Erie Canalway
01-20-21, 01:55 PM
#1
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Erie Canalway
I am looking to ride the Erie Canalway in 2021 from Buffalo (Lockport) to Albany. Anyone out there have advice for camping along the way like which Locks and other hidden gems? Thanks.
01-20-21, 02:20 PM
#2
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There are state campgrounds along the way that are right along the trail as well as other private ones, just have to figure out how far you want to go on a daily basis since plenty of people I chatted with while working in the Pittsford bike shop would also just camp along the way. Most of the trail is fairly safe, try to avoid being in the downtown Rochester section at night, I've commuted through it dozens of times over the years but every few months it seems there was stories of muggings and bike thefts so I typically rode streets at night. Same goes for Syracuse, there's no actual bike path through or around Syracuse and the route can go through some interesting areas. But the rest are safe enough to just grab a spot along the side with a tent and I haven't heard of anyone having issues over doing it. The wife mapped out 8 different campgrounds for us but we'll be doing lighter miles each day due to kids and as a result will skip over the syracuse section as well as along stretch of onroad after I think Rome.
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01-20-21, 07:33 PM
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When I did it in 2019 the signage was poor and the guidebook had a lot of out of date references to B&Bs that were closed, etc. Maybe the new book is better. Google earth is very helpful. I thought the Western half was nicer than the Eastern half. Starkers (sp?) has a church right on the trail that lets cyclists camp, and even shower. Macedon has a big campground with water and portapotties. You might think of ending at Albany airport to get a oneway car rental back to Buffalo. That's what I did from Buff to Alb.
Check CGOAB for accounts of people's trips.
Have fun.
Check CGOAB for accounts of people's trips.
Have fun.
01-20-21, 08:16 PM
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As noted above, there is a new edition for this year:
https://www.ptny.org/publications/cy...the-erie-canal
https://www.ptny.org/publications/cy...the-erie-canal
01-21-21, 06:49 PM
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If you are going at peak season be sure to have reservations in advance, There are many summer campers out that take up all of the spots and without reservations you can wind up in a bind. Some campgrounds will make room for cyclists but you can also get stuck too.
01-22-21, 10:31 PM
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When I did it in 2019 the signage was poor and the guidebook had a lot of out of date references to B&Bs that were closed, etc. Maybe the new book is better. Google earth is very helpful. I thought the Western half was nicer than the Eastern half. Starkers (sp?) has a church right on the trail that lets cyclists camp, and even shower. Macedon has a big campground with water and portapotties. You might think of ending at Albany airport to get a oneway car rental back to Buffalo. That's what I did from Buff to Alb.
Check CGOAB for accounts of people's trips.
Have fun.
Check CGOAB for accounts of people's trips.
Have fun.
01-22-21, 11:47 PM
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In addition to what others said, there is an unofficial site, https://bikeeriecanal.com/. Not all the info is up to date, some distances may be slightly off.
The route may be complicated, especially in the citites. This interactive map is invaluable: https://www.ptny.org/bike-canal/map/
It can show your GPS location, and it shows the route. It even showed detours last fall when some repaving was going on.
The route may be complicated, especially in the citites. This interactive map is invaluable: https://www.ptny.org/bike-canal/map/
It can show your GPS location, and it shows the route. It even showed detours last fall when some repaving was going on.
