Messages

1

Routes / Re: Erie Canal Camping

« on: June 30, 2019, 08:19:28 pm »

We just rode Lockport to Syracuse.  You can definitely camp at Lock 30 in Macedon.  You cannot camp at the park in Holley anymore- It is beautiful there so stop for lunch but they no longer allow camping.

2

Routes / Re: Bear Spray necessary on TransAm route?

« on: June 25, 2019, 07:52:57 am »

Yes staeph- I should have clarified that-  you could see Black Bears elsewhere esp in Montana.  We never did.  Thanks,

Margaret

3

Routes / Re: Looking for route to connect to the Katy Trail

« on: June 25, 2019, 06:48:59 am »

This is awesome!  Can't wait to get a better look at these maps after work!  Thank you so much!

Margaret

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Routes / Re: Bear Spray necessary on TransAm route?

« on: June 24, 2019, 08:41:41 pm »

I also and my entire group, never came close to a bear when I did the TransAmerica route.  The only areas that I think that might occur are in the Tetons and in Yellowstone.  Make sure to get all scented things out of your tent though and of course no food.

Margaret

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Routes / Re: Looking for route to connect to the Katy Trail

« on: June 24, 2019, 08:39:39 pm »

Thanks Fred- I am looking in to both of these routes- I will let you know what my thoughts are- Thanks so much!

Margaret

6

Routes / Looking for route to connect to the Katy Trail

« on: June 24, 2019, 02:27:02 pm »

Hi All,  We just finished our second dual family bike trip ( 13 riders, ages 12-65) We did the first one on the GAP and C&O and this one was on the Erie Canal Bike Trail.  I am looking to start planning the next one- for likely next summer.  I am considering the Katy Trail but would like to make it a little longer, now that our kids are a little more seasoned riders.  On the Erie Canal we took a side trip and were off the trail on back roads fairly often so the kids got some experience cycling on real roads.  Does anyone know a good trail to connect to either western or eastern side of Katy Trail? ( it can be on the roads, as long as they are back roads-) Just want to make the trip a little longer-  I have always gotten such excellent advice here- Thanks in advance for anything you can share. 

Margaret ( in Ohio)

7

Routes / Re: Planning Family Trip for next summer need suggestions

« on: July 11, 2018, 12:55:00 pm »

Thank you Eva- I did- In fact I have been using that map- but the measuring tool there is not very good ( at least on my computer) so I am finding it difficult to get a read on mileage.  I may see if the measure tool might work better at the library?  Thank you.

Margaret

8

Routes / Re: Planning Family Trip for next summer need suggestions

« on: July 11, 2018, 12:17:56 pm »

Thanks for the input- I have been researching the Erie Canal Bike Trail and I am finding it frustrating- there is no website that seems to list mileage between towns- or camping sites- I have randomly found camping through the NY state park sites and the Canalway Heritage site- but gees- compared the Katy site the site which has the Erie Bike Trail map is so lame - it only offers limited information on camping and none on servicesin the towns-  I am wondering if there is somewhere to find this information?

Thanks,

Margaret

9

Routes / Re: Planning Family Trip for next summer need suggestions

« on: July 11, 2018, 07:15:20 am »

More great advice- we plan to go for a week or 9 days ( if need be and including travel to the site)  I amleaning towards the Katy as it is so well established-but I am also now looking at the Erie Canal bike trail ( through New York State) because of the weather factor-  I know that June in Missouri could be really hot.  We will need to camp most nights but can do 2-3 hotels/b&b  the issue is that our group is kind of big so it sometimes works better to camp than take over a small b&b. We will have a van for a sag wagon that we usually take turns driving.  On the Mickelson I was concerned about the lack of campsites- which could be an issue on the Erie Canal Trail too-  I need to check it out further.

Thanks for your input!

Margaret

10

Routes / Re: Planning Family Trip for next summer need suggestions

« on: July 02, 2018, 09:49:47 pm »

Thanks Canlligators-  yeah I am looking into the Erie Canal as a back-up- Two of our group have already done it- so that is why I am leaning towards Katy Trail.  Thanks though!

Margaret

11

Routes / Re: Planning Family Trip for next summer need suggestions

« on: June 26, 2018, 09:07:56 pm »

But I did not think the Western New England Greenway was a bike trail that is car free- is it???  I may have it wrong.

Thanks, 
Margaret

12

Routes / Re: Planning Family Trip for next summer need suggestions

« on: June 26, 2018, 11:29:52 am »

Thanks again- Your account of your experiences is really helpful- I am thinking the Katy trail because it is just so well established and may be better suited for families- our youngest kid will be 12 but even then our teenagers are not as tough as I would like!  And they might enjoy the small towns along the way better than the more wilderness route that I would like!

Margaret

13

Routes / Re: Planning Family Trip for next summer need suggestions

« on: June 24, 2018, 02:32:42 pm »

Thank you Bikelicious Babe- Really good info on the Mickelson Trail.  I am so tempted by it because of the scenery-but because we have kids- I am not sure they will take well to a 60 mile day in between campsites- and the  grade sounds much tougher- The nice thing about the GAP was that it was relatively flat and plenty of places to camp The Katy might be better set up for a family because it is so well established- Do you know anything about the Paul Bunyan Trail?  Just making sure to check out all my options before moving ahead with plans-

Thanks so much for your input!

Margaret

14

Routes / Re: Planning Family Trip for next summer need suggestions

« on: June 22, 2018, 07:55:21 pm »

Thanks all for the great ideas-  Looking more into the Paul Bunyan Trail-  Eva- You will LOVE the GAP- It was beautiful and so rideable- we did three days on the GAP and two on the C&0- C&O is not quite as pleasant- but you can ride part of the way on this paved trail that was really nice. We had a great trip.   Let me know how the Katy Trail goes-  I am leaning towards that one I think even though I am tempted by the Mickelson Trail because I want to see the Badlands-  I will get researching now!

Thanks all!

Margaret

15

Routes / Planning Family Trip for next summer need suggestions

« on: June 22, 2018, 10:50:37 am »

Hi All,  I got great advice here for our last family trip.  I am planning a trip for next summer- we are two families, kids ranging from age 12-16.( about 13 riders in all)  We did our last trip on the GAP and C&O and averaged about 40 miles/day.  We are looking for a route which would be at least mostly on a bike trail ( for safety reasons) and I am looking possibilities such as The Katy Trail, The Mikelson Trail, and ? Paul Bunyan Trail in Minnesota, but we would look at other possibilities as well- I am thinking June for the trip.  Any thoughts or other suggestions?  I have searched and read a lot about the Katy Trail but want to check out all possibilities.  We  plan to camp most nights with maybe a hotel or two.  Hoping for a week to 10 day trip. 

Thanks,

Margaret