Thanks Spin,
we'll see how it plays out and I may take you up on that. I guess they have a school where you can leave your vehicle for the week so they've even taken care of that for me. I think there might be a day-ride up to Niagara Falls and back before the actual departure so hopefully we can take that in as well. It would be neat to actually see water going over the falls this trip, seeing how the last time I was there as a boy, back in the late 60's they had shut the water off for some reason.

If it is your LBS, can't you just ride home on your new bike ? Maybe catch a ride with a friend, bus, or walk there, then bring it on home ?
Might be nice to try a neighborhood ride before setting out to stealth camp...

And, glad to pick up on your obvious enthusiasm for roaming on your new ride.

I think I remember reading that they were going to dam it off again to repair/replace the long standing pedestrian bridge. Not sure of the timing, though...

Edit: Open time line pending final plans and funding...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...oaring-cascade

Just my luck, I'm there 47 years apart and don't get to see the dam(n) water.

My shoulder is not healed all the way yet. And it's at least 20 miles away. I'ld hate to get halfway home and my shoulder give out.

Will it fit in your car if you remove the wheels?

No it won't fit with the fenders on. I've got something worked out!
Thanks!

There is an island along the way that might be worth seeing. Supposedly loaded with feral cats. I did not learn of it till I got back. It is somewhere on lack Erie north of Buffalo.

A ride up river from the falls is well worth it. Almost as impressive as the falls themselves and it gets you away from the crowds and you are literally feet away from the rushing water.

If you have the time to cross over to the Canadian side the Welland Canal is worth seeing. Or you can see it from the American side on the northern shore of Lake Erie.

Maybe a silly question, but would I need my passport in order to pedal just across to the Canadian side?

Assuming you are an American citizen, I don't believe you would need your passport to enter Canada. However, you would need it to re-enter the U.S.

No passport required, but 2 forms of ID (regular drivers license & birth certificate) or an enhanced drivers license. Getting into Canada is not the difficult part, returning can be :-)

There is a nice bike path/route on the Canadian side from Fort Erie to the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Its about 25-30 miles one way, so an easy round trip in a day. The path just before the falls is next to the river and is very interesting to see the water speed increasing and the mist rising in the distance. I've ridden that path twice and each time its a fun way to explore the area and avoid all the crazy drivers around the Falls. Also, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a very nice town with a historical fort and some nice restaurants.

I've ridden from Buffalo to Niagara-Falls and from Fort Erie to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, and the Canadian side is far nicer......in fact the Canadian view of the falls is far more spectacular and the whole area is better kept and has better attractions than the US side. So if you are coming from the US side, bring your passport and see the falls from Canada.

Oh wow, that is both terrible and funny at the same time. Brutal luck. Hopefully the overall trip more than makes up for the rough timing.

That trail along the Niagara River is part of the Greater Niagara Circle Route:
Greater Niagara Circle Route | Niagara Cycling Tourism Centre

Video can be found here:
https://vimeo.com/117364978

I haven't done the complete loop, but the stretch from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake is very nice. Lots of historical things to see. Once you are north of the Niagara Escarpment, you'll be riding through the fruit and vineyard belt. Do the ride at the right time of the year and you can buy fresh fruit right along the trail. The wineries have tasting rooms, too.

You brought back some memories....

Back in '99 I did ACA's group Northern Tier tour. We crossed the Peace Bridge from Buffalo into Ontario, rode up to Niagara Falls and spent two nights at the Rainbow Hostel in the old "downtown." On the day off, some of us took a funky bus tour to places most tourists never see. They were sites away from the tacky attractions that had (and still were) going up all over the place, like the Ripley's Believe it Or Not Museum and giant Burger King with a model of Frankenstein holding a burger hovering over the entrance. We visited a really nice park, a brewery and ultimately a winery, where I had a glass of ice wine for the very first time. At some point we stopped at a canal as a large ship was passing through, and I remember there was this one fruit market or something selling the most amazing peaches by the basket.

Off all the days off during that three month trip, that was probably the most fun.

Just wanted to confirm that if you do plan to cross the border you will surely need either a passport or enhanced drivers license. Canada is indeed very nice, but crossing the bridge can be a trial to get across during tourist season. A word of caution regarding Niagara Falls, NY- the inner city crime is terrible. If you stick to following along the Niagara River, it is safer and a very nice ride. The tentative plans to dam the Falls will not take place until 2017 or beyond.

Sounds like you visited the Welland Canal. The wineries turn out of some pretty good wine - we always buy a few bottles when in the area. Oh, the peaches! OMG, they are out of this world! Same for the cherries in early July.

A few years back, you could tour the Sir Adam Beck hydro-electric generating station. It was a neat tour that took you down to an observation room overlooking the generators. This was still open around 2005 or 2006 (surprising to us Americans, since everything like that was stopped after 9/11) but has since ceased.