wnybubba from Bflo - Roc on 7/2/2020 2:02:22 PM:
John -- both I and another couple that I met along the trail shared that we got off the "trail" in this area. Here's what I remember...
The trail coming out of the Clyde is marked and takes you into Savanah and then out on Rt. 31. Just when you get going out of town there is a considerable up over a railroad (steep for the the Canalway anyway and one of the first you encounter heading east). On the other side as you are heading down - there is a new large "Hi-Vis Green" Crosswalk sign (with arrows) as well as an "Empire State Trail" Logo sign. It looks like you should take the crosswalk and go down on the other side of the Bridge to a cinder road. **DON'T DO IT!** The EST sign is merely telling you that you are on the trail (Rt 31).
If the above is the PTNY map -- it's prbly more current. Rt 31 isn't too bad to ride here, but both this route and the map here on this site end up on Rt 31 heading over to Montezuma (where Rt 89 shows heading west). This is quite close for bike/road travel. There is limited shoulder and a guard-rail for a fairly long distance -- your're pretty much riding the white fog line. Rather high-use road, but most vehicles gave clearance space.
I'd give consideration to taking the back-road route listed here. I hadn't noticed the mapping difference and was just following routing signs while riding. Savanah didn't' really offer anything special.
FYI - pretty current info here as I just rode the first of the month (June). Also, I hadn't read the maps too closely as I had been on parts of the Canalway Trail before and followed signage without issue. So, if I was ever in doubt about anything - I'd take out my phone and use Google Maps (Bike Route mode) and get decent routing info, so don't stress too much about routing issues -- for the most part it's pretty easy and straight forward. Canalway Signs are more informative than the Empire State Trail signs (which I believe are merely "Here it is" signs -- not directive).
Hope this helps. -bubba