Reply to Safety on the trail

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Reply to Safety on the trail

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Nina from Portland, Oregon on 12/20/2020 10:20:00 AM:

I’d like to ride the trail starting in Albany and ending in Amherst (my family lives there). For anyone who has ridden the trail solo, would you say it’s safe for a woman riding by herself?

wnybubba from Bflo/Roc on 12/20/2020 10:59:14 AM:

Yes, provided you are comfortable with solo adventure. You would get better advise if you informed us of how you were planning to overnight. Are you staying on the trail, B&B, motels, warmshowers?

Bktourer1 from Da Bronx (living in Mass) on 12/20/2020 3:01:43 PM:

Rent a SPOT LOCATER. you can let family know where you are and its got a 911 button for emergencies

Nina on 12/20/2020 8:27:15 PM:

I’ve done a few solo trips before so that’s not a problem. I’m assuming that B&Bs or motels are not far off the trail? I prefer a bed after riding all day and don’t want to lug around camping gear. I like the spot locator idea!

wnybubba from Bflo/ROC on 12/20/2020 9:11:15 PM:

You will be fine then. Yes, there are all kinds of accommodations within easy reach of the trail. Last year there was a post here concerning wanting to complete the trail staying at Marriott properties (IIRC) along the way. The poster succeeded in working it out. If that can happen... merely looking for a nice bed should be pretty easy. [I was self-supported - worked out fine as well].

Have a fun planning and making it happen!

bikegal from Seattle, WA on 12/21/2020 2:39:53 PM:

I rode the trail solo in early October and I felt good as a woman riding by herself. I mostly camped but stayed at a B&B one night and with a friend another. I'm sure it is different during warmer, busier times, but given that there are so many towns / parks / populated residential areas along the way, I never felt concerned for my safety. I also rode Albany to Amherst to visit family at the end, and I will say that the winds can be brutal but I'm glad I went that direction. I would recommend budgeting a little extra time though. The upside is you really get the gorgeous canal views in the second half. Have you done a solo trip before? This was my first and it was a great one.

John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 12/22/2020 10:15:44 PM:

Go for it Nina! As others have commented, you be fine as a solo female rider.

Good luck,
John

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