What should I bring?

• Luggage: Participants are permitted to bring 2 duffel bags, including camping equipment.  Suitcases, boxes, cases, are NOT allowed.  Baggage may not be tied together and must include a luggage tag with the participants name.
• Bicycle Equipment:  Helmet, small repair kit that includes a tire, spare tube, tire irons, alan keys, small wrenches, and a pump.  Bike gloves, cycling shorts, bike jersey, light jacket, rain gear, bicycle lock and water bottles. You may also want a rear view mirror and paniers. It is also recommended that you bring chamois creme.
• Camping Equipment: Duffel bag, sleeping bag, pillow, pad, tent, ground cloth, rope, stakes and a flashlight.
• Toiletries: Towel, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, skin lotion, shampoo, soap, razor, nail clippers, brush/comb, hair ties/barrettes, deodorant, mirror and toilet tissue.
• Clothes: T-shirts, shorts, a jacket, pants, warm-up suit, underwear, socks, shoes, thongs, sleepwear, swimsuit, and possibly sweatbands/bandannas.
• First Aid: Pack aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamins, Band-Aids, gauze, tape, first aid cream, lip balm, sun block, insect repellent, safety pins,  and sanitary protection if needed with disposable bags. Access to emergency medical treatment will be available in each campground.
• Miscellaneous: Bring an alarm clock/watch, spare glasses, sunglasses, camera, earplugs, ID, money, traveler's checks, credit cards, journal, pens, pencils, address book, several plastic trash bags for rain protection and zip-lock bags. Be sure to enclose everything in a water-tight plastic bag.

How do I get to the start of the ride?

The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure will be starting early on the morning of July 3rd. Please make sure that you have made plans in advance to get to the starting point. Niagara-on-the-Lake is located near the Canada-US border and Niagara Falls. Here are some suggestions to assist your planning.

• Drive: Driving to Niagara-on-the-Lake is another way to arrive at the start and you can have someone drop you off, or you can drive yourself and leave your car in the official long term parking lot for the tour. We have secured a limited number of parking spaces, so please contact Ian at il@wrtrust.com to book a spot for your car.
  
  
• Car Pool: We encourage participants to car pool to the start of the event and to use facebook to find people to carpool with.

• Take the Train:

  Coming from eastern Ontario or Quebec:

  Long-term parking is available in Cornwall. You may wish to leave your car there and take the train to the start point. There is one train per day from Cornwall to Toronto on which you can check a bicycle. Train #57 departs 7 days a week, leaving Cornwall at 10:59 am and arriving in Toronto at 3:17 pm. If you are coming from Montreal, there are 2 trains daily where you can check a bike. They are trains #57 and #67, leaving Montreal Central Station at 9:40 am and 5 pm and arriving in Toronto at 3:17 pm and 9:45 pm respectively. http://www.viarail.ca/. For an additional fee of $15 plus tax your bike will be loaded into a box, provided by VIA, and travel in the luggage car. You will need to loosen your handlebars and remove your pedals, so bring the proper tools. We also recommend that you book early, as space for bikes is limited. Please also note that you will need to switch trains at Union Station in Toronto to get to Niagara The Bike Train schedule is not confirmed for Niagara in 2010, details will be posted soon on the Bike Train website – www.biketrain.ca. See “Coming from Toronto and the GTA” below for more details.

  Coming from Toronto and the GTA:

• Drive: Driving to Niagara-on-the-Lake is another way to arrive at the start and you can have someone drop you off, or you can drive yourself and leave your car in the official long term parking lot for the tour. We have secured a limited number of parking spaces, so please contact Ian at il@wrtrust.com to book a spot for your car.
  
  
• Car Pool: We encourage participants to car pool to the start of the event and to use facebook to find people to carpool with.
  
  
• Ride: Riding to the start of the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure is an option and may be a good warm-up!

