Erie Canalway Paddling EventUpcoming recreational events offer opportunities to explore the NYS Canal System and Empire State Trail

Waterford, NY – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is inviting New Yorkers to get outside this summer to trace history and track miles for the Canalway Challenge. The Challenge is free and welcomes people of all ages and abilities to set a personal mileage goal and walk, run, cycle, or paddle on the New York State Canal System and Empire State Trail to achieve it. A full lineup of recreational events offers numerous opportunities for people to get involved. 

“Canalway Challenge events are a great way to get going and experience the waterway that transformed America. Whether you are looking to be more active, see more of the Empire State, or enjoy quality time with family and friends, the Canalway Challenge offers a summer of fun and adventure,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor.

Participating in the Canalway Challenge is easy and free. Participants register online and chooseErie Canalway Cycling Event a mileage goal, track their miles over the course of the summer, and upload a photo when they finish. They may log miles on their own or at an event. Finishers receive a certificate, bandana, and mileage decal. Find details and signup: www.canalwaychallenge.com

EVENTS BY REGION 

These events are supported in part by grants from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the NYS Canal Corporation. Registration and additional details are available from event hosts. 

Greater Capital Region and Eastern New York 

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Albany 

JUNE 23   >>   C.H. EVANS BREWING COMPANY  >>  ALBANY 

Join the Historic Albany Foundation, Discover Albany, the Albany Ale Project, and the Erie Canal Museum for this hourlong cycling tour followed by a sampling of local brews at C.H. Evans Brewing Company. 

Albany & the Erie Canal: A Skyway Tour 

JULY 17, 11AM  >>  ALBANY 

Take a historic Erie Canal walking tour on the newly opened downtown Albany Skyway. $15/person. Registration required. Hosted by Discover Albany.

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Schenectady 

JULY 21 >> druthers brewing company  >>  schenectady 

Join the Schenectady County Historical Society and the Erie Canal Museum for this hour-long cycling tour through Schenectady followed by a sampling of local brews at Druthers Brewing Company. 

Greater Syracuse and Central New York 

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Port Byron/Weedsport 

JULY 7   >>   LUNKENHEIMER CRAFT BREWING  >>  weedsport 

Join the Canal Society of New York and the Erie Canal Museum for this hour-long cycling tour of the historic Erie Canal in Cayuga County followed by a sampling of local brews at Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing. 

Oswego Paddlefest 

JULY 16   >>   H. LEE WHITE MARITIME MUSEUM  >>  oswego 

Join 400 paddlers to experience the unique beauty of the Oswego Canal by “locking through” four canal locks and paddling from Fulton or Minetto to the historic Oswego Harbor. 

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Onondaga Lake 

AUGUST 4   >>   MEIER'S CREEK BREWING  >>  SYRACUSE 

Join the Erie Canal Museum for this hour-long cycling tour around Syracuse's Inner Harbor and Onondaga Lake followed by a sampling of local brews at Meier's Creek Brewing. 

Paddle the Canal: ON the Erie 

AUGUST 6   >>   BALDWINSVILLE TO ONONDAGA LAKE PARK 

Paddle the scenic Erie Canal/Seneca River through Lock 24 to Willow Bay on Onondaga Lake on this guided half-day trip. Hosted by Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. 

TRAID on the Trails: Dewitt 

AUGUST 17, KIRK PARK, SEPTEMBER 17, CREEKWALK/EMPIRE STATE TRAIL   >>   DEWITT 

Try out adaptive cycles and connect with others in the inclusive recreation community. A popup adaptive sport/recreation session in conjunction with Syracuse Parks paves the way for the main TRAID on the Trails day on Sept. 17. 

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Utica 

AUGUST 18   >>   BAGG'S SQUARE BREWING COMPANY >> UTICA 

Join the Oneida County Historical Center and the Erie Canal Museum for this hour-long cycling tour around Utica followed by a sampling of local brews at Bagg's Square Brewing Company. 

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Syracuse 

SEPTEMBER 1   >>   ERIE CANAL MUSEUM  >>  SYRACUSE 

Join the Erie Canal Museum and Talking Cursive Brewing Company for this hour-long cycling tour through Syracuse followed by a sampling of local brews at Talking Cursive. 

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Seneca Falls 

SEPTEMBER 15   >>   START: SENECA MUSEUM OF WATERWAYS AND INDUSTRY; END: WT BREWS 

Join the Seneca Falls Museum of Waterways and Industry and the Erie Canal Museum for this hour-long cycling tour around Seneca Falls followed by a sampling of local brews at WT Brews. 

Greater Rochester and Western New York 

1st Mile/Next Mile on the Erie Canal 

KICKOFF: JUNE 19, MEET-UPS: 6/30, 7/21, 8/11 & 8/25   >>   FAIRPORT 

Try out adaptive and standard cycling and paddling equipment for an inclusive recreation experience. Continue weekly with a Thursday group paddle/ride.  

Reimagining the Canals by Bike 

AUGUST 1, SEPTEMBER 12, OCTOBER 15, BUFFALO; AUGUST 27, LOCKPORT 

Hop on your bike to explore the unique heritage, recreational assets, and local businesses surrounding the Erie Canal in western New York during this series of four bicycling programs.  

Color Wayne 

SEPTEMBER 3   >>   ERIE SHORE LANDING, NEWARK 

Join the fun at this 2-mile disability awareness color run/walk on the Erie Canalway Trail. Hosted by ARC Wayne.

Roc the River Ride 

SEPTEMBER 17   >>   GENESEE VALLEY PARK, ROCHESTER 

Explore Rochester’s history and natural beauty on a bicycle ride along the scenic Erie Canalway and Genesee Riverway Trails.  


ABOUT THE ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR
Nearly 200 years after its construction, the Erie Canal remains an iconic symbol of American ingenuity and determination. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor preserves our extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York.
 

www.eriecanalway.org

 

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IMAGES

  • Paddlers on the Erie Canal
  • Cyclists on the Empire State Trail

Both images courtesy Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

Contact: Jean Mackay, Director of Communications; 518-925-6721 (mobile); jean_mackay@partner.nps.gov