You will also need water bottle cages and water bottles. Nothing will stop you dead in your tracks on a bike faster than dehydration. Some other tools come in very handy at times. Even if you're not sure how to use them, someone on Cycling the Erie Canal will know how. Clothes can make a huge difference on how that contact feels.
Bicycle gloves help with pressure, and with chafing.
New washable styles can help keep them presentable for a long time. On Cycling the Erie Canal, the touring shoes are better for all the sightseeing you will do off the bike. New bicyclists always have questions about bicycling shorts. Be assured they are very functional. Sitting on a bicycle seat all day creates an ideal microclimate for bacteria growth, which quickly leads to a sore posterior.