  The Bike Train that runs from Toronto to Niagara Falls is not confirmed for 2010. The schedule for 2010 will be posted soon on the Bike Train website - www.biketrain.ca. From the Niagara Falls train station, it is 22 km downhill to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Taxis can take you in to the town, or you can ride your bike. The Niagara River Recreation Trail is an off-road designated trail that runs from Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake (see the Region of Niagara's cycling map at http://www.regional.niagara.on.ca/exploring/cycle/bikemap.aspx). If you need a shuttle to carry your luggage, please contact Ian at il@wrtrust.com. To book tickets for the Bike Train, or for more information log on to http://www.biketrain.ca/.

  If you take the train you will need to make reservations for accommodations for the night. We are arranging for camping and a limited number of barrack rooms right at the start location of Fort George. Click here for more info. If you would prefer to stay in a hotel or B & B, please book early as most of the town will be booked up well in advance. For suggested accommodations log on to: http://www.waterfronttrail.org/gwta_web/accommodations.htm.

  
  

How do I get home or to Niagara from Cornwall?

Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation home. Following are some ideas; however, please note that if you decide to take the train or bus home from Cornwall you will have to leave on July the 11th, which means you will need to stay the night of July 10th in Cornwall. We encourage you to post a note on facebook to communicate with other riders and find people to travel with.

1. A friend or family member is welcome to join in the finale party celebrations in Riviere-Beaudette - Lancaster where they can pick up riders and transport them home. Car pooling is also an option, start a discussion on facebook or mapmyride.com to find people to to car pool with.

2. The shuttle will load and depart from the tour finish shortly after 12:30 pm on July 10th, arriving  first at Yorkdale Mall (North parking lot, off the 401) by late afternoon/early evening, and then onto the Pillar & Post Inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake for all remaining passengers. Long term parking is available at the Pillar & Post for anyone taking this option. To book your space for long term parking please contact Ian at il@wrtrust.com.  This will be an option for the first 55 people to sign up. For a return shuttle from Riviere Beaudette to Toronto or Niagara-on-the-Lake, please follow the link :

   http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/waterfront_trail_transport/

   $165 (taxes included) to Niagara-on-the-Lake

   $145 (taxes included) to Toronto

   Limited seating, so reserve your ASAP!

   Reservations close June 1, 2010*

   Approximate arrival times

   Toronto: 7 pm @ Yorkdale Mall, Toronto 7 pm

   Niagara: 9 pm @ Pillar and Post Hotel

   48 John Street W, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

   Yorkdale Mall is close to the Toronto Subway system for people who need to get to downtown Toronto. Pillar & Post is the site of the long-term parking for the 2010 Adventure. You may decide to enjoy an evening of luxury at this beautiful vintage inn and spa. http://www.vintage-hotels.com/pillarandpost/default.htm

3. There is one train per day from Cornwall to Toronto on which you can check a bicycle. Train #57 departs 7 days a week, leaving Cornwall at 10:59 am and arriving in Toronto at 3:17 pm. - http://www.viarail.ca/. If you are returning to Montreal, there is one train daily from Cornwall to Montreal where you can check a bicycle. For an additional fee of $15 plus tax your bike will be loaded into a box, provided by VIA, and travel in the luggage car. You will need to loosen your handlebars and remove your pedals, so bring the proper tools. We also recommend that you book early, as space for bikes is limited. Please also note that Toronto is the final stop for bikes as there is no luggage car that continues to Niagara. If you need to return to NOTL with your bike, please contact Ian at il@wrtrust.com to make alternate arrangements. Please note that you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the station in Cornwall. Veteran's Blue Line Taxi in Cornwall has one mini-van in their fleet - (613) 932-7311.
   
   1A– Once in Toronto, you can take the GO train from Union Station as far west as Hamilton and as far east as Oshawa. Bikes may be taken on to the GO train on week-ends and during non-peak hours during the week at no additional charge. Peak hours are considered 6:30 to 9:30 am and 3:30 to 6:30 pm. The same is true for Toronto Transit. http://www.gotransit.com/ http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/
   
   1B- – Coach Canada also operates buses from Toronto to Niagara. Boxes are available for $5 to $10 and bags are available for $10 to pack your bikes for travel and it is recommended that you reserve a box or bag in advance. There are services available that can be found at: www.coachcanada.com. If there is a high demand, bikes may be placed on a separate bus.
   
