Erie Canal Forum

Would appreciate suggestions on safest bike route from Erie Canal Trail to Genesee Street in Utica - cycling west to east - thanks

I stayed at the Rosemont B&B on Genesee street in Utica in 2019 riding west to east. At that time the trail from the parking lot at Barnes Avenue east to the Harbor lock was incomplete and muddy. I rode Barnes Avenue to the Genesee Brewery (now FX Matt Brewing), East on Court Street to Genesee Street. Barnes is closed to auto traffic at the bridge over the railroad tracks but is fine for bicycles. There were large cement barriers at the south end of the bridge, I had to dismount and walk my bike through the narrow gaps.

Continuing east I tried to ride Rutger Street through Proctor Park which does NOT work because the trails in the park are blocked to limit access to the Masonic Research Institute. I ended up taking Bleeker Street to Southside Road and riding on to Frankfort. Southside had little traffic and was in good condition and was a pleasant ride.

Yankee John, Thanks very much for sharing this info about getting into and out of Utica - we're staying at the Rosemont Inn. Appreciate yr support!

The daughter of owners of the Rosemont is a massage therapist. With advance notice you can also get an excellent massage. It wasn't cheap but at my age it was worth it and much appreciated at that point in the trip.

Thank you for massage tip

Rode from Jennings Landing to the Amtrak station yesterday 6/20/22 without difficulty. At Jennings landing the trail is on a dedicated bike lane on the east/river side of the roadway. A short distance south from Jennings Landing there is a white striped pedestrian crossing from the bike lane to the beginning of the steep bridge ramp on the other side of the road than the bike lane; the dedicated bike lane continues south. The beginning of the ramp is marked with the usual small circular trail marker, but there aren't any signs on the bike lane identifying that this is a trail exit or route to Amtrak on the other side of the river. The ramp is steep but safe with high fencing on both sides. Either walking your bike or a low climbing gear is required to get up the ramp. The ramp joins the bridge and becomes a dedicated bike lane with steep fence on the left/river side and a high guardrail on the right/highway side. The highway traffic is not moving very fast in order to navigate the bridge entrances and exits. The top of the bridge is high above the river and was very windy, with some gravel and trash and other debris, but it was safe and easily navigable. The ride down to Riverfront Park in Rensselaer was less steep than the access ramp on the Albany side on a safe dedicated bike lane.

Rode and walked over the Dunn Mem. Bridge mor than once. Steep climb up from the Albany side and rode over the river. Going down the ramp sign states bikes should be walked. Bridge does get a fair share of trash
At the Rensselaer side there is usually a hot dog truck parked
Good dogs & burgers. Dunkin nearby

Are there any dirt track sections on the canal path between Buffalo and Albany? What are there locations and how long are these sections of dirt?

There are some short sections that are dirt, or where there isn't as much gravel on the dirt as you would like. The sections are generally less than 20 yards. I can't remember where they all are.

Where is safe, inexpensive long term parking close to the Amtrak Exchange St station?
3 vehicles, June 30, 2022 - July 6, 2022

At the top of the page, there is a place where you can search the forum. I think you'll find lots of great parking tips in previous posts.

Hi, We will be in the finger lake area and are planning on riding the Erie Canal trails. We are hoping for a section with good scenic views for a 10 to 15 mile stretch with minimal traffic. We will have a small child trailing along. We are hoping to either have a picnic or go to a local lunch spot. We are happy to drive to our destination and jump on the trails.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I may not be correctly guessing exactly where you are talking about, but to me, the trail between Pittsford and Macedon was really nice.

Looking quickly at my notes, I see a few on-road sections, but I think they were fairly calm. Make sure to check your route on Google Maps and Street View to determine if it's appropriate for y'all.

Pittsford has plenty of nice places to eat. And there are lots of nice places for a picnic along the trail.

Not arguing with Bill -- but his suggestion is much closer to Rochester than I would consider Finger Lakes region. For me this would be Macedon and eastward to Camillus. Within that leg -- do not travel east of Clyde --> Weedsport -- road travel and some hills.

Not sure of the mileage you are willing to do -- you wrote a 10-15 mile stretch. Does that mean total distance or a 15 mile stretch with a 15 mile return? Anyway -- Lyons has a really pretty park with picnic tables, swing sets and a bathroom. It would make a nice destination or turn-around point. All of the trail around here pretty with mostly gravel surface as you ride along the Canalway.

