(Canastota, Rome, Chittenango, Fayetteville, DeWitt, NY – May 2015) Communities along the Old Erie Canal Historic State Park have teamed up to offer a new event called Tour the Towpath. Participants of Tour the Towpath can enjoy cycling, community hospitality and local attractions as they bike from Rome to DeWitt along the 36-mile Old Erie Canal – the most well-known canal in history.
Planned are festivities, tours, and eateries throughout the ride. Sites along the way include the Erie Canal Village, Canastota Canal Town Museum, Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum and Green Lakes State Park. This is a recreational ride along a largely off-road, flat, stone dust trail. One or two day ride options are available.
The two-day ride starts on Friday July 31 in Rome with an overnight in Canastota and ends in DeWitt on Aug. 1. Participants can camp for free on the lawn space at Zem’s Ice Cream in downtown Canastota. This is also the location of the Erie Canal Brewery. The overnight at Zem’s includes live entertainment, tour options, and breakfast in the morning.
The one-day ride is on Saturday Aug. 1 with riders covering the entire 36 miles from Rome to DeWitt, with tours and eateries along the way.
All participants end in DeWitt on Saturday Aug. 1 at the Town of DeWitt’s 47th Annual Canal Day celebration, which includes fireworks, live entertainment and a food truck rodeo.
The registration cost for Tour the Towpath is $30. For those unable to arrange their own transportation there is a shuttle service available back to Rome.
To register visit: www.usacycling.org/register/2015-2019
This ride is supported by Syracuse Bicycle, Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor, City of Rome, Village of Canastota and the Town of DeWitt.