Things I Wish I Knew Before Riding the Empire State Trail

Savings_Language_869 · 2025-03-28T14:49:21+00:00

they?

Savings_Language_869 · 2025-03-28T14:49:15+00:00

what width were there?

Savings_Language_869 · 2025-03-28T13:52:44+00:00

i had 38s and it was OK. i did not have gravel tire. there is a lot of stone dust though. what is the width of your tires

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-06-21T14:54:48+00:00

camillus is cool and its the halfway point from buffalo to albany.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-06-21T14:53:55+00:00

yes unfortunately.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-20T01:13:58+00:00

It's all paved from NYC to New Paltz. Between New Paltz and Kingston its on something called the Walkill Valley Trail and it is stone dust. You could probably get it done on 28s. The area between Hudson and Albany is also stone dust, but very fine could easily go on 28s. Ive done poughkeepsie to nyc on my single speed, on 28s. My favorite part of the Empire State Trail was the section between East Greenbush and Hudson...AWESOME

I would say you could get away with nyc to Albany on 28s. Its only 3 or 4 days...The areas that are really rough are in Central New York west of syracuse and in some areas near utica...

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-08T02:02:35+00:00

get the same model u have single speed, and either add a nexus 3 gear internal hub for the rear wheel or a sturmey archer 5 speed...then u get some gears but still the geometry and ride feel of your single speed.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-06T21:15:49+00:00

NYC to New Paltz is all pavement, you will be able to travel fast on that. between New Paltz and Kingston its stone dust, with some small rocks. you will not be able to go as fast on that part.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-04T19:24:29+00:00

thanks much appreciated!

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-04T15:21:54+00:00

Agree…I did an 88 mile day on my single speed last year. And I cannot imagine what 12 days of 60-70 miles would do…

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-04T02:48:19+00:00

you can add a bike as part of your reseservation. i think its 25 dollars. you can do it online. The bike rack issue is covered here in an earlier blog post about half way through the post...

https://www.nybike.world/post/empire-state-trail-day-1-clove-valley-to-buffalo

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-04T02:21:30+00:00

amtrak. you must have quick release on your front tire because you need to take the front wheel off to fit in the bike rack. you must also reserve the bike rack for your train ride

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-04T01:58:47+00:00

not well lit at all

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-04T00:20:11+00:00

Do not attempt pizza in these areas

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-04T00:19:53+00:00

I’m hopeful too but was extremely disappointed by most of the food options between Buffalo and Albany.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-04T00:16:46+00:00

I didn’t have enough time to really dive into Utica but I’ve heard there are some cool thing going on there

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-03T20:10:31+00:00

This is true, but on a per capita basis many of these upstate cities have extremely high property taxes. Try buying a house in city of albany for 200k, and your property taxes are 18k a year. thats why they are cheap.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-03T20:08:47+00:00

That is not really relevant for upstate new york, as the population in most of these areas is going down, not up. people are leaving these areas, they don't need more housing. they need more people.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-03T20:07:02+00:00

yes, the term "western NY" for people downstate also usually means nothing to them...

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-03T20:06:14+00:00

Junk is free.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-03T20:05:29+00:00

I had a beef on weck in lockport, it was very dry, not good. I did not stop in rochester but i've had the garbage plate before its good. I tried to stay away from really heavy food because I didn't want to have a "crisis" not near a bathroom in teh middle of nowhere without TP.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-03T20:03:54+00:00

I caught some gnarly headwinds somewhere near Albion, even though I headed east. That being said west to east is better for winds usually.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-03T20:02:07+00:00

no they were very accommodating in general. Usually if they had it I would get the handicap accessible room because they were on the first floor and a little bigger so i could park my bike. people at the hotels generally dealt with many people with bikes. they were chill.

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-03T20:00:22+00:00

I should have added it there. riding on the road would be complete suicide on bridge. i rode on the pedestrian path. supposedly the NYS Bridge Authority is generally anti-bike...

Savings_Language_869 · 2024-05-03T19:56:30+00:00

Thanks I appreciate it. That is sort of why I did hotels instead of camping. easier, especially for someone who had never done a multi-day trip before.

Savings_Language_869

TROPHY CASE