Author Topic: Northern tier #10 Maps 126-127 To Avoid Canada Alternate  (Read 9183 times)

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Offline rwinot25

Northern tier #10 Maps 126-127 To Avoid Canada Alternate
« on: July 31, 2019, 12:22:48 pm »
I am sitting here today with sometime  on my hands reviewing my up coming route. The Northern Tier route goes into Canada near Niagra Falls. I did not realize  this before. I do not possess a passport. Is there an alternative route that will keep me in the U.S?

Google maps shows 2 alternatives
1- north from Peace Bridge on rt 266 along the Niagra River to rt 31 that then goes to Lockport
2
2-RT 5 Main St Buffalo northeast  on surface streets to the University of Buffalo then continuing northeast to rt78 to Lockport.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

« Last Edit: July 22, 2020, 12:01:08 pm by CMajernik »

Offline John Nettles

  • World Traveler
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  • Posts: 1994
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2019, 12:29:24 pm »
Based on Strava (map showing popular bicycle routes), I would do the first option.  I have thougth ACA would come up with an official alternate route for those who do not have a passport.
Hope you have a great ride.  Tailwinds, John

Offline JHamelman

Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2019, 12:54:07 pm »
We would love to have another route for cyclists who want or need to stay in the US. Unfortunately we don't have the "real estate" to map one. The discussion now is perhaps coming up with one and including information about it in the Riding Conditions.

Jennifer
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline John Nettles

  • World Traveler
  • *****
  • Posts: 1994
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2019, 01:01:49 pm »
I totally agree with coming up with an alternative.  Maybe just create the map and provide a link to a pdf map and instructions.  Relatively simple solution and you don't lose real estate.

Keep up the great working mapping routes around the country!! 

Tailwinds, John

Offline JHamelman

Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2019, 01:27:46 pm »
Thanks for the support and input on a solution, John! ;)
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline jcostanz

Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2019, 07:10:20 pm »
There are several Paved trails that can be taken to skip going to Canada.  A short new trail goes infront of the old Bethlem Steel plant headed towards the Buffalo  harbor state park.

Starting at Ridge Road and Rt 5 a paved trail along the outer harbor connects to either the Ohio Street bridge or to the Buffalo Bike Ferry, from there you will go past the naval park and this trail will follow the Niagara River.

 There is an option to cross over Grand Island  and head To Niagara Falls,as the bridge has side walks for bicyclists and they connect to trails on both sides of both sets of bridges. 

Or continue on to Tonawanda and either join the Erie Canal Path to Lockport or keep along the river to Niagara Falls.  The trail disappears for several miles from Gratwick park to the 190 overpass.

If you go to Niagara Falls, I recommend following the Niagara River towards Lewiston.  Note that the Niagara Scenic Parkway and the bike path next to are currently closed and have been for a year(google still tries to route you on it)  (a large bridge has been removed and will not be replaced).  You would meet up with the Northern Tier route just after it crosses back to the US at the Lewiston Queenston Bridge.

I can give more detailed direction if needed

Offline rwinot25

Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2019, 09:24:08 pm »
Thank you for the replies. I need to look at my maps and decide. If I need any more help I will ask. Thank you jcostanz. I like your suggestions. Let me look more before I contact you for advice.

Offline rwinot25

Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2019, 09:42:50 pm »
jcontanz I am interested in more details about my ride near Niagra. I would like to take the scenic route along the river that you suggested. Would you be able to provide more detailed instructions to the route I should follow. Google maps often leads you astray..

Offline jcostanz

Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #8 on: August 19, 2019, 11:37:16 am »
For the most scenic  and simplistic routing, I would Take RT 5 to Big Tree RD, make a left on Big Tree RD, turns right onto Hoover Rd in Hamburg,  Take a left before getting back to Lakeshore rd, just past a UAW building, this is a dead end road but pickups a bike path for a short distance along RT 5 at Woodlawn beach state park Park, either take the pedistrian bridge or cross over RT 5 at 7th street, first intersection after end of path.  Follow RT 5, can be high traffic, but there are 3 lanes and a sidewalk going this direction.  Shortly after the old Bethlehem steel plant, Rt 5 will become a elevated highway, there is a off ramp with sign saying bicyclist must exit.  Make a elft at stop and then a right after going under bridge this is Fuhmann blvd, you will pickup a bike path on the left just before the road turns right under the highway. 

You have a choice to make here.  You can continue straight and take the Bicycle Ferry or you will want to make a right onto Ohio Street, Ohio street connect to the small boat harbor near the far end of the marina, it goes under the highway.  Stay on Ohio street, going over the lift bridge and straight towards the street car maintaince buliding,  There is a path between the river and the street car bldg thru canal side,  This is where the bike ferry will reconnect.

For the bike ferry continue straight, there should be a sign on the right about the bike ferry just before the coast guard gate.  It will take you across to Canalside and the Naval and Military Park.

From Canalside go past the naval park (can't miss the large Cold war era missile ship Little Rock, WW2 era Destroyer The Sulivans and the WW2  era Submarine.  stay with vetrans park, at end make a right on Erie St.  Just before Erie st goes under a bridge make a wide left onto the path/sidewalk at lakefront blvd, stay with path , it will eventually go over a highway and under the peace bridge and ends on Busti Ave, turns into Niagara St, make a left.
As Niagara st goes under to on/off ramps and over a small creek, make a left with niagara st, rt 266,  the sidewalk/path is on the left side of the road.  Make a Left on Hamilton St, after it goes under the highway the River front trail will be on your right.  This trail will take you all the way to Tonawanda, staying along the river.

