Erie Canal Forum

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