Bikers Guide to the Erie Canalway Trail

Michelle, Jeff, Tom, and Carl bike-pack the Erie Canal Towpath Trail from Albany back to our front doors in Buffalo, NY. All the information you need from how to load your bike on the Amtrak train, to where to camp, all the touring gear you will need, and all the challenges along the way. #partypace #railstotrails #biketouring #midlife #middleage
Where we camped:
Lock 20 Pavillion (43.143620523611055, -75.29146529016887)
Green Lake State Park (parks.ny.gov/parks/172/detail...)
Rivers Crossing Campground (www.rccampground.com/)
Middleport Town Pavillion (43.21364079523014, -78.47500983977481)
GPS coordinates to the zero-mile marker:
www.google.com/maps/place//@4...
Camera Gear:
360 X3: amzn.to/3QurI8F
DJI Pocket 2: amzn.to/494OCe0
Mavic Mini: amzn.to/3S7hpbP
A shorter highlight reel put to music: • The Erie Canalway Trail

[@Mike-vd2qt]

I rode the Erie Canal Trail last year with friends. Re camping at some of the Locks, we were told that some had been closed due to homeless problems and drug dealing the year before. But we didn't have any problems with closed camping in 2023, so it worked out. Overall it's a pretty trail with lots of riding through the woods. Thanks for video!

[@ssparr1]

Thanks for making the video. I completed the trail two weeks ago from Buffalo to Albany. Was nice to relive some the scenery. Would highly recommend this trip to anyone.

[@VictorElGreco]

Thank you for posting this. I did this exact route in September’23. That Reformed Church pavilion was an utter delight, 😀 as was Syracuse, primarily because the trail runs smack through the fun, downtown area with all its many eateries. Great memories. 😊

[@josephpafundi404]

Many thanks for a fantastic video. You answered, through the video, a lot of questions many bikers have about what to expect as they traverse the entire ECT. Thanks again!

[@livingthemidlifeadventure5882]

Glad it was helpful!

[@scholasticacooney6830]

Agree; esp. liked knowing that it's better to end in Buffalo than in Albany. I, too, would prefer to end a ride in more picturesque surroundings.

[@derekhough8675]

Thanks for sharing….we live on the Canadian side of the Piece Bridge and are jumping on the train on the 8th of September to ride the trail back. I have made some notes that I’m sure we will use on our journey.

[@WheelsonaBike]

I just rode this trail on a folding bike and loved it! I rode it in low season and it was amazing to see how busy some of the towns were when you rode through. Thanks for sharing the adventure!

[@livingthemidlifeadventure5882]

Glad you liked it. Always loved your vids too!

[@bobbisimonsen]

Thanks for sharing all this great information! I am planning a solo bikepacking trip this spring and it was great to see what camping options you chose. Thanks for taking the time to document your trip for us.

[@livingthemidlifeadventure5882]

Glad you found it useful! Good luck on your solo trip!!

[@FollowThomas]

Great trail. I rode it all away just a couple weeks ago from west to est to get the tailwind. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@rrrseajay]

September for me. Thanks for the content.

[@star_man0941]

i want to ride the trail on a recumbent trike . i might start in Syracuse . but the trip is up in the air right now i only live 53 miles north of Syracuse . wish i could the way there and camp along the way .

[@Woodleytrav58]

Good video, I'm hoping to arrive from the UK set off from Niagara Falls following the same trail then head on to NYC Brooklyn setting off back home from Newark

[@livingthemidlifeadventure5882]

Wish you the best. You'll love it!

[@falcoperegrinus82]

I'm hoping to ride the entire trail from NYC to Buffalo.

[@livingthemidlifeadventure5882]

You'll love it!!

[@newbejoe]

Thanks for the insight to the amtrack setup. Was thinking about taking te train from Florida to DC to ride the GAP but have too much gear I think.

[@spaceghost8995]

What do you mean by too much gear? You don't need much gear to ride the C&O and the GAP ! Jump onto the trail right there in DC and do it ! You won't regret.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

I agree with first comment on gear. I've ridden across the U.S. touring with 22 pounds of gear. That's camping gear, cook set, clothes, and some bike tools. GAP/C&O towns are every 10 to 20 miles.

[@nancygell7612]

Thanks for the very informative video! I am interested in camping around Amsterdam but I can't find any information about the place you mentioned. Is it a lock or something else? I believe you mentioned it would be a good campsite? thanks

[@pppjourneyonabike5992]

Lock 16 is a "designated campsite"

[@rabbithappy1238]

Thanks for your video. I am considering this ride in Aug - what time of year did you ride?

[@MrCabinboy11]

Thanks for the great video! Was the wind an issue for you going from east to west?

[@livingthemidlifeadventure5882]

Not at all. We had one segment of about 5 miles where we fought a headwind, but otherwise the wind blew from almost every direction.

[@philamongthehills501]

Were you allowed to have your bike on the train with the handlebar bag attached and am I correct that you must remove the front tire

[@livingthemidlifeadventure5882]

Front tire off is easiest for most bikes. I believe a small bar bag would be fine, but other biukers with us removed the larger ones. HTH