@@beginagainben6276 I have a good 8 or so bikes and one is an ebike. I love it but ride it the least. Its got its place for sure. If I want to just go somewhere and not take a car and not be sweaty as all get out when I get there then the ebike is the one to take, not to mention I get there a lot faster. Also I'm older and so I did an ebike conversion on an older disc brake mountain bike so I can go hit some trails that would otherwise kick my butt and I would be blocking people or just wouldn't be able to do the whole thing but the ebike lets me do it and enjoy it without killing myself.
Thank you for saying that 😢 I have a hybrid, 35 pounds, bought new for $300bucks. She doesn't compare to ANY of the bikes I see people backpacking with ... But I want to try! I installed a rear rack and ordered panniers 🎉 I also think I want to install a Jones handlebar. Not sure if that's a good idea. Thoughts?! And thanks for sharing your cycling experiences 🌟
I use a 170mm travel enduro full-suspension mountain bike on trials like this as well as for road riding. I keep the suspension softer on the road or on gravel than I do when I go mountain biking. At the end of the ride, I am in the least pain of anyone I ride with. Rough trails, no problem. Potholes, no problem. Need to ride in the dirt beside a road with no shoulder to keep my distance from cars, no problem. Due to the rolling resistance of the wider tires and the loss of some pedaling efficiency due to the suspension, I am not as fast as some of my friends on road bikes but I am not racing. To me, comfort and the ability to ride anywhere on any surface is more important than being faster than everyone else.
Love my Surly Ogre with it's 29'er tires and Jones bars. Don't let the gearheads tell you what and how to ride. Your bike, your adventure and your butt in the seat. Ride and roll, enjoy!
I rode the Erie Canal Trail back in May this year from Albany to Buffalo. I totally agree with all your comments and observations, it’s a great trail to ride, varied surfaces, scenery etc. I also liked the way the trail passed through Syracuse, reminded me to an extent of bike routes through some European cities. Great video, I really enjoyed seeing many of the places I saw.
Did this route from NYC to Rochester back in early April for the eclipse. Lots of memories and quite the adventure! Stealth camped the whole way except for 2 nights in hotels when I hit freezing rain and snow coming into Syracuse. Cool seeing it all lush and green. The warm weather must be nice too!
Awesome to see y'all enjoy the path I ride multiple times a week. @4:40 is basically right where I live. Going to try an overnighter to Buffalo soon and hopefully a full canal ride by end of the year. A local Rochester resident rode the entire path Buffalo to Albany in 22.5 hours last weekend. Love the content, thanks for sharing!
Oh for sure - what until you see the Finger Lakes sections - stunning. Upstate New York is wonderful too - really sparse and beautiful. Outside of the NYC region New York is a natural wonderland.
I've been looking forward to your videos about this trip! Did not disappoint 😊 I'm from the Midwest, but live in the southern Finger Lakes. Your Michigan videos made me really miss that area. Can't wait to see where else you rode around here!
We went up and down and up and down and up and down!!! It was beautiful. I have the video cut just need to do the voice over. I hope how beautiful the region is will come across. Cheers!
I’m from Canandaigua, NY in the Finger Lakes, but fell in love with Bikepacking once I moved to Southwest Florida. I’ve done the Ocala National Forest Trail and planning on riding the Florida Greenway and parts of the Florida Trail this October. I would love to follow your route to Syracuse.
I haven't read all of the comments, perhaps thirty or so, but so far, no comments on the *number* of riders in your group. There's an optimal number for these kinds of rides, and you seem to have hit it, either by chance or design. Too many, and things complicate, and the camaraderie suffers too. The most telling aspect is the *fun factor* you're having. Incredible video, I was really inspired by that. Thank You!
Thanks! Yes - I wouldn't want to do anymore than this. I guess the number is a mix of chance and design - it is the all the people we would invite on this trip but usually not everyone goes. It has been four of us for the last couple years.
3:00 - those gates do block the canal in case there's a breach. The canal - especially in that area - is at a higher elevation than the surrounding neighborhoods, so they needed a way to contain water if the canal wall failed. There's the Great Embankment Park you probably passed on your left, which has failed in the past.
Thanks for interesting vid, a real sense of 'being along for the ride'. Our canals (UK) mostly require off road tyres, as the towpaths are narrow and can have tricky/demanding surfaces.
I was being intentional on trying to get footage of the stops. I watch so many other videos were they are like, "then we went to this cool town" but they don't show it! Thanks - cheers!
I have to agree with you, it's funny how people have the same bike as you think that you're doing the same riding and trails and everything they're doing when that's not the case. When you're traveling going over multiple types of terrain you're not going to stop and change tires for each terrain you go on, you got to set up for the worst terrain you'll be on. Really love you videos keep them coming.
100% People will even ask specific questions on bag placement- it all depends on the bike. Another guy just tried to tell me sweep bars aren’t maneuverable- I tear up mountain bike trails on this bike. I don’t get why people think what they have ridden is the answer for everything.
