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Reply to Albany to Buffalo - are winds an obstacle?

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bikegal from Kane, PA on 9/15/2020 9:29:54 PM:

Hello! I was planning to bike from Albany to Buffalo because that works better with my travel plans, but I've read about westerly winds being worse this way. Is that the case? Does it make much of a difference? I'm planning to ride the first week in October. I could rearrange my trip if that is advisable, so I'm curious!

John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 9/16/2020 8:43:38 AM:

Generally, the wind goes W-E but it’s not always the case and not guaranteed.

The only thing to do is keep an eye out for the forecast and see if there’s any pattern to the winds and change trip direction if it looks like you’ll get better winds going another way.

Yankee John from Vermont on 9/16/2020 9:52:01 AM:

The prevailing wind is not much of a factor on the eastern part of the trail because it is heavily wooded and it mostly follows a low corridor with an escarpment on both sides so the wind tends to swirl in the depression. Much of the western part of the trail, roughly from Spencerport to Lockport, is elevated from the surrounding terrain and very exposed. It can really be a slog on a hot sunny day riding west into a strong westerly wind. Unfortunately the Army Corps of Engineers cut down most of the large trees in this section several years ago because they were a threat to the integrity of the canal. New trees are still small and not as close to the edge of the canal so there is little shade and little protection from the wind.

bikegal from Kane, PA on 9/21/2020 3:34:49 PM:

Thanks for this info! I think I'm going to keep my original route and prepare my legs for some extra resistance. Still open to comments if anyone else has perspective!

John W. from Pittsburgh,PA on 9/23/2020 3:02:26 PM:

Bikegal, give us recap of your journey when you’re done!!

John

bikegal from Kane, PA on 11/17/2020 5:05:29 PM:

It's been a minute, but I did complete the ride from Albany to Buffalo! It was in early/mid-October, so the foliage was gorgeous. On the eastern part of the trail, the wind wasn't bad at all. On the western part, it was a slog. The wind was pretty aggressive and the ride was slow going. The views were lovely, but most of the open canal was brutal riding. Maybe part of it was the time of year and the weather, but it seemed like the prevailing winds were a strong force. I'm still glad I went east to west because that's the direction I needed to travel and the eastern part of the trail is especially scenic, but I would recommend west to east for wind.

MJ From Skaneateles on 10/20/2020 on 11/17/2020 6:47:57 PM:

i agree West to East probably better. Although I had tailwinds leaving Buffalo when I started that changed to headwinds for the second half. Nothing huge but slowed me a couple of mph.

Kane and I may have passed each other going in opposite directions!

bikegal from Kane, PA on 11/17/2020 7:27:40 PM:

It's been a minute, but I did complete the ride from Albany to Buffalo! It was in early/mid-October, so the foliage was gorgeous. On the eastern part of the trail, the wind wasn't bad at all. On the western part, it was a slog. The wind was pretty aggressive and the ride was slow going. The views were lovely, but most of the open canal was brutal riding. Maybe part of it was the time of year and the weather, but it seemed like the prevailing winds were a strong force. I'm still glad I went east to west because that's the direction I needed to travel and the eastern part of the trail is especially scenic, but I would recommend west to east for wind.

Bktourer1 from Da Bronx (living in Mass) on 11/19/2020 10:05:16 AM:

The winds are worse from West to East. That's why Mt. Washington has the worst weather

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