The (E)erie Canal

June 28, 2014

Holley, New York

While planning this trip I learned a little bit about the Erie Canal and the amazing engineering feat it was to dig a 500-mile waterway to connect Lake Erie and Lake Huron with the Hudson River and beyond. The towpath beside the canal is now a state non-motorized trail. I expected it to be one of the highlights of my ride, but now, after only 35 miles or so, I'm afraid I am going to have to admit that . . . I WAS RIGHT!

Immediately I drew comparisons to the Hennepin Canal trail that I rode for a day back in Illinois. Really, there is no comparison. This trail is better-surfaced and more scenic, there are towns along it--charming, historic towns--and there are a lot more people using it. I like talking to people who are proud of their little towns, who promote the value of a trail like this, and who just want to know more about what the hell you are doing riding your bike so far.

A typical view of the Erie Canal and its trail.

A typical lift bridge at the town of Gasport.

A not-so-typical waterfall that was visible from the trail.

Several of the towns have locks, most of them have draw-bridges over the canal, and a few of them have free hiker/biker/boater campsites. That's why I am in Holley tonight--free camping. And that's where I met Dennis and Dave.

Dennis is approximately 65-70 years of age, jovial, gray-bearded, semi-retired, fun-loving, and, I'm just guessing here, somewhat of a hippy holdover from the 60's. But a sensible hippy--no love beads or flowers in his hair. Dave, who is Dennis's son-in-law, has the same fun-loving quality but slightly less of a free-spirit attitude.

They had ridden their bikes here from Brockport and they were going to spend two nights at this site. They live on the canal and they vacation on the canal, and they like it. After introducing ourselves, they told me--they didn't ask me--they TOLD me I was going to join them for dinner.

While I set up my tent, they rode into town and picked up eight ears of corn and about five pounds of chicken thighs and charcoal. They also bought ice, a big bottle of vodka, and two liters of ginger ale.

Along came two other bikers, a father and his recently graduated son. They had just completed their first day of riding on their way to Maine. They, too, were ordered to join the feast.

I insisted on doing the grilling, not only because in my own mind I am a grill-master, but also because I felt like I should do SOMETHING in return for their generosity. The food turned out great and we partied like I haven't done since my college days. It was so much fun.

The free camping area in Holley--before the party got rolling.

The father/son cycling team. They were great guys who showed more restraint than Dennis, Dave and me.

Darkness, except for the lights of the Holley drawbridge. I thought it would be a real cool picture when I took it. Now, when I can see it isn't all that cool, I decided to post it anyway.

Today's ride: 39 miles (63 km)
Total: 1,250 miles (2,012 km)

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Keith KleinHey Greg!

I have finally gotten around to reading your journal about your MN to MA tour. You went right through the places where I grew up. Before I moved to MN, I mean. I see that the town where I went to high school, Madison OH, didn't rate a mention. It's OK, there's not much there. And what little there is has probably changed a lot since last I saw it. I was born in Buffalo, and believe me, it's nicer now than it was then. Waiting for the rest.

Cheers,

Keith
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6 years ago

Gregory GarceauTo Keith KleinHi Keith,

I was glad to see a couple of your journals appear on this site this morning. I immediately became a "follower."

Yeah, I don't really remember much about Madison--probably because I was still steaming after getting a little lost in Perry, of all places. I do remember thinking it would be amazing to run into a guy I met at a corporate training a long time ago who was from Madison, even though I couldn't remember his name or what he looked like. Maybe you knew him, but I guess we'll never know.

Since you lived in Buffalo, I'll tell you a story I left out of my journal. As I was working my way to the Peace Bridge, I started seeing throngs of people walking in steady streams. I followed them to a big park where there was a big movie screen set up. I thought it kind of strange that so many people would be going to see a movie in a park in the morning hours of a weekday. At the park I asked somebody what was going on and I learned they were showing the USA-Germany soccer match. The USA had made a fairly deep run in the World Cup that year and there was a lot of enthusiasm. I didn't stick around, but I realized soccer was a much bigger thing in the northeast than it is in the midwest.

Greg
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6 years ago