Almas Only
New member
Fred:
I went solo from west to east, so my actual experiences, other than the leg down from Seneca Falls, wouldnt' really apply to someone approaching Seneca Falls from the east. However, my approach might be of some use. Basically, I fudged on the speed limit. Here's how.
Along almost all my path, the speed limit was posted. It was published everywhere, so I knew the limit all along the way. On one occasion I saw a vehicle ahead on the service road, which looked to have some governmental/authoritarian aspect, so I did the posted speed limit. They slowed until I was next to them, and then matched my (legal) speed for about a mile. That was the only occasion where I felt I was being "watched."
However, even if you're not being watched, your speed is limited by the fact that as you clear one lock, the distance to the next is known. So, the next lockmaster usually knows you're coming his way, and the precise time of your earliest arrival. I set up a little chart in my log book, listing all the locks by number, with intervening mileage, and the number of minutes it would take to get from one to the other, traveling at the applicable speed limit. Then, I'd fill in the time I actually exited a lock, add the number of minutes to the next, and had the earliest time I could legally show up at my next lock. I would then do the legal limit, or less, as conditions required, and exceed the limit whenever possible in fairly remote stretches where there was no other traffic, no boats or docks to wake, and the shore was in good shape. In short, when a little speed wouldn't cause harm.
My purpose was to arrive early at the bend in the canal immediately before the next lock, and then kill time as necessary so as to come around the bend, and request entry to the lock, right on (legal) time, to the minute. Arriving a tad early allowed me to take personal breaks, update my log, fix lunch, or even stretch my legs a little, and still travel the route in the least possible time. I don't like to travel this way generally, but it was kind of fun to have my own, mini road rally.
The first day, I traveled 57 miles (Medina – Fairport) in about 7 1/2 hours 0940 - 1705), transiting 2 locks, and, as I recall, several lift bridges. I took on gas after arriving at Fairport just in time for the 1700 closure time for bridges and locks, which had just kicked in.
The second day, I traveled about 62 miles (Fairport – Seneca Lake State Park) in about 11 hours (0611 - 1710), transiting 10 locks, any lift bridges (?), and stopping for a shower south of Seneca Falls. The shower was a real treat, and made the pull out at the Finger Lakes, and the drive home, much more enjoyable
The lock thrus generally went without delay, and I think the most I had to wait to enter was about 5-10 minutes. Time in the lock varied, and although I don't have my log book handy, can be figured at 10-20 minutes, depending on other boats in the lock, and the amount of lift or fall. There was never any material delay at a lift bridge.
If someone wanted to slow it down a bit, they could add on whatever other time they thought they needed.
Looking forward to seeing you.
david
I went solo from west to east, so my actual experiences, other than the leg down from Seneca Falls, wouldnt' really apply to someone approaching Seneca Falls from the east. However, my approach might be of some use. Basically, I fudged on the speed limit. Here's how.
Along almost all my path, the speed limit was posted. It was published everywhere, so I knew the limit all along the way. On one occasion I saw a vehicle ahead on the service road, which looked to have some governmental/authoritarian aspect, so I did the posted speed limit. They slowed until I was next to them, and then matched my (legal) speed for about a mile. That was the only occasion where I felt I was being "watched."
However, even if you're not being watched, your speed is limited by the fact that as you clear one lock, the distance to the next is known. So, the next lockmaster usually knows you're coming his way, and the precise time of your earliest arrival. I set up a little chart in my log book, listing all the locks by number, with intervening mileage, and the number of minutes it would take to get from one to the other, traveling at the applicable speed limit. Then, I'd fill in the time I actually exited a lock, add the number of minutes to the next, and had the earliest time I could legally show up at my next lock. I would then do the legal limit, or less, as conditions required, and exceed the limit whenever possible in fairly remote stretches where there was no other traffic, no boats or docks to wake, and the shore was in good shape. In short, when a little speed wouldn't cause harm.
My purpose was to arrive early at the bend in the canal immediately before the next lock, and then kill time as necessary so as to come around the bend, and request entry to the lock, right on (legal) time, to the minute. Arriving a tad early allowed me to take personal breaks, update my log, fix lunch, or even stretch my legs a little, and still travel the route in the least possible time. I don't like to travel this way generally, but it was kind of fun to have my own, mini road rally.
The first day, I traveled 57 miles (Medina – Fairport) in about 7 1/2 hours 0940 - 1705), transiting 2 locks, and, as I recall, several lift bridges. I took on gas after arriving at Fairport just in time for the 1700 closure time for bridges and locks, which had just kicked in.
The second day, I traveled about 62 miles (Fairport – Seneca Lake State Park) in about 11 hours (0611 - 1710), transiting 10 locks, any lift bridges (?), and stopping for a shower south of Seneca Falls. The shower was a real treat, and made the pull out at the Finger Lakes, and the drive home, much more enjoyable
The lock thrus generally went without delay, and I think the most I had to wait to enter was about 5-10 minutes. Time in the lock varied, and although I don't have my log book handy, can be figured at 10-20 minutes, depending on other boats in the lock, and the amount of lift or fall. There was never any material delay at a lift bridge.
If someone wanted to slow it down a bit, they could add on whatever other time they thought they needed.
Looking forward to seeing you.
david