Planning my first tour. I have two weeks off this summer and won't have a kid around to keep tabs on, so I thought this year would be perfect(who knows when I'll get this opportunity again). Unfortunately these two weeks don't coincide with an organized tour group so I'm doing it solo. I'm thinking something relatively easy for my first solo tour, like the Erie Canal Trail from Buffalo to Albany (~400 miles?). Has anyone done it, and can anyone give me tips other than what I read in the Erie Canal guidebook? I've been riding these past 3 years steadily and am confident I can endure 80 miles a day (5 days). I won't be limited to this time obviously, and in order to include touristy stops along the way I'll probably wind up only riding avg 50-60 miles a day for 8 days. The idea is to ride my hybrid bike (probably my last big ride on it before I upgrade to a road bike), I figure I can ride light/simple on it without too many issues and besides I've heard others riding this route on Walmart BSOs so I can't see any reason I shouldn't be able to. Packing only a tent, sleeping bag, toiletries, and emergency kit (food, first aid, etc). I'll stop for "fuel" along the way.