Return to the Erie Canal Trail (Sept 2023)
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Join my buddy, Carl, and I for a 7-day cycling adventure on the Erie Canal Trail. We made our way from Buffalo, via Amtrak, to Albany, then rode back to Buffalo with stops in Amsterdam, Mohawk, Herkimer, Canastota, Pittsford and Medina. This trail is unique in its history and beauty. You can't help but be swallowed up by the context of this canal in the early years of the United States.
If you like these videos, please SUBSCRIBE and click the LIKE button and if you really like them, you could buy me a coffee ☕️ (https:/buymeacoffee.com/raadventures)
Regardless, thanks for watching!
OVERVIEW:
0:03:44 Day 1: Albany to Amsterdam (47 miles)
0:18:08 Day 2: Amsterdam to Mohawk (50 miles)
0:30:41 Day 3: Mohawk to Canastota (54 miles)
0:44:05 Day 4: Canastota to Weedsport (50 miles)
0:57:00 Day 5: Weedsport to Pittsford (60 miles)
1:15:15 Day 6: Pittsford to Medina (52 miles)
1:28:40 Day 7: Medina to Buffalo (51 miles)
Musical selections from www.audiio.com. If you interested in this service, click on the following link and get 70% off! ref.audiio.com....
I ride a Trek Checkpoint ALR5.
This video was filmed on a GoPro 11 Black (4K/24fps, Linear mode), Insta360 One X, iPhone 13 Max Pro, Hover X Drone and edited in Final Cut Pro X.
contact me at: bryanwehmeyer@ridealongadventures.com
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Cycling the Erie Canal Guidebook (amzn.to/3RRVUvD)
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#biketouring #bikepacking #eriecanal #eriecanalbiketrail #history #amtrak #ridealongadventures #ridealong
I lived in Rochester from ‘89 to ‘01 and used to run the trail from Fairport eastwards to the Genesee River and westwards as far as there was useable trail. (Maybe ten miles or so.) out where there were still sections of the bypassed original canal adjacent to widened barge canal. Nine feet wide and four feet deep. In those days, a few communities realized how valuable a resource the trail was - Pittsford, Fairport, etc.
Wow, that’s amazing. Sure seems like they have embraced it now! 😊 I wonder how many people protested its development back then. On a smaller scale, I used to run on part of the Ohio to Erie trail and one local community had these massive petition drives to stop the rail trail through their backyard. Now, these same neighborhoods have cafes, ice cream shops, B&Bs, all built right around the trail.
I just love the Erie Canal trail. That is an amazingly unique journey. Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing your history-it’s really an interesting perspective.
Well. I lived in Columbus for a decade. I had a website in the local trails and worked with the city parks people and Metroparks. There was this city guy who really worked for years to link up the parks along their riparian corridors. Brad Westall - their first RT conversion was in ‘69. That’s foresight. The OtE uses several city trails to navigate through the city
Glad to see an East to West video. Like your narration. I live not too far from Newark and would have loved to buy you guys a lunch or refreshment. You should have signed and dated the canal book as it passes from adventure to adventure! Thank you sir.
Next time! Hey what happened to the Garden Hotel? I was surprised to see it closed.
It closed a few months for a MAJOR renovation. 10 million worth. A new top floor with condos. High end. Also a new hotel to be built within a quarter mile of the Newark Lock.
@@captainjonphaler4341 ah, well, it was a little old in the tooth last year when I stayed there so nice to see a big renovation. Thanks for the news.
Watched and enjoyed a few more of your adventures. (More to follow) Do you have a video of what you use especially your camera equipment? I looked down through and did not see anything. Such superb filming and editing. Thank you!
@@captainjonphaler4341 Why, thank you, Captain Jon! I'm currently working on video about this topic. Are there any specific questions you'd like me to include? I feel like I've learned a lot in the past 2-3 years and yet there is so much more out there. In summary, I use a GoPro for the majority of the footage (11 Black) but I carry two other cameras in addition. I also used a little drone on this trip that I'm sort of still trying to figure out. Then, it's all Final Cut Pro for editing. Again, I'd really appreciate any specific questions you may have.
I hate short trip videos to finally see full rides!!! Is the greatest!!! Love your videos thank you!!
thank you! I really appreciate that.
Okay, Okay, Okay . . . I've watched your videos in both directions plus the summary videos, and dozens of others videos riding the canal - various segments, and usually poorer quality (except for Diego) and my only questions is,, WHY if peorle are 27 miles from Cooperstown, does nobody veer off and spend a day in Cooperstown? Leaving via AMTRAK for Buffalo on May 6, and allowing enough time to go to Cooperstown and then jump back on the trail. Hills or no hills.
