Originally Posted by mulveyr

NY Bike Route 5 is one of the state's best signed bike routes. As you note, nice wide shoulders, etc. Some parts of it are a little busy for my taste ( which doesn't mean you'll be dealing with constant traffic - it's just that I prefer backroads ). It varies between NY routes 5/20, 31, and some others, depending on where you are.

Then of course there's the Erie Canal trailway, if you're in the mood for something dead flat and mostly off-road. Some bits, especially east and west of Syracuse are on-road, as the trailway isn't quite complete yet.