Reply to Further appeal for information- Amtrak Station in Rochester

Dear friends,

I am now set to travel fron Schenectady-Rochester on May 31. I have consulted GOOGLE Maps about where to pick upthe Genesee Valley Trail near the Amtrak Station. Does anyone have any advice about the best way to connect to the trail once I have left Amtrak? Many thanks! Joseph Pafundi

Hi Joseph. Not sure how you are using Google maps, but if you use Genesee Riverway Trail as first destination (from the Amtrak Station) and Pittsford, NY as a second destination and select Bike Mode -- you will find a good bike route -- assuming that the Canalway is your goal.

Whenever I've thought I was off route while riding, I use Google Maps (in Bike Mode) and select some further town as the destination. If you're off route, it will put you back onto the Canalway promptly (or show you options).

Good luck with your ride!

Bubba,

Great advice! Many thanks for your help! I am headed west to Brockport/Holley (my favorite section of the ride in the Rochester area). I was using my home PC since I don't have a sofisticated bike computer. Your help has made a big difference! Thanks again!

Joseph

Hello again Joseph! I made the same ride in 2019, taking Amtrak from Schenectady to Rochester and then riding back to Saratoga. Google Maps bicycle will take you right through downtown Rochester on city streets, which is not the best. From the Amtrak station you can ride a few blocks to the High Falls Terrace to check out the falls, then walk your bike across the Pont De Rennes Bridge to check out the Brown's Race Canal Heritage site on the other side of the falls and then continue on the Genesee Riverway Trail on that side of the river. There are several interesting information kiosks along the way. When I was there in 2019 the trail on that side of the Genessee was under construction but it looks complete on Google Earth now. The rest of the the ride through Rochester is shaded and very pleasant. I would recommend crossing back to the the north/east side at Ford Street and riding around the U. Rochester campus. The other side has a paved trail but it is not as interesting and has a lot of tree root humps. Take a note of the the four way intersection of the Genesee River and the Erie Canal waterway, which is a unique portion of the Erie canal with some mildly hair raising currents where the waterways meet. We have taken our boat through here on a canal trip from Oswego back to Rexford.

John,

your information has been quite helpful. Many thanks and I will strongly consider your suggestion about le Pont de Rennes.

Take care and safe travels! Joseph