I'm a regular around the area you passed through with the detour onto route 31 and the "rougher bridges" at timestamp 6:34. That detour onto 31 has been like that for 4 years at least. I never go on 31. its much better to go the other way across the river, much more quite road on that side. The "roughness" of those bridges is a new development these last two years from some jerk with a snowmobile.
I wonder why they have the detour go that way then? The shoulder? Thats lame about the snowmobile - if its doing that damage it would be nice if someone caught him and stopped it.
Awesome! Did the Erie Canal Trail 2 months ago, although it was raining on over half my trip and I had to cut a few days short due to the trail becoming effectively a mud pit
Wedding of the Waters is a great book about the canal! I’ve been scheming to do this ride someday…next time hit Pastabilities in Syracuse! Safe travels and thanks for the great videos.
Another great video. I actually rode thru that part of Syracuse last week and thought the same thing about how they put the bike trail on the median. Looking forward to the next video!
Supple, large volume tires for the win. I run 48’s ReneHerse on my tandems and my all-road. Great video. Some nice rides out that way. A lot different from Bend where I’m at. Thanks for sharing.
Kind of wild that I just got done talking a nice walk along the canal in Newark (where the Byrne dairy you stopped at was) and when I get home this is on my recommended list. Fun video!
The detour you had to take is due to the rock/stone pedestrian bridge over the canal/aqueduct collapsed about five years ago. I typically turn north at the detour (Walworth Rd.) and follow Quaker Rd east until Fayatte, bypassing Palmyra completely.
Wow, that was a very nice tour! Bikers that tell you how to bike are the worst, i dont know why people are like that. Ride what feels right for you is the only correct way, as long as you dont run into problems like pain or doing damage to your bike.
The best bike is the one you own and can ride when you get a chance. I paid 130 bucks including new tires for a sweet schwinn cruiser. I do need something with gears for the hills tho
Nice ride looks like you had fun with your buddies. I’m keen to start bikepacking and would love to see a kit video, especially what tents you guys use. Is there one already on the channel?
@3:00 actual name for the gates is "Guard-Gates"...nice video...they block the canal off from the Genesee River both east and west so the canal can be drained while still allowing the river to flow in the winter, as well as in other places that need to be isolated
My "road bike" is a surly ice cream truck converted to 27.5 by 3" schwalbe tires, upright swept back handlebars. Love the cush, move over twinkies! Ragbrai, rails to trails on it, Erie canal ride same 2 years ago,,,although no 100 mile days for me hahaha. Your bike is not overkill.
Hi, I am planning to ride the Erie Canal in 2025 since it will be the 200th anniversary. Hoping they have more improvements and events. I enjoy your narrative and deviation through Montezuma. Can’t wait for your next tale….
I really wanted to on this trip - even brought a wireless mic. We were just spent at the end of every night and wanted to get the fire going and sit down. I promise I will pull it off eventually.
Hey Tim! I had to laugh when I saw this…I was in the Finger Lakes last week to shoot a race. On the way there, I stayed a night at Green Lakes and did a morning ride on the path going east. Missed you by a week or so! Stay well!
This is very inspiring. I'm in Buffalo and recently been planning a longer route. Love this video and story telling. Wondering what camera you're using too?
I've seen blogs on how depressed these two cities are . I went to school in Cortland , and without the college, These days, it would all be gone. But this video was surprisingly cool. You know I love your film techniques, that was so Flowy- Tim. Q: Who is in charge of mapping, estimating mileage, and reservations to the next *bike secure* burrito restaurant that doesn't suck? That equals six hours labor. The Hudson valley is so amazing. my old stomping grounds. I saw another guy blog the Empire Trail from Kent CT to NYC. That was interesting. My latest S24HO flyrod trip was aborted two weeks ago. I left my money/cell /camera pack on a bench on the Farmington River . I so freaked. I had reservations to tent camp in People's State Forest. It was recovered to the cops by a kind old rich woman. Phew! I got ferried home (30 miles) by an insane divorced guy who had just gotten evicted. Now living in van down by river. He smoked medicinal weed 4 times en route. But somehow I packed my bike and BOB trailer in his van. I kissed the ground when I got home. This trip was only an overnight. Wierdly, the old dudes at the Meth Motel were really cool , as was the State Trooper , alerted to find the Molle bag. We talked about WW3. So there are good people out there. Working very hard now on buying a pickup so I can just zip up there in 40 minutes and get fat like1988. LOL.
Wow - what a wild ride! Things definitely don't always go as planned!! Ben is the best at dialing the route and Erin is the stop master. I tend to be the big idea guy who just makes a general out on Google Maps before they really get t work.
@@TimFitzwater Never mind the filming , which is a distraction in itself, but then... there's the logistics of time-space-continuum. Will we make it there by 3 PM so we can set up camp by 6 ? This is where I suck.
