Write a commentCelebrating the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal, Cycle the Erie Canal travels from Buffalo to Albany July 12-20.
The state's largest multi-day bike tour traveled 44 miles from Seneca Falls to Syracuse on Wednesday, July 16.
Organized by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the 27th annual Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour brings together cyclists from 37 states between the ages of 8 and 84. 600 cyclists will travel 400 miles from Buffalo to Albany, visiting historic towns along the Erie Canalway Trail. This year, the tour celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal.
For the first time, Day 4 of the tour took riders past the beautiful Cayuga Lake and the Cayuga County Canal Communities, one of PTNY's 2025 Empire State Trail Towns. Riders also visited the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Port Byron Erie Canal Heritage Park, and Weedsport– another Empire State Trail Town. At the afternoon rest stop in Camillus, riders were transported back in time as they visited the Sims Store, a re-creation of a 19th century general store.
Riders made stops at local bike-friendly businesses, including White Rabbit Roasting Co. in Weedsport, and Towpath Pizza and Peace Love Coffee–both in Jordan.
Riders were welcomed to camp at Burnet Park in Syracuse with a Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebration complete with live music, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, dinner, and a canal 200th birthday party. Tomorrow riders travel 48.4 miles to Rome.
The Empire State Trail Town program is a collaboration between PTNY and the New York State Canal Corporation. The program recognizes and supports New York's exceptional trailside communities for their demonstrated commitment to improving safety and experience for trail users. The new 2025 Trail Towns include Cylde, Canajoharie, and Cayuga County Canal Communities. As part of this designation, PTNY provides technical assistance to improve the trail user experience and attract more visitors, drive economic growth, and enhance recreation in these communities.
The New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, has partnered with Parks & Trails New York on Cycle the Erie Canal since its inception in 1998. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is the premier heritage sponsor of the event. Ten regional tourism agencies also sponsor the ride.
About Parks & Trails New York
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is New York's leading statewide advocate for parks, trails, and public lands. Since its founding in 1985, PTNY has fought to improve the health and wellbeing of all New Yorkers through the enjoyment of statewide greenspaces. PTNY is the leading voice for the protection and expansion of New York's incredible state park system and multi-use trail network, including more than 1,500 miles of greenways, bike paths, and river walks. Learn more at www.ptny.org.
