Fun Bike Trip, supported Erie Canal NY-360 miles over 8 days with hotels and SAG

1. We are doing the 360 mile Erie Canal Trail (NY) and some optional miles others that connect to it during July 2025. We will stay in hotels. Comfort Inn. Hilton Garden Inn, etc. Just $1,950 for double occupancy 8 nights of hotels. Single supplement add $995. Non riders are $1,100 and may attend all events. Three to a room just $1500 each.

Your rsvp gets you into the dialog here, commits you to nothing and costs you nothing.

2. We are starting in Buffalo NY July 12th and end in Albany the 19th. If you want to park in Albany and take train then to Buffalo. In 2024 we parked at Depew Buffalo station for free. Then we just took Amtrak train back with our bikes and car was there!

3. We will do 360 miles over 8 biking days so average 45 miles a day. Paul likes to roll at 12mph, especially since a lot of it is crushed limestone. That means we will be riding about 4.5 to 6 hours a day. Kevin may be open to going faster. Paul likes to kayak and canoe too where possible. If we leave hotels at 9 or 10 am you can take all day to get to next one. If distance is too short you will be there 3 or 4 hours before check in. Our experience is you get stronger during the week.

3 A) About the Route 360 miles
Most of the trail follows canal and rail corridors and is nearly level with 1% average grade. A few steeper grades and hill climbs are in the Mohawk Valley section on eastern half. Large sections of the trail are surfaced in stone dust from crushed limestone. A range of bike types can be used effectively on the trail, including mountain and hybrid bikes, as well as road bikes equipped with wider tires (35 mm or more recommended).

See our photos from 2024 at Erie Canal Trail Fun Bike Pictures

4. There are several on-road gaps throughout the trail, but are navigable with trail signage and road markings and our ridewithgps maps.

5 Your rsvp gets you into the dialog here it does not commit you. Note though we only have 8 rooms at the hotels so it is first come first served.

6.We are offering other cordial enthusiasts to join us, we will be fellow adventurers. A difference with us is one of us (Kevin or Paul) rides with you every day if you are similarly paced. The other drives the support vehicle. You can do whatever you like in terms of visiting sites or activities and food choices.

Finding water or snacks is very hard some sections for many miles. You really want a supported tour. Plus it helps if you have someone who did it before as parts are a tad tricky.

a. In Buffalo, the Erie Canalway Trail 360 miles, https://www.traillink.com/trail/erie-canalway-trail/

https://eriecanalway.org/explore/cycling

7. If we go Buffalo to Albany elevation is 5000 feet over the 344 miles instead of 5400 going the other way east to west, not very significant difference but with the usual winds also being west to east let's take the easier option west to east.

8. We took the train between Buffalo and Albany, https://canalwaytrailtimes.org/2023/02/23/bikes-on-board-a-guide-to-using-amtrak-to-ride-the-erie-canalway-trail/

You could take the train before the ride if you come from east and bike back to your car, or take the train back after the ride if you want to park in Buffalo at the Depew train station. In 2024 parking at Amtrak in Buffalo Depew was free, Albany was not,

9. $1,950 for double occupancy 7 nights, single occupancy add $995. Non riders are welcome at $1,100. 3 per room, each pay $1500.

Your rsvp gets you into the dialog here, commits you to nothing and costs you nothing.

Fun Bike Trip Inclusions:
· 8 nights of hotels, includes 7 breakfasts , and 4 hotels with pools (you’ll thank us later).
• Breathtaking views on the journey
• One dinner at Hofbrauhaus
• 4 Happy Hours at the hotel (wine, beer, soda, snacks etc) where we discuss next days points of interest
• RideWithGPS maps and "Cue" sheets
• SAG vehicle driven by experienced tour owners (for ride support)
• Luggage transport between hotels
And one of us (Kevin or Paul) will ride with those who are interested every day.

For the 8th night you may choose the Albany hotel by airport, (Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Albany Airport - Wolf Road). Has airport shuttle. Alternatively if this night is not useful you may substitute July 11th in Erie for Presque Isle as a warm up day. biking in Erie at Presque Isle. See detail at https://4142298.xyz/funbiketrips/events/302369670/

2025 Erie Canal Trail Fun Bike Trip Registration form.