What makes Cycle the Erie Canal so special?
It can be hard to describe the energy of Cycle the Erie Canal and Cycle the Hudson Valley. It’s not just about riding a bike–it’s about making friends, exploring new communities, achieving personal goals, and so much more.
Here are some of our favorite reasons to join us on the trail:
Erica Schneider, Policy & Planning Manager
"In 2022, we brought on a rolling historian from the Erie Canal Museum to serve as our tour guide for the week for the first time. We now have two fantastic tour guides, one that rides with the group and one that meets cyclists at the rest stops, to really bring the history of the Erie Canal to life. Identifiable by their Hawaiin shirts, these knowledgeable folks share 200 years of stories on the canal from a contemporary perspective, lending nuance and vibrancy to the classic tales of the waterway."
"Few things bring me more joy than rinsing away all the dust and sweat at the end of a long day on the trail– and there’s no better embodiment of this feeling than the shower trucks! While showering in a truck may be commonplace for your average festival go-er, this concept was new to me when I rode my first tour with PTNY. There are dedicated businesses that outfit trailers with stalls for showering, and we always hire the best ones to come along with us on our tours! Just don’t forget your shower shoes and a little bag or drawstring backpack to be able to keep your clothes and shower supplies organized in the tight space. Another little known hack is that you can rent towels “a la carte” from Comfy Campers. Even if you’re not booking them to do the whole tent and mattress deal, you can pay for them to provide you with a clean dry towel every day!"
Dylan Carey, Director of Policy & Planning
“When you're riding through the town of Memphis, all of a sudden you’ll see a woman handing out popsicles at a park along the trail–one of many locals who volunteer to welcome our riders. When you stop to talk to Regina, you’ll learn the park isn’t just any park. It’s Brian’s Place, in memory of her son who passed away and loved to run on the trail. It’s the people like Regina who and Brian who make Cycle the Erie Canal so special.”
“The talent show on the last night of Cycle the Erie Canal in Niskayuna is always a highlight. The show really makes the trip feel like summer camp, reinforcing the camaraderie that developed over the course of the week. Last year, a group of kids that became friends on the trail got together for a skit, reenacting their experience on the tour. The performance received a standing ovation, of course.”
Tara Quackenbush, Events Manager
“This probably won't come as a surprise to anyone that knows me. The rest stops on both tours are my favorite!!! Especially the one on CTEC at Uncle G's Ice Cream. Gathering around refreshments, with our favorite Erie Canal historians, and cyclists hanging out. It's definitely a sweet pause.”
Jonathan Duda, Grants Manager
“One of my favorite recurring moments of the Cycle the Erie Canal tour happens, surprisingly, while pedaling along some of the few on-road sections. Although the 400 mile adventure is mostly a comfortable trail, a few of the destinations (e.g. Seneca Falls) requires some road cycling. Though this might be a downside for some participants, the on-road routes are carefully planned for safety and ease and can be very rewarding in terms of scenery and experiences you cannot get from the trail sections. One of my favorite moments from the first tour I rode in 2018 that really stands out happened multiple times while on some of these stretches. I’d often find myself without any other cyclists in sight giving me a feeling of solitude, but also that little hint of wonder that I may have missed a road marking and headed off course. But just as I would begin thinking these “what ifs?”, a familiar official bike tour SAG vehicle would slowly pass me, its yellow SAG flag quickly flapping away–a confirmation that not only was I on the right track, but not alone, and that comforting feeling that assistance will always be at-hand should I need anything during my adventure.”