BobTheBuilder from Cleveland, Ohio on 7/30/2019 9:29:28 AM:
Recap of our trip and tips:
Carry at least 3 water bottles if it's hot. Water sometimes scarce.
Coming into Rochester from the west, locals told us this is "Indian country". People have been ambushed and mugged. Ride in groups.
We had a layover day in Rochester and rode the Genesee River Trail up to Lake Ontario. First 3 miles not a trail. Rode through some scary neighborhoods, then it turned beautiful.
Be careful following the pavement trail markers put down by the previous bike tour group. They sometimes take you out of the way to rest stops and overnights.
Went through Syracuse on a Saturday. Farmers market, food and live music on the square. Pretty cool.
Between Syracuse and Rome is the Fort Stanwix visitor center. Worth a stop for sure.
Nice restaurant on the canal at Little Falls.
Good hotels: Best Western Lockport,Village Inn Albion, Rochester Riverside, Newark Garden Inn, Days Inn Weedsport,Quality Inn Rome, Red Roof Inn Herkimer, Quality Inn Schenectady (awesome breakfast).
Worst Hotels: Econolodge Syracuse/Dewit, (free condoms in your room), Palatine Bridge Motel (really weird residence motor court. Safe, clean-ish, oddball characters hanging around, people knocking on our doors at night wanting beer, but an interesting experience. Didn't really feel unsafe but memorable).
Amtrak to Buffalo and home from Albany worked out great!
And like my Buddy Mark said "every night's Friday night!"