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Sue from Airville pa on 8/29/2020 6:07:19 AM:
Biking 30 miles out and back from Syracuse which is the best direction to go?

 
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 8/29/2020 11:28:42 PM:
Sue - the Erie Canal is pretty flat except at the locks which you’re up and down in no time at all. And you are technically going downhill going W-E though is not much to write home about.

I would go east towards Buffalo first, then turn back for the last half of your journey to Syracuse to finish. You’ll be going down the locks on the way back (but to be fair, they’re nothing dramatic!).

Of course you could check the weather and see if winds will be a factor. If the wind is going strong, you could go into the wind first, get that out of the way, and have tailwinds at your back all the way home.

The wind would be the biggest factor for me if it was reasonably strong. In that case, I would go into the wind on my way out and with it at my back the way home. If winds are mild and not a factor, then get the “uphill” out of the way first.

 
wnybubba from Bflo - Roc on 8/30/2020 10:22:20 AM:
I'd also add that if you go East, you are following the "historic" canal and West you will follow the regular Barge Canal [look at map to see how far out this is because the canal now heads north to Baldwinsville]. Additionally, the trail from Syr [west] through Camillus and Jordan is nice, but know that past Weedsport and into Clyde/Lyons it is more road than trail. I thought the section from Montezuma to Savanna was the worst/most unsafe part of the tour.

Eastward, once past DeWitt, the trail goes through Green Lakes State Park, hits historic villages and is a nicely maintained pathway. Several points of interest may or may not be open such as the Canal Museum.