Low Bridge, Everybody Down

Day 99, July 9, 2011, “Low Bridge, Everybody Down”

Route from Farmington to KOA Kampground, Lewiston, NY

112 miles, averaging 13.5 mph

Worst Moment – I was really disappointed to see all of the tagging that has gone on the route signs along the Erie Canal.  In places directional markings are entirely obliterated.  These markings are extremely important to anyone (like me) not familiar with where to go.

Best Moment – When I arrived, hot and dusty, at Ruby, our very dear friends, the Johnsons from Scottsdale where here!  Kim and Lindy are visiting family in Canada and came to spend the evening with us.  It was wonderful to see them.

Today I was on the towpath of the Erie Canal for nearly 90 miles.  I have to tell you that the words to the Erie Canal song went through my mind more than a few times.  In case anyone wants help remembering all of the words, here’s a link to the lyrics http://www.eriecanal.org/music.html.

The Erie Canal was completed in 1825 as a means of connecting Lake Erie to the Hudson River and provided much improved transportation between Buffalo and the eastern part of New York.  At one time it was considered one of the “Wonders of the Modern World.”  It was an ambitious project to connect points 363 miles apart with a canal and took nearly 8 years to complete.

Originally 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep, because of its popularity it had to be enlarged only 10 years after its opening.  There was a towpath constructed along the entire route for the mules or horses to pull the barges along the canal.  I was on that towpath today from Macedon to Lockport.  Today the towpath is still used by hikers, cross country skiers, and bicyclists. Mostly it is dirt/gravel, but in a few places, like around Rochester, it is paved. (It would be a great, if not exciting, ride for any of our mountain bike friends like Brad & Gaye)

Scenery along the Towpath

Since it was Saturday, I was surprised that there weren’t a gazillion people on path, but there weren’t.  Other than a huge group of runners that liked to cluster together across the entire route, the path was mostly solitary with an occasional cyclist, or hiker.

Since it was the canal, other than a 100-foot elevation gain at Lockport, and some stairs around another lock, the path is mainly flat.  Seeing some of the really hilly countryside that I went through, it is hard to believe that the route was so level.  There were a few places around a gorge, where concrete channels had to be built to keep the canal level.  The path here had the most severe “rumble strips” of any highway – I’m sure to prevent the horses or mules from slipping on what may have been a wet surface.

It was  a very scenic ride through sometimes pastoral New York, small towns and beautiful woods. 

 Half way up the locks at Lockport 

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.