   
4. Coach Canada operates a bus service from Cornwall to Toronto and then on to Niagara 4 times per day for $110.67 including taxes. Departure times are 9:05 am, 11:05 am, 3:05 pm and 1:30 am. Bags are available for $10 to pack your bikes for travel. If there is a high demand, bikes may be placed on a separate bus than the passenger with a shipment fee of $27. Call 613-932-9511 for more information.
   
   
5. Riders can continue to Montreal which is approximately 90 km from Cornwall along La Route verte. Once in Montreal participants can take a plane, train, or automobile home. Should you choose this option, be aware that you will have to carry your own luggage or provide a personal support vehicle. For more information, refer to question "What if I want to continue on to Montreal"
   
   
6. The GWTA is working on a charter service from Cornwall to NOTL with one stop in Toronto. The details are pending and if confirmed will be announced to all participants at that time.This option will be limited to the first 50 participants for an additional charge (To be confirmed). At this time the above solutions are suggested.

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Can kids participate in the GWTA?

• Yes, kids (under 16) are definitely welcome, but must be accompanied by a guardian or responsible adult, on a bike. Parents and/or Guardians must accompany their children in the support shuttle. Parents are not permitted to leave their child in the care of a volunteer. Volunteers are responsible for group safety and may have to stop to deal with various issues along the route. Children should know the rules of the road and know how to ride in traffic, with both other cyclists and vehicles. We recommend Canbike courses for new riders.

Are meals included?

• Meals will NOT be included in the registration fee. Communities will host breakfasts/lunches/dinners and snack stops and you can expect to budget about $35-50 per day for food. By supporting these communities you will be supporting many local charities and businesses that are essential to the success of the Waterfront Trail.  There will be several places to stop along the way during the first half of the ride and fewer during the second half, so we encourage you to plan ahead, look at the maps and bring lots of snacks with you.  You will have more energy and more fun if you stay fed and hydrated.

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Should I bring my own snacks?

• We encourage you to bring your own snacks and ride with more food than you think you will need, especially if there are specific foods that you like to eat during a ride. There will be several places to stop and refuel during the first half of the ride, but things will be more spread out during the second half.
• For suggestions on how to eat well during the ride, see the Nutritional Tips.
  
   

What kind of bike should I ride?

• The Waterfront Trail tour route is paved so road and touring bikes will be the most efficient.  Hybrids and mountain bikes with knobby tires may want to change to a slick type tire for a more comfortable ride.
• You will want to make sure your bike is in great working condition and may want to take it in for a tune-up.  Bike shops are busy in the spring and summer, so schedule a tune-up a few weeks before the ride.

How much money should I expect to spend?

• You will be passing unique stores, attractions, and entertainment venues that you may want to explore. It;'s a good idea to set aside some shopping money.
• Meals are not included and estimated daily food costs is $35-50 per person.
• If you choose to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast, factor those rates into your budget.

What if I can't come?

• WRT will not facilitate the transfers of registration. In order to transfer a registration the WRT must have an email from both parties (seller & purchaser) stating that the transfer has taken place and is accepted by both parties.

Can I leave a vehicle at the ending or beginning town?

• Yes, long-term parking is available in both Niagara-on-the-Lake and in Cornwall at the end of the ride. If you require long-term parking, please contact Ian Lobb at il@wrtrust.com.

What if I want to continue on to Montreal?

• If you're looking for a great way to extend your ride and visit another great city, you may consider continuing on to Montreal. It's easy to do - just hop on la Route Verte (Quebec's provincial cycling trails system), which picks up right at the border. Montreal is approximately 80 km from Riviere-Beaudette along La Route verte. Please note that you will need to arrange your own support and/or baggage transport from Rivierre-Beaudette onwards. The Gite Angell is a cycling-friendly accommodation, located between Rivierre-Beaudette and Montreal, that offers baggage transfer for a reasonable fee. They can pick up your luggage from Rivierre-Beaudette and bring it to the B&B, and transport it to Montreal the following day. Please contact them directly to arrange your stay at 1 (514) 453-2133 or send them an email through their website.

