John Aylward Photography

Today’s Highlights:
I worked the route today from Syracuse to Rome covering 48 miles. Our first rest stop was at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum. It was an interesting place, and I would like to go back there when I can spend more time. The second rest stop was at lock 21. I took only a few pictures along the way, so I don’t remember much of the trail. We ended the ride at Fort Stanwix National Monument and camped outside the fort.
Too hungry to wait for dinner, I again eat a big meal around 2:00. Savoy restaurant had an outstanding buffet, and I took a large chocolate mousse to-go for “dinner”.

Pictures Of The Day: Click any thumbnail to see the photos in full screen mode.

Cycle The Erie Canal Day-5

Statistics:
No Garmin data for today. The ride was 48 miles.

Today’s Highlights:
We had a short 40-mile ride from Seneca Falls to Syracuse today. There were less canal views today, as we rode near older sections of it. One rest stop was at Sim’s Store in Camillus, which included a canal museum and narrated boat tours on the aqueduct. A short distance from the finish, Pete’s Polar Treats provide free ice cream!
Our campsite tonight is at the zoo. We had a reception in the zoo conference room to celebrate the halfway point of the ride. We also had dinner there. On this extremely hot afternoon and evening, the air conditioned zoo visitor center provided a nice escape from the heat. Thunderstorms rolled through in the evening.

Cycle The Erie Canal Day-4

Statistics:
I lost my Garmin data today. The ride was 40 miles.

Today’s Highlights:
Our day started out comfortably cool, with mist rising off the canal. I worked on route marks today, so moved along quickly and took few pictures. In Newark, some townspeople set up an extra rest stop for us. And in the quiet town of Clyde, the Rotary Club hosted our second rest stop, including the Music Man entertaining us on his keyboard. From Clyde, we turned south away from the canal and headed to Seneca Falls through some beautiful farmland.
Dinner was on our own tonight, and a shuttle was provided to take us into town. I went to Seneca Falls early and walked the Main Street and waterfront. I was very hungry, and had an early dinner. Later, I joined two other riders for dessert.

Cycle The Erie Canal Day-3

Statistics:
I lost my Garmin data for today. I rode about 57 miles.

Today’s Highlights:
Today I rode 64 miles from Medina to Pittsford, including a side trip through Rochester. The first few miles of the ride took us on a raised section of the Canal, showing the feat of engineering that was involved creating it. We rode over the Medina Culvert, which is the only place where the Erie Canal goes over a road. For miles, large farms stretched out on each side of the canal. I took a small side trip into Albion, a very quiet little town with some interesting architecture from the mid 1800s. Our first rest stop was in a Holley NY park, where the mayor was our host. In Spencerport, some townspeople set up an additional rest stop for us, and provided some information about their town. A little before noon, I reached the second rest stop at Genesee Valley Waterway Park. Kayaks were available to use, as was a swimming pool. I chose to take the guided bike tour into the center of Rochester. The route went along both shores of the Genesee River, and up to High Falls. We stopped at the old aqueduct that once enabled boat traffic over the Genesee River, and is now a graffiti gallery.
I finished the ride in Pittsford at 1:30.

Cycle The Erie Canal Day-2

Statistics:
I lost my Garmin data for this day. Rode 64 miles.