Absolutely fantastic suggestion. For me, I’ve been to Cooperstown two other times. Great place. In fact, awesome place. My kids, who are major MLB fans could have spent a week there.
Thanks for watching, John. 👍🏻
I love learning history along the way. This is awesome. Thank you!
Glad you like it. Me too. 😊
Raining here, so I am doing this again 🎉😊😊😊😊
LOL...glad to hear it. this was a fun ride.
I really enjoyed your video and history lessons!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great videos. Thanks for calling out the towns and landmarks. I now watch with Google Maps on another monitor.
Glad you like them! Thank you for your generosity! That’s so nice of you.
Hey, Nick…just wanted to say thank you again. This was so nice of you. It means a lot to me that you would send a gift. Many thanks.
I have responded via email. Thanks again for all you do to inform and inspire!@@RideAlongAdventures
FWIW - Medina is pronounced mi-de-na.
If you stop and think about just how many major projects in this country were down by low paid immigrants, you would be dumbfounded.
Absolutely.
Ok…for the record: muh-dee-nah, muh-DIE-nah, mee-dee-nah? During that ride a guy corrected whatever I said with muh-die-nah. 😊
Muh-DIE-nuh is correct. When I lived in Rochester, I raced motorcycles at a popular scrambles track just south of Medina. Everyone pronounced it muh-DIE-nuh.
@@russbellew6378 lol. thanks, Russ. I'm so accustomed to butchering names. You'd be surprised how many people have written me via email to correct this with all pronunciations. I'll take your input being FROM there. Thanks for watching.
Towns in Upstate have different pronunciations. It's Muh Die Nuh. Avon is pronounced Aaavon, not Ayvon. Chili is pronounced Chy Lie, not Chilly. Charlotte is pronounced Shar Lot.
Thanks, Bill. Beautiful country.
Oh my gosh! Another superb video! I didn’t let the length deter me, because I KNEW the video would be peppered with history and humor. It did not disappoint! Great music, great editing, loved the “Unrequested History” segments and the Erie Canal factoids. I laughed out loud and sang along to the Schoolhouse Rock Preamble song, yelled “inconceivable!” when you were struggling to find the word, and busted a gut when Carl photobombed the last day’s history lesson. Watching that video was so much darned fun! THANK YOU BRYAN!
I rode the ECT from Buffalo to Albany last year in July (luckily ahead of the PTNY tour you mentioned), and I agree the section between Tonawanda and Lockport is great. I definitely enjoyed the ride in the sections west of Syracuse, although the on-road sections were somewhat nerve wracking at times, and I too, got a bit lost because of signage, or the lack of it. I found Rochester to be a little scary, so I’m glad to know someone has been tending to the trail there. The Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse is a must see!
Thanks again, Bryan and Carl!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and congrats on your own ride-such a great trail!
Class in Session.. On this Rainy Day in North Carolina.. I learned a lot.. Amazing Canal.. felt like I saw everything.. now I need to Bike Ride this canal.. Passing the Book on was “Very Cool” Medina Culvert was very interesting 🙂 Lockport looked Special.. a must stop to explore.. have lunch.. Thanks Awesome Video 🎥
Dude, it's an amazing place. I honestly feel like I could return there every year and never get bored. I only scratched the surface on the little towns. So many cool places to see. enjoy it!
Best one yet!
Thank you. That was a great trip. Have a great holiday break!
Question number 1 ☝️
Amtrak from Buffalo to Albany seem quick compared to Amtrak on the GAP.. 🚊
How long of a train ride was it 🙂
I seem to remember about 6 hrs. Enough time to take a decent nap, have a few beers (Space Dust!) and enjoy the countryside.
I have to agree with @SheaKevin. I learned so much and now can't wait to ride it. What would be the narrowest tire you would recommend?
That’s great. You won’t be disappointed with this trail. It’s really unique and beautiful. I may go back again this year.
In terms of tires, I don’t mean to dodge the question but I’m never quite sure what to say. The trail is really well groomed throughout, minus a really short section in Troy which is loose gravel. I guess I’ve seen it all from 4+ inch fat bikes to standard road skinnies. Personally, I did it the first time with 35s (I think) and then again on this video with 43s. They are overkill for the Erie trail but they also provide a lot of comfort albeit slower.
