ALBANY, NY (05/21/2008)(readMedia)--

The New York State Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails NY today reminded cyclists to register for the tenth annual Cycling the Erie Canal, a 400-mile bicycling tour from Buffalo to Albany scheduled for July 6-13, 2008.

The eight-day recreational bicycling tour will help highlight the beauty, history, culture and recreational appeal of the Canal System and the Canalway Trail, a prime tourism destination in New York State. Riders of all abilities and ages are encouraged to sign up for this exciting and scenic tour.

Over 500 cyclists, representing 39 states, participated in last year’s event. Roughly one-third of the participants were from New York State.

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the Canal Corporation said, “As we gear up for the Tenth Anniversary of the Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour, there is much to celebrate as this annual event has grown tremendously throughout the years. The Canalway Trail has also experienced significant growth during the past decade and is a premier recreational, tourism and economic resource to New York State. The Canal Corporation is pleased to once again partner with Parks & Trails NY to sponsor the tenth annual Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour.”

Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, organizer of the event, said, “Cycling the Erie Canal is a great way to see New York and to experience the fascinating history of the Erie Canal. Plus it’s fun – you meet interesting people from all over the country.”

The registration fee is $520 and includes: camping accommodations every evening with showers and toilet facilities; eight breakfasts and six dinners; two refreshment stops daily stocked with fruit, snacks and beverages; entertainment and historical presentations each evening; guided tours of the Canal, historic sites, museums, and other attractions; T-shirt and water bottle; sag wagon and mobile mechanical support; baggage transport; daily maps and cue sheets; and marked routes. A shuttle will be available at the beginning of the ride to transport riders and their bicycles to Buffalo.

Two weekend ride options also are available, from Buffalo to Rochester/Pittsford on July 5-7, 2008, and from Canajoharie to Albany on July 11-13, 2008.

The New York State Canalway Trail System is comprised of a network of more than 260 miles of existing multi-use, recreational trails across upstate New York. When complete, the Erie Canalway Trail will be 348 miles in length connecting the Hudson River to Lake Erie.

The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.

For more information on Cycling the Erie Canal, email eriecanaltour@ptny.org or visit www.ptny.org/canaltour, or call Parks & Trails NY at 518-434-1583.

The Canal Corporation is a proud supporter of the 2009 Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, a year long celebration designed to commemorate 400 years of progress in the Empire State.

The Canal Corporation is a proud supporter of the 2009 Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, a year long celebration designed to commemorate 400 years of progress in the Empire State.

For more information regarding events, recreation and vacation opportunities along the Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

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Posted Wednesday May 21, 2008 at 11:42 am by New York State Canal Corporation