Picking another stretch further east would be east of Weedsport (or just at the edge of town) and anywhere from there to Camillus (actually just past the Erie Canal Park to include the Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct a bit further -- see interactive map). Jordan to here would be a great section -- you figure out the mileage total you want to travel.

Glad someone knows where the finger lakes are, wnybubba!

Bill... pretty much between ROC and SYR. I just felt Pittsford was a bit too close to ROC. Also giving more generic info so they can figure out the mileage they want to travel.

Does anyone know when the will reopen the section from Reber road to Thomson Rd . They closed it today .

Hello

I am interested i finding o if there is a shuttle service or ride service to get me and 3 other people and their bikes back to the start of the ride. we are hoping to start in Amsterdam and end in Utica. Can we go by train and if so can we reserve spots for our bikes?

Ellen Maiman

Amtrak.com has all the answers about trains.

Looks like the latest service out of Utica heading east is 4:26 PM.
If you biked west to east and ended in Amsterdam, latest train leaves Amsterdam 4:43 PM (heading west) giving you a little more biking time.

[Clarification here: I'm assuming that you are riding this 60-mile ride in one day. If you are going to include an overnight -- other earlier trains are scheduled. Go to the Amtrak website.]

As far as taking bikes on Amtrak -- reserve with as much advance time as possible. There are only 4 bike racks available on any given train and they will sell. It helps if your travel day is flexible -- they may be sold on one day and not the next.

It's a rather inexpensive option -- about $20 for the ticket and every bike is $20 (set fee per bike).

Good luck with your plans.

The train stuff gets pretty intricate as far as where to get on and off, where to park, how to reserve, what's allowed and what's not. Search the forum (top of the page) to make sure you don't miss anything.

We are planning on riding from Buffalo to Rochester over two days in July. If we start at mile marker 0 of the Erie Canalway (Marine Dr. and the Skyway?) are riding on surface roads, or are we leaving Buffalo on a dedicated/ car free trail? I seem to get conflicting info.

Thanks!!!!

At Mile 0 it's a trail. Then it's a sidewalk, then a parking lot, then a trail, then a quiet surface street, then a trail, then a busier surface street with a bike lane, then a parking lot, then a trail. Or something like that. And that's just the first five miles. You'll find a variety of surfaces and conditions all along the trail.

If you look at the maps, and use Google Satellite and Street View, you get a good feel for what's going on.

Just adding that your apparent concern is riding in the street -- know that last year the trail has been improved along Niagara Street (where Bill mentions Street with Bike Lane). This is now a two-way segregated bike lane. Bill's overall information is correct -- it jumps around a little bit getting out of downtown, but once along the Niagara River, the trail is pretty straightforward into the Tonawanda's and heading east.

Ray, another person and I were looking at the mileage chart, and it looks really weird. I was on my phone, and I’m not sure what she was using. If it looks good to others, then it could just be me.

Hey Bill thank you for pointing that out. Sure enough I made some recent changes that unexpectedly did not work well with the mileage chart. Sorry about that.

I have fixed it and the mileage chart is back to normal now.

Thanks again for letting me know!

Happy trails!

Thanks, Ray! We appreciate you?

Ha ha haaaaa, accidental question mark. Ray, we appreciate you!

... and I appreciate all of you?

:-)

www .canals. ny.gov /trails/projects.html states that the section from Rome to Utica is closed due to spring flooding. Does anyone know if that report is up to date? I'm starting a Buffalo to Albany trip at the end of June.

We had a bit of spring rains, but not enough to flood out the trail. There are a couple of sections leaving Rome that are mostly stone dust, and they can get muddy after a rainfall. There are a couple of sections that have washed out in the past - that may be what's posted.

I just rode the section from Rome to Lock 21, and it was bone dry.

There is an access road from NY Rte 46 into Lock 21, so an RV could meet you there. There is some parking in and around the lock, butI do NOT know whether it's open for RV's.

I rode in today, and the picnic area on the north side is fenced off - looks like there might be some construction work happening soon.

