Erie Canalway – Day 6 – Rochester to Weedsport

We met outside the hotel at 6:45 to get an early start before the day got too hot, but it was already 26° and humid. We had about a 6 km ride back to where we left the trail yesterday and fortunately the roads weren’t as busy as when we arrived two days ago.

Here we are at the trail.

The sky was somewhat overcast most of the day which was a relief.

The trail is here is on a little spit of land.

We stopped very briefly in Pittsford, 10 km into the ride, where they have a little shelter, canal boat tours, and also several places to get coffee, ice cream, meals, and groceries. Pittsford has a bike store, but it has been closed the last couple times I’ve been there. There is also ample free parking, so if one wanted to do a day trip, along the very pleasant section of the Erie Canalway, from Pittsford to Fairport or Spencerport, it’s easy to do. Last year Michael and I rode from Pittsford to Fairport.

I’ve seen a number of canal boats with bicycles on them.

This is another one of the guard gates, which are used for flood prevention.

We made much better time today finishing our first 25 km in Fairport before 830. The coffee shop right on the trail wasn’t open yet so we went one block up the street to Clementine Coffee. The population of Fairport is only 5500 but they have quite a few businesses.

This section of the trail was somewhat rough, but was often shaded, as we were often shaded over the entire day while we were on the trail. Some areas were shadier than others.

We stopped for lunch just after 11 in Newark. The restaurant is run by The Arc, an “organization that supports people with and without intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families”. There were people being supported by the organization working in the kitchen. The food was good. We met a couple cyclists who started in Buffalo yesterday morning and will be finishing the entire 360 mile trail in 3 1/2 days. I would love to be able to ride that much, but I would miss out on all the sightseeing we do.

I love this colourful mosaic named “They called me Sal“ of a mule that used to pull the canal boats.

The trail passes very close to this very unwelcoming message and flashing lights and an alarm went off when I came to a stop to take a picture.

Riding into Clyde, the trail just turned into a bumpy grassy track, which we left a bit early to find this very deserted street. We ended up at the gas station for ice cream, cold drinks, and water bottle refills.

After enjoying the trail with lots of shade, we had to travel 22 km along Highway 31. The temperature climbed to 33° with humidity that made it feel like 38°. We also encountered some of the hardest hills of the trip so far. They weren’t very bad, except for the fact that they came at nearly 100km, during the hottest part of the day. Here we are taking a break partway up one of those hills.

We mostly had a very wide shoulder that allowed us to ride two abreast, somewhat protected from motor vehicle traffic by a rumble strip, but it did narrow in places.

Port Byron had a lovely mural at their main intersection.

Shortly thereafter, we were able to get back on the trail for the last few kilometres and passed this pastoral scene.

As we cycled into Weedsport, where we are are staying at the Red Roof Inn, I noticed a craft brewing company called Lunkenheimer.

We were all very happy to end the ride and check in. Unfortunately, our rooms are on the second floor, and there is no elevator. But there is a room we could lock the bikes in behind the laundry area. Our bikes are incredibly dusty from the trail in a way we’ve never encountered on limestone screening trails at home. It was all I could do to carry my panniers up the stairs, and I left one at the bottom and carried one partway up. An employee came and took one from me and when I came up with a second, tried to take that one as well. It was very much appreciated.

Our friend Yvon, formerly of Brampton, is in Auburn on business, which is only a short distance south of Weedsport, so he drove up to join us for dinner. He said he would drive us anywhere in his car, but I suggested we just go to the craft brewery because it was close by. The menu was limited to pizza and craft beer. We had a fun dinner with Yvon, but didn’t linger.

Tomorrow will be another hot day, but we only have to ride 43 km to Syracuse. We hope to get out early to beat the forecasted thunderstorms, and do a little touring by foot when we get there.