My inspiration to circumnavigate Rochester by bike a couple of days ago highlighted another local treasure - bike trails. They are all over the place, especially along waterways. From my house in Pittsford, I hopped right onto the Erie Canalway Trail westward, then north on the Genesee Riverway Trail all the way to Lake Ontario where I picked up the Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail eastbound to Irondequoit Bay. Closing the loop back home, the 40 mile route gave me a fresh perspective on the water wonders of Rochester.
The 858' long Pont De Rennes pedestrian bridge, named for Rochester's sister city Rennes in France, provides unobstructed views of the High Falls and downstream gorge.
The Genesee River's High Falls 96’ drop was a valuable power source during Rochester’s industrial era. The city earned its nickname "The Flour City" in the early 1800's as the flour capital of the world, made possible by the many water-driven mills at this spot. Daredevil Sam Patch, who had conquered Niagara Falls early in 1829, jumped from High Falls to his death later the same year.
Upstream of downtown, the Genesee Riverway Trail bends around
a final corner to reveal the Rochester skyline.
Water fowl on the Genesee River. The Genesee Riverway Trail links
Rochester's four Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks together.
Genesee River gorge winding its way north to Lake Ontario.
The 7 mile long river gorge is entirely within Rochester city limits.
Genesee River Turning Basin is where freighters turn around to head back
downstream to Lake Ontario. Turning Point Park's 275 acre wooded site on
the western bank of the Genesee includes this ⅔ mile wooden pedestrian bridge.
University of Rochester river campus, as viewed from the Genesee Riverway Trail.
The university is ranked 34th in the nation, with #1 rated programs
in music (Eastman School of Music) and optics (The Institute of Optics).
Charlotte Pier, at the mouth of the Genesee, extends all the way to Canada. Okay, not quite that far but it seems like it. You can just barely make out the light tower at the end. Lake Ontario is 50 miles wide here. Rochester is sometimes described as being located on the country's north coast.
One of the Great Lakes' best natural sand beaches is found in Ontario Beach Park.
The 39-acre park boasts numerous picnic pavilions and the 1905 Dentzel Menagerie Carousel.
Durand Eastman Beach offers a one mile stretch of natural sand beach on the shore of Lake Ontario.
The Port of Rochester ferry terminal supported a fast ferry service to Toronto during 2004-2005.
It awaits its next use.
The Colonel Patrick O'Rorke Memorial Bridge, named for Rochester-born Civil War Colonel Patrick O'Rorke, opens to let tall river traffic pass near the mouth of the Genesee River.
A watercraft playground, 1700-acre Irondequoit Bay has marinas and launches
on all four sides of its 4 mile length.
This winding bridge across wetlands in Durand Eastman Park is part of the Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail system and provides easy biking across much of the Lake Ontario shoreline.
The Erie Canal winds its way through the Pittsford Village Historic District,
added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
One of 35 locks on the Erie Canal, Lock 32 is quite popular with the local sightseeing tour boats traversing back and forth between Pittsford and Fairport.
An idyllic section of the Erie Canal. While most of the Erie Canalway Trail is packed gravel, the section from Pittsford to the Genesee River is paved and is quite popular with cyclists and pedestrians.
Rochester is surrounded by water. My bike route around the "Ile de Rochester".
Great write up Bruce! I've always appreciated the amazing waterways in Western New York and around Rochester. Maybe even more so since moving to the dry West! I have biked many miles in my years there from Gates East to Fairport or West to Spencerport on the canal and there's nothing like it! Your Ile de Rochester looks amazing and really highlights the diversity of Rochester's waterways and water features. The history lessons really stood out as well. Thanks and now I want to come back and repeat your ride!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Bruce! I cycled a good potion of your route several times but not the northern, west to east section then south along Irondequoit Bay. You will have to show me the details on that section. Oh, and what about all those great beer and dessert spots along the way?! Cheers!
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