For those contemplating Empire Trail, the Albany to NYC section has the advantage of the southern 110 miles or so are all multi use trails, very little on road, maybe 2 miles total. Easy gravel from Kingston to New Paltz, then paved the rest. Going north to Plattsburgh is all on road except for some short stretches.
It's possible that the reason you didn't see a ton of people biking through there is that the very large PTNY Erie Canal Bike Tour was due to come by the following week. A lot of people do that one as it is fully supported. It's an excellent ride.
Possibly. But I think people who plan their own trips and people who do planned trips are mostly two different groups of people. Either way - it was kind of nice not to have the trail be too crowded out farther from the cities.
Dewitt to Albany is mostly well marked. Less well marked when you need it most (I'm lookin' at you Utica and Albany). Similarly to how the Erie canal trail is well marked until you get to Syracuse, then it sucks, but once you get to the Dewitt trailhead, thigs are great again.
I have come to agree about tire sizes. My 42s are about the minimum size that I enjoy riding. Wider tires don’t seem to slow me down on the asphalt, and they handle mixed surfaces better. Of course, I’m not exactly racing.
The detour in Palmyra is because the aqueduct washed out due to flooding. The Newark to Lyons where you have to ride on the road isn't bad, but have to be careful with people flying around the bends.
Luv your videos. I just have quick question. When it rains on your rides do you guys try to keep bikes covered. Or bikes today built to stand water. Thx
If there is an option to keep it covered I will but in general I just put my saddle cover on to protect the leather. Bikes have always been made to ride in all weather. Bring extra chain lube though - you want to keep that drive train lubed after rain.
I like your bike set up. I don't think that you can have an over biult bike for this tour. My wife and I covered small sections of the canal during Covid. Two years ago, we rode Buffalo to Albany over eight days. We took the Amtrack from Rochester to Buffalo, did the ride, and then took Amtrack back to Rochester. The whole trip was ten days. They started the canal in Rome , NY July 4, 1817 and completed it in Lockport, NY in 1825.
Heck yeah! I would have been happy with this set up even if we just rode the canal - but we did hit some true dirt and mud in the Finger Lakes too - I definitely would have been walking on my gravel bike. I don’t even believe in the concept of being “over biked” anymore unless you are really a racer. Even then bikes can be more comfortable than the old school roadies believe.
No - it is a working canal in this area - the locks are intact. They are to separate this part of the canal from river flooding(according to other comments).
I’m still always going to get new tires set up tubeless. If I have an issue I’ll throw a tube in. These tires have the endurance casing and haven’t had a single issue. It’s the more supple tires on gnarly terrain that can have issues. But I’m still going to try and run supple tires on my gravel bike because they ride so great and it’s still more peace of mind than tubes.
LOVE the video, I want to do this someday. Just one request, please walk bike where it states it. There is a road right next to that section of the canal and it's much safer to ride there than on the walking side. (too many kids, dogs and elderly.)
Thanks! We saw the bypass road in the next town and took that. That being said as a fully functioning, intelligent adult I can tell where to ride my bike and when it is a problem. We clearly didn't just blast through there. I wouldn't walk that section next time either.
Thanks! I use Adobe Premiere Pro. The whole point of this channel was so that I would put out a video every week and get better at using it - doing that also made this channel grow though! Premiere is pricey - might be worth looking into the free version of DaVinci Resolve - I have never used it but I know people love it. The Pro version of that is cheaper than Premiere too if you find you needed more features.
Tim, what casing do you use? I’ve been riding Rene Herse tires for several years but have only used the endurance casing. Thinking about trying the xtralight casing for a bike I’m building up. I’m thinking about moving to Rochester. Your videos there look promising..
I've always used "standard" but put Endurance on before this trip. On my Gunnar I was just riding to rough of stuff for Standard. I kept having to put tubes in. On my drop bar gravel bike I had always used Standard 42 mm - but now I have a standard 44 in the back and an ultra-light 42 in the front. It has held up so far but I wouldn't recommend it if you do gnarly, rocky stuff. I loved Rochester!
yo im marc from albion. i ride the canal. what tires do you prefer and why? 29er mtb tires or 700cc road. gates are locks they are for draining one part of it at time and get used for emergency like when we had a flood.
Hey! I'd say neither. I run gravel tires. Rene Herse 55s on my Gunnar and 44s on my drop bar gravel bike. I don't mean this to sound condescending if you already know this - I'm just not sure from the way you phrased it - 29 and 700 are the same size - just different terms. I tend to say 700c because I come more from road bikes....
My partner and I just completed 100% of the Empire Trail. I would not recommend Albany to Rouses Point. That said Canada North of Rouses Point is awesome. I would suggest Albany to NYC.
100 miles in one day. Must have been mostly flat level elevation. I wish I could get 100 miles in one day on the treks I do. The trip im doing this weekend is Uphill 5,000 feet, downhill 1,350 feet, highest elevation about 4,000 feet. Takes me two days. In Oregon, foothills of the Cascades.
I would love to ride out there! Yes - this was just 1600 feet. That being said I just finished a 114 mile ride with almost 6000 feet of elevation(not on a loaded bike though obviously). I'm actually editing that video now. Cheers!