As you go along the trail you will come to a pair of Tall bridges going over the Niagara River.  If you want to take the Grand Island route make a right between the bridges and cross river road, then the path will split to take either bridge to the Island.  After the bridge the paths will recombine, make a left on the path so the river is on your right. go straight around the roundabout onto grand island blvd.  Near end just before the road enters the highway there will be a path on the right, this will take you to the North Grand Island bridges, along a nature preserve.  Take either bridge across the river and make a right at end of bridge.  Just after going under the last overpass, make a right into the Lasalle Waterfront Park, you will catch a bike path that will take you right to the Niagara State Park,  the River road option reconnects here.

If you do not take the Grand Island Bridge route, stay along the path along the river.  It will make a sharp right turn just after a long stretch  of parks.  This is the start of the current Erie Canal.  You have a choice here to either head to Niagara Falls or head to Lockport.  To head to Niagara Falls, go under the first bridge, path will turn right, make a right onto Young st, and an immediate right on river Rd, going over the bridge, stay with river road, shortly there will be a bike path on the left side of the road.  This path will end at the farside of Gratwick Park, follow river road, it will change to Buffalo Ave, at end make a left on Buffalo Ave.  Follow Buffalo Ave until just before you go under a bridge, make a left into Lasalle Waterfront park and join the path along the river to Niagara Falls.

If you want to skip Niagara Falls, follow the Erie canal/Tonawanda creek path to Lockport.  (I haven't done this route).

After you arrive at Niagara Falls, This is where Google Maps is currently out of date,(New York State has removed a bridge and closed roads and paths for 2+ years so far on the Niagara Scenic Parkway), Do not go under the Rainbow Bridge as the path beyond is closed.  You will want to make your way onto the streets, best way is to keep trying to make lefts.  When you see the big blue green glass bldg, keep it on your right until you merge with the traffic from the rainbow bridge.  Make a left on Rainbow Blvd at Niagara St.  Make a wide right onto Main St. following bike path detours.  I generally stay with Main st/Lewiston Rd (rt 104) instead of turning at De Veaux Woods State Park, either way you will rejoin Lewiston Rd at Devils Hole State Park.  Google gets a little crazy with routing here.  Lewiston Road turns into a 4 lane road but traffic is usually light in this area.  Take Lewiston Rd over the Power plant, going under the Lewiston Queenston Bridge.  I like to make a right just after the church onto Meadobrook drive, and a left at the end on Fairway Dr then right on Military Rd, or  go to the light and make a right on Military Rd.   Make a left on Upper Mountain rd, this is where the Norther Tier Route reconnects.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2019, 12:08:42 pm by jcostanz »

Offline rwinot25

Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #9 on: August 22, 2019, 05:46:56 pm »
Wow, thanks for the long detailed instructions. At first they sounded confusing untill I was able to follow them on the map. In reality if you can read a map the instructions are very detailed and accurate. 

I am staying at the Buffalo Hostel on Main Street. I think I will make my way in the morning to the waterfront and join your route there. Have you ever crossed over to and ridden on Unity Island? The folks here at the hostel said to ride that. It looks like all it is is water treatment plant. This way I would avoid  some of Niagra St.

Riding at a tourist pace (10-12mph) how long do you think it will take to get from Buffalo's  waterfront to the rainbow Bridge in Niagra Falls? I still need to plan for my overnight  stop. I'm  not sure I will have the time to make it to Lockport that night.

Offline jcostanz

Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2019, 01:23:51 pm »
On niagara st. The sidewalk on the riverside is very wide. Probably in excess of 8ft.

I haven't  crossed to unity island. You can see if it is mentioned in any cgoba trips.  You also shoud search for squal island as this is what it was called up to a couple of years ago.  The sothern bridge to the island is a draw bgidge while the norther mbv bridge is a rotating bridge. That has a rail line and car lanes.  Both bridges still operate.

Time wise you are talking about 60 miles on route along river.  So 6 hrs without any sight seeing.  Options for overnightin are non existant between biagara falls and lockport unless you head into lewiston

Offline rwinot25

Re: Northern tier #10 Cananda alternative
« Reply #11 on: August 25, 2019, 08:44:40 pm »
I made the ride to Niagra without incident. I started up the bridge to Grand Island and turned around. The wind was blowing pretty strong and I chickened out. Had a good day at  the Falls and spent the night a hostel in Niagra Falls. The next night I wild camped on the canal outside of Albion and then to Palmyra. Your instructions were great to follow and spot on. Thank you. Bob

Offline amywally

Re: Northern tier #10 Maps 126-127 To Avoid Canada Alternate
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2020, 01:13:16 pm »
Here is a map of the route to avoid Canada posted above: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33477409

This is the most direct version of the alternate, that does not go into Niagara Falls.
Amy Wally
Cartography Program Manager

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring people of all ages to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline jcostanz

Re: Northern tier #10 Maps 126-127 To Avoid Canada Alternate
« Reply #13 on: September 02, 2020, 05:39:24 pm »
My route after Niagara Falls has had some roads opened up and I recommend that one turns left on 3rd street and continue straight until it ends an turn right where it turns into the Niagara Scenic parkway.  Turn Left at the end of the street and you will be on Rt 104.  I do not know if the new paths along the Niagara River Gorge have been opened and completed yet, it looked like they were not as I drove past them last night.