canal Bike Tour, July 10-17. I'm renting a bike and shipping my camping gear to my mom's house beforehand. I'm trying to figure out how to get me and my bike/gear to the start of the ride. Someone suggested I lock up my bike at Nichols School the night before and leave my gear in the gymnasium. People will be camping the night before at Nichols School but I prefer to start the ride the next day. My mom doesn't have a bike rack but I suppose I could remove the front wheel and pack it in the trunk of her car. Has anyone done this? Did you feel your stuff was safe?

There will be tons of people there the night before, either riders or SAG crews, camping at Nichols the night before. Find somewhere to lock up, everything will be fine. Totally safe. You might even find some Cycle The Erie Canal organizers to ask where to put it.

If you email staff with the ride now, they can tell you where to put the bike so you know what to expect.

Also, when I was there, the arena/ice rink (which was covered in artificial grass) was wide open. Not saying you can leave it in the arena but you never know, just ask. I’d still lock it somewhere for peace of mind

If you don’t have a bike rack, remove the front tire and store it all in the trunk. Depending on the size of the trunk you could even stick the whole bike in, rear wheel first, shut down the trunk and secure it down with two bungee cords so it doesn’t flop up, holding the trunk down. If most of the weight of the bike is in the trunk, it shouldn’t fall out.

John

Nina, did you also get your shuttle back to Buffalo sorted? Should be an option to buy when you bought your ticket. Really easy and convenient. Pretty cheap considering. Ride the Erie Canal are very organized.

Bill from Houston, we are planning Erie for 2023 on our tandem. Lots of Rails to Trails experience. would love your info.
greg.coulter@gmail.com

Thanks, John, for the suggestions! I did reserve a spot on the return shuttle.

Looking for accommodations near Fairport

I'd focus your lodging search in Rochester in the vicinity of Monroe Community College and Univ. of Rochester and also Fairport/Bushnell's Basin area, there are hotels in each area within a short walking distance to the trail.

Pittsford has a couple of decent places as well. We stayed at the Canal Lamp Inn. If you want good wifi, make sure you tell them when you make your reservation.