We run a Warm Showers stop in Port Byron and try to caution everyone about that "detour" across the closed bridge. Google Maps is leading everyone astray as the trail uses Rt 31 between Savannah and Port Byron. I have posted comments on Google Maps about the closed bridge and it gets nowhere. The NY Parks and Trail interactive map does show the correct path. I think if you want to use Google Maps, switch to the car directions to get between Savannah and Port Byron, then switch back.
I believe Ben routes this with Ride w/GPS but cycling and fitness apps use data on where people ride - so until people stop going that way….. I’m glad we did because it was cool - but your average Jo or solo person definitely would not. Weird that Google won’t take it down. Though I was on a bike tour in CT. once and a gravel road had a sign saying “this is private property no matter what Google told you”.
I specifically brought a camera and mic to do that on this trip….and then we either got in late or were spent at the end of every day and never did it. Still a goal of mine - keeps not happening though.
Great video and fine narration. Did you come across any bikers who bike packed and slept in their own shelters on the trial? Oh BTW take this as helpful nothing else. It's pronounced All-ba-nee.
It doesn't matter what bike someone is riding, as long as it makes them smile and they want to keep riding it, it's the right bike for them 👌🏻
Except e bikes lol😅
100%
@@beginagainben6276 I have a good 8 or so bikes and one is an ebike. I love it but ride it the least. Its got its place for sure. If I want to just go somewhere and not take a car and not be sweaty as all get out when I get there then the ebike is the one to take, not to mention I get there a lot faster. Also I'm older and so I did an ebike conversion on an older disc brake mountain bike so I can go hit some trails that would otherwise kick my butt and I would be blocking people or just wouldn't be able to do the whole thing but the ebike lets me do it and enjoy it without killing myself.
Thank you for saying that 😢 I have a hybrid, 35 pounds, bought new for $300bucks. She doesn't compare to ANY of the bikes I see people backpacking with ... But I want to try! I installed a rear rack and ordered panniers 🎉 I also think I want to install a Jones handlebar. Not sure if that's a good idea. Thoughts?! And thanks for sharing your cycling experiences 🌟
Wow! Over 100 miles....I hope to get there one day. 🙌
Thanks so much!
Definitely easier on a flatish route when you have all day with your friends.
@7:00 "No one ever comes over to your house and tells you your couch is too comfortable." Great analogy. Will be using in the future.
Ha! I think I first said that after someone told me my vintage MTB was "overkill" for the C&O Canal Trail.
I use a 170mm travel enduro full-suspension mountain bike on trials like this as well as for road riding. I keep the suspension softer on the road or on gravel than I do when I go mountain biking. At the end of the ride, I am in the least pain of anyone I ride with. Rough trails, no problem. Potholes, no problem. Need to ride in the dirt beside a road with no shoulder to keep my distance from cars, no problem. Due to the rolling resistance of the wider tires and the loss of some pedaling efficiency due to the suspension, I am not as fast as some of my friends on road bikes but I am not racing. To me, comfort and the ability to ride anywhere on any surface is more important than being faster than everyone else.
Thanks! You all make the rides look fun!
Thank YOU so much!
We do try to make them all fun!
The comment about tire width and a couch too comfy, LOVED IT! Spot on. Keep on riding. Great video. Thanks
I like the various trail surfaces too. It totally helps break up the day and gives you reference for memories. Trip is looking good.
Yup. As much as I love a good rail trail days and days of one can get a bit boring.
This was so fun to watch you ride through my hometown and so many places I know!
Love my Surly Ogre with it's 29'er tires and Jones bars. Don't let the gearheads tell you what and how to ride. Your bike, your adventure and your butt in the seat. Ride and roll, enjoy!
100%!!
Absolutely, ride what works for you! Surly ECR with Jones bar. Super comfortable!! Riding the C&O at end of August.
I rode the Erie Canal Trail back in May this year from Albany to Buffalo. I totally agree with all your comments and observations, it’s a great trail to ride, varied surfaces, scenery etc. I also liked the way the trail passed through Syracuse, reminded me to an extent of bike routes through some European cities. Great video, I really enjoyed seeing many of the places I saw.
Was thru there early Sept '24. Nice to see some familiar terrain. So many good bike options for this route. Your set up seemed to work well for you.
It's the middle of winter here in Melbourne so I am living (vicariously) for this content.
🌞
Did this route from NYC to Rochester back in early April for the eclipse. Lots of memories and quite the adventure! Stealth camped the whole way except for 2 nights in hotels when I hit freezing rain and snow coming into Syracuse. Cool seeing it all lush and green. The warm weather must be nice too!
Awesome to see y'all enjoy the path I ride multiple times a week. @4:40 is basically right where I live.
Going to try an overnighter to Buffalo soon and hopefully a full canal ride by end of the year.
A local Rochester resident rode the entire path Buffalo to Albany in 22.5 hours last weekend.
