IvanK-

Hi there,

I'm thinking of doing my first 'real' solo unsupported tour around Lake Ontario this August. The plan is to do it in about 8 days, going clockwise from Toronto.

That's about 130km per day following this general plan:

https://media6.magma.ca/www.torontob...1999/page1.htm

Do you think this makes sense, or should I aim at an extra day on the US side to account for the west wind I'll be facing?

Also (no offense to 'Rochesterians') but I've been warned by a couple of people not to stop in Rochester, but to plan that as a longer day and get through it. Is ther anything to this? Apparently Rochester isn't 'safe'.

Lastly, how welcoming are state parks to cyclists who show up without a reservation? The plan is to have one, but what if...?

Thanks for any advice.

4000Miles

Your trip sounds like a lot of fun! I do not know about other states, but I know that in Wisconsin, anyone who arrives at any campground or state park by bicycle or on foot by LAW cannot be turned away. Check and see if the states/provinces you'll be in have a similar law!

twodeadpoets

That sounds like a great trip but 130kms a day every day seems a bit much unless you're in good shape and have been training.

I don't know about security in Rochester, never been there, but have a friend who lives there and will ask. Have you tried Couch Surfing? Both my wife and I love it (both hosting and surfing). You might look up hosts there to find out what it's like.

For NY State Parks I would call to see if you need a reservation at Reserve America (1-800-456-CAMP). At least by car I believe you may need two days of advanced notice but I'm not sure about that and I'm not sure about walk-ins or ride-ins.

Anyhow good luck!

Thulsadoom

The wind might be an issue, it might not. That time of year it will generally be coming out of the south and west, so it will probably be in your face from Limerick to Sekirk Shores for sure. It will be hit and miss all along the bottom of the lake, and you never know. The wind currents switch around all the time all around the lake. Personally, I wouldn't worry much about it. It SHOULDN'T be all that strong.

I don't remember ever having been turned away from a campground while on a bike. I can't believe that they would turn away a cyclist, especially if there are no other campgrounds around. There's always an overflow spot or two.

Rochester is no less "safe" than any other urban craphole. I've been through there several times and had no problems.

pathebikeguy

I went around Lake Ontario last summer.
Starting in TO i went around counterclockwise; this gave me a tail wind from Niagara Falls all the way to Cape Vincent/Wolfe Island.
Its very flat but pretty; great road surfaces and light traffic on the American side.
You can see details/route maps/photos etc at https://www.geocities.com/pathebikeguy/lakeontario.html

I covered a lot of km's each day but I was travelling light with just a fanny bag and staying in motels.

I stopped in Rochester. Nice town. They even have Tim Hortons near the Kodak Plant.
I dont see any reason not stop there.

cyberpep

Hi IvanK-, what wonderful thoughts I have of a nice trip around Lake Ontario. It is a wonderful tour as all you have to do is follow the Waterfront Trail in Ontario and the Seaway Trail in NY. You will be fine doing it in 8 days. I have gone around both directions and possibly the counter clock wise route may be slightly better, but it would be splitting hairs in my opinion.
The worst part of the trip will be the section from Burlington to Clarington. Riding in the city doesn't normally bother me but Toronto is just getting too busy on a loaded bike. For me the worst spot in NY was Oswego. Poor roads and bad drivers.
The main reason I prefer to go clock wise is if I stop too much to do the tourist thing which for me is often, I can always take the Go Train east to Oshawa to make up lost time and avoiding the city is always a nice thing.
On my last trip a couple of years ago I went clock wise and at Rochester instead of following the shoreline I went south and followed the Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Likely the same distance, flat and some very nice little towns along the way.
I assume that you are campining. You will find a lot of parks on the NY side and I have never made a reservation, also they are a lot cheaper than the parks in Ontario. I have often shared a campsite with other cyclist that I have meet on the road. In August you are likely to meet cyclists who are on the west to east trans american tour at that time of year. Niagara Falls seems to be a hot spot for cycle tourers.
I also have a book that I got from somewhere called " Cyling Around Lake Ontario " written by Cyclotour in Rochester. Even though I didn't use there book for a exact route it is a very good book for outlining interresting things in the area you are cycling. I had it open through the NY part of the trip. You can find them on the web as they have a whole series of cycling tour books. I think that I also have a journal of my last trip somewhere on a computer. If you are interested in it PM me and I can start a search for it.
All this talk of touring has got me thinking of where I wil tour this summer. Since I am currently unemployed and likely will be for a while I have all this time to fill. I just put my Cannondale T2000 back together yesterday serviced and clean for the cycling season. You never know maybe another trip around Lake Ontario is also in my future.
Happy Touring!

paul2

I did this tour in 2000. I had one day of really strong headwinds on the American side. Rochester wasn't a problem. I took a rest day there, staying at a hotel, so I could check out the George Eastman House.

I didn't make any reservations at State Parks, and none were full, so it wasn't a problem. Probably, like Provincial Parks, they only fill up on the weekend.

IvanK-

Nice site and great pics. Your route and the distances are a bit different from what I have in mind, but it's good to see I'm on the right track.

IvanK-

Thanks everyone for the great replies. Good to know I don't have to worry about Rochester. That makes the plan a bit more flexible.

130km/day might be a bit much. I'm now thinking of making it a 10 day and not working as hard, but seeing a bit more.

I'll check out the state park rules as they pertain to cyclists. I'm still going to try to stick to plan and reserve spots, but a bit less worry will also add to flexibility.

Thanks again!

spinnaker

Sorry to hijack the thread but has anyone done both Eire and Ontario? I have been considering circumnavigating Erie. Aside from Presque Isle, I have not cycled up there much but I have driven around a bit. You really don't get too many view of the lake so it would be more of a goal thing.

How does Eire compare to Ontario?

Thulsadoom

It's eerie how you spell Erie.

Jim from Boston

FYA, there is a Perimeter Bicycling Association of America that lists times and distances of perimeter rides around various geographic and political entities: https://www.pbaa.com/Records/WorldRecords.htm

These are not necessarily World Records as they have multiple listings for some rides. They have only one listing for Lake Ontario: Bill Mueller 660 miles 8 days.

Much to my surprise there is no entry for Lake Superior; Erie, Michigan, Ontario, Huron and Lake St. Clair have one entry each, all by Bill Mueller ;-)

acantor

130 km (81 miles) per day sounds like a lot to me... but I generally don't ride more than five or six hours per day. Besides, there is a lot of interesting stuff along the way. Last September, I spent almost three days riding around Prince Edward County, which is about as close to cycling paradise that I have seen on this side of the Atlantic. Hell, a trip from Toronto to the County, a giant loop around the County, and back to Toronto would make a great trip!

I have gone from Toronto to Kingston, and overall, it is a very nice route. It is possible to do 80% or 90% of the leg without travelling on busy highways. For details, see:

https://www.hedney.com/waterfront.htm

Cycling east out of Toronto is no picnic. Riding along Kingston Road may be the least pleasant part of your entire tour. Consider taking the Go Train to Rouge Hill (Scarborough), and starting there.