Bicycling Along the Erie Canal

The Erie Canal stretches 363 miles across the state of New York from Buffalo to Albany. This waterway, constructed in the early 1800s, provided a link from the Atlantic seaboard to the Great Lakes. Then, horses and mulls plodded up and down the towpath pulling barges and boats along the canal. Today, that towpath has been transformed into a trail system for bicyclists and hikers. Canoes and kayaks, as well as motorized boats, float the canal passing through lush farmland and historic canal towns.

The Canalway trail surface is primarily crushed gravel and is wide enough for bikers to pass comfortably. The route is well marked with maps listing distances to points in the area as well as signboards explaining the history of the canal. Along the trail are benches and parks, comfortable places for the traveler to rest. We even passed a McDonald’s along the section we road today. Now that’s a place with real resting possibilities.

We happened to pass Lock 30 just as a young family in kayaks was approaching the lock. We watched as they came in, rode the water down, and floated out the lower end. I’m far too afraid of water to have done that, but it sure was exciting to watch. And, they looked like pros. I don’t think it was the first lock they had navigated.

We did a short, 6-mile section beginning at Palmyra and going west then back again. Twelve miles was plenty for us since we haven’t been on a bike in many months. A feller can get pretty seat-sore in that amount of time. We hadn’t gone far before we ran into (almost literally) a flock of Canada Geese. They reluctantly moved out of our way letting us pass through lots of goose poop which was then flung from my tires onto me. We’re having fun now!

Kayakers coming into Lock 30

Leaving the lock down stream

The entire 363 miles has not yet been completed, but most is. The section we rode today is part of a100 mile segment. There are hotels and B and Bs along the way making it possible to travel the entire length as one event.

One of several signboards we passed.

Whether for a relaxing outing for a day or a multi-day excursion, the Erie Canalway is definitely a worthy adventure.