Erie Canal Bike Trail Forum

Joseph Pafundi from Saratoga Springs NY on 3/29/2021 9:36:18 AM:

Good morning!

Recently, on the ECT website, I saw a post about a trail extension in Utica NY. Does anyone have information regarding this upgrade? Does it go from Mohawk NY to Utica NY? I rode the Little Falls NY section last Fall to Mohawk NY and this section was very nice. I would appreciate any insight into the Utica section.

Many thanks! Joseph Pafundi Saratoga Springs NY

Yankee John from Vermont/Rexford on 3/31/2021 9:17:08 PM:

Hello Joseph!
I rode Rochester to Saratoga last fall and stayed overnight in Utica. There was not any information or evidence of a new trail in Utica. The western approach to Utica is paved but has many root bumps. After Barnes Avenue the trail east becomes impassable for a bicycle. Taking Barnes Avenue South ends at some cement barriers with a very narrow gap too small for a bike with panniers, requiring removing your panniers. From there it's only a few blocks to the renovated Utica Club Brewery with tours, and food, and beer tasting...Heading east from Utica is on roads. I crossed to Broad street that turns to Old 5S which is a local road with little traffic and was in good condition. This becomes Main Street in Ilion and Mohawk, where the very nice new sections of trail east begin. Do not try to take Rutger road east through the Masonic Home campus to Broad street! Google Maps shows this road, but it is blocked by a very imposing and impassable gate:)

Joseph Pafundi from Saratoga Springs NY on 4/1/2021 7:37:03 AM:

John,

Hope you and your family are well. Many thanks for the detailed information! When I saw the original post on ECT, I had the impression that some "major" change had taken place for eastbound riders (Utca to Mohawk). Your post clears things up. Again, many thanks!

Joseph

Yankee John from Vermont/Rexford on 4/2/2021 7:21:03 AM:

I hope your family is also healthy and well Joseph!

If you haven't done it, the ride from Rexford to Amsterdam is now very nice, gone are the days of riding on 5 or 5S. The trail comes to the south side of Amsterdam that has been redeveloped as a very small 'Little Italy' which has original Italian restaurants with outdoor seating and great food, bocce courts, etc. The new pedestrian bridge over the river waterfront park is amazing, although it's not bike friendly because you need to climb stairs on the bridge over the tracks on the north side. If you don't want to ride back on the same day you can stay overnight at the 'Amsterdam Castle' Some bloke from England renovated the big old brick armory on the south side near the trail into a hotel. It's very unique, to say the least, with original suits of armor and battle flags from Europe. Worth a one night stay.

Erie Canal bike path in Utica NY