Central New York communities are coming together to offer organized bike rides through the Tuesdays on the Towpath ride series and the Tour the Towpath event. These events are perfect for anyone looking to cycle the Erie Canalway Trail with a group this summer. Cyclists of all levels are invited to experience the Canalway Trail and surrounding communities during these fun, recreational rides.
Tuesdays on the Towpath is a series of eight recreational bike rides in and around the Erie Canalway Trail. Hosted by local canal-related museums and organizations, these social rides are free to attend and take place on select Tuesdays from May to August. The rides are mostly off-road and they are appropriate for anyone with some biking experience. Each ride highlights a different section of the trail and features a unique speaker. Pick out a few to try, or come to them all!
All rides start at 6 p.m. and finish by dark.
Helmets are required to ride. Before each ride, find route details and speaker information on the Old Erie Canal of CNY Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/OldErieCanal/
Schedule of Rides
May 24: Canastota ride; meet at Canastota Canal Town Museum
June 14: Onondaga Lake West ride; meet at Onondaga Lake Visitor Center
June 28: Chittenango ride; meet at Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum
July 12: Fayetteville ride; meet at Canal Landing Park
July 26: DeWitt ride; meet at Old Erie Canal State Park Trailhead
August 2: Syracuse ride; meet at Erie Canal Museum in Downtown Syracuse
August 9: Oneida ride: meet at Madison County Historical Society
August 23: Onondaga Lake North ride; meet at Griffin Visitor Center
For riders looking for more adventure, the second annual Tour the Towpath is a 36-mile supported recreational bike ride that takes cyclists from DeWitt to Rome along the Old Erie Canal Towpath Trail in the Erie Canal State Historic Park. The two-day ride includes overnight camping, swimming and live music in Canastota. There is also an abbreviated one-day ride option. Last year, more than 50 people participated in this event.
All riders will be given a passport with a map and guidebook highlighting things to see and do along the way. Participants will enjoy exploring quaint communities, multiple museums, shops, and restaurants as they cycle along the most famous canal in history. The ride will end at Rome’s Canalfest in Bellamy Harbor Park. Riders are welcome to participate in the ongoing festivities including fireworks at the end of the night. For an additional $10, cyclists can ride a narrated cruise boat from Bellamy Harbor through Lock 21 and back. The boat will include refreshments, a cash bar, prizes and celebratory activities for riders.
The two-day ride option starts at 10 a.m. Aug. 6 in DeWitt. Free camping accommodations are provided on West Hickory Street in Canastota, or riders can make accommodations at a nearby hotel. The two-day riders will continue from Canastota to Rome Aug. 7. A vehicle is available to carry camping gear between destinations.
The one-day ride option starts at 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, in DeWitt. Syracuse Bicycle will accompany riders and provide bicycle support.
The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children under 15. Children under 6 are free.
Advance sale tickets for the boat ride are an additional $10. Registration and more details can be found at https://www.usacycling.org/register/2016-1692.
Updates about the event and photos of last year’s event can be found on the facebook page facebook.com/OldErieCanal
Riders must arrange their own transportation to and from the event.
For more information, contaact Christine Manchester at the DeWitt Town Offices at (315) 446-3910 x 137 or cmanchester@townofdewitt.com.