Colgate Group Bikes 365-Mile Erie Canal Trail in 39 Hours

Two students and two staffers didn’t stop for sleep as they traveled along the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany

A Colgate group with an interest in cycling and grueling adventure took on the Erie Canalway Trail on April 23.

The 365-mile scenic course runs from Albany to Buffalo, and is a big draw for bicyclists of all abilities, although only the most ambitious will attempt the entire trail in one shot.

That's just what Bronson Cvijanovich '22, an astrogeophysics major from Mount Kisco, N.Y, Grace Leightheiser '22, a molecular biology and environmental studies double major from Lexington, Mass., and Colgate staffers Alexandra Fahey and Heidi Riley did.

They hit the trail at 6 a.m. in Buffalo and crossed the Albany finish line at about 8:45 p.m. the next day. As the cyclists crossed the Utica area, Colgate Associate Prof. of Geography Mike Loranty pedaled with the team for a few hours.

The backbreaking journey involved 29 hours of cycling, burning 18,000 calories. But the group also made stops to fill up on gas station food. The entire adventure lasted 39 hours — without sleep.

While others have tried to finish the trail in record times, the Colgate squad was drawn by the challenge of biking from one end of the state to the next.

Erie Canal Trail bicyclist — The group stops at a gas station for food and rest

"It was kind of surreal to ride across all of New York State in one go," said Cvijanovich, an astrogeophysics major from Mount Kisco, N.Y. "Sometimes the miles flew by and the riding felt rhythmic and smooth, but as we got further into the ride it became harder to stay comfortable."

The four adventurers are no strangers to exhausting recreation. Riley, the assistant director of Outdoor Education, completed the trail in 2020 in a trip that lasted four days. She also runs ultramarathons.

Cvijanovich achieved his first 100-mile ride in Central New York a year ago with Leightheiser and Fahey. As a member of Overland Summers, an organization that takes kids on long bike rides, he led a group of high school students through a six-week journey from Savannah, Ga. to Santa Monica, Calif.

Fahey, an admissions staffer, has put up big miles through running and hiking across the Northeast.

Leightheiser is also a hiker and runner. In 2020, she and Riley completed all 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks.

The Erie Canalway Trail, however, proved to be a major test with obstacles that were physical and mental.

The cyclists dodged rain and snow. But cold air made the journey difficult. Headwinds were another problem. Not only did it wear down the team, but it reduced everyone's speed, pushing their arrival at Albany further into the night.

On a few occasions, they got turned around in the dark, and also had to fix a flat. Exhaustion and body aches were major challenges that tested their resolve. The closer they got to Albany, the harder it became to keep riding.

"There was almost always an unspoken question of 'if we would finish,' but we were pretty good at just getting back on the bike and going," Riley said. "Once we hit Fort Plain at 290 miles with only 75 miles left, I was pretty certain we were going to finish."

Fahey said each member understood that nothing they might do in preparation would make the long ride comfortable. Instead, they focused on keeping each other moving eastward.

Colgate Erie Canal Trail bicyclist — The cyclists still had fun despite the long journey

"While there were physical and mental challenges along the way, we still made it to Albany as friends and that's really all you can ask for," Fahey said. "I thought it was fun pretty much the entire time."

Leightheiser said she's happy the group finished the trail, despite the difficulties.

"The trail rekindled my love of ridiculous journeys and now I'm thinking about future endurance challenges that I can put on my calendar," Leightheiser said. "There are so many reasons not to do things like bike 365 miles in one push, but it is so worth it when you do. The feeling of contentment, especially when shared with friends, is unmatched."

When the cyclists arrived in Albany, they were met by an Outdoor Education student who was there to drive them home — and who also presented them with chicken nuggets, brownies, oranges, salad, Gatorade, and lots of water, which the team devoured.

Anyone thinking about tackling the trail has to be willing to continue pedaling despite the pain, the Colgate cyclists said.

A good bicycle is also needed. The team was equipped with lights and the means to recharge them, which were necessary when riding through total darkness. Padded bike shorts are also crucial for the long ride.

While everyone packed food, they relied heavily on gas stations, and were grateful to find numerous locations that were open 24 hours.

But even more essential than food, they said, is bringing the right company.

"I definitely would not have been able to do this ride alone — the mental challenge was only achievable for me with the company of this crew, who were all committed to sticking together and helping each other make it to the end," Cvijanovich said.

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