I’d say go with whatever your bike can reasonably accommodate without having to replace rims. I’d also advise to buy tires that are extra durable and have a bit of tread. In other words, not slicks.
I’m hoping I’m not being unhelpful. I looked for a recommendation on ptny.org and they dodged it as well. ☺️ please feel free to reach out with any other questions. Happy to help.
One other reason for a Trike Recumbent is not having to stand up off the seat, it's like sitting in a recliner and able to enjoy life to its fullest.
I totally dig it.
Hi, Wondering if you can recommend any bike trails that would also be good with a dog?
As a dog enthusiast, I like the question. Are you looking for places to walk the dog or places to bring the dog along in a trailer/backpack? If the latter, I came across a guy the previous time I rode this trail who had a yorkie in a basket and was riding the entire trail. I've also seen a lot of dogs in trailers on the GAP trail.
Cool video, thanks for sharing. Im going west bound in a week
Have fun!
Hey! I was on The Erie Canalway in Sept. 2023 also! Aug. 29 - Sept. 6 I believe. Had great weather and a great ride, except I made a major mistake on a road detour somewhere after Utica!😂
Very cool! East to west or west to east? Man, I really like that trail. I get totally lost in thought on that ride.
@@RideAlongAdventures Buffalo to Albany!
Finished this ride again. I noticed alit of road riding and detours. I hope that has all been fixed for you and others who are dedicated to ride these trails😊😊
Fat finger, I mean alot
Yeah, there’s some road sections in the middle that are just a fact of life. The detours come and go. One of them was pretty extensive last year. But, still, I love this trail. I gotta get back up there soon.
What side bags or panniers I think is the right term do u use
I have a set of Ortlieb gravel bags and a set of Thules. The Ortliebs are smaller so I use them on the back if it’s a short trip (no camping). I use the Thules for longer trips and use both sets if I’m camping. I don’t think Ortlieb sells that model any longer but here is a link for the Thules: amzn.to/3rs7e6P
Ya know, at least with these long videos I don't run out of stuff to watch while working. I may need to poke around and find this email you keep mentioning, I may wanna bug you more. "presuming you're interested" lol
Please do! i enjoy being "bugged". I've been thinking of late that perhaps we need a channel for smaller creators who want to share new things they are learning, things that "work", things that don't. I know there are a lot of channels devoted to helping you grow but I wonder if we might be better off learning from one another.
@@RideAlongAdventures i definitely pick up ideas from other stuff I watch. A lot of it is just up to UA-cam and just being consistent. I mean, I think my stuff is decent but UA-cam has to push it. I enjoy doing it or I’d likely have stopped already lol
I was about to say, theres a lot of the buildings they move to other locations. I don't recall which one it was, but there was a pretty big building that was moved on the Ohio & Eerie canal path
another great video. Those locks at the end is quite the marvel. The erie canal is definitely on my list
Great video. Planning this one for September 2024. Very helpful and inspiring.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks!
That’s super nice of you. Thank you! 🙏
My wife and I went from Washington to Pittsburg last summer and it was fantastic! How does the Eire compare, it looks like there are a lot of busy roads?
In the mid section there are a few road sections. Traffic is pretty light overall and there’s a shoulder for most of it. For me, the big difference is the history along the way. Lots to take in. I really enjoyed it both times.
@@RideAlongAdventures thanks I have enjoyed many of your video’s as I gotten into bike packing this past year . We live north of Toronto so Buffalo is close. I know you have done both directions, which would you recommend? I took your advice and parked at the Pittsburg train station. Where did you park in Buffalo?
A few things I read about the Erie Canal. It was built under budget, ahead schedule & made it's money back in 10 years. All done with unskilled labor. When building the locks in Lockport someone figured out that they will drain Lake Erie at some point. So they put a pump system in. I did half of it Oct 2 2023 & camped along the way. Only camped for two days because of the trains sat night. I noticed you stayed in the Red Roof Inn in Herkimer. I stayed there myself. Lockport is my favorite place along the canal
Next time, I’m staying the day in Lockport-I agree with you. Glad someone else also enjoy history. 😊 amazing place.
Brock Yates, longtime writer and editor of Car & Driver magazine, and creator of the infamous Cannonball Run, was born and raised in Lockport.
Love the video. This trail is on my to do list. I'm hoping you make it down to the C2C trail before December. I know you'll do a comprehensive video of it. I'm going down there in late December.
That's the plan! We can compare notes.
Great video. I love biking ECT! What camera equipment were you using?