Love the content, thanks for sharing!
Nice!
This video sort of alters what I think of when I think of New York. The state is definitely more than that urban sprawl. Nice video.
Oh for sure - what until you see the Finger Lakes sections - stunning.
Upstate New York is wonderful too - really sparse and beautiful.
Outside of the NYC region New York is a natural wonderland.
This is such a stellar video/summary...thank you! Looks like a blast...anxious to try this trail out....thank you!
Definitely should - I’m excited to do more of it in the future!
Used to live near Syracuse and bike that trail everyday! Now in Boston so was cool to see you ride there too!
Hilarious that ANY bike snob has to express their opinions about anyone else's ride. Deep seated insecurity for sure. Love your videos.
Thanks!
Some people just can't adapt and hold tight to old school beliefs(then let me know about them 😂)
I've been looking forward to your videos about this trip! Did not disappoint 😊 I'm from the Midwest, but live in the southern Finger Lakes. Your Michigan videos made me really miss that area. Can't wait to see where else you rode around here!
We went up and down and up and down and up and down!!! It was beautiful. I have the video cut just need to do the voice over. I hope how beautiful the region is will come across.
Cheers!
That canal is a treasure - great video
Fascinating and varied trail. Looks enormous fun. Love the commentary.
Thanks!
Thank you so much!!!!🥰
@@TimFitzwater look forward to your videos, thanks for sharing!
I rode part of the canal in 1967 - still riding in France these days!
I’m from Canandaigua, NY in the Finger Lakes, but fell in love with Bikepacking once I moved to Southwest Florida. I’ve done the Ocala National Forest Trail and planning on riding the Florida Greenway and parts of the Florida Trail this October. I would love to follow your route to Syracuse.
I haven't read all of the comments, perhaps thirty or so, but so far, no comments on the *number* of riders in your group. There's an optimal number for these kinds of rides, and you seem to have hit it, either by chance or design. Too many, and things complicate, and the camaraderie suffers too. The most telling aspect is the *fun factor* you're having.
Incredible video, I was really inspired by that. Thank You!
Thanks!
Yes - I wouldn't want to do anymore than this. I guess the number is a mix of chance and design - it is the all the people we would invite on this trip but usually not everyone goes. It has been four of us for the last couple years.
The coffee house in the beginning of the video is my favorite in Rochester.
Highly recommend salt city market in Syracuse for dinner if you do this trail yourself
Thanks! May start in Syracuse next year to finish the Empire Trail.
3:00 - those gates do block the canal in case there's a breach. The canal - especially in that area - is at a higher elevation than the surrounding neighborhoods, so they needed a way to contain water if the canal wall failed. There's the Great Embankment Park you probably passed on your left, which has failed in the past.
Thanks!
I’m riding it now on a Zizzo fold w/ 1.5 tires. I’ve up”d the chainring for more flat speed, mtb pedals. Fast and comfortable mustache bar. Lock 32
Loving the Hotline TerryB merch!! I screamed when i noticed it, I watch him everyday! Thanks for the content, chill as always.
I bought that as a Bdayvgift to myself last year. I'm always watching too.
I got to ride with him last year at Nutmeg and we had a blast!
Cheers!
I love bikepacking. I’ll definitely have to do these routes you did in NY.
Thanks for interesting vid, a real sense of 'being along for the ride'. Our canals (UK) mostly require off road tyres, as the towpaths are narrow and can have tricky/demanding surfaces.
Great video more food segments! Glad to see you got some good weather. Jealous AF. To be young again.
I was being intentional on trying to get footage of the stops. I watch so many other videos were they are like, "then we went to this cool town" but they don't show it!
Thanks - cheers!
I have to agree with you, it's funny how people have the same bike as you think that you're doing the same riding and trails and everything they're doing when that's not the case. When you're traveling going over multiple types of terrain you're not going to stop and change tires for each terrain you go on, you got to set up for the worst terrain you'll be on. Really love you videos keep them coming.
100% People will even ask specific questions on bag placement- it all depends on the bike. Another guy just tried to tell me sweep bars aren’t maneuverable- I tear up mountain bike trails on this bike. I don’t get why people think what they have ridden is the answer for everything.
So random. I had some food at the coffee spot today, Blue Cafe at the 18:19 minute mark. Drove from Albion back home to Westchester.
This is a terrific piece of work, a friend and I are talking of doing this, and this really helps, cheers.
Awesome! Thanks!
I'm a regular around the area you passed through with the detour onto route 31 and the "rougher bridges" at timestamp 6:34. That detour onto 31 has been like that for 4 years at least. I never go on 31. its much better to go the other way across the river, much more quite road on that side. The "roughness" of those bridges is a new development these last two years from some jerk with a snowmobile.
I wonder why they have the detour go that way then? The shoulder?
Thats lame about the snowmobile - if its doing that damage it would be nice if someone caught him and stopped it.
