How different it was today to ride pannier-free. And what a beautiful day to start following the Erie Canal. This is a substantial waterway, 351 miles long and built in the early nineteenth century as a major commercial route for shipping between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. Today, almost 200 years since it opened, it is used mainly by pleasure craft; but it remains very much an active waterway with regular lift and swing bridges every few miles, many of which appear to be permanently manned.
We only saw a few boats moving on the water today; but one of them was a paddle steamer moving through the only locks of the day in Lockport, where there is a substantial drop in altitude. The rest of the time we more or less had the towpath to ourselves, and it made for a very pleasant day of riding for Simon and myself.
We have a few more days of this before we reach Albany, probably on Monday, but that is not an unpleasant thought. We passed through a series of towns and villages today, like Gasport and Albion, that kept us fed and watered, and very pleasant they were too.
There was also wildlife to enjoy. We saw many herons, egrets and even a few kingfishers out on the water, and deer on the banks. It is a peaceful and altogether attractive way to journey from west to east across upstate New York.
My favorite’s part of my ride. Look for where the canal goes over the road.
Happy trails.
Chuck
Nice to meet you boys in Rochester today near the Erie Canal/Genesee River junction. Best of luck to you both.!!! Joe Kresse & 3 Oregonians
Weird seeing the bike without panniers – it must feel like a road bike without all that weight!