Thanks! I’m working on a video about my camera gear…stay tuned. In summary, a GoPro, an Insta360 X1 and (recently acquired) Hover X1 drone…I’m still on the fence about that one.
Enjoy the history lessons! It is nice to know that Clinton, Missouri was named after Dewitt Clinton, ironically the western end town of the Katy Trail.
Thanks and...exactly! :) It's really amazing just how many towns are named after him and how many are associated with other canals like the Ohio to Erie Canal (ie. Clinton, Ohio). Quite the dude.
I was reading yesterday about canal building in general and so many of the names associated with the Erie Canal project keep coming up as "chief engineer", "project manager", etc. It was just such an amazing time in history. And it's one of those places that I'm so thankful people have kept up so we can enjoy it. In my hometown of Cincinnati, there was a canal going right into downtown but it was paved over (Central Parkway) and few people even know a canal was once there. (www.cincinnati.com/picture-gallery/news/2018/11/06/remembering-erie-canal-over-rhine-central-parkway/1901531002/)
My plan is to do this in 30 mile increments, starting next week!! I car camp, so I will ride for 30 miles and return, sleep, and then drive out 30 miles and ride out another 30 miles, so on and so on. It should take me, oh I don't know, forever!! Love these videos, you are very entertaining!!
That’s a cool way to do it!! You get the experience going both ways in one trip! 👏🏼 let me know how it goes. I’m already missing that trail.
I love your history lessons... Nice! Now it makes me wonder if there are nice trails along the way that will help you easily get to Niagara Falls? I've been there, but it would be cool to bike there as part of a tour.
Thanks, Melissa. I haven't done it but I believe the Shoreline Trail heads north at Tonawanda to the Falls. www.storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2d03255fa1d24a9fb8fdf344d9eab651
I've read mixed reviews of the PTNY ride. Mostly positive but I could see the trail becoming crowded and losing some of the small town appeal. Yet I'm still interested in joining that ride. :)
Nice lead in (intro)..."wake up ".
if people only knew what i dream about... :)
Thank you for all these videos. They give us great ideas for future trips. We loved watching your trip through Florida which is where we live and ride:
Hey, thanks. Glad you like them. I’m trying to get back to Florida before winter and do the C2C. You live (and ride) in a great state. My family missed our annual trip to Sanibel this summer-hopefully next year. Take care and safe riding.
You should have taken a right on Salina Street in Syracuse then a left onto West Genesee Street and the trail continues next to the fire station across the street from National Grid.
Thanks. Yeah, that was really confusing but then the map just made total sense. I was bummed we missed the lakefront. 😔
Perfect time of the year. Leaves are turning and apples are ripe.
The leaves were just changing but the weather was definitely Fall. Great week!
Thanks! Bryan, great adventure, great weather too. You and Carl made me laugh. I loved the history lessons, so glad you add all the great stories to the journeys. Thanks for the shout out too. I loved it! I'm already clearing some time for next year. We'll definitely get to ride together. This was a rough year. I'm going to watch this one a few times over the weekend. Go get yourself and Carl a coffee.
Omg, dude. You are too nice. Thank you. I saw that blue chair and thought of you immediately! 😄
@RideAlongAdventures Bryan, you're welcome.! I rode by that big blue chair the weekend before. And was gonna sit on it. Lol ! It's just pass that police boat. I usually ride that part of the trail every weekend. Now that football is in full swing, the trail is more navigable.
🤔Aren’t there GPS/trail maps to rely on instead of signage? I did the Cycle the Erie Canal Tour many years ago, ❤ all the history and memories 🙏 .
Yes there are and sooner or later I’m going to have to “give in” and start using smartphone technology like a normal person. We had the guidebook which got us through some stuff but Syracuse just baffled me. It was easier coming the other way into town (west to east), imho.
Yeah, the history just amazes me. You can almost feel it. I just love that. Congrats on your ride also!
Ridewgps has several routes
I'm 3 minutes in, and already smiling.
Thanks-enjoy. It was a really fun ride.
What a great ride....and "ride along". Doubly so for me as a fellow history enthusiast (wife says nerd). I also prefer rural and on my rides I always turned south off the canal at Lyons and went down into the Finger Lakes area.
"Yeah gravel!"🤣@@RideAlongAdventures
@@joes971 how much of a tour can you do just around the finger lakes? Are there any routes to see just that area?
When did you start and finish this ride exactly?
Hi, Jose. We rode the train to Albany on the 16th and arrived back in Buffalo on the 22nd. 7 days.