Awesome! Did the Erie Canal Trail 2 months ago, although it was raining on over half my trip and I had to cut a few days short due to the trail becoming effectively a mud pit
I can definitely see how sections would be like that.
Wow
Just finished the Empire State Trl. From Toronto Canada to NYC. Great Trl
Awesome, Awesome video. Man you guys take the best trips. Looking forward until the next segment of the trip .
Thanks!
Wedding of the Waters is a great book about the canal! I’ve been scheming to do this ride someday…next time hit Pastabilities in Syracuse! Safe travels and thanks for the great videos.
Thanks!
We did see the Pasta place on the map - at the time we were getting in our options were limited.
Another great video. I actually rode thru that part of Syracuse last week and thought the same thing about how they put the bike trail on the median. Looking forward to the next video!
Another epic fun trip,another Epic video love it!killing it Tim,awesome music !🤗
Thanks!
Supple, large volume tires for the win. I run 48’s ReneHerse on my tandems and my all-road. Great video. Some nice rides out that way. A lot different from Bend where I’m at. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks - cheers!
Looks like a fun, cool trip so far - you guys have some great adventures! 🚴
I agree, Empire trail is rough in spots. Wider and a suspension will make your ride better!
I was fine with wide tires. Not a suspension guy but if it work for you then awesome!
fantastic content!! your voice over is pitch-perfect, thanks
Thank YOU!
Kind of wild that I just got done talking a nice walk along the canal in Newark (where the Byrne dairy you stopped at was) and when I get home this is on my recommended list. Fun video!
Thanks!
The detour you had to take is due to the rock/stone pedestrian bridge over the canal/aqueduct collapsed about five years ago.
I typically turn north at the detour (Walworth Rd.) and follow Quaker Rd east until Fayatte, bypassing Palmyra completely.
Just put the Empire trail on my bucket list!!
Great video, Tim. I'm glad you had a good time here in the ROC. C'mon back any time!
Thanks!
Looks like a heap of fun .
It was!
Wow, that was a very nice tour!
Bikers that tell you how to bike are the worst, i dont know why people are like that.
Ride what feels right for you is the only correct way, as long as you dont run into problems like pain or doing damage to your bike.
The best bike is the one you own and can ride when you get a chance. I paid 130 bucks including new tires for a sweet schwinn cruiser. I do need something with gears for the hills tho
Excellent video. Lots to see and learn
I just did the Syracuse-Albany ride over three days last week. It was fantastic!
Nice!
I think I will make a point of getting that section in next summer.
I loved the train horn!
Its the small things!
Nice ride looks like you had fun with your buddies.
I’m keen to start bikepacking and would love to see a kit video, especially what tents you guys use.
Is there one already on the channel?
Thanks! Yeah - there are a bunch of gear and bike set up videos.
If you search "bike camping" at the top of the channel page you will finds them.
Looks like so much fun, thanks for sharing🚴🏻!
nice views.... i love them
We were doing Pittsburgh to DC during July 4th week and it too was quiet, like you mentioned during your trip.
We did that two years ago on the same week and felt we saw more people on touring bikes - maybe it is just the way the days fell around the Fourth.
@3:00 actual name for the gates is "Guard-Gates"...nice video...they block the canal off from the Genesee River both east and west so the canal can be drained while still allowing the river to flow in the winter, as well as in other places that need to be isolated
Thanks!
Lovely ride 🤩
My "road bike" is a surly ice cream truck converted to 27.5 by 3" schwalbe tires, upright swept back handlebars. Love the cush, move over twinkies! Ragbrai, rails to trails on it, Erie canal ride same 2 years ago,,,although no 100 mile days for me hahaha. Your bike is not overkill.
Cheers man! 100%
Hi, I am planning to ride the Erie Canal in 2025 since it will be the 200th anniversary. Hoping they have more improvements and events. I enjoy your narrative and deviation through Montezuma. Can’t wait for your next tale….
Agree with the narrative style of these vids, I only wish u ask ppl about their bikes and set up❤
Thanks!
It is a great ride for sure - hope you have a blast!
I really wanted to on this trip - even brought a wireless mic. We were just spent at the end of every night and wanted to get the fire going and sit down. I promise I will pull it off eventually.
Hey Tim! I had to laugh when I saw this…I was in the Finger Lakes last week to shoot a race. On the way there, I stayed a night at Green Lakes and did a morning ride on the path going east. Missed you by a week or so! Stay well!
Oh nice!
That woulda been crazy if it aligned and we passed each other on the trail!
This is very inspiring. I'm in Buffalo and recently been planning a longer route. Love this video and story telling. Wondering what camera you're using too?
Thanks!
I really dig Buffalo fyi.
Video is the GoPro 11 and stills are a Canon EOS R8 with a 50mm f/1.8.
