Revised Draft April 30, 2004

2004 Waterfront Trail Tour— The Greater Niagara Circle Route

Join us for the third annual cycling tour of the Waterfront Trail and it amazing trail connections. This year we will enjoy 150kms of wineries, the Escarpment, Niagara Falls, two great lakes and well wineries… as we tour the seven communities that are connected by the Greater Niagara Circle Route.

Itinerary

Friday May 21st

A number of us are staying at the Beacon Inn in Jordan on Friday night. It’s located in Jordan off the QEW at Jordan Rd exit (Number 55). People coming from Toronto make three lefts at each stop sign. Coming from Niagara take same exit Number 55, turn left at first stop sign. For reservations: 905 562 4155

Saturday May 22nd

Start Time: 9 am
Meeting Point:
Meet on the Waterfront Trail at Lakeshore Rd and Government Rd in Charles Ansell Park. The Park really looks like a barren lot that runs along the western side of the Welland Canal. (It’s a work in progress!) There is parking here but I don’t know how secure it is to leave your vehicle for the weekend. We are looking into locating a better parking spot for people needing to park cars for the weekend (Bruce Timms is checking on the Port Weller Waste Treatment Plant).

Route DAY ONE: St. Catharines to Fort Erie along the Waterfront Trail and the Niagara River Recreation Trail

0-to 15 km Travel the Waterfront Trail from Port Weller to Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) (largely on-road, usually on shoulders but there are some narrow stretches of road with deep ditches where vehicular traffic exceeds 80kph. Caution required here. This is the most direct route, which means we do not meander down to NOTL’s Lake Ontario shoreline but go from Lakeshore Rd (Mary Street) to the Niagara Recreation Trail system. Add 2 km if we choose the scenic route.

15 to 71 km The Niagara River Recreation Trail (56 kms) runs along a dedicated path. There are just two places where the trail merges with the road; 2km in Niagara Falls and 4km in Fort Erie. We pass 5 of the wineries that are part of the Wine Route along the way. We have a steep climb up the escarpment in Queenston.

Travel to the end of the Friendship Trail (Old Fort Erie National Historic Site) and continue on Lakeshore road to Bardol Avenue, left on Dominion Rd (RR#1) and south on Helena, right on the trail along Edgemere Rd, follow the Trail to Daytona. North on Daytona to RR#3 to stay in the Holiday Inn.
OR…if we are just too tired we can cut across to Garrison (RR 3) after the Peace Bridge.

71 to 77 km First Night Stay in Fort Erie at the Holiday Inn
1485 Garrison Road (Regional Rd #3). We have booked 4 rooms on their special Peddle In Package. The hotel offers rooms with 2 Queen-sized beds, secure bicycle storage, welcome gift, ample parking, boxed lunch for the next day, fitness room, heated indoor pool, whirlpool and sauna. $149 per room, based on double occupancy.

Reservation Number: 62124146
Phone: 905-871-8333 Toll free: 1-888-269-5550Sunday, May 23

DAY TWO: Fort Erie to Welland (along the Friendship Trail and the Welland Canal Parkway)
Guide: Councillor Bruce Timms

Start time: TBA
0 to 42 From the Hotel travel east to Daytona. Travel south to the Friendship Trail. Paved portion of the Friendship Trail ends at Gorham Rd. It will continue along the old rail line in time. It’s likely too rough to travel on at this time. South on Gorham Rd (RR#116) to Mitchener Rd (RR#1). Follow Sherkston Rd to RR#3 (This is a busy road; so extreme caution needed but we will not be travelling on it for too long.)
South on Wyldwood Rd. Paved trail resumes a short distance down this road.
Travel to Port Colborne approximately 26 km. We could have lunch in Port Colborne. A restaurant at Sugarloaf Harbour Marina was recommended by George Nicholson. To get there we cross the Clarence Street Lift Bridge and go south along West Street down toward the Marina. (I will get more specific directions).

In Port Colborne go north toward Welland along the Welland Canals Trail (approximately 15 kms). Entrance to the trail is on the east side of the Canal. Starts at Fraser Street. Cross the Melanby Ave. Jack Knife Bridge, pass Lock 8 Observation Park where a Tourist Info Centre. Travel east on Main Street, trail resumes. We pass the Robin Hood Flour Mill and Mud Lake Conservation Area. At Forks Rd, if we want a bit of refreshment, George recommends the Dain City Pub. To get there, we cross the bridge at Forks Road (east) and turn left at the first street. Continue along the trail passing South Niagara Rowing Club. Stay to the right north of Townline Tunnel Rd. Cross the Canal at the West Main Street Bridge. Continue along West Main to Niagara Street to the Hotel (just north of Woodlawn on the right hand side). Niagara is a busy street, we may wish to find a quieter road that runs parallel to Niagara. Unfortuately, we need to leave the trail because the crossing at Woodlawn is too high and steep. (Bruce: Could we continue on the Trail north of Main to Thorohold Rd, and take Thorold to Niagara?)

42 to 45 km Ramada Inn, 1030 Niagara Street (South of Merritt Rd on Niagara). Indoor heated pool. Phone: 905-735-6666. 4 rooms with two queen-sized beds are booked. Reservation number: 64125888. Rooms are $75.95 per night.

Both hotels are close to the Seaway Mall which has two restaurants Don Quixote and I Pee Nightly… There is also another place called Empty Bellies, which follows the Jack Astor tradition.

Monday, May 24
DAY THREE: Welland to Port Weller
Guide: Councillor George Nicholson

Start Time: 9 AM on the road.
0-22 km Travel north along Regional Rd 50 (Niagara) to Port Robinson. East on Port Robinson until we hit the Welland Canal Recreation Parkway. This section of trail is not paved. Thin road tires are not appropriate for this portion. Back onto the road at Ormond St. S. Turn right onto Clairmont St., which connects us to the Welland Canals Parkway. Follow Parkway to Port Weller and the Waterfront Trail.

Information provided by the Welland Chamber of Commerce. 905-732-7515 or www.wellandpelhamchamber.com The Tourism of Welland Niagara (905 735-8696 or www.tourismwelland.com) confirmed these hotels were good quality and closer to the Canal. There are only 3 local B&Bs that are located quite a distance from the trails.

Maps resources:

• ß Regional Niagara Bicycling Map produced by the Regional Municipality of Niagara and the Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee.
• MapArt Maps
• Welland Canal Corridor brochure produced by the Niagara Economic and Tourism Corporation (1 800 263-2988 or www.tourismniagara.com)
• Waterfront Trail MapBook
• The Greater Niagara Circle Route Aerial Photographic Trails Atlas, First Edition 2003, published by Regional Niagara Planning Department
  

Guiding Us Along the Trail are:
Regional Councillor Bruce Timms-905-934-6816
Regional Councillor George Nicholson- 905 984 3630
Ken Forgeron, Region of Niagara- 905 984 3630