DC to Syracuse NY, advice?
 

Looking for some sage advice on DC to Syracuse NY route. Like the idea of skipping all those hills (mountains) in PA and heading somewhere up to Albany then west to Syracuse. The Erie Canal is probably the best, but how to get there thru. New Jersey and SE NY? The ACA route seems not so good. Any advice? Spring time/BOB Yak/mostly stealthy (but maybe too populated along the NJ / NYC leg?)

Thanks in advance...

Through New York State you can take the state bike route 9 up the Hudson Valley to Albany and then follow the Erie Canal corridor on route 5 to Syracuse. Free maps are available from the NY DOT https://www.nysdot.gov/divisions/ope...-bureau/biking

The East Coast Greenway goes from DC to NYC.

thanks Vg and Barry... Hey Barry, i rode, years ago with a Barry from bmore, and a very active cycling advocate. He/you had an extracycle attachment, with about 70 lbs of stuff including a grill and steaks. A software programmer when not riding. The pic doesn't so much look like you but it was a while ago. We went from about Whites Ferry to between Antietem and Harper's Ferry, i broke a spoke and he/you got a flat.

Thanks again, Ill be putting together a ride for this spring

That's me and I now carry several fiber spokes in case I met someone else in your situation. ;)

Looked at the East Coast greenway and it seems somewhat premature to do it, lots of unfinished links right in the heart of pretty major cities. i wonder if there are any other good routes.

The "unfinished" links are just on-road sections, from what I know of the ECG some care was given in selecting the on-road sections.

In order to skip all those mountains, you'll have to stay in the most populated areas. Like, some of the most populated areas in the country. Personally, I'd rather do the hills, it's very beautiful and serene, and stealthing would be very easy and gratifying. I'd go west and then head up the 11 or something, right into Syr.

The unfinished on-road bits in NJ are pretty good, at least the ones I rode. Trenton gets pretty nasty, I'd cycle through there as quickly as possible. (OTOH, the few people I spoke to there were very nice and friendly.)

There's a recent thread on Delaware River crossings into NJ that mauy be helpful. If you take the offroad Greenway, I'd get off towpath at Schoolhouse Lane, shortly before you get to Bound Brook. (The path gets very rough after that.

You might also google the High Point to Cape May trail. It splits off the Greenway in Bound Brook, and heads north into NY state. It's all on-road from that point, and the roads are mostly very good.

thanks Thulsadoom and neilfein

Another Way.... Crazy Idea
 

If you are looking for less traveled and somewhat flater room... yet certainly much longer take the C&O Canal Trail and the the GAP trail to Pittsburgh. Make your way north to Erie and turn right towards Buffalo. Once there take a right and head along the Erie Canal Trail.

Wells

thanks, too wellshorton. I'm now on a hybrid and get beaten up on the C&O; maybe i'll look into bigger, underinflated tires.