Bike & Wine the Niagara Peninsula

Day 1: Arrival in Niagara Falls
Day 2: Niagara Falls - Port Colborne, 37.5 mi. (60 km)
Day 3: Port Colborne - Thorold, 19 mi. (30 km) 
Day 4: Thorold - Niagara-on-the-Lake, 25 mi. (40 km) 
Day 5: Niagara-on-the-Lake Winery Loop, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Niagara-on-the-Lake - Niagara Falls, 18 mi. (29 km)
Day 7: Departure

This itinerary may change at any time due to inclement weather, forces of nature, and other circumstances beyond our control. 

Day 1: Arrival in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a popular tourist destination. The falls are actually composed of three falls: Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The Niagara Falls are recognized as a natural wonder and, while they are not the highest in Canada, it is the combination of both the volume and height that makes them so impressive. The falls have attracted daredevils from all over the world and many stunts have been tried over Niagara Falls including descending the falls in a barrel and tightrope walking across the falls. The quiet Bed & Breakfast located a short distance from the city center is the perfect place to recover from your journey.

Preferred accommodation: Orchard View B & B

Day 2: Niagara Falls - Port Colborne, 37.5 mi. (60 km) 
Your fully-equipped rental bikes will be delivered to you after breakfast this morning. After adjustments and a quick briefing, you're off on the fantastic trail system around the Niagara Peninsula. This first morning of cycling takes you along the shores of Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes. If your trip takes place early in the season, you may still see some ice cover on the lake. Take a break at Old Fort Erie where Canada's bloodiest Battlefield took place in 1812. Depending on the time of year, you may experience the sights and sounds of the fort under siege or witness musket demonstrations. In the afternoon, you will continue on the Friendship Trail for 16 kilometers, all the way to Port Colborne. Much of the trail is located on an abandoned rail line and if time permits you will be able to take a swim at Crystal Beach.

Elevation: +/-150 m
Preferred accommodation: Talwood Manor B & B

Day 3: Port Colborne - Thorold, 19 mi. (30 km) 
A short day of cycling is on your itinerary today with plenty of time to explore the Welland Canal, which forms a key section of the St. Lawrence Seaway by connecting Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. A series of locks line the way, where you can watch both cargo and passenger ships be raised and lowered. When the ships are "climbing the escarpment" in the "Flight Locks" (Locks 4, 5, 6 in Thorold), they are being raised 42.5 meters! Your accommodation for the evening is located near the canal, on the quiet outskirts of St Catharines. 

Elevation: +55/-150m
Preferred accommodation: Robinsong B & B

Day 4: Thorold - Niagara-on-the-Lake, 25 mi. (40 km)
This morning after a hearty breakfast, you will be heading north on an old canal system until you reach Lake Ontario. The route then follows the Waterfront Trail, a system that connects 68 communities and more than 405 parks over 1400 km. The route is a mixture of residential and rural roads and on cycle paths with surfaces of hard-packed crushed stone and passes through Port Dalhousie’s harbor where you can take a ride on the famous  Park Carousel. The carousel was carved between 1898 and 1905 and is proudly operated and maintained by the Friends of the Carousel, it is one of nine antique hand-carved carousels left in Canada and you can still ride it for a nickel! After passing through the harbor, you will join the pathway, which offers breathtaking views overlooking the harbor. A few kilometers before you arrive to Niagara-on-the-lake, you will come across a few wineries including the Konzelmann Estate, Hinterbrook Estate Winery, and Strewn Winery. Hinterbrook Estate also has an olive tapas bar where you can sample olive oils and balsamic vinegar.

Elevation: +40/-130m
Preferred accommodation: Darlington House B & B

Day 5: Niagara-on-the-Lake Winery Loop, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today will surely be a memorable culinary experience! Your route will take you to the best estates and to some of the best restaurants on the Niagara Peninsula.

Elevation: +/-60m
Preferred accommodation: Darlington House B & B

Day 6: Niagara-on-the-Lake - Niagara Falls, 18 mi. (29 km)
As you exit Niagara-on-the-lake you will have the opportunity to visit four wineries including internationally-known Inniskillin and the unique House of Ice wines, where the winemakers will share secret recipes. You can taste exclusive slushies. You then continue on the Niagara River Recreation Trail following the Niagara River which acts as the connecting channel between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. You will enjoy a short climb on the Niagara Escarpment, through a lovely paved path in the lush forest. The Niagara escarpment experiences a unique micro-climate which, combined with fertile soils, forms Ontario’s prime fruit growing area. The ride is short today, allowing some extra time to enjoy the numerous activities and tourist attractions of Niagara Falls.

Elevation: +315/-210m
Preferred accommodation: Orchard View B & B

Day 7: Departure
Your tour officially ends after breakfast.

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Accommodations

Accommodations on this tour are privately owned bed & breakfast establishments. On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred accommodation. Each has been chosen for its convenient location, local character, and quality. For example, in Niagara Falls, you stay in the Orchard View B & B, a 15-minute walk from the magnificent falls. If you like large, interesting heritage houses (1899) with a blend of vintage and bright, modern look, plus delicious breakfasts, you will love the Orchard View. In Talwood, your B & B is nestled in the town of Port Colborne, ON Canada, along Niagara’s South Coast, located on Lake Erie at the entrance of the St Lawrence Seaway Canal. Some accommodations do not have twin rooms! Please note that your final hotel list will be based on availability.

Bicycles

Standard Bike

Trek Standard Bike

• Aluminum frame available with step-through mount or with horizontal bar
• Shimano Altus gearing
• 21 speeds
• Bontrager Sport saddle
• Linear pull brakes
• Platform pedal (you may bring your own pedals but please inform in advance)
• Bontrager 700 x 35c tires
• Rear rack
• Weight: 28 lbs

Accessories

• Helmet
• Lock
• Front carrying bag
• Panniers
• Repair kit

Electric Bike

Electra Townie Go

• Aluminum frame with patented Flat Foot Technology
• Bosch PowerPack 400 battery
• Bosch Active Line Plus 250 watts motor
• Shimano Nexus 5 speed twist shifter with optical display
• Ergonomic with shock-absorbing elastomers saddle
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Platform pedals
• Schwalbe 26" × 2.35" balloon tires w/ puncture resistant Kevlar® guard casing
• Rear rack
• Weight: 55 lbs

Accessories

• Helmet
• Lock
• Front carrying bag
• Panniers
• Repair kit