New York State Bike Routes vs. ACA Northern Tier?

[Absurdity]

Hi all. I was wondering if anybody had any experience with the new york state bike routes. I'm planning to bike to chicago in June and I live in the hudson valley just north of NYC. Route 17 runs the southern tier of New York and is probably the most convenient, but I could also take route 9 up north, which could either connect to route 5 to go west or all the way up to ticonderoga to connect with the northern tier route. Has anybody biked the state routes? I like the idea of just following one road, which would simplify things. If it gets too hilly, I have no qualms about getting off and walking. I just want to take things leisurely and enjoy things.

[dkoloko]

I do not recommend the New York State bike routes. They maybe useful for plotting general direction, but follow too much main roads. Both Rt 17 and Rt 9 are busy. Your idea of staying on one road simplifies things, is how these routes were designed way they are. I was told, following main roads, they were easiest to plot. Suggest you follow county roads and possibly suitable town roads .

[lars3]

I'll be riding across NY in a few weeks and will probably take the Erie Canal trail from Albany to Buffalo, have you looked into this route? I haven't gotten a copy of the official new york erie canal trail guide, but it looks like a relatively safe way to get across the state, not to mention beautiful and relatively free of excessive climbs.

[Absurdity]

You know that route did look neat, but I think I'm just going to go with Route 17 since it's more convenient for me and I can visit some friends in Binghamton on the way. Let me know how your trip goes afterwords and I'll let you know how mine goes?

[leonardo7]

I did the Erie Canal trail from Lockport east to Palmyra before heading north to Sodus Point. I left the ACA route just after Oswego to head north back home to Canada.  The canal section was easy & stress free. Some video from my trip can be found on my youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/leonardo747?feature=guide

[lars3]

I tried following the Erie Canal trail using the map the NY State parks and canals department sells and it was terrible. It was the worst map I've ever used. I eventually just gave up and basically followed RT20 and occasionally some parallel roads. You were wise to avoid using the trail.

Caveat: The trail was pretty nice from just east of Syracuse to about Lockport, but I thought the rest was a waste of time compared to mapping on my phone and using the road.

[cdavey]

I've ridden Route 17 from Corning west to its terminus at Barcelona (with a detour through Hornell and back by way of NY 21). With one exception, it has a wide shoulder for most of that distance that keeps you several feet away from the passing cars. The exception is at Celeron west of Jamestown where you have about 3 miles of two lane traffic each way with a concrete curb that blocks any possibility of an escape route. Not for the faint of heart.

The route is busy in a number of places. I found that after 3-4 days I was getting really annoyed by the incessant noise of traffic passing me. But I never felt unsafe except for the stretch at Celeron.

The only grade of major size is at Norton Summit west of Wellsville.

I wouldn't hesitate to ride it again.