Brandon is taking a job in Austin, Texas and will be leaving on June 1st. That puts a really bad kink in the summer tour that were were to embark upon on July 12th. I don't enjoy riding alone and figure if I'm doing something for fun, like bike touring, I should enjoy it. With that in mind, I'll be looking at other things.
Even though the original ride around Lake Ontario and Upstate NY is not out of the question, I am leaning heavily toward a fully supported group tour of the Erie Canal. Big groups are ok and Brandon and I rode a while with the Erie Canal gang in 08. I did do a group tour last year and left them after two days. I didn't like it at all because of the route, and too many of the regulars, who tour every year with Rails to Trails, were very demanding and annoying. I felt bad for the organizers and workers for the gruff they took. The Erie Canal parallels bike rt 5, which makes it easy to ride alongside the tour but not with them, if that strikes your fancy.
June 4th is my last day of working, so I have no issues with dates. That's a nice feeling.
Get on your bike and ride
Showing posts with label Erie Canal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Erie Canal. Show all posts
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Erie Canal Tour
Crazyguyonabike.com is out of commission, or at least I can't get there from this computer.
A 6 hr drive got us to the Amtrak station in Utica N.Y. Boxing the bikes when smoothly bu repacking the panniers in the parking lot was tough with the humidity.
We boarded the train just as last call was being announced for dinner. We did manage our freebee food but paid the price later. We traveled in a tiny little sleeper car becase all the seats were sold out. There was just enough room for us and our bags.
A 12:30 arrival in Buffalo left us stranded in an industrial area where the owners of the cheap motel we had planned on spending the night, refused to answer the bell. Consequently we had to pay $140 for a night in the Days Inn at the airport. We finally got to our room around 2:30AM.
Day 1.
It's 10:30 and Brandon is still lollygaging. He is off to McDonalds for breakfast and after that we will take the shuttle back to the train station, retrieve and reassemble our bikes, and begin the 350 mile ride back to Utical via the Erie Canal.
We are looking into a side trip to Niagra Falls today then ride to Lockport this afternoon or this evening.
It's hot outside, but we are both very excited.
A 6 hr drive got us to the Amtrak station in Utica N.Y. Boxing the bikes when smoothly bu repacking the panniers in the parking lot was tough with the humidity.
We boarded the train just as last call was being announced for dinner. We did manage our freebee food but paid the price later. We traveled in a tiny little sleeper car becase all the seats were sold out. There was just enough room for us and our bags.
A 12:30 arrival in Buffalo left us stranded in an industrial area where the owners of the cheap motel we had planned on spending the night, refused to answer the bell. Consequently we had to pay $140 for a night in the Days Inn at the airport. We finally got to our room around 2:30AM.
Day 1.
It's 10:30 and Brandon is still lollygaging. He is off to McDonalds for breakfast and after that we will take the shuttle back to the train station, retrieve and reassemble our bikes, and begin the 350 mile ride back to Utical via the Erie Canal.
We are looking into a side trip to Niagra Falls today then ride to Lockport this afternoon or this evening.
It's hot outside, but we are both very excited.
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