I rode the Erie Canal last year and I think you'll enjoy yourself. The route is obviously flat and the surface is good hard packed gravel in most places. I found 25mm to be ok, but for comfort you might want to go with 28mm or higher. There were some sections that were under construction so I had to carry my bike. Riding from Buffalo to Albany you'll have the prevailing wind at your back. I was dumb enough to ride in the other direction and the day from Rochester to Niagara Falls was tough as I was riding straight into the wind coming of Lake Erie