Cross-state bicycle tour along Erie Canal offered
400-mile trek begins in Buffalo

The fifth annual Cycling the Erie Canal event - an eight-day, 400-mile, recreational bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany along the historic, scenic, and still-active Erie Canal is scheduled for July 6 to 13. About half of the ride is off-road, on the traffic-free Canalway Trail. The rest is on rural roads with good shoulders. The tour is limited to 400 riders.

The Erie Canal corridor was recently designated a National Heritage Corridor, one of only 23 across the nation. The bicycle tour passes through historic canal villages and rural countryside. Along the way, canal historians and local experts will introduce participants to the people, places and things that made the Erie Canal so unique in its day and so important to the history of New York State and the country.

Last year's Cycling the Erie Canal drew riders from 28 states, including Alaska. About one-half of the riders were from New York state. "Even the in-state riders were amazed at the beauty of the Erie Canal corridor and its cultural and historic richness," says Robin Dropkin, NYPCA Conservation Director.

Cycling the Erie Canal is for cyclists of all abilities and ages. Last year, the oldest rider was 80 years of age and the youngest three. For most days, the route follows the canal along level ground. Several days have a few rolling hills and there are only two long gradual climbs. Optional additional rides will be available during the week.

Included in the $475 fee for Cycling the Erie Canal are: Camping accommodations every evening with showers and toilet facilities. Several campsites have pools or lakes for swimming. Dormitory options are available three nights; eight breakfasts and six dinners; two refreshment stops daily stocked with fruit, snacks and beverages; entertainment and historical presentations each evening; guided tours of the canal, historic sites, museums, and other attractions, including the Women's Rights National Historic Site, Erie Canal Museum and Village, Fort Stanwix National Monument and a boat tour through several locks and other attractions; kick-off reception and festivities and end-of-tour gala celebration banquet; baggage transport and sag wagon and mobile mechanical support.

Two weekend ride options are available, from Buffalo to Pittsford on July 5 to 7 and from Canajoharie to Albany on July 11 to 13. A shuttle will be available at the beginning of the ride to transport riders and their bicycles to Buffalo. Non-cycling friends and family of riders with their own transportation are welcome. Youth (under 18) enjoy a special half-price rate. A group discount is available for six or more riders who register together. Canadians also receive a discount rate.

New York Parks and Conservation Association (NYPCA), the organizer of Cycling the Erie Canal, is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and protecting our parks and creating new kinds of parks such as greenways and rail and canal trails. NYPCA organizes this bicycle tour to promote the Canalway Trail, the historic Erie Canal corridor and economic development through bicycle tourism. Funds raised will help support NYPCA's trail programs, including its work on the Canalway Trial. When complete, the 524-mile Canalway Trail will be the longest intra-state multi-use trail system in the nation.

Call 518-434-1583, e-mail canaltour@nypca.org or visit www.nypca.org/canaltour for information.