ROME, N.Y. — 600 cyclists are embarking on a journey across New York State.
They are on a 400-mile tour, organized by Parks & Trails New York, that follows the Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany.
Riders from 38 states and Canada are a part of the trek. Their oldest ride is 86 years old, and their youngest is eight.
Their journey began on July 11. The eight day tour takes cyclists through different communities and historical places.
On Thursday, they set up camp around Fort Stanwix.
“It’s really incredible… folks are just learning so much about how Upstate New York really shaped the nation and the world’s history,” said Dylan Carey, the director of policy and planning for Parks and & Trails New York.
Parks & Trails New York is a nonprofit that advocates for the betterment of public lands.
Carey said last month, the organization released a study that showed the Erie Canalway Trail has nearly $2 million in economic impact annually because of riders spending money at the local businesses they visit.
He said riders are part of a movement and an adventure.
“I think we’re all just kind of soldiering on,” said Pam Walker, one of the riders and the mayor of Corning, NY. “We’ve had heat, we’ve had smoke; we might get some rain later on but that’s all what the experience is. We’re outdoors and we’re enjoying a great time together.”
The ride comes at a time when the air quality in Central New York has been classified as ‘unhealthy’ due to wildfire smoke coming from Canada.
On Friday, Carey said they will travel 62 miles from Rome to Canajoharie.