Faster 160km ride to Niagara Falls & GO Train Back

Skill level - Intermediate+
Pace - 30 km/hr approx. (at least 25 km/hr)
Distance - 160 km
Terrain - Mostly Flat
Stops - Oakville - 20 min, Burlington 5 min, Winona - 30 min, Jordan 5-10 min, Port D, 15 min, Picards, 10 min.

This ride is for experienced cyclists with good equipment.

If you're not able to bike at 25 - 30 km/hr you will have to proceed on your own.

This will be faster than the last Niagara ride. The speed will be comparable to the leg from Port Dalhousie to Niagara Falls. If you can't keep up with the group, you'll have to continue on your own, in any case, please familiarize yourself with the Google Maps route. There will be some deviations to the route; Winona to Jordan Station, there's a bike path we will take, and in N-o-t-L, we will be going along Concession 1 instead of the Niagara Parkway, possibly taking an alternate approach to the Brock Monument instead of York Street!

There will be plenty of drop out points where you can catch transit back to Toronto if you run into mechanical or health problems. I'll give out my cell phone the morning of the ride, if you run into problems, please text me.

If you've never done a ride to Niagara, it's about 6-7 hours of actual biking time. If you have the endurance to do the High Park hill climbs with Andy, then you can most likely handle this ride with ease. You'll know by the time we hit Hamilton anyways and can always turn back.

Please have your bike in good riding condition to avoid mechanical delays. (This includes the organizer's cleats!) ;)

The ride may be postponed to Sunday (next day) for the following reasons:

• Forecast of heavy rain (not showers) of more than 40% along the route
• Heavy rains the day before (Puddles and unsafe conditions)

There will only be one winery stop. Cave Springs is always a rally point.

I want to keep stops to a minimum and to what's listed on the map/below. Also, if you want to join the ride at a point other than the start, Humber Bridge, or Port Credit, I'd suggest being at one of the stopping points at least a half hour before the listed time.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The safety of our rides is really important. It is essential to know and practice how to ride in a group safely, exercise good judgment and thus not endanger others.

Cycling on the road is inherently dangerous and holds the risk of injury and even death. Riders are responsible for riding within their limits as well as assisting others to make sure our rides and events are safe and enjoyable.

We encourage each other, lead by example and provide advice intended to help other riders be safe and improve their skills.

Aero/Tri bars, headphones and ear buds are not permitted on rides.

Official Route is:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22554481
Special thanks to Charles and Jim I for route improvements!!

Speed: 25-30 km/hr

Length: 160 km - 100 miles. (You may have to make up some distance in Niagara Falls!)

Terrain: Mostly flat - 1 hill at Queenston Heights before Niagara Falls.

Inventory:
Road Bike Recommended
Head Light & Tail Light
Helmet
Sunscreen
Water
Snacks - power bars, trail mix, etc.

Costs:
$20.65+ for return GO train fare,
$5 per winery that you plan to taste at, (approx.)
Dinner $$$ Most likely the Grand Central Sports near the train station.

Timing & wineries will change on this schedule!

7:30 Depart From Humber Bridge

1h30 min - 32 km.

8:45 Arrive Aroma Espresso Bar Patio
321 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, ON L6J 1J4

9:10 Depart for Burlington Lift Bridge
(60 min to Burlington Lift Bridge) (21km)

10:10 Arrive Burlington Lift Bridge
(regroup at washroom at start of Hamilton Trail)

10:15 Hamilton Waterfront Trail to Grays Rd
(30 min to end of waterfront trail) (10km)

10:45 Arrive at end of waterfront trail
(30 min to Tim Horton’s Winona) (11km)

11:15 Arrive at Tim Horton’s Winona
(25 min stop for lunch/snack)
1238 Hamilton Regional Rd 8, Stoney Creek, ON L8E 5K2

12:00 Depart for Jordan Station/Cave Springs Winery

1:00 Arrive at Cave Springs Jordan Station
(1hr 15min to Jordan 26km) (10 min break)
3836 Main St, Lincoln, ON L0R 1S0
(10 min break)

1:15 Depart for Tim Horton’s Port Dalhousie
(45 min to Tim Horton’s Port Dalhousie) (14km)

2:00 Arrive at Tim Horton's Port Dalhousie
52 Lakeport Rd, St. Catharines, ON L2N4P6
(30 min stop for lunch)

2:30 Depart for Niagara
(1hr 45min) (38km)

Stop at Picard's Nuts on East West Line.

4:00 Arrive in Niagara Falls (on time If all goes well) Spin up to the falls then food.

5:00 Reservation at Grand Central Patio
4573 Queen St, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2L7
Or
Taps On Queen Brewhouse & Grill,
4680 Queen St, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2L8

7:00 Arrive at Niagara train station

7:20 Train departs for Union St.

7:21 Relaxing with a cafe (or whatever) on train

Next train departs at 10pm !