While it might just seem like much today, the Erie Canal was a true innovation in the early 19th century. Without it the “west” might not have opened up as soon as it did, and New York City might not have developed in the major seaport that it did. First proposed in 1807, the Erie Canal was constructed from 1817 to 1825 and officially opened on October 26, 1825. It was the first transportation system between the eastern seaboard and the Great Lakes that didn’t require draft animals. It also cut transportation costs to the American interior by 95 percent.
Cyclists will have the opportunity to appreciate the wonder of the canal in the 13th annual Cross-State Bicycle Tour that runs from July 10-17. Cycling the Erie Canal is an eight-day, 400-mile recreational bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany along the legendary Erie Canal. Last year’s Cycling the Erie Canal drew 550 riders from 35 states. Over one-third of the riders were from New York State.
“New Yorkers were as amazed as out-of-staters at the beauty of the Erie Canal corridor as well as its cultural and historic richness,” says Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, and organizer of the annual cross-state bike ride.
The $575 fee, for Cycling the Erie Canal includes camping accommodations every evening with showers and toilet facilities, several with pools or lakes for swimming; eight hearty breakfasts and six delicious 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; a Cycling the Erie Canal T-shirt and Nalgene water bottle; sag wagon and mobile mechanical support; baggage transport; daily maps and cue sheets; and marked routes. Additional services are available for a fee, including fresh daily towels, gourmet coffee each morning, tent and air mattress rental and setup, and a massage each evening.
For riders with limited time, two weekend ride options are available, from Buffalo to Pittsford on July 9 to July 11 and Canajoharie to Albany on July 15 to July 17.