Will there be vegetarian options? My child is allergic to peanuts, will nuts be served?

• We are not able to guarantee that each meal will meet all of the requirements with regard to vegetarians and those with specific allergies. We do work with each community to create awareness of these needs, but do not expect that each meal will have a vegetarian option or be nut free. We will post the menu for the event prior to the July trip start for you to review to help with your meal planning. Throughout the event we will be spending the evenings in towns where we will have the opportunity to access local restaurants and vendors who comply with special dietary needs.

Do I have to camp?

• No, you do not have to camp.  There are hotels and Bed and Breakfast locations along the route that would love to have you as a guest.  We recommend that you make reservations in advance, including transportation from the Waterfront Trail to the hotel.  A list of accommodations can be found here.

Do I need my own camping gear?

• You will need to bring camping gear with you.  A list of suggested items can be found in at the top of this page under “what should I bring”

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How do I know if I’m fit enough to participate?

• If you have never done a ride like this before we recommend that you give yourself several months to train for it.  You should plan on riding at least 1000 kms before starting the tour, you will decrease your chance of injury when you come prepared.  If you are comfortable riding 50 to 75 km in one day and can maintain a speed of 15 km/hr or faster you should be able to finish the tour.  Check out our recommended training section for some ideas on how to prepare for the ride.
  
• If you would like to join in the fun but are concerned with the distance, consider the personal vehicle support option, it’s like a relay where one person drives and the other rides, switching off after ½ a day, a full day, or whenever you want.
• In 2009, 44% of participants were surprised by the amount of distance that they could do!

What is a personal support vehicle?

• If you would like to join in the fun but are concerned with the distance, consider the personal vehicle support option, it’s like a relay where one person drives and the other rides, switching off after ½ a day, a full day, or whenever you want.

What if I don’t want to ride all 8 days?

• If you would like to join in the fun but are concerned with the distance, consider the personal vehicle support option, it’s like a relay where one person drives and the other rides, switching off after ½ a day, a full day, or whenever you want.
• You are welcome to register for one or two days of the ride. Most people surprise themselves with just how far they can go. The scenery is very inspiring and suggestions on how to enjoy the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure on and off the bike, as well as young rider friendly routes can be found in the itineraries section. Give it a try.

Will I need a passport to travel from the US?

• On June 1, 2009 all U.S. and Canadian citizens who are 16 and older traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), will be required to present a valid passport or other alternative documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. and Canadian citizens who are 15 years old or younger will still be allowed to travel with just a copy of their birth certificate, as will teens between the age of 16-18 if they are part of an adult supervised school, religious, cultural or athletic group. (from US Customs & Border protection website)

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What time can I start biking in the morning?

• Designated times for the GWTA will be based on the days ride, generally leaving after breakfast around 7:00- 8:00am when support vehicles will be on the route. We recommend that no biker start out before sunrise or finish after 6 p.m.

Will we encounter much traffic on the route?

• The Waterfront Trail is a combination of designated bike path, bike lane, and country roads. We cannot close roads in most cases, but we do work with all of the communities involved to establish awareness of road conditions and temporary signage where necessary. There are a few busier sections, but for the most part we are riding in rural areas. As a rider you should always be aware of your surroundings, and stay far right.

Why does the ride always go from west to east?

• Headwinds are gruelling for riders, and after we turn around the Lake, we tend to have the prevailing westerly winds at our backs. Another reason for riding from west to east is to avoid riding into the mid afternoon sun when riders are most tired.

How are the overnight towns selected? And how is the route selected?

• Each year the GWTA will try to alternate overnight locations, lunch and various rest stops along the route to incorporate different communities. With over 41 communities incorporated along the Waterfront Trail, there is an abundance of historical towns, scenic waterfront views and incredible hospitality to experience. In year two we have introduced two new overnight locations (Port Hope and Trenton), and included a few new towns as stops along the way. The primary goals are fun and safety. Can we get 250 plus riders and their support crews from point A to point B safely on a route that is off-road/on country roads? Can each of the smaller towns support camping and meal options for our group? Each partner along the route is chosen for these reasons, and for the energy, hospitality and support that they bring!

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