2022 Niagara Falls, Erie Canal & Empire State Trails New York Tour

August 13 - 19 

• Description
• Itinerary
• Phone Reservations
• Bikes

• A beautiful 7-day, 227 mile journey near and along the New York Empire State Trail across New York. Lush summer greens and bucolic trails that meander across the state from Niagara Falls to Albany New York await us. We begin by meeting our group in Buffalo; the home city of that tasty American delight and late-night snack of buffalo wings (chicken). Heading north on bike trails from Buffalo, we cycle with the flow of the Niagara River on its way to Niagara Falls. After a stop to view the falls from the US side, we head directly east along the Empire State Trail taking in the beauty of the Erie Canalway across the state. We’ll see canal boats, hikers, walkers and other cyclists throughout the tour. Small quaint towns dot the route providing many opportunities for window shopping, a quick cafe, or a snack. Although we will be on some road surfaces, a majority of this tour will be on crushed stone bike trails. Our route will be relatively flat with an occasionally short steep climb. Our trip ends in the town of Herkimer, NY where we share a celebratory meal, overnight and head home (transfer to Albany) with a week well spent. Unless you’ve decided to join us for a two week tour and continue on with the New York State to Boston Tour.
  
  During our adventure you will visit the towns of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Herkimer.
  

  This tour has been created to support Stroke Across America – a 4,400-mile ride across America to raise awareness about stroke, aphasia and the need to support the emotional journey in recovery. We are asking all participants to contribute to the campaign. Learn more...

  The tour itinerary is offered to support Stroke Across America – a 4400-mile journey across America led by stroke survivor Debra Meyerson and her husband Steve Zuckerman. They are riding to raise awareness about stroke, aphasia and the need to more fully support the emotional journey in recovery from traumas like stroke. Each participant on this tour is asked to contribute at least $250 to the Stroke Onward Stroke Across America campaign. You can make your donation here, or by going to: https://strokeonward.org/donate. If you join our tour we will share your contact information with Stroke Onward, and they will share more information about Stroke Across America and ways you can get more involved if you would like. (Sharing participant information is contrary to our standard policy, but we are doing so as this tour was designed in support of their work.)

  What to Expect:

  This is a fully supported tour with indoor hotel accommodations, meals in local establishments, on-route SAG, and luggage transportation. The weather will be warm and the scenery spectacular. We will traverse smooth pavement, bike paths and low traffic paved roads. Daily mileages range from 45-60 miles. Temperatures will range from the upper 60s at night to the mid 80s during the day. Rain is possible during August;  always be prepared.

  Highlights:

  • Niagara Falls
  • Erie Canal Trail
  • Empire State Trail

  What’s Included:

  • Welcome reception and orientation
  • 6 nights in hotels
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Full van and baggage support
    
  • 2 BIKEternity trip leaders
    
  • Daily route directions via GPX files for your GPS or phone app
  • Transportation to Albany International Airport.

   

  Not Included

  • Insurance of any kind
    
  • Guide gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Bike Rentals
  • Bike Rentals (if available, BIKEternity will facilitate)
    
  • Personal Bicycle Shipments (BIKEternity will facilitate)
  • Transportation from Buffalo Niagara International (shuttle services available).

   
  

  Bicycle Rental and Shipping Information

  You may bring your own bike to this tour or you can rent a bicycle if it is available. Learn more about bikes on this tour HERE.

   

  Airport Information

  Start: Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), Buffalo, New York

  End: Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York

• Day 1: Arrival, Meet-up in Buffalo, New York

  Arrive on your own at our starting location in Buffalo, New York by 3PM for the start of your adventure. We will meet you at our host hotel in Buffalo near the hotel for a bike fitting and orientation in the late afternoon, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Dinner included.

  Day 2: Buffalo to Niagara Falls

  Miles: 33 miles · Elevation: +401’ / -465
  Terrain: Paved road, bike paths.

  We depart Buffalo, the original home of the Buffalo Wing, along trails that parallel the Niagara River making our way to Niagara Falls. We will spend some time at the the American side of the falls, snap some memorable photos then mount our bikes again and head directly east to Lockport and the Erie Canalway. We will ride crushed gravel trails for the next several days. All meals included.

  Day 3: Niagara Falls to Spencerport

  Miles: 66 miles · Elevation: +1,019’ / -1,025
  Terrain: Paved road, bike paths.

  After breakfast, we depart Lockport on the Erie Canalway Trail; spending the next several days on this crushed gravel trail. The history of the canal and the small towns that popped up along the trail will unfold as we ride east. There are canal boats and museums to explore. All meals included.

  Day 4: Spencerport to Montezuma

  2064'
  Terrain: Paved road, crushed gravel trail.

  Quaint, small canal towns will abound on our portion of the 362 mile Erie Canalway Trail. We will see the occasional canal boat but a plethora of pleasure boats making their way along the canal to from Lake Ontario and the Hudson River. We will pass through the city of Rochester, NY on the trail and will avoid any car traffic. We will ride through the small towns of Egypt, Palmyra, Macedon, and Savannah. A few paved roads to straighten out meandering canal path. All meals included.

  Day 5: Montezuma to Bridgeport

  Miles: 49 miles · Elevation: +934' / -908’
  Terrain: Paved road and crushed gravel trail.
  

  Today we will continue along the Erie Canalway Trail, sampling trail delights as we make our way through the city of Syracuse, NY. Plenty of bike shops just off the trail for you to spend time looking for a NY cycling souvenir. Our destination, Montezuma, is the home to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge which, just north of one of the Finger Lakes, is home to thousands of migratory birds. All meals included.

  Day 6: Bridgeport to Herkimer

  Miles: 59 miles · Elevation: +1,070’ / -1,098’
  Terrain: Paved road and crushed gravel trail

  Our final riding day together will continue to provide a myriad of photo opportunities along the trail. The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum and the Canastota Canal Town Museum are must stops along the trail to Herkimer. There will be plenty of opportunities for that extra coffee or pastry while boat and people watching. We will end our cycling time together with a celebratory meal, remembering all that we have seen and experienced. All meals included.

  Day 7: Packup, Transfer, Departure

  Van transfer: 1.5 hours

  After breakfast, we will load up the van and head to a drop-off location in Albany, NY so that you can make an an early afternoon flight home. We will say farewell to each other with fond memories of the nearly a week together. Breakfast included.

• Call 860-428-9301 to reserve this trip over the phone

  Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM Mountain Standard Time