In addition to scenic views, waterfront parks and wine-tasting, the Niagara and Lake Erie region boasts a number of dedicated bike paths.  Starting in Brantford Ontario (home of Wayne Gretzky), this tour will explore both paved and unpaved bike paths as well as quiet rural roads in the region, following the Waterfront Trail along Lake Erie, the Niagara River and Lake Ontario and several rail trails including the Hamilton Brantford and Lynn Valley trails.  This is a self-supported tour where each rider will be required to carry his/her own gear.  We will stay in hotels/motels along the way and sample local restaurant food or pick something up from the grocery store.  Rest days on Lake Erie and at Niagara Falls will enable us to explore local sights, do a day ride without panniers, and do some wine-tasting.

Each participant will be responsible for their own accommodation bookings.  A block of rooms has been reserved at all the hotels, and it is expected that participants will stay in these hotels with the rest of the group.  Hotel prices range from $100 to $160 per night (plus tax) for a room with 2 beds.  The full list of hotels will be provided to the participants after they are selected.  Participants will be required to contact each of the hotels to make their own reservations by the end of February.  Participants will be responsible for any costs associated with cancellation of their own individual reservations.

We will be riding on rural roads and bike paths.  Approximately 20% of the ride will be on unpaved bike paths which are mostly (but not necessarily all) good quality stone dust.  It is recommended that riders have 32 mm or wider tires.  Daily distances range from 60 – 100 km, and the route is mostly flat with some rolling hills and a few steep climbs.

Riders are responsible for getting themselves to the hotel each night, and for carrying all of their gear.  In case of inclement weather or sickness/injury, riders should be prepared to arrange and pay for their own transportation to the next hotel or back to their car, as appropriate.

We will be riding in 2-3 separate groups each day, each with its own ride leader, providing options for different  distances, cycling speed and departure times.

Participants will be required to download the Ride With GPS routes from the CCCTS route library, and/or to print their own copies.  Routes will be finalized and available to download a week before the trip.

The $50 fee will cover organizing costs and an honorarium for the tour leader and co-leader.

Accommodation, transportation, meals, park admission costs or individual expenses of participants.

June 12:  meet at 3:00 p.m. at hotel in Brantford for a short optional familiarization ride.  20-40 km

June 13:  ride the Toronto Hamilton Buffalo Rail Trail and Lynn Valley Rail Trail from Brantford to Port Dover. We will unpack our bags and enjoy 2 nights at our hotel in Port Dover. 60 km

June 14:  day ride without panniers from Port Dover to Turkey Point or Long Point on rural roads OR take a rest day and tour Port Dover and the beaches of Lake Erie.  40-80 km options

June 15:  ride the Waterfront Trail along the shores of Lake Erie from Port Dover to Port Colborne, on mostly quiet roads with views of the lake.  100 km

June 16:  ride the Friendship Trail to Fort Erie then the Waterfront Trail along the Niagara River to Niagara Falls.  We will unpack our bags and enjoy 2 nights at our hotel in Niagara Falls.  65 km, mostly on bike path

June 17:  day ride without panniers to Niagara on the Lake and the Welland Canal, with a stop for wine touring along the way OR take a rest day to explore Niagara Falls and the region by foot or take an organized wine-tasting tour.  65 or 80 km options

June 18:  ride the Waterfront Trail from Niagara Falls to Grimsby.  Mix of bike path and roads with paved shoulders.  76 km

June 19:  ride the Hamilton Brantford Rail Trail from Hamilton back to our starting point in Brantford.   75 km.  Tour ends when we arrive back in Brantford – riders may choose to drive home or book an extra night in Brantford.

Registration will be on the CCCTS website on the date shown. A computerized lottery system and wait list will be utilized in the event that the ride is over-subscribed. A $50 CDN payment is required at the time of registration. The lottery sign up will run for 4 days, after which the Ride Leader will review the results.

The selection process will consider the following criteria in evaluating candidates:

• fitness and riding ability and experience required for the tour,
• a history of demonstrating safe riding practices,
• acceptable social behaviour.

The leader may interview riders or others who know them to verify their suitability for the tour.

The leader will notify registrants of their selection status. If the ride is not filled to capacity, registration will continue until the closing date shown.  The $50 fee is non-refundable in the event of participant cancellation.  Wait listed cyclists who don’t make it to the ride’s “Go List” are eligible for refund of their registration fee, unless they request removal from the wait list.  In case of cancellation by CCCTS due to Covid conditions the registration fee will be refunded.

Covid Considerations: 

This tour will follow the current CCCTS website posted  “CCCTS Staying Safe: COVID 19 Guidelines for 2022”, and will comply  with all regional and provincial public health orders.  CCCTS requires all participants to be fully vaccinated, and proof may be requested by the leaders.