Erie Canal - Brockport to Weedsport

 Thursday, 12 May 2022 - Brockport to Bushnell's Basin (31.4 miles)

We rode from Brockport through Adams Basin, Spencerport, the outskirts of Rochester, and Pittsford to Bushnell's Basin. Lilacs were in full bloom, Rochester was in the midst of their annual Lilac Festival, and the International Lilac Society was holding their annual meeting in the Hampton Inn where we spent the night.

One of several "control structures" (dams that can be raised and lowered) used to regulate water depth and flow in the Canal.

A panoramic view of the Canal and the Genesee River where they meet in Rochester's Genesee Valley Park. We got somewhat confused by all the bridges and stream crossings in this area.

To say that Canada geese are not endangered is an understatement. All along the trail we saw lots of the "new generation". Once or twice geese got aggressive to trail travelers as they defended their space.

Another, somewhat smaller, goose family at the same spot (Curtis Point in Genesee Valley Park).

Friday, 13 May 2022 - Bushnell's Basin to Newark (26 miles)

A short day of riding from Bushnell's Basin through Fairport, Macedon, Palmyra, and Port Gibson to Newark.

All sorts of watercraft use the canal. In Fairport we saw several competitive rowers practicing.

We paused to watch the Sam Patch cruise by on its way to Pittsford to start the season.

The Sam Patch is a replica canal packet boat that operates out of Pittsford from late May through October.

Lock 30 on the modern canal near Macedon.

At Lock 30, we could walk across the lock gate.

The Aldrich Change Bridge in Palmyra-Macedon Aqueduct County Park has had a colorful history. Originally built in 1858 to span the Erie Canal in Rochester, it had been relocated twice (1880 and 1915) when it collapsed in an ice storm in 1996. Volunteers relocated and restored the bridge in 2002-2003. A "change bridge" was designed to let mules towing barges to change sides of the canal without having to unhook their tow ropes from the barge. Designed by noted bridge designer Squire Whipple, it is one of the earliest iron truss bridges.

A magnificent redbud in the gardens at Vintage Gardens B&B in Newark. While the grounds have shrunk considerably (although still substantial) this B&B was the original home of Jackson & Perkins - the rose growers now located in California.

Saturday, 14 May 2022 - Newark to Weedsport (34.1 miles)

As we rode from Newark to Weedsport, we passed through Lyons, Clyde, Savannah, Montezuma, and Port Byron. Between Clyde and Port Byron, we had one of the longest on-road sections - about 16 miles.

Much of today's ride followed the old, no longer used, Erie Canal. The modern canal follows a different path, mostly to the south. The photo above is of the old E54 lock between Lyons and Clyde.

The Centerport Aqueduct, just outside Weedsport, as seen from the old canal bed.

A view of the Centerport Aqueduct from the trail (along the right edge of the canal in the previous photo). The stone pillars held the towpath, while the horizontal stone "beams" held up a wooden trough that was waterproofed to hold the canal waters. Two or three of these old aqueducts have been restored and are used by tourist boats.