Victoria Day ride from Oakville to Niagara Falls (and Go Train back).

Hello Everyone!

Cycling season has started again and the the Go Trains are running to and from Niagara again.

Since this is early in the season and we're all probably a bit rusty. This ride will be a steady Niagara Ride for experienced cyclists. I'll be following the route to Niagara that we most usually used in the past (for those people who have done it before). We'll be aiming for a group speed of about 22-28 km/hr.

If you've never done a ride to Niagara, it's about 5-6 hours of actual biking time from Oakville. The terrain is mostly flat around the lakeshore, with a few more hills after we turn inland through wine country and a few more hills just before we come to Niagara Falls.

Road Bike are strongly recommended, but can also be done by Cyclocross, Gravel, or Hybrid bikes (if you're a strong rider). Please have your bike in good riding condition to avoid mechanical delays. Make sure you have enough tools/equipment to repair any tire flats if you have one. There is NO vehicle support for this ride, so we're kinda on our own. We'll be aiming for a group speed of about 22-28 km/hr, so if you can not maintain that speed, you will have to proceed on your own. There will be plenty of drop out points where you can catch transit back to Toronto if you run into mechanical or health problems.

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. Please have emergency contact number easily accessible either on yourself or on your phone.

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. By taking part in this event you attest: a) you are in good health, b) you participate at your own risks, and c) you release the organizer(s) from any responsibility.

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

Speed: 22-28 km/hr
Length: ~118km (but if you start from Humber Bridge in Toronto, it'll be closer to 160 km - 100 miles.)
**Link to a map of the route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39630077**
If you've haven't done this ride before, please download or print a copy of the route in case you get separated (it has happened before!).
Endpoint: Grand Central Bar and Grill (4573 Queen St, Niagara Falls)

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

Costs:
Fare for return GO train. For people planning to go back to Toronto/Oakville via Go Train, there's currently a promotion for $10 with the weekend pass; otherwise it's about $18-20 with Presto.
Here's the link to the GO train $10 weekend day pass promotion:
https://www.gotransit.com/en/travelling-with-us/promotions-and-events/weekend-passes-with-go
You can only buy it online, and the pass will be emailed to you. It's cheaper than paying with Presto.

Bring money for any drinks, snack, meals at any of our stops. Mainly, the Croissant Express Bakery in Oakville (near the beginning), the Tim Hortons in Winona (around the midway point), and Grand Central Sport Bar and Grill (at the end) at Niagara.

We'll meet and leave from Croissant Express Bakery (just next to Aroma Espresso Bar) in Oakville at 7:45am. Try to arrive there a bit earlier (and have a drink or snack while you're waiting). I'll be cycling down to Oakville from Georgetown, but if you're cycling from Toronto, you should probably leave from the Humber Bridge at least from 6:00 to make it to Oakville by 7:45 to 8:00. Alternatively, if you don't want to cycle from Toronto to Oakville, you can also just take the morning Go train/GoBus from Toronto to Oakville Go station (which is only about 3km North from Croissant Express) and meet us at Croissant Express. I believe if you buy the Go Train day pass, it will cover the trip from Toronto to Oakville as well.

The goal is the reach Niagara by 2:00pm so we can grab a drink and bite at Grand Central, before having to catch the 4:02pm Go Train back to Oakville/Toronto (arriving at 5:49pm/6:27pm, so you should still have your Sunday night free to go out, etc). Otherwise the next Go Train leaving Niagara is at 9:17pm.

Hopefully, I would like to do a ride down to Niagara every few weeks during the summer.

Weather Update: Right now, the weather is looking favorable for Sunday (13-15c; 30% pop; 16-20km/h NW wind); but if it changes, I may have to postpone the ride to another weekend.

Peter.