This looks fantastic, appreciate the ride along...🌞🌊🍊🤙
I've seen blogs on how depressed these two cities are . I went to school in Cortland , and without the college, These days, it would all be gone. But this video was surprisingly cool. You know I love your film techniques, that was so Flowy- Tim. Q: Who is in charge of mapping, estimating mileage, and reservations to the next *bike secure* burrito restaurant that doesn't suck? That equals six hours labor. The Hudson valley is so amazing. my old stomping grounds. I saw another guy blog the Empire Trail from Kent CT to NYC. That was interesting. My latest S24HO flyrod trip was aborted two weeks ago. I left my money/cell /camera pack on a bench on the Farmington River . I so freaked. I had reservations to tent camp in People's State Forest. It was recovered to the cops by a kind old rich woman. Phew! I got ferried home (30 miles) by an insane divorced guy who had just gotten evicted. Now living in van down by river. He smoked medicinal weed 4 times en route. But somehow I packed my bike and BOB trailer in his van. I kissed the ground when I got home. This trip was only an overnight. Wierdly, the old dudes at the Meth Motel were really cool , as was the State Trooper , alerted to find the Molle bag. We talked about WW3. So there are good people out there. Working very hard now on buying a pickup so I can just zip up there in 40 minutes and get fat like1988. LOL.
Wow - what a wild ride! Things definitely don't always go as planned!!
Ben is the best at dialing the route and Erin is the stop master.
I tend to be the big idea guy who just makes a general out on Google Maps before they really get t work.
@@TimFitzwater Never mind the filming , which is a distraction in itself, but then... there's the logistics of time-space-continuum. Will we make it there by 3 PM so we can set up camp by 6 ? This is where I suck.
For those contemplating Empire Trail, the Albany to NYC section has the advantage of the southern 110 miles or so are all multi use trails, very little on road, maybe 2 miles total. Easy gravel from Kingston to New Paltz, then paved the rest. Going north to Plattsburgh is all on road except for some short stretches.
Syracuse to Albany and then down is definitely on my list. We stayed in Kingston last year for a week so saw some of that section too.
simple and fun🤙
Great video!
It's possible that the reason you didn't see a ton of people biking through there is that the very large PTNY Erie Canal Bike Tour was due to come by the following week. A lot of people do that one as it is fully supported. It's an excellent ride.
Possibly. But I think people who plan their own trips and people who do planned trips are mostly two different groups of people.
Either way - it was kind of nice not to have the trail be too crowded out farther from the cities.
Nice!
Awesome adventure 🤙🏽
I seen you rolled through newark
Hi Tim, love the way you neutralise the Troll like comments you must receive, in a civilised but direct way....well done.
Thanks!😎
It's not the ride, it's the riding.
Dewitt to Albany is mostly well marked. Less well marked when you need it most (I'm lookin' at you Utica and Albany). Similarly to how the Erie canal trail is well marked until you get to Syracuse, then it sucks, but once you get to the Dewitt trailhead, thigs are great again.
Thanks! Will definitely make a route for the computer if we continue on in the future.
I have come to agree about tire sizes. My 42s are about the minimum size that I enjoy riding. Wider tires don’t seem to slow me down on the asphalt, and they handle mixed surfaces better. Of course, I’m not exactly racing.
Its nice not to be limited in where you go - but above all - comfort. Being comfroable is fast too.
The fatter the tire the better 🕺🏻🙌
the way I pack, you'd need a block and tackle setup to lift my bike over that gate. Maybe I'll start packing them too. ;-)
lol
If I'm not mistaken, Onandaga lake has some very important native American history. It's where Hiawatha worked to unite numerous other native tribes.
The detour in Palmyra is because the aqueduct washed out due to flooding.
The Newark to Lyons where you have to ride on the road isn't bad, but have to be careful with people flying around the bends.
Luv your videos. I just have quick question. When it rains on your rides do you guys try to keep bikes covered. Or bikes today built to stand water. Thx
If there is an option to keep it covered I will but in general I just put my saddle cover on to protect the leather. Bikes have always been made to ride in all weather.
Bring extra chain lube though - you want to keep that drive train lubed after rain.
@@TimFitzwater ty for your reply, I definitely will take your advise 👍🚴
I like your bike set up. I don't think that you can have an over biult bike for this tour. My wife and I covered small sections of the canal during Covid. Two years ago, we rode Buffalo to Albany over eight days. We took the Amtrack from Rochester to Buffalo, did the ride, and then took Amtrack back to Rochester. The whole trip was ten days. They started the canal in Rome , NY July 4, 1817 and completed it in Lockport, NY in 1825.
Heck yeah!
I would have been happy with this set up even if we just rode the canal - but we did hit some true dirt and mud in the Finger Lakes too - I definitely would have been walking on my gravel bike.
I don’t even believe in the concept of being “over biked” anymore unless you are really a racer. Even then bikes can be more comfortable than the old school roadies believe.
You definitely want low gears in the Finger Lakes. I ride a triple whether riding loaded or not.
She is a badass! 😂❤
100%
Perhaps the structures at about 3:15 are the remains of canal locks?
No - it is a working canal in this area - the locks are intact. They are to separate this part of the canal from river flooding(according to other comments).
