A few images from the ERIE CANAL...
 

I took a ride along the canal on Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed the day. I hope you enjoy my amature photo memories of that ride.


First, a bit of a History lesson from just West of Long Pond Rd.

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The above location today, looking west...

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Mostly, this was my view....

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The road crossings can be quite enjoyable, depending on the bridge type. Most are high bridges but there are still many "Lift Bridges" in use with "Bridge Keeper" shanties like this one in Adam's Basin...

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Some towns create a park along the canal like here in Spencerport...

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and another park in Brockport...

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Main Street, Brockport...

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page two

There were a lot of families out on the canal...


Duck families....

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Goose families....

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Vacation families.....these packet boats can be rented for vacation trips on the canal.

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Even recumbent families....I didn't get an opportunity to visit with these two Rans Screamer riders (at least I think it's a Screamer). They were quite busy speaking with the gentleman in the black.

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It was a good 45 mile ride from Charlotte to Brockport and back, one I try to do at least once every year.

That looks like a great day on a bicycle.

nice :thumb:

It was a great day. I got my 45 miles in on a slightly different route, my "Figure 8 route", which combines two favorite loops.

I head east through the village of Pittsford, south to Mendon Ponds Park, turn back north, pass within a quarter-mile of my apartment on the way to Sea Breeze along the lake shore, then Lakeshore Blvd to Charlotte (where Cranky started his ride), and up the river back thorough the city and home.

It was my first ride over 20 or 25 miles on Blue. I decided I definitely needed a longer stem, and a little lower too. On the way home last night I stopped at the LBS and picked up a 6° 110mm one to replace the 10° 90mm that came on the bike. Hoping to try it out tomorrow.

Sunday was indeed a beautiful day.
Most of the canal my way has been filled in, drained or otherwise abandoned. This time of year we see the big pleasure boats heading up the Mohawk from Fla. to summer on the great lakes.

Thanks

Neat photos thanks for sharing. I understand that it was the Erie Canal that made New York City the biggest city in NA before that it was Philadelphia.

Thanks for another interesting history lesson, Crankster.

1+ on the pix and interesting bits of story too. keep up the good work! whistling an old tune.... low bridge everybody down.....

Thanks, Lenny.

Been on a few sections of the canal over the years. Plan to do some more following the Watkins Glen Rally in June. Thanks for the memories.

Thanks for the shots lad, one of the few spots I haven't rode yet from our area.

My brother and I are doing the 8 day Erie Canal tour in July (Buffalo to Albany). I am really looking forward to the ride.
Thanks for the pre-tour glimpses.

Doug

Thanks for mentioning this 8 day tour. I googled it and found out lots of interesting info. One more to add to my "bucket list". :thumb:

Jim

PS: Tnx to the OP for posting the pics.

Doug, if your doing the Erie canal ride here a two threads with some pics both west and east of Schenectady - however some are not on the route, you will see that many are.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=10751673

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t-west-odyssey


I know that sections on the bike path are being repaved now - not sure how it will be in July, drop me a line and I should be able to let you know the condition from East of Amsterdam all the way to Colonie.

Wonderful pics and thanks for sharing them and the history of the area you visited.

Ah, reminds me of when we did the Eastern Tandem Rally in New Hampshire in 2008. We flew into Albany because we wanted to spend the first week near Cooperstown, NY to see some operas at Glimmerglass (and as luck would have it, we arrived right at Hall of Fame Weekend!). We spent the first morning in Albany, riding to the canal just so I could see it for sentimental reasons. I went to elementary school in Berkeley, CA, and back in those days the teachers could play the piano and lead songs, and one of the songs I still remember that we sang back in 4th grade was all about Sal the Mule and the Erie Canal:

"I got an old mule and her name is Sal,
Eighteen years on the Erie Canal.
She's a good old worker and a good old pal,
Eighteen years on the Erie Canal.
We've hauled some barges in our day,
Filled with lumber, coal and hay,
And we know every step of the way
From Albany to Buffalo - oh,
Low bridge, everybody down!
Low bridge, for we're coming to a town
And you'll always know your neighbor,
You'll always know your pal
If you've ever navigated on - the Erie Canal!"

Gawd, I can't believe I still remember the words...

L.

I understand what you're saying. Why is it we can remember stuff like this, but can't remember what we had for breakfast? :eek:

Jim

Reminds me of home :thumb:

Nice ride and pics..

Thanks for posting. That is a ride I'd like to do.. Western New York almost looks mid-western.. The bike path is 100% asphalt. ?

Great pics Cranky. Thanks.

I remember that too. Do you remember the one about the tarriers working on the rock. I think the tag line was drill ye tarriers drill. Oh its work all day for the surgar in your tay down along the railway, and drill ye tarriers drill. Something like that anyway.

Awesome Pictures...:thumb:

I could feel the sunshine and the ride just by looking at them.. :thumb:

No. It's mainly crushed stone. It's paved for about 16 miles through Rochester, and only at intersections on either side--at least the parts I've ridden, from Palmyra to Medina.

It's my understanding that other than at intersections, it's the decision, responsibility and budget of the individual municipality on whether to pave. The paved sections I ride are in the City of Rochester, and the towns of Brighton, Henrietta, and Pittsford. Brighton paves a foot or so wider than the others and stripes the center. The New York State Canal Corporation, part of the NYS Thruway Authority does all maintenance, including mowing.