Below is my first stab at an itinerary for the Canal - hoping to ride in May. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Erie Trail General Plan
Camping Option

Train to Buffalo Exchange Street
Stay at Courtyard Marriott https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bufdt-courtyard-buffalo-downtown-canalside/?scid=45f93f1b-bd77-45c9-8dab-83b6a417f6fe

Day 1 - 60.9 Miles: Camp- Red Rock Ponds RV Park. https://bikeeriecanal.com/red-rock-ponds-rv-resort-holley.aspx
Food - Lunch: Gas Port Dinner: Albion or In Camp

Day 2 50 Miles: Camp- Lock 30. https://bikeeriecanal.com/lock-30-state-campsite.aspx
Food: Brunch in Brockport; Late Lunch Pittsford; Dinner - Light in camp or walk to town

Day 3 46 Miles: Hotel- Weedsport Days Inn or Rodeway Inn
Food: Lunch and Bowling at Stone 8 Tap House; Dinner: Lunkenheimer Brewery

Day 4 63 Miles: Camp- Lock 21 https://bikeeriecanal.com/lock-21-state-campsite.aspx
Food: Lunch - Syracuse somewhere; Dinner: Canastota Mex, farm to table, BackRoad Tavern or in camp

Day 5 64 Miles: Camp -Lock 15. https://bikeeriecanal.com/lock-15-state-campsite.aspx
Food: Lunch- Utica McGills Whiskey Tavern and Grill; Dinner - Fort Plain options or in camp. Coffee and treats in the AM at Highwheeler Coffee!

Day 6 72+ (paved)Miles - Bike Parking Albany - catch a ride home
Food: Lunch - Options in Amsterdam; Rotterdam Jct; and Schenectady

Looks good. Just a few random thoughts.

Whatever store or restaurant you want to use, make sure they are open on the day you want to use it. Hours can be short and sporadic.

Red Rocks got some bad reviews for being rude to bikers, but I only got one side of the story. Call and make a reservation, and see if they seem friendly or not.

Days Inn in Weedsport was great.

The Mex place in Canastota really hit the spot.

We only stayed in hotels, so I don't have any insight on the camping.

Have fun!

Day 1: If you are bringing your bike on Amtrak, you can’t unload at Exchange St. You can only un-board w/bike at Depew. Not necessarily close to the trail or Canalside, but close to much lodging. Evening – Albion stop makes sense.

Day 2: Lock 30 -- Awesome. There is a Speedway (Gas/Convenient store) just up the road at the intersection. You can see it from the lock.

Day 3: Nice. There’s plenty of options in Weedsport for dinner. Plus a really fine ice cream stand right on the Main Street near the Brewery.

Day 4: MORNING-- There’s a Dunkin Donuts at the far end of town next to a decent convenience store & gas station. Across the street there is an Arby's. Looking at Arby's there is an entrance to the trail *on the left* that travels across grass. This is a fun single track path that will connect to Towpath Road. Make a left and follow around the curve past the town buildings and the trail will exit the road on the right back on the canalway.
Lock 21 – love it. Lots of grass, picnic tables but there are no facilitaties. Have no idea why they haven't added any portable toilets (I travel with a small hand trowel). Nothing close for food, so eat before (or carry in) and know that Rome is a little bit of a ride in the AM. I believe I found a live electrical outlet on the lock building.

Day 5: I haven't stayed at Lock 15, but you'll be fine. I'm sure your eating choices are fine.

Day 6: Doable. If you can work it in, a stop in Amsterdam (right off the trail) is Evolve Eatery. Awesome healthy eatery, smoothie, coffee, etc. Google it.

Enjoy the ride. Looks like you have a decent plan… you’ll just need to figure out Buffalo. If I can help with logistics or maybe get you a ride into Canalside, reach out to me.

Final thought: there are many, many options to throw up a tent along the Canalway -- especially between Bflo and Rochester. Wide, mowed spot that looks good away from private property... do it.

I have a ticket with bike space from Albany to Exchange Street Amtrak. Are you sure that you cant unload a bikeat Exchange Street? Also trying to find hotel near Canalside that is not too expensive. All are listing arounf $450 to $550 per night ifor end of August.

Last July we took Amtrak from Albany to Exchange Street Buffalo, with bikes. No problem. Easily unloaded bikes at Exchange Street Station

I dislike that I may have given bad info about the Exchange Street station. Here's where I think the difference is -- Amtrak has two different ways of carrying bikes. Some are racks are within certain passenger cars, the other is racking bikes in a separate "baggage" car. The second situation requires a manned station attendant to unload the bikes/s. To the best of my knowledge Exchange Street is not a manned station, so if your bike was in a passenger car rack then, yeah, you could unload. One might seek clarification from an Amtrak agent to be sure.

I too, had conflicting info about bikes on and off at the Buffalo Exchange street station. Until I spoke with an Amtrak person to get a straight story….can be very confusing.

Should be no issues getting off at that station. It is correct that here are “baggage” car bike transport, and roll on/roll off transport. Not all are offered on each train. Try to book as early as possible for roll on/roll off service if you can get it