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Mark S. from Redford, MI on 5/19/2020 9:13:27 AM:
Greetings forum:

I'm thinking of riding from Lockport, NY to Albany. Perhaps this year. Is a road touring bike adequate for the duration?

 
cr from Buffalo on 5/19/2020 9:35:48 AM:
You *could* do it on a road bike, with thin tires. I would not recommend it for most stretches.

 
wnybubba from Bflo-Roc on 5/19/2020 11:30:52 AM:
I'd add to the previous comment that you could for sure -- and make the recommendation that you consider the tires that you are using. A large percentage of the trail is on packed gravel so that is the major consideration. Worse case - you have to repair a tire more often than a rider with a wider, more aggressive tread. It's a trade off. I'd also add that you should consider your own riding skills -- There are city sections on the Canalway and if you are clipless are you comfortable in an urban setting? Bottom line - is it ideal? Probably not. Has it been done? Yeah, probably many, many times.

 
John from Cobleskill on 5/20/2020 2:45:22 AM:
I am using a road bike on my upcoming Erie Canal trip but I am upgrading to a kevlar type of tire (Continental Gator Hardshell) at 28mm and bringing extra tube/patch kit. Even though I have never done the trail end to end, I've talked to enough people to where I'm comfortable trying it this way

 
wnybubba from Bflo-Roc on 5/21/2020 1:02:20 PM:
@John from Cobleskill
What's your plan? I'm hoping to start next month around the 6th.
[Me direct: wnybubba @ gmail]