Niagara Falls - Erie Canal 2024 #1
Niagara Falls - Erie Canal 2024 #2
Niagara Falls (consisting of Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the American Falls) is one of North America's Seven Natural Wonders and must be experienced up close to be appreciated. The scenic Erie Canal, completed in 1825 to connect the Great Lakes to New York City via the Hudson River, is steeped in history. Cycling the Erie Canalway Trail is on many peoples’ bucket list, for good reason! Over 4 more days of riding (after spending Day 1 taking in the splendor of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara State Park from our saddles), we'll explore the unique offerings of several canal villages and towns starting with Lockport and its famous Flight of Five historic locks, cycle through picturesque countryside, local farms and big open skies and get an up-close look at the structures used to operate the canal, including locks, lift bridges, and guard gates. After two nights in our riverfront hotel in Niagara Falls, we'll spend 1 night in the village of Medina and two nights in Rochester, with Day 4 consisting of an out-and-back to Lake Ontario Beach State Park along the Genesee Riverway Trail. On Friday we'll continue riding east as far as Palmyra before returning to Niagara Falls by van. Since arrival in Niagara Falls will be around 5 pm, we're offering an OPTIONAL night's stay at the hotel we started from, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Niagara Falls
About 182 miles in 5 days of riding
Tour Leaders: Nick Harding and Michael Robinson
Included
- 5 nights lodging
- 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
- Area-knowledgeable and cycling expert tour guides
- Gratuities for included meals and accommodations
- In-ride drinks and snacks
- Van support
- Detailed maps and itineraries
- Admission to the State Parks we visit
Not Included
- Airfare/transportation to and from Niagara Falls
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry
- Gratuities for Tour Leaders
- Trip Insurance (Please purchase!)
- Pre-& post-trip hotel (Saturday / Friday nights NOT included)
- Bike rental
Itinerary
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Day 1 - Sunday evening
We'll meet at 5:00 pm at our hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Niagara Falls to introduce ourselves and discuss what the week of cycling will look like. Then we'll walk over to the century old Red Coach Inn, the city's most distinctive historic structure, for our evening meal in the Restaurant.
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Day 2 - Monday
Today we will cycle westerly along Niagara Falls city streets to Prospect Point Park at the precipice of Niagara Falls and enjoy the thundering water. From Prospect Point Park, we will continue north along the east side of the Niagara River, past the Rainbow International Bridge, the Whirlpool National Bridge, along the river rapids, and down to Fort Niagara State Park along Lake Ontario for a picnic lunch. Optional visit inside Fort Niagara is $7. Following lunch, we will cycle back to Niagara Falls to enjoy the afternoon exploring shops and attractions. Total mileage 30 miles.
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Day 3 - Tuesday
To avoid urban traffic we'll start the day with a short van ride out to Ellicott Creek Park in Tonawanda, NY where we'll get on the Erie Canal path and cycle east toward Lockport. Following lunch on your own and a visit in Lockport, we will continue east along the path to the village of Medina, NY, staying trailside at the historic Hart House Hotel. Total mileage is about 34 very flat miles.
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Day 4 - Wednesday
Today we'll continue riding east along the Erie Canalway Trail all the way to Rochester, NY. We will be passing through the port villages of the canal, to include Albion, Holly (lunch stop, on your own), Brockport, Spencerport and into Monroe County and to the hotel. Tonight – dinner is a classic NY (Rochester or Syracuse) experience – at the Dinosaur Barbecue restaurant downtown. Total mileage is 50 miles of flat canal path -- but as with every day, the van is available for those who may want to ride less.
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Day 5 - Thursday
Today we will do a tour ride north on the Genesee River Trailway, through downtown Rochester, to Lake Ontario State Park where we'll enjoy lunch at the waterfront Pelican's Nest Restaurant, right next to the historic Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse, then ride back through Rochester to our hotel. This ride features numerous parks, waterfalls, beautiful architectural bridges, and attractions like a historic - and still operating - carousel from 1905, as well as the Seneca Park Zoo designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Mileage is 16 miles each way, with a ~300' elevation drop to Lake level, and climb on the way back!
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Day 6 - Friday
On our final day, we'll continue east along the Canalway Trail to the village of Palmyra, NY. Today’s ride will take us through the port villages of Pittsford, Fairport and Macedon. You can plan to stop and shop along the way and enjoy lunch on your own. After a short walking tour of the Village, at 2:00 we'll load the bikes in the trailer and embark for a 2 hour van ride back to our starting hotel in Niagara Falls. Another night's stay here is OPTIONAL -- please look for contact information for the hotel in your registration confirmation email. Mileage is 25-30 depending your adventuring spirit!
Difficulty Level: Intermediate PLUS
This tour’s routes include three days of riding the crushed stone and paved trail on the Erie Canal Trail, and paved paths in Niagara Falls and along the Niagara River on Day 1, and along the Genesee River Greenway on Day 4. Days 1 and 3, with mileage of about 30 miles, include some moderate hills. Day 2's mileage is about 45 miles, and Day 4's is nearly 50, although the support van is always available for those wishing to ride less. The routes are suitable for all bicycles. The Erie Canal Trail is a bit more level and generally easy riding, however, it is not paved.
Suggested tire size for this tour: 32mm and larger
Pricing
$2,550 (Summer) or $2,475 (Fall) per person (based on double occupancy)
$475 or $450 – Single Supplement (extra price to have your own room)
$150 – Bike Rental (helmet, pannier and lock included)
Your Travel Plans
For this tour we meet riders at 5:00 pm on Sunday afternoon at our riverfront hotel in Niagara Falls, the Doubletree by Hilton Niagara Falls. The trip ends on Friday. Because we'll get back to Niagara Falls late in the afternoon that day, you may want to make a reservation for that night. Look for contact information for the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Niagara Falls in the confirmation email you'll receive upon registering for the Tour.
If you are traveling by air, Buffalo Niagara International Airport is 25 miles from the hotel, while Niagara Falls International Airport is just 8 miles. We return you to our opening hotel at the end of the trip.
If you are driving, you drive to the hotel. We return you there at the close of the trip. You may leave your car there during the trip for a cost of just $25 for the week.
Your Lodging Plans
Your lodging from Sunday through Thursday is included. Another night's lodging on the day the trip ends, Friday, is OPTIONAL -- look for contact information for the DoubleTree by Hilton Niagara Falls in your registration confirmation email. .
