New website for planning Erie Canalway bike trips

Parks & Trails New York, a statewide non-profit organization, has launched a new website dedicated to the Erie Canalway Trail, a cross-state route between Buffalo and Albany along the legendary Erie Canal. The website url is www.ptny.org/bikecanalAt the heart of the new website is an interactive map that features the Canalway Trail route and outstanding sightseeing stops. In addition to museums, historic sites, and parks, the map shows lodging, bike shops, and services such as dining, convenience stores, ATMs, pharmacies, and hardware stores. Restrooms, parking areas, and handicapped accessible trailheads are also included. Not just for cyclists “The website is an indispensable resource for dedicated cyclists planning to bike across the state or the casual rider looking to take the family out for a couple of hours,” says Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York. “But the easy-to-use site is not just for cyclists. Walkers, boaters and auto travelers who want to get out and enjoy the trail and the attractions along the way will also find it useful.”Users can first view the entire Canalway Trail, from Buffalo to Albany, then zoom in for more detail. They can pan or scroll through the entire route, choose a specific region to explore, or find the location of a particular attraction, lodging establishment or bike shop by selecting it from the database. Each point of interest features a link for more information.A special feature allows users to create personalized itineraries. Additional features include a distance calculator so users can map out their route and know the exact distance they will cover and a locator map so that users always know where they are along the trail route. Erie Canalway Trail – one of the nation’s premier multi-use trailsAbout 250 miles of the 350-mile Erie Canalway Trail route are off-road, making it one of the nation’s premier cycling and multi-use trail destinations. The Trail follows both active and historic sections of the Erie Canal, the legendary inland waterway that played a key role in turning NewYork State into a preeminent center for commerce, industry, and finance and New York City into a major port. “Cycling the Erie Canal provides the same experience one can find along European canals but, given today’s weak dollar and expensive airfare, at a much more reasonable cost. Plus the Erie Canal corridor is extremely rich in history and culture, as well as good services.”