Yikes, BIKES!

They started to hit the road in Buffalo on Sunday, July 12, leaving their cars and expensive gas behind. Some 500 bicyclists from 35 states are in the Capital Region today as participants in the 11th annual Cycling the Erie Canal tour, organized by Parks & Trails New York, a statewide not-for-profit organization. The 400-mile bicycle tour ends tomorrw (Sunday, July 19) in Albany.

About three-quarters of the journey is on the off-road Erie Canalway Trail. When the Trail is finished, it will be the longest statewide trail in the United States.

“The 11th annual Cycling the Erie Canal tour is an inexpensive and healthy way to explore the Erie Canal and upstate New York. Plus it’s fun. I call it a rolling summer camps for all ages,” says Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin. “We have cyclists from 35 states plus several hundred volunteers in communities along the route ready to welcome riders and help them discover what makes the Erie Canal and upstate New York unique.”

The Capital Region schedule is as follows

Saturday, July 18 – Canajoharie to Scotia
Overnight: Collins Park, Mohawk Ave./Schonowee Ave., Scotia,

6:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast, Canajoharie High School

8:00am – 12:00pm – Morning Rest Stop, Fultonville Town Hall

12:00pm – 5:00pm - Afternoon Rest Stop, Mabee Farm Historic Site

Until 8:00pm – Swimming available at Collins park

12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 - Walking Tours of historic Stockade Area

4:30pm – 5:30pm – Reception at Collins Park

5:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner at Collins Park

7:00 pm – 8:00pm – Program & Celebration

8:00pm – 9:00 – Music at Freedom Park area at Collins Park

Sunday, July 19 – Schenectady to Albany

6:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast at Collins Park

8:00am – 11:00noon – Morning Rest Stop – Peebles Island State Park

10:30am – afternoon – riders finishing at Corning Preserve, Albany

The NYS Canal Corporation is the Premier State Sponsor of Cycling the Erie Canal for the 11th straight year. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is the event’s Heritage Sponsor. Supporting sponsors include CSEA, Brookfield Power, and Wegmans. Other sponsors include Terry Cycling and I LOVE NY.

Great Hudson Valley Pedal

Parks and Trails New York puts on another multi-day bicycling tour through the picturesque Hudson Valley. The Great Hudson Valley Pedal, a six-day, 200-mile bicycle tour from Albany to New York City is set for August 11 – 16. For further information on the Great Hudson Valley Pedal, call 518-434-1583, e-mail hudsontour@ptny.org or visit www.ptny.org/hudsontour.

Tags: Great Hudson Valley Pedal, New York Bicycle Tours