CrazyLemurBoy

Hey guys,

I'm looking for some ideas for a 3 week tour. I randomly got some time off starting next week, trip dates will be June 20 - July 7ish. I was considering the C&O + GAP trail but reading recent weather reports in the area has been disheartening; it seems very wet, humid, and buggy. Sorry, but I live in central FL and get my fill of that. Has anyone toured Vermont or the Adirondacks this time of year? Looking for some cooler weather. Rain doesn't bother me but I would like to avoid a soggy trip. Last year we did the ACA Great Parks South and had a blast, but I would like to stick to the eastern US this year just for posterity.

Thanks everyone in advance,
Jon

AusTexMurf

Leaving in two weeks to ride the GAP/C&O with my wife and ALL FOUR kiddos, ages 3-13.
Not worried about the wet, mud, buggy, here.
Rode the thing, GAP with wife, C&O solo, in early May this year. Far wetter and muddier then and still a wonderful experience.

Anyway, other thoughts….
Vermont or Adirondacks would be beautiful in summer.
Upper Peninsula of Michigan ?

All the way across the state of Ohio from Cincinnati to Cleveland via the Ohio Erie Bike Trail ?
Ride through Cinci, Columbus, Cleveland, rural Ohio, including Ohio Amish country ?

Or,

Eerie Canal Bike Trail in NY…..

Enjoy great scenery, fascinating history, and unparalleled cycling along the 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail. The paved and stone dust trail follows both active and historic sections of the Erie Canal.
Erie Canalway TrailMore than three-quarters of the 365-mile off road trail between Albany and Buffalo is now complete and is safe for all ages. Because the trail closely parallels the Erie Canal, it offers easy access to and from communities throughout the Corridor. Cyclists can follow New York Bike Route 5 to connect off road segments...
See more at: Erie Canalway - Things to Do - Bicycling

mulveyr 

I live in upstate NY, and have toured in the Adirondacks as well as done the entire Erie Canal trail with my son.

Do you have any particular interest in a flat ride as opposed to something with hills/mountains? The Erie Canal trail is about as dead flat as you can possibly get. It also includes some wonderful scenery and nice small towns, especially in the western half. If you decide to try that, the Parks and Trails NY people ( Parks & Trails New York ) put out a fantastic guidebook that you can order online, or find in nearly any bike shop along the canal route.

For the Adirondacks, your timing is such that you're heading into prime vacation season, so if you're planning on staying at motels or campgrounds, reservations might be an issue. If you want to wild camp, well, the Adirondacks have no end of perfectly wonderful places to throw up a tent and listen to the loons. :-)

staehpj1

Isn't it black fly season in the Adirondacks? I'd check if that is the case and factor that into your decision. They can be pretty bad there.

mulveyr 

They're pretty much gone by the end of June.

This past weekend I was in the Black Fly Challenge mountain bike race there--and didn't encounter a single one!

staehpj1

I remember them being pretty bad there until mid July once when I was there, but it may not have been a typical year.

mulveyr 

There's a local saying that they're here by Mother's Day, and gone by Father's Day. Most years that's pretty accurate. Of course when the black flies are gone, the mosquitoes take their place, but at least there are reasonably effective mosquito repellents.

CrazyLemurBoy

Hello everyone,

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions. Given the length of time I think I could complete the ACA Adirondack Loop + Erie canal trip. I love climbing but I also love to cover long distances so it may be a great mix.

Is wild camping permitted on either the canal or the park? I would prefer to set my hammock up for free if possible.

mulveyr 

You can camp at most of the canal lock areas, and there are a bunch of "official" cost-free camping areas with bathrooms, showers, etc. in towns all up and down the canal; Holley, Newark, Middleport, Brockport, etc -- they generally cater to overnight boaters, but bikers are welcome too.

And particularly in the western end there's no lack of out-of-the way places very close by where you can put up a tent. Lots of people just notify the local police and camp out in town parks.

In the Adirondacks you can camp on state land anywhere, with just a few restrictions; you have to be at least 150 feet from water, unless you're at a marked tenting site, etc. Regulations can be found online.

You might want to check out the CrazyGuyOnABike website to read trip reports--just search for "Erie Canal" and "Adirondacks."

In regards to a route, you could try something like flying into Buffalo, taking the canal up to Rome, heading into the Adirondacks, and then go south back down towards Albany where you can head back home.

Edit: Also, in terms of routing, winds are generally westerly in upstate NY, so given a choice, heading from Buffalo to Albany is preferred.

RidingMatthew

wow i just want to say that sounds like a fun/ scary opportunity. Fun in the adventure involved. Scary in the not planned just heading out adventure.
let us know what you end up doing.

Rob_E

I just did the southern 2/3rds of this trail a few weeks ago. Very pleasant riding, apart from the route they chose on the west side of Columbus. I've been on or near this trail at some point or another from Canton southwest to Cincinnati. I have noticed a shortage of places to camp that are very close to the trail. Meaning campgrounds. Much of the trail was wooded, and if you were willing to step a few yards off the trail and hang a hammock, you would probably have no difficulty finding a spot. I didn't have to stealth camp because I had friends to stay with along the way, but it looked like it'd be easy to do.

Unless you're much slower than me (and I know very few people who are slower than me) the whole Ohio-to-Erie would probably take less than a week, so you could piggy-back it on to a longer trip. Ride down the Erie Canal, take to the streets from Buffalo to Cleveland (or take a train), and ride on down to Cincinnati. My math puts that at about 900 miles. Two and a half weeks at 50 miles/day. Now I want to do it, too.

fietsbob

You are staying Home, relatively .. in Domestic Destinations..

I've landed in Foreign Airports , put my kit together , there, and then winged it ... AMS Shiphol NL, And Dublin Ireland Connecting from LHR.

Improvising as I went , for weeks ..

CrazyLemurBoy

Thanks everyone for the input!

We've decided to do as one of the previous posters suggested - Erie Canal + Adirondack Park loop. I have a friend in Buffalo we can use a launching point.

Some may view lack of planning as scary, but this is my modus operandi. I never make long term plans because I go wherever I fancy and has great weather. It's all about being flexible.

JoeyBike

I have always dreamed of starting a trip somewhere with no destination in mind. Every morning I would wake up, check the wind direction, and go THAT WAY!

Have fun! Wish I were going anywhere right now.

SparkyGA

It's the only way to tour Follow your heart and the weather