@@TimFitzwater thanks for the explanation. Would sure love to take a long ride along this canal trail
Outstanding video. So what's your final verdict on tubes versus tubeless?
I’m still always going to get new tires set up tubeless. If I have an issue I’ll throw a tube in. These tires have the endurance casing and haven’t had a single issue. It’s the more supple tires on gnarly terrain that can have issues. But I’m still going to try and run supple tires on my gravel bike because they ride so great and it’s still more peace of mind than tubes.
@@TimFitzwater thank you!!
LOVE the video, I want to do this someday. Just one request, please walk bike where it states it. There is a road right next to that section of the canal and it's much safer to ride there than on the walking side. (too many kids, dogs and elderly.)
Thanks!
We saw the bypass road in the next town and took that. That being said as a fully functioning, intelligent adult I can tell where to ride my bike and when it is a problem. We clearly didn't just blast through there. I wouldn't walk that section next time either.
Another great video, Tim! What editing software do you use? Going to document the C&O/GAP in a couple weeks again. Want to improve.. ha
Thanks!
I use Adobe Premiere Pro.
The whole point of this channel was so that I would put out a video every week and get better at using it - doing that also made this channel grow though!
Premiere is pricey - might be worth looking into the free version of DaVinci Resolve - I have never used it but I know people love it. The Pro version of that is cheaper than Premiere too if you find you needed more features.
@@TimFitzwater Thanks a ton!
Tim, what casing do you use? I’ve been riding Rene Herse tires for several years but have only used the endurance casing. Thinking about trying the xtralight casing for a bike I’m building up. I’m thinking about moving to Rochester. Your videos there look promising..
I've always used "standard" but put Endurance on before this trip. On my Gunnar I was just riding to rough of stuff for Standard. I kept having to put tubes in. On my drop bar gravel bike I had always used Standard 42 mm - but now I have a standard 44 in the back and an ultra-light 42 in the front. It has held up so far but I wouldn't recommend it if you do gnarly, rocky stuff.
I loved Rochester!
Thanks Tim! Your videos are great.
yo im marc from albion. i ride the canal. what tires do you prefer and why? 29er mtb tires or 700cc road. gates are locks they are for draining one part of it at time and get used for emergency like when we had a flood.
Hey! I'd say neither. I run gravel tires. Rene Herse 55s on my Gunnar and 44s on my drop bar gravel bike.
I don't mean this to sound condescending if you already know this - I'm just not sure from the way you phrased it - 29 and 700 are the same size - just different terms. I tend to say 700c because I come more from road bikes....
@@TimFitzwater looking at the 29″ x 2.2″ (700C x 55) Antelope Hill TC Tire thank you for your reply sir.
where do you find your maps to ride where its safe like you had
Ride w/ GPS & Strava then zooming in a bit or looking at Street View on Google Maps.
You do bike packing with clip ins? are they more comfortable I find they tend to wear my feet out faster because I cant change position.
I've never used clipless pedals in my life. I use flat pedals on every ride.
My partner and I just completed 100% of the Empire Trail. I would not recommend Albany to Rouses Point. That said Canada North of Rouses Point is awesome. I would suggest Albany to NYC.
Nice!
...and thanks for the tip.
100 miles in one day. Must have been mostly flat level elevation. I wish I could get 100 miles in one day on the treks I do. The trip im doing this weekend is Uphill 5,000 feet, downhill 1,350 feet, highest elevation about 4,000 feet. Takes me two days. In Oregon, foothills of the Cascades.
I would love to ride out there!
Yes - this was just 1600 feet.
That being said I just finished a 114 mile ride with almost 6000 feet of elevation(not on a loaded bike though obviously). I'm actually editing that video now.
Cheers!
We run a Warm Showers stop in Port Byron and try to caution everyone about that "detour" across the closed bridge. Google Maps is leading everyone astray as the trail uses Rt 31 between Savannah and Port Byron. I have posted comments on Google Maps about the closed bridge and it gets nowhere. The NY Parks and Trail interactive map does show the correct path. I think if you want to use Google Maps, switch to the car directions to get between Savannah and Port Byron, then switch back.
I believe Ben routes this with Ride w/GPS but cycling and fitness apps use data on where people ride - so until people stop going that way…..
I’m glad we did because it was cool - but your average Jo or solo person definitely would not.
Weird that Google won’t take it down.
Though I was on a bike tour in CT. once and a gravel road had a sign saying “this is private property no matter what Google told you”.
Tim have you done bike checks with your closest crew ? Anyways love the content as usual!
I specifically brought a camera and mic to do that on this trip….and then we either got in late or were spent at the end of every day and never did it. Still a goal of mine - keeps not happening though.
I'd like to request a video featuring Brad's shorts
🩳 ☯️🦎
Great video and fine narration. Did you come across any bikers who bike packed and slept in their own shelters on the trial? Oh BTW take this as helpful nothing else. It's pronounced All-ba-nee.
We only passed a few people that looked like they would be - didn’t see anyone actually set up though.