Niagara area biking – just made even more accessible!

June 23, 2009

Beginning June 27th,2009 and continuing until Monday, October 12th,2009 Go Transit will be offering a new train service from Toronto to Niagara Falls on weekends and holidays for cyclists and their bikes.

I have already mentioned the Toronto-Niagara bike train which offers a similar service. Listed below are the differences between the trains:

  • Go Transit ONLY runs on Saturday, Sunday and statuatory holiday.
  • the Bike Train runs on some Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays in addition to the weekend service.
  • Go Transit seats cannot be reserved in advance whereas you can prebook with the Bike Train. Go Transit operates on a first come, first served basis.
  • Go Transit fares are $15.90 one way, $31.80 return with the bike.
  • Bike Train fares are $31 one way, $62 return including the bike and a map.
  • Go Transit trains begin at Union Station in Toronto but they have scheduled stops in Port Credit, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catherines and Niagara Falls.
  • The Bike Train starts in Toronto and stops in St. Catherines and Niagara Falls.
  • Go Transit has 4 daily departures from Toronto whereas there is only one departure in each direction on the Bike Train.

There are a maximum of 28 bikes permitted on each Go Transit train with the maximum on each car being 4 bikes. Call 416-869-3200 or 1-888-438-6646 for more information.

The train station in Niagara Falls is at 4267 Bridge Street which is two blocks from downtown and four kilometers from the actual Falls.

In three to four weeks time www.HikeBikeTravel.com will be publishing an eguide for the Niagara region.

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Biking in North America - tips and tours | Leave a Comment 

BCAA offers roadside bike assistance

June 22, 2009

If you bike alot in the Metro Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna or Kamloops area you might want to consider purchasing a membership in the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA).

They have recently introduced a service at no extra charge whereby they will send a technician out to help you fix a flat tire, a broken chain or whatever else might be required. If they are unable to fix it on the spot then they will transport you and your bike to a destination up to 320 kilometers away, if you have a premier membership. Your membership level will determine the type and frequency of service you receive.

This might be just the ticket for commuters and weekend cyclists who love the biking but hate the fixing. Even better is the fact that the service is available 24/7. For more information call 604-268-5555 or 1-800-663-1956.

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Biking in North America - tips and tours | Leave a Comment 

Niagara region cycling – with the help of the Bike Train

June 15, 2009

The Niagara region is my next destination for researching cycling itineraries.  I lived in the region many years ago so I already know how wonderful the cycling is on the Niagara-on-the-Lake backroads, but the coming trip will encompass a much wider area.

Sometime in July look for the full itinerary which will take me from Niagara-on -the-Lake, home of the Shaw Festival, to Fort Erie along the shores of Lake Erie and into Port Colborne. From there it will be up and along the Welland Canal to the town of Thorold. Several days will be spent sipping my way through the wineries of that area and then a quick cycle back to Niagara-on-the-Lake will complete the loop.

There is now a very easy way to get to both St. Catherines and Niagara Falls from Toronto – the bike train.  Certain trains will permit bikes and tickets can be purchased online. The one way fare for an adult plus a bike is $31,  $62 return.  Kids 11 and under are free but their bikes will cost $5 each way on the train. What a great way for the whole family to have a weekend adventure without getting in a  car or dealing with traffic. 

Accommodation choices run the full gamut from luxurious hotels in Niagara-on -the-Lake to the cheaper chain hotels found in Niagara Falls to charming B&B’s found in all the small towns. The upcoming itinerary will include a range of options to make your getaway easy to organize.

The Niagara area can be comfortably biked from April until late October.

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Biking in North America - tips and tours | Leave a Comment 

The World’s 20 Best Drives

June 13, 2009

Not everyone wants to hike or bike and sometimes there is nothing better than a road trip – whether it be for a long weekend or an epic cross country affair. The Sunday Times Travel Magazine has recently published such a list. Many of the drives take you well off the beaten path. Consider one of the following out of the ordinary drives:

  • Cairo to Kharga (550 km) in Egypt’s western desert
  • Athens to Olympus (600km) on the Peloponnese Peninsula in Greece
  • Karamea to Haast(534km) on New Zealand’s South Island
  • Salalah to Muscat (900km) in Oman
  • Bilbao to Laguardia (550km) in Spain
  • Charleston to Cherokee (1600km) in the US
  • Glasgow to Mallaig (255km) in Scotland
  • Havana to Pinar del Rio (177km) in Cuba

I have my personal favourites and they include:

2714901611 ea3688d2fa The Worlds 20 Best Drives

  • The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia
  • The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper, Alberta
  • Highway # 1 from Washington State to California
  • the backroads of Quebec and Vermont in foliage season

A quote by Robert Louis Stevenson says it all.

