Registration Now Open for the 17th Annual Cycle the Erie Canal Tour

For immediate release: February 13, 2015

Registration is now open for the seventeenth annual Cycle the Erie Canal tour – an unforgettable opportunity to bike across New York State and experience one of the most scenic and historic trails and waterways in America. The eight-day, 400-mile recreational bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany is sponsored by Parks and Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation.

From July 12 through 19, participating riders will experience one of the longest trails in America as they pedal through historic canal villages and discover the small-town charm of canal communities in upstate New York. Along the way, canal historians and local experts will introduce participants to the iconic people, places and things that make the Erie Canal so unique and so important to the history of New York State and the nation. With three-quarters of the route off-road on flat and traffic-free sections of the Canalway Trail, the tour offers unparalleled cycling for all ages and abilities.

"The Canal Corporation is proud to be a major sponsor of the seventeenth annual Cycle the Erie Canal tour," said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. "The Erie Canal and Erie Canalway Trail are proven to be economic engines for New York. Under Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York has made remarkable progress since 2011 in closing the gaps along the Canalway Trail, with more than 32 miles of new and/or rehabilitation trail completed, planned or underway."

"Summer in New York State isn't complete without a bike tour along the Erie Canal! Cycle the Erie Canal is truly a great ride and we are excited to share this beautiful and historic region of New York State with riders from across the country and around the world," said Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York Robin Dropkin.

Last year, the 2014 Cycle the Erie Canal tour drew a total of 500 riders, ranging from ages 9 through 90, from 34 states as well as Australia, Canada and Israel.

The $675 registration fee for this year's 2015 Cycle the Erie Canal event includes:

• Camping accommodations each evening with restrooms and showers
• Eight hearty breakfasts and six delicious dinners
• Two refreshment stops stocked with fruit, snacks and beverages
• Baggage transport
• Daily cue sheets and marked routes
• Historical presentations and entertainment
• Guided tours of the Canal, historic sites, museums and other attractions

Cyclists under 18 enjoy a special half-price rate of $375. Non-cycling participants and children ages five and under can register for $150.

There are also options for interested cyclists who are unable to ride the duration of the tour. Riders are able to purchase a four-day pass that can be used from Buffalo to Syracuse and from Syracuse to Albany. Additionally, two-day weekend options are available from Buffalo to Fairport and from Canajoharie to Albany.

Other sponsors of Cycle the Erie Canal include Heritage Sponsor Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and Leading Sponsors CSEA, Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners, I Love NY and Wegmans.

For more information on this year's Cycle the Erie Canal tour, please call Parks & Trails New York at (518) 434-1583 or visit www.ptny.org/canaltour.

About the New York State Canal Corporation

The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles, the waterways link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, Niagara River and Lake Erie with communities rich in history and culture. For more information about the New York State Canal System, vacation opportunities and events call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.ny.gov.

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Contact

Shane Mahar
shane.mahar@thruway.ny.gov
Office of Media Relations and Communications
(518) 471-5300

Robin Dropkin
Parks & Trails NY
(518) 434-1583