Avoid Niagara Falls during the weekends but, if you can ride during the week, following the water from Port Dalhousie to Fort Erie isn’t a bad run. Plenty of stops along the way. Timmies in NoTL, Chippewa for your bio and coffee breaks.
From Hamilton, find your way to Font Hill. A few general routes is to follow the bench along Ridge Road or below on King Street. Either direction has its benefits for views of the lake or twisty roads.
There are lots of roads along the Welland River and Short Hills Conservation area, Balls Falls, Effingham Street.
All the roads are 50/60 km/h and full of cyclists etc but, depending on time of day and scan of Waze, you can take them at a decent pace and thin out your chicken strips. I’d recommend taking things slow to scope out construction, sand/debris first and then take the same roads at a comfortable rate.
You’ll encounter lots of wineries, distilleries and breweries so, pick your spot and enjoy a tasting and bring some stuff home to enjoy responsibly.
SIN (Spirit in Niagara) is along lakeshore and has live music, interesting nibbles and craft beverages made from local fruit/orchards.
Bench Brewing Company is in Beamsville and a great stop along King Street. Fielding Estate Winery is another hidden gem.
13th Street Winery in St Catharines is closed Sundays but, worth the trip for the bakery as well as reasonably priced wine.
While Port Dover is a common destination, I recommend Hippos at Lowbanks for a cold beverage and good fries and excellent view of the lake. You can meander along the waterfront towards Fort Erie or make your way from Fort Erie to Low Banks and then Dover.
And reach out if you plan to be in the area of Ridgeway, I’ve got tools, garage and beer fridge. Can even walk to the lake and enjoy a discreet beverage.
Did a little run from home to NoTL and back after dinner in the Spitty with my son and tunes. It never gets old. Traffic was light and might have taken the parkway at a higher rate through Queenston. Cooled off with the mist from the falls and slowed to rubber neck a water rescue operation going on south of Chippewa.
Mindful of wildlife during the early mornings and dusk.
It’s hard to provide routes, roads to check out. I just pick a direction and roll with it. And I don’t have to worry about battling traffic to get back to the GTA.
