Join as many as 250 people of all ages - singles, couples, family groups - and all bicycling abilities on this ride across New York state along the historic Erie Canal, recently named a National Heritage Corridor, and enjoy great scenery, interesting history, and unparalleled cycling. Whether a seasoned bike tourist or novice, participants will experience the canal and enjoy canal historians' stories about the people, places and things that made life along the Erie Canal so unique in its day and so important to the history of New York state and the country.

In 1825, the Erie Canal was called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," a manmade waterway that stretched into the western wilderness to touch the Great Lakes. This tour will follow the towpath along sections of the original Erie Canal and the "canalized" Seneca and Mohawk Rivers through historic villages, rural pastures, old locks and abandoned aqueducts. Today, the Erie Canal and the villages along it are being rediscovered as a unique and easily accessible corridor with a rich role in the history of Colonial America, the American Revolution, commerce and women's rights.

During the eight-day ride, bikers will cover 40-60 miles per day, about half on asphalt or compact stone dust on completed portions of the Canalway Trail, the rest along public roadways. Most days, the route follows the canal along level ground. Overnights will be at Buffalo, Medina, Pittsford, Seneca Falls, Syracuse, Rome, Canajoharie, and Schenectady. Refreshment stops, tent camping, baggage transport, support service, evening entertainment, eight breakfasts and six dinners are included. College dorm and motel accommodations are available on three nights. Riders will also enjoy guided tours of the canal, historic sites, museums, and other attractions including the Women's Rights National Historic Park, Erie Canal Museum and Village, Fort Stanwix National Monument, Old Erie Canal State Park, and a boat tour through several locks.

For those who can't get away for the eight-day ride, sign-up is available for weekend one (Buffalo to Rochester/Pittsford, July 7-9) or weekend two (Canajoharie to Albany, July 13-15). Each option includes a t-shirt, two nights of camping, two breakfasts, two dinners and all rider support services.

For information and/or to request a registration form, call the NYPCA office at (518) 434-1583 or log onto the organization's website at www.nypca.org/canaltour.