My stay with my Warmshowers host, Austin – 3rd year urology resident, was exceptional. Got a good nights sleep, while he was on call downstairs in the living room talking to the hospital all night about patients. I left a little after seven just as he was getting ready to go to bed.

It was not far to the trail, so got a good start this morning. About 6 miles down the road was Pittsford, where a good breakfast and coffee awaited. The trail was quite pleasant, going from wide and with a hard bass to narrow to track and somewhat soft. Being a Saturday, I saw lots of people out using the trail… Running, biking, walking their dogs, and sculling teams rowing down the canal. About 25% of the ride today was on roads. However, whenever there is a road detour a wide biking lane exists.

I wanted to make it to Port Byron (65 miles, glad I got an early start) where there was a Canal Museum. Thinking it would be a good place to camp, I called the office and I was told camping was not allowed there. Where the road joined back on the trail, there was a community park with picnic shelter where I decided to camp. I’ll plead ignorance if necessary. Only thing is that the mosquitoes here are HORRENDOUS! Fortunately I have repellent, but they are seriously testing it’s limits. Cook dinner, early night in the tent and off to Syracuse tomorrow where I have an Airbnb room. It’s all good!

Another good day on the trail. Clear sunny skies. Several neat small towns. In Brockport I detoured to find some coffee, but opted for my morning “juice” substitute, pumpkin hard cider at a corner bar that was open early. Yum! I need to make this when I return! Was planning on lunch in Greece, but town was much too far off the trail. Stopped at franchise burger/burrito joint. My warmshowers host Austin is a super nice guy who has toured the Southern tier, Pacific coast and GAP-CO trail. All while in medical school and residency! Enjoying Rochester now with a flight at a local brewery.

Today was a gloriously beautiful sunny September day on the trail. Except for a few loud 4 wheelers, last night was peaceful and slept well. There were a couple of larger towns on the route today, so I stopped in both of them.

First stop was Middleport. I stopped at a coffee shop where a touring cyclist couple was having a cup of coffee and we started up a conversation. Larry and Barbara we’re from Shawnee, OK and do a tour every year. This time a 28 day loop from Buffalo to the finger lakes to Albany and back on the trail to Buffalo. They also have done many European tours, which I was happy to pick their brain on.

Next stop was Medina for lunch. Medina is a historic town which is known for the red sandstone found there and used in many prestigious buildings.

Finally, last stop was Albion for a libation to drink at the campsite tonight. On the way out, I ran into a woman I met yesterday in Tonawanda. She was waiting for her partner who was having mechanical trouble and at a bike shop in town. We talked quite awhile. Turns out they’re from Charlotte and ride a lot on trails in Brevard area. Invited them to the campground I’m staying at, but she wanted to press on to Rochester. They did 60 miles yesterday, and it will be about the same today. Not my pace at all on these trails! Too much to stop and see as today illustrated. And the brisk headwind took a half mph off my average.

I’m really enjoying this trail with all it has to offer in the towns, interesting boats and houses on the canal and available camping spots. Off to Rochester tomorrow where I’ll be staying with a Warmshowers host, Austin. He is a surgical intern there, so should be some interesting conversation.

I was able to get an early start on the drive to Buffalo this morning. The skies literally opened up and it poured heavily coming into the city. But the weather app said it would clear, and it did. I went straight to the Amtrak station which I will return to and was pleased to find out they would allow me to park in their lot at no charge. With panniers packed I set out about 1 o’clock. The route out of the city was a bit disjointed and not in the best condition. It was quite scenic following the Niagara River and looking across into Canada.

In the town of Tonawanda where the shoreline trail separates from the Erie canal trail, The trail improved greatly. Everyone seems to have a little dock on the canal where they can park a boat. All sizes of boats were seen, from dingy to cabin cruiser. I arrived in Lockport around five to the sound of a band playing for the weekly farmers market. There are five sets of locks in town which raise boats about 65 feet. I am camped at a city marina park, which has a nice picnic pavilion and shower in the bathroom. Score!

Preface – I got the idea for this trip from Angie, who had done it a couple of years ago. Angie was who I rode the Katy Trail with, having met her on a Companions Wanted listing on Warmshowers.org. This time I went by myself, carrying food and camping gear to be able to stay on the trail. I think I got lucky by picking September to do it, because the weather ended up being spectacular. No rain except for a misting drizzle that did not even warrant a rain jacket. I thoroughly enjoyed riding this trail for several reasons. At 365 miles long, it fulfilled my desire for a longer adventure. The trail surface is varied, with much of it paved or crushed rock dust, but also has a fair amount of single and double track. The on road portions had wide bike lanes. The history of the Erie Canal is amazing! It was started in 1817, opened in 1825 and expanded in 1905-1918. Many signs along the way describe the engineering feats, life on the canal and the economic impact. Finally, the scenery was beautiful and the canal acted as a rope tying it all together.
Once again, I am updating my blog by copying my Facebook posts and adding pictures. Seems that is my style since FB works much better for uploading content and pictures on the road with many times weak cell signals.

First Post – On my way to Buffalo, NY to start riding the Erie Canal trail tomorrow. Staying in Pittsburgh with Edward, the bass playing half of The Living Street band. The other half, Nick, joined us for dinner at a really cool brewery located in an old gothic Catholic Church. Also walked to the Grandview, and the view was definitely grand of the city!

Good cell service here at the city park in Pilot Grove (Yay!) and a dollar store and convenience store too. We rode about 40 miles yesterday. Explored Boonville. Daniel Boone lived in this area the last two decades of his life. Here are pics from yesterday.