The state’s largest multi-day bike tour traveled from Medina to Fairport on Monday, July 14. Organized by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the 27th annual Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour brought together cyclists from 37 states between the ages of 8 and 84. Six hundred cyclists participated in the tour, traveling 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.
Day 2 of the tour included 62 miles of scenic canalside riding. During the first half of the day, riders stopped in villages along the trail including Holley, Brockport, and Spencerport. In Albion and Holley, Orleans County Tourism and local community partners met riders with snacks, drinks, and greetings from Orly the Ox – Orleans County’s mascot. Riders also traveled along the newly constructed Brockport Pedestrian Bridge, where Walk Bike Brockport offered pre-stamped postcards for riders to send home.
In 2021, Brockport was selected by PTNY and the New York State Canal Corporation as an Empire State Trail Town. The Empire State Trail Town Program recognizes and supports New York’s exceptional trailside communities for their demonstrated commitment to improving safety and experience for trail users. The 2024 Trail Towns include Little Falls, Amsterdam, Schuylerville, and Fort Edward. 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.
Halfway through the day, riders reached Rochester’s Genesee Valley Park and REI further down the trail, where they could opt to take an excursion along the Genesee Riverway Trail into downtown Rochester. Riders later stopped in Pittsford to visit popular boutiques, galleries, and cafes in Schoen Place, ending the day at Center Park West in Fairport.
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.
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