Wow, you backed all days into one long video. Great cycling adventure that brings back memoris of my own ride. I think the wind direction is most of the time west to east. Did you get a lot of headwinds? Thanks for a great history lesson great to hear how it all about it. Trail is well marked but you still need some maps. For me Google msps helped. Thanks for the video, well done! 👍
Glad you enjoyed it! I also enjoyed your journey and give total respect that you went back for the Hudson Trail!! You're a legend in my book, Thomas. :)
@@RideAlongAdventures thank you, you are too nice! 😊 By the way I'm going to ride in your home state Delaware this coming week. I was planning to head west to ride the Katy Trail but couldn't get the train tickets for now and decided to stick with the east coast instead.
@@FollowThomas if there's a chance to ride together somehow, please let me know. I don't know if you have firm plans yet. I'm going to ride down at the beach on either Tuesday or Wednesday and try to camp out at Cape Henlopen. Also, you can hit me up at: bryan@ridealongadventures.com
sorry...missed your question about headwinds. No, we were pretty fortunate. A few gentle breezes but nothing too strong. It was really great weather.
@@RideAlongAdventures I'll shoot you an email about my plans.
I’m liking the full length videos, and you do a great job keeping it interesting. The Erie Canal keeps moving up my list. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you like them! Yeah, this is a great trail. Just so much history and a lot of natural beauty. Thanks for watching!
Has the George Mickelson Trail piqued your interest yet? Logistics would be more of a challenge for sure.
ABSOLUTELY! I've been looking into how to build that into next summer's plan. I've seen so many cool videos from there. Have you ridden it yet? recommendations?
@@RideAlongAdventures we are looking at this as well for next year and are looking at the travel options, the ride options, mileage and then other off route things to see. Amtrak does not appear to be an option.
You may want to tie in the Cowboy Trail that is in Northwestern Nebraska. You head south from Edgemont, SD for 50 miles and head East to pick it up. I'm doing it next year.
@@dans.5095 thanks! I’ll check it out. Several people have mentioned the Cowboy.
Great video. Thank you very much.
Glad you liked it! It's hard not to just love this trail. Even a month later, I'm still daydreaming about this one.
Another fantastic video. Informative, interesting, entertaining and amusing - chuckled my way through it. Would love to stick you in my back pocket for when we come to the US next year for all those 'Unrequested History Lessons' and Fun Facts. Looks like I will have to do a lot of research on all the states we will be crossing. If you weren't a History Teacher - then you should have been. Thank you for another great Ride Along Adventure! 🙂
Glad you liked it and thanks for watching. Hope you’re trip is fantastic.
Looks like such a great ride, I’ve done the western part of the EC, might have to try the entire
EC trail Looks the weather cooperated too, always adds to the FUN!
You should! The eastern part is more of the Barge Canal but I still really enjoyed all of it. And I'm not much of a city guy so Albany and Buffalo are less of an attraction than the towns. As I said in the video, I just can't get enough of the section from Lockport to Greece. For me, that's about as perfect as riding can get.
Thanks Bryan... this was beautiful. So many great scenes, landscapes, and memories for sure.
Your new GoPro 11 brought out the full dynamic range which communicated the feeling of the beauty of that piece of history.
Except for the last day... I can't figure out what happened. The color and lighting dynamic range was gone... it's like last year's redition but with a bit more sunlight. What happened?🤔
Gord
Hmm...I'll have to go back and do some checking. I don't think anything was changed. Even accidentally.
It's just such a beautiful trail and the history is something you can almost feel.
@@RideAlongAdventures Indeed Bryan... I loved the history lessons, as they make the scenes come alive.
It seems that the last day was the only one that seemed unusually flat. And it was sunny out, which is why I noticed the difference.
At the same time, I noticed that it was somewhat hazy out. But not enough to flatten the light and color dynamic as much as it did.
Yes, the overcast days are going to be subdued no matter the sensor. But the GoPro Hero Black 11 handles low and fiat light better than the previous generations.
My after thoughts were that the setting changed back to RAW mode again on the last day.
But the rest of the video was fabulous and I really got the feeling of the place in history and the adventure of it. I can see what you really like riding this canal... especially the western end.
Thanks Bryan,
Gord
Thanks!
Omg, thank you!
@@RideAlongAdventures Just my way of encouraging you to keep it up 😊
Who would be crazy to do this ride and not train for it?
lol...a dude who has the internal fortitude to gut it out, my friend. That was impressive. My kids were also amazed.
Good times, my friend. Thanks for the memories.