Biking Branches Out Big Time
For those of you who feel that biking around the city is fun, but you're ready to go further, check out this new site dedicated to taking a trip along the Erie Canal. The idea always sounded like a lot of fun, and a bit scary at the same time. Where do you start? Of course you start at either end of the canal, which means that at some point you're going to be cruising through Buffalo.
Just think of the marketing implications involved with this route. The website, Cycling The Erie Canal, gives trip planners insight as to where to stay along the way. It also points out where to eat, shop, explore, find restrooms and information, and it even points out the local bike shops. The map is interactive and should take care of any and all problems when it comes to traveling the canal safely and efficiently.
Close to 250 miles of the 350-mile Erie Canalway Trail route are off-road - hopefully with the help of a recent bill drafted by Assemblyman Sam Hoyt and signed by the Governor, Buffalo will soon be able to chisel away at that figure. The $39,000,000 state fund will be instrumental when it comes to 'design, construction, land acquisition or ancillary uses for bicycle and pedestrian paths'.
Can you imagine if there was a bike museum somewhere in downtown Buffalo? If we could somehow figure out how to get the Pedaling History Bike Museum downtown, Buffalo really could become the bike capital of the US (see background here). It's not that far fetched, it's just a matter of getting everyone on the same page... or map.
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PaulBuffalo
This is a great story. Does Buffalo have a yearly long-distance bicycle race? If not, why not? The distance from Buffalo to Niagara Falls is ideal for such a race.
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chris_h_23
Cycling is a very popular sport here in Buffalo and I think it would be great to see an annual bicycle race for local and not local competitors. There are plenty of routes available for such a race and I am sure that the local bicycle clubs would help organize and promote such an event. I would be willing to help in an event like this.
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PaulBuffalo
A Buffalo marathon could be combined with a bicycle race. Start the bicycle race first, wait an hour, then begin the marathon. I'm sure these activities would generate regional interest.
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orlanmon
Borough race through Buffalo and maybe some surronding towns and villages would be a interesting event. In the past they they have hosted criteriums downtown in the Cobblestone district but a long distance race would definetly be interesting to a wider spectrum of onlookers.
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11111inBlo
Does Buffalo have an annual local race? Yes but much more then annual. The Buffalo Bicycle Club (www.buffalobicycling.com) has races almost every weekend and they just started their criterium series at ECC North (had been at UB for many years until this year). In fact the New York State Road Racing Championship was just held in the Buffalo Area this past weekend Buffalo Photo CD has some good pictures on this.
Also, the empire state games I think is going on right now and the Western (aka Buffalo) region won gold last year and tends to be the team to beat every year.
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BuffaloTshirts
This cycling site launch couldnt have come at a better time. Planning this trip-Albany to Buffalo-for mid-August with my brothers. http://bflotees.blogspot.com/2008/06/buffalo-t-shirts-hits-erie-canal.html Can't wait to check out the festivals and good eats along the way.
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regurge
Paulbuffalo and chrish23. Despite that this is being written while the worlds best bikers are across the pond beating the hell outta each other in the mountains, most bike rides aren't races. Other than I bet I can beat you to that pub in such and such town,( lets say 75 miles away). There is a ride to Albany every year starting on the weekend of the 4th every year, you can get info at campus wheelworks. That is a slow go with all levels of riders welcome. Some camp it some go "credit card touring". It is actually a big deal in the touring world, Grant Petersen, the owner of Rivendell bikes, mentioned it the last time ablejack talked to him. His company is in California.
This year would have been the 8th annual Cobblestone Criterium which was a short race around that area. Pros from all over and local-loco novices would ride it on the fourth of July. Sadly the ball was dropped this year, maybe I'll try to get a grass roots campaign to bring it back for next. Grass roots cause I aint got no money.
The Brothers Courtney are organizing the 1st annual Tour de Farce this August. [previous thread mentions it actually.] It's Like the canal ride that Campus does but backwards, more 'stealth camping', and fueled by Corn-dogs, candy apples, cotton candy, and probably beer. It is just the brothers this year but there are riders a plenty already getting ready for next August. They have great riding sweaters. The trip should be well blogged on many a touring site.
And regarding touring sites here are a couple to get you started... bikelist.org bikely.com
Happy trails everyone, keep your helmeted heads up and you your lights on.
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chris_h_23
That is good to know...we are just getting into cycling and was unsure if the local groups let newbies participate and or join their clubs.
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