Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Starting this Sunday, almost 650 bicyclists will embark on a 400-mile, weeklong bike ride in Buffalo, traversing the historic Erie Canalway Trail (part of the Empire State Trail) to Albany for Parks & Trails New York’s 26th annual Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour.
"It's really just an amazing, eight-day extravaganza of cycling, outdoor exploration and discovery," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks and Trails New York.
The bicyclists, some coming from out of the country, will travel 40 to 60 miles a day, catching the scenic views alongside the Erie Canal while learning the history and the communities that surround the canal's historic locks.
"My favorite part of the ride, it's really the small towns that you discover along the way, Medina, Fairport, Lockport, Seneca Falls, these local communities in recent years have really woken up to what they have on the Empire State Trail and the Canalway," said White. "They're rolling out the red carpet there, local businesses are having specials, and there's marching bands coming out and mayors, I mean, people are really proud of the Empire State Trail and it's really wonderful to see the local businesses benefiting."
Day 1 of the tour follows the Shoreline Trail from Buffalo along the Niagara River, north to Tonawanda, where cyclists can view the modern western entrance of the Erie Canal. From there, the Erie Canalway Trail winds east through Amherst and into Pendleton where many riders will stop for ice cream at Uncle G’s, one of 100 certified Bike Friendly New York businesses .
Around lunchtime cyclists arrive in Lockport, a 2023 Empire State Trail Town, where tour participants will take a boat ride through Lockport’s iconic ‘Flight of Five’ locks. The first day wraps up with a leisurely ride along the banks of the canal into rural Orleans County.
"We also have historians coming and speaking to the riders every night about the history of the Erie Canal, the history of the Underground Railroad and all the other rich stories that are associated with the route itself. And of course, it also shines a spotlight on our work at Parks and Trails New York, to highlight improvements that we can still make to the trail to make it safer, more connected, and even getting some new segments of rail trails so that we can connect more communities throughout New York State to the wonderful Empire State Trail," White adds.
White also notes the diversity in this year's groups, with people both young and old taking part in the event, many returnees look to re-immerse themselves once again in the history and the beauty of the trails and bringing their families along for the ride, in addition to the older folks who are now trying e-bikes to help themselves get through the final miles of each trip.
"Don't be daunted by 40 miles, 60 miles, it's very flat. So, you know, the fact that it is very even terrain makes it easier, even for a novice cyclist. We're also seeing more e-bikes on the trail, just give you that little boost that you might need at the end of the day."
Lockport Main Street is excited to welcome the cyclists as they do every year, they will be hosting an event on Sunday with accomodations for the cyclists and a reception, click here for more details .
You can track the bicyclists by following the social media pages of Parks and Trails New York and you can find information on how to plan your own trip on the Empire Trail here .
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