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”

So my suggestion is be spontaneous this summer and go, somewhere, anywhere for the sheer joy of travelling.

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Adventure Travel Tours and Tips, Miscellaneous travel tips | Leave a Comment 

June 2009 West Coast Trail Update

June 10, 2009

West Coast Trail campsite

West Coast Trail campsite

This has been the June to be hiking the West Coast Trail. A drier than normal month plus lots of sun has the trail in great shape. Last year I slogged through knee deep mud in all sections of the trail. This year it is only the southern section at the present time that is muddy. Slimy, slippery boardwalks? Not this year. Busy campsites? No – at least one other person at each site but the masses aren’t there…yet.

If you are contemplating a hike of the West Coast Trail then you have  4 more days to do it without needing a reservation. Starting June 15th until September 15th you will need a reservation though there is room for 5 walk ons a day in each direction on a first come first served basis. The reservation number is 1-800-435-5622 for Canada and the United States. The international number to call is 1-250-387-1642. Have a credit card ready.

A West Coast Trail eguide has just been published with all information in one place that you need to get ready to go including maps, pertinent phone numbers, packing lists, suggested 6,7, and 8 day itineraries and much more. Visit the eguide store on the website to download your copy.

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Hiking, backpacking and walking tips and tours | 1 Comment 

Economical Travel – The Bed and Breakfast Route

June 5, 2009

Passionate travelers and adventure junkies will continue to need their travel fix despite all the gloomy economic reports. The question is where to go and what to do to get the most bang for your buck.

The most obvious starting point is to stay closer to home and explore your own backyard. For example, cycling the Niagara region if you live in Toronto or Buffalo OR the Gulf or San Juan Islands if you live in Vancouver or Seattle will set you back as little as $500 Canadian ($425 US) for four days and three nights and that is with overnight stays in well appointed bed and breakfasts. Enjoy picnic lunches, wine tastings and then splurge on a few good dinners.

Many people forgo the B&B route fearing awkward conversation with over eager hosts. Much of that has changed for the better though the personal touches and local advice can still be prevailed upon. Now many B&B’s are run more like an intimate inn with a great deal of privacy plus unusually good breakfasts and often late afternoon drinks and snacks thrown in.

In my research I am repeatedly finding that most B&B’s are willing to give you a healthy discount on a room with as little as a two night stay though sometimes you will need to book three nights. If there is a particular place that you are keen to visit sign up for their email specials – you will be one of the first to hear about any unadvertised last minute deals. Also, it never hurts to ask what other promotions might be available. The worst that can happen is nothing but perhaps you will end up with a free bottle of wine or a discounted meal.

Avoiding peak travel times is another way to take advantage of specials. Overnight stays on Sunday through Thursday are often reduced in even the busiest of months. Book just before or just after prime season and enjoy very significant savings without the crowds.

How many of you are familiar with the fact that many of the smaller B&B’s don’t even need to charge GST (5% tax for our foreign readers)? or room tax? And they almost always have free parking. In fact one time in Newfoundland, home to some of the friendliest people on the planet, the B&B owner gave us the keys to her car so we could drive to dinner. Now that is service and trust!

To find a B&B in North America and abroad try one of the links below. Many of the itineraries for sale on this website will include B&B’s, noteworthy and otherwise though you will be warned if any of them are on the sketchy side.

www.bedandbreakfast.com
www.bbonline.com
www.iloveinns.com
www.bnbfinder.com
www.lanierbb.com

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Accommodation Reviews and Tips | Leave a Comment 

Vancouver Guide Published

June 1, 2009

We are excited to announce that our first eGuide is now available for a free download. If you have ever had a long layover at the Vancouver International Airport and wished you could take a few hours to see the sights of Vancouver this eGuide is the perfect companion. In as little as 4 – 5 hours you can take in some of the incredible sights around Vancouver and still make it back to the airport with time to spare.

Enjoy this remarkable city!

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Miscellaneous travel tips | Leave a Comment 

Racing car dreams in Ireland

June 1, 2009

I have recently returned from nearly a month of research in western Ireland which included 400 kilometres of biking in Connemara, the Burren and the Aran Islands. While the scenery was first rate the biking experience often was not.

The backroads of Ireland are narrow, windy, rough, shoulderless and often blind. They are almost never patrolled. Signs for speed limits range from 80 -100 kilometres but the average speed with an Irish person at the wheel is well in excess of 100 kms/hour, even in small villages with posted signs of 50 kms/hour. It was very easy to pick out the North American driven rental cars as they invariably slowed down for cyclists and provided a measure of comfort by keeping more than a foot away. In the past Vietnam was my standard for wild and crazy cