600 Cyclists Travel from Canajoharie to Schenectady on 400 Mile Tour

Celebrating the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal, Cycle the Erie Canal travels from Buffalo to Albany July 12-20.

BUFFALO, NY – The state’s largest multi-day bike tour traveled 47.5 miles from Canajoharie to Schenectady on Saturday, July 19. Organized by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the 27th annual Cycle the Erie Canal  bike tour brings together cyclists from 37 states between the ages of 8 and 84. 600 cyclists will travel 400 miles from Buffalo to Albany, visiting historic towns along the Erie Canalway Trail. This year, the tour celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal.

Day Seven of Cycle the Erie Canal visited the Schoharie Crossing Historic Site and the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook in Amsterdam, a 2024 Empire State Trail town. Riders continued along the Mohawk River, making afternoon stops at the Pattersonville Volunteer Fire Department, and local businesses like Mabee Farm and Hungry Chicken Country Store.

Amsterdam was selected by PTNY and the New York State Canal Corporation as an Empire State Trail Town.

The Empire State Trail Town Program recognizes and supports New York’s exceptional trailside communities for their demonstrated commitment to improving safety and experience for trail users. The new 2025 Trail Towns include Cylde, Canajoharie, and Cayuga County Canal Communities. As part of this designation, PTNY provides technical assistance to improve the trail user experience and attract more visitors, drive economic growth, and enhance recreation in these communities.

The New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, has partnered with Parks & Trails New York on Cycle the Erie Canal since its inception in 1998. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is the premier heritage sponsor of the event. Ten regional tourism agencies also sponsor the ride.

About Parks & Trails New York

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is New York’s leading statewide advocate for parks, trails, and public lands. Since its founding in 1985, PTNY has fought to improve the health and wellbeing of all New Yorkers through the enjoyment of statewide greenspaces. PTNY is the leading voice for the protection and expansion of New York’s incredible state park system and multi-use trail network, including more than 1,500 miles of greenways, bike paths, and river walks. Learn more at www.ptny.org.