Riding to Niagara On The Lake
In my quest to make a long, enjoyable ride I can do most of the year, I have been working on a ride into the Niagara region. This would be excellent for late fall and early spring, when it is warmer there than here in Toronto/Mississauga.
I rode 111 km yesterday, working on the route. I hopped onto the Waterfront Trail just before the lift bridge at Hamilton harbour, and rode the Hamilton Beach trail to the end. Looking at my Waterfront Trail mapbook, I couldn't find where I was, and assumed I had messed up. So, I rode back to the beginning, only to find a map at that end that explained the other end. I think a duplicate map at the other end would be a good idea, as the path dumps you into a subdivision. So back I went again, deciding to cut my distance from 200 km to 100 km for the day, as the temperature was staying cold instead of warming up as forecast. Second time around, I made it out of the subdivision, finding the North Service Rd, and crossed the QEW into Hamilton (at the border of Stoney Creek) to find a variety store, as I had gone about 60 km at this point, and needed some refueling. I headed back after that.
I have made it to Port Dalhousie last March on the fixie. That made 180 km, but there was some messing around by the lift bridge, so it would most likely be 170 km round trip. On the Niagara Region bike map, there is a big circle where you head south from St. Catherines down the Welland Canal, ride across the north shore of Lake Erie on a paved rail trail, then back up the Niagara River, along the falls, up to Niagara on the Lake, and then back to St.Catherines. That loop should be just over 100 km long; I am still getting distances together from various sources. So, I am looking at a nice 300 km or so ride; start at 0400 or so, and be home in time for supper. The scenery should be spectacular, and it will all be flat except for climbing the Escarpment along the Welland Canal.
If the weather is good next Saturday, I am going to give this a try, and would welcome company; if it is not so good, we could just ride along Lake Ontario to Niagara on the Lake, or St. Catherines and head back. I am planning on doing this nearly year round, sometimes on Saturdays, sometimes on weekdays, as my rotating shift schedule permits.
Take care, Paul Dicks CKAP 1206
A friend and I did the ride this summer (actually to Niagara Falls - stayed over and rode back).
After Stoney Creek and Grimsby, you end up on the the service road, which wasn't actually bad riding. Lots of other cylists, too.
We also rode away from the lake at Jordan Harbour. This part was really pretty - lots of orchards and vineyards. Thee was a bit of a twisty climb just before the village of Jordan. The road after that was twisty and not in the best shape. Most drivers were polite.
The climb up the Welland Canal wasn't too bad. We actually cut over at Hwy20 because we were getting tired, but that is kind of a busy road. Next time I would keep going to Chippewa as indicated on the Niagara Region bike map.
We road along the Niagara River and through NOTL on the way back. The trail through St Catherines was that packed gravel stuff, so you may want to stick to the road, depending on your tires.
That many km on a fixie? You're a hard man.
Here is a map of one ride that I have done in Niagara, fron Fort Eirie to Niagara-On-The-Lake. This is good, because it keeps you off the road for the most part, and has some nice scenery.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Niagara-lake-lake
The following is the best I can make of a route from the Burlington GO station to St. Catharines. I have not done it on a bike, but have driven most of it getting to wineries. Much of the scenery here is nice also.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/burlington-st-c
This is a loop route for wineries in Niagara-On-The-Lake. The scenery here is middling. Niagara College makes decent wines at great prices. They have a restaurant too, which is part of their hospitality programme. It ought to be good value
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Drinking
Coach Canada lets you take your bike, bagged. Don't need to wait for the Bike Train next year, nor pay a fortune to box your bike for Greyhound. That wil get you to most places, except Niagara-On-The-Lake. GO transit is good for bikes, apart from rush hour.
http://www.coachcanada.com/coachcanada/
Good luck.