First timer - spring or fall?

Hello,

I am recently retired and I am a lifelong bicyclist. Erie Canal has been on my bucket list for a long time :-)

To get the best scenery, avoid crowds (lodging availability), etc, would it be better for me to ride the full trail before school gets out in May, or enjoy it after school starts in September?

Also is it better to ride west to east?

My bikes include an old carbon fibre Trek Pilot (which I love using on paved roads) and a heavier steel frame Surly LHT. Do you think the LHT is my best choice?

I have not checked into it yet, but I thinking Amtrack from MN and back. Any advice?

I plan to stay in a bed each night. (I am a solo rider.)

Thanks for your help!

I have not done any sections in the spring, but many in the fall. I would expect you'll have more flying insect issues in the spring and, personally, have experienced few in the fall. Other than that the only downside I have experienced fall riding was a section near Syracuse that was littered with black walnuts that had fallen off the trailside trees. (Kinda dicy steering after hitting one of those a glancing blow.) More than what kind of bicycle frame you might prefer, use the one that allows you to put the widest, most supple sidewall tires onto it for the better ride. East of Utica the trail is mostly pavement and occasional road riding. You'll lose nothing with a wider tire on those sections and can run a higher pressure if you feel that makes you go any quicker. On the rest of the trail's stone dust sections you'll be glad for the wider tires and the ability to run them at lower pressures without worrying about pinch flats. I've been a very satisfied Amtrak user and would recommend the Minneapolis to either Buffalo or Albany run. Take your pick, the stations are easily accessed at both ends from the trail. You can read about my experiences with it here: https://sites.google.com/view/summer23bikerides/erie-canalway-trail and here https://sites.google.com/view/summer24bikerides/erie-canal-trail-the-last-180-miles

I've ridden the trail numerous times. Have ridden East to West, and West to East. I prefer West to East, riding Buffalo to Albany. Always on my Surly Long Haul Trucker, carrying bags and camping. 32 width tires. LHT is your better choice.
Weather will be better in September. Spring can be wet and cold.
Have fun!

Holy Cow Phillip! You have very lengthy and detailed bike trip logs.

I really like your idea of amtrack+biking each segment to g r t back to your truck. I have a self-converted promaster van that I could use if I could work out my itinerary to make it so.

Does Lynn like his Bromton?

Bud, thanks 4 your tip. My lazy personality wants light weight, but the LHT sounds like a must.

Amtrak does allow two bicycles on that Maple Leaf section. What happened, I'm not sure, but I finally had it pointed out to me that once two seats were reserved, the option for two bikes would appear. If that was something I just did without thinking the first two times and failed to repeat the step on the third trip, I don't know. As I said we switched to a different method after that anyway. Lynn likes his Brompton but I don't see him on it much since our rides together are on gravel for the most part. We did the G.A.P. together last Sept. and are planning to do the C&O this coming riding season. We are still using the single van and riding in opposite directions method.

Rick, Hopscotting back to your van everyday seems like a hassle. Keep it simple. Take minimal items on your bike. Stay in hotels every night. Bike Buffalo to Albany and return from Albany to Buffalo via Amtrak; or bike Albany to Buffalo and return from Buffalo to Albany via Amtrak.