Why Did We Bicycle the Erie Canal?

Why Bike the Erie Canal?

Bicycling the Erie Canal wasn't at the top of our list when Doug and I started planning a bicycle tour. Our first tour together was an epic journey from Munich, Germany to Venice, Italy in 2022 — and we knew it would be hard to top that route for scenery and the diversity that comes from cycling through three countries.

We considered a few routes in Europe including Italy, Germany, Austria, Croatia, and Portugal. But due to some timing constraints, we decided on somewhere in the US, and eventually the Erie Canal became our choice.

What made the Erie Canal particularly appealing was how forgiving it is as a route. You can wing it. Book accommodations day-of, stop wherever looks interesting, and let the trail lead you. After meticulously planned European tours, that freedom was exactly what we were looking for.

History of the Erie Canal

The Erie Canal is a historic waterway that connects the Great Lakes to New York City via the Hudson River. It was built between 1817 and 1825 and was the longest artificial waterway in North America at the time.

It was the first canal in the United States to connect the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean — a major public works project and engineering marvel that transformed American commerce and westward expansion.

New York's canal system has been in continuous operation since 1825 — longer than any other constructed transportation system on the North American continent. Over the years it has been enlarged three times to accommodate larger boats and more traffic.

Today, pleasure boats, kayaks, canoes, and commercial vessels share the waterway — not to mention bicycles that take advantage of the two paths adjacent to the water. The canal that once powered the American economy now powers adventure.

Learn more about the Erie Canal →