On the Erie Canal Path

Jun 22 - Waterford NY (lock 2) to Amsterdam NY: 47 miles

Along canal path near Schenectady  

It was hot.

We were continually distracted by the canal lock operations - who knew that opening, closing, filling, opening, emptying, opening... over and over would be so fascinating.  

And it was gorgeous : sunny, light breeze, a view over the Hudson-Mohawk confluence, happy smiling boaters, AND power outlets to charge all our electronics. Then a short tour of the town of Waterford was needed, as our late arrival the night before meant we haven't had an opportunity to look around yet.

It was very difficult to leave.

Net out- we didn't leave until after 11am.

This was supposed to be a big day. The plan was to get to Lock 15 in Fort Plain, where the next official boater/biker camping was available. Somehow I determined this to be about 50 miles, but it was supposed to be flat, following the Erie Canal bike path, and so easy navigation - very doable. 

The bike path very quickly left the canal to go through Cohoes NY with questionable signage, but we happily took the wrong route and ended up at Cohoes Falls and then a grocery store to grab lunch (ice cream for me). So far about 2 miles down, so not great progress and now it's past noon. 

I rejoin the path in the wrong direction for a couple miles while Heather climbs a hill, following Google directions. Our misadventures land us back together at exactly the same place we started at the cycle path entrance behind the grocery store. 

Now fully oriented, and still undaunted, we set off again.  

It doesn't take long for the path to return back to canal side, with rolling hills, green grass and occasional glorious views across the Mohawk River. It winds past Knolls nuclear lab, and GE research, and there are badge wearing professionals out in force for midday walks. I'm thinking, I don't miss that at all, but if I had to, this looks like a great place to be. The facilities are enormous and stunning, as is the setting.

I helped out a fellow cyclist in need with one of my spare tubes, and after that things started to go slightly off the rails. Signage for the trail through Schenectady was sketchy, asking for directions was fruitless, so we had to keep stopping to break out the phone and check where to go next. 

The path leaving Schenectady eventually ended, leaving us on route 5S with hot Tarmac, big rolling hills, and trucks passing by. Not a big deal, but it's hot, and there's still a long ways to go, and no more places to get water!

The path starts again in Amsterdam NY, where a stop to confirm remaining distance reveals another 27 miles to go, and my trip odometer already reads 47, and it's nearing 5pm. Enough. Amsterdam is going to be it for today.

Options: stealth camp or motel? Motel.

Motels were all located at the I-90 intersection, and of course the cycle path through Amsterdam is at water level but I-90 is not!! Only one last big climb to go and I am NOT going to walk my bike.

So finally, we get to do laundry, we eat out at the only restaurant that seemed to be open on a Monday, and our waitress wins $1100 in the NY lottery.  We didn't see her again after that.

A good day.