Biking from Utica to Rome - New York, that is
Trip Start
Jun 22, 2010
1
6
12
Trip End
Ongoing
Utica, New York
Thursday, July 29, 2010
In my search for new and exciting - but flat - places to bike, I missed this section of the Erie Canalway on my previous jaunts out that way. I can't remember why though. And it was unfortunate because I thought this section was fantastic. Plus today was a beautiful day - not too hot, a nice breeze, sunshine, etc.
On the trip out there were very few people: I met a runner just ending his run as I started out. He wished me a good ride and said that it was windy going out but nice coming back. True. Then a while into my hike I noticed a swimmer in the canal with his black dog on shore and neatly folded clothes with wide-rimmed panama hat next to the trail. I met a woman cycling more than half way through my ride and then at the very end a couple were starting their ride. Of course, it was hard to tell when the path was ending. I had a map that showed the Canalway continued across the river into Rome but the woman cyclist who lives in Rome says she has never seen it. There were several other places along the way where I puzzled over where the trail went because there didn't seem to be any signs pointing the way. That's my gripe, but the path had a lot of things going for it for sure.
On the way back, I lost count of the people that I saw. I guess a lot more people come out after work - cyclists, runners, walkers and one guy who was lying on a bench doing weights. I have never seen that before, but why not?
The most notable feature of this section is its proximity to the canal. It runs for most of its distance either next to the current Erie Barge Canal or some canal-like body of water filled with trees and algae - very photogenic in the dappled light. There were many long sections shaded by trees. I saw some rabbits and unidentified birds and heard frogs. That was it for wildlife.
One thing though....you can't really get away from the sounds of cars...or trains...or trucks. There are highways running along sections of the path or over it. I heard a large train at least twice. Then, I began to think....This river corridor has been a major center of transportation for ages. First we had the river, we had some roads of sorts, then the canal (interestingly here, at one crossing the canal is bigger than the Mohawk River), then trains were the major big trasnporters, now trucks and cars. AND bicycles. So even though I might like the quiet of a more wilderness experience, riding my bike and being a part of this whole, huge transportation phenomenon is kind of cool.
I took a video of a pleasure boat coming through Lock 20, saw some kayakers, and a barge, some dredgers I think. There was all sorts of stuff going on. And of course there were wildflowers - the usual varieties: Queen Anne's lace, chicory, buttercups, milkweed and some bright red flowers near the green-algaed water.
I took a long time going out and then, once I started back, I felt something bump into my back and I reached back, touched something and then it was gone. I inventoried my stuff and thought I had everything....it must have been a branch. I thought about riding back to doublecheck but decided not to. After biking some distance....more than I would have wanted....I realized that I was batting flies around my head....around my hair....where was my helmet? Oh, yeah, that was the mystery stick. So I had to ride back - it seemed like ages - but luckily there it was. I put it back on my head so I wouldn't lose it again. I missed that light, cooler feeling I had without it though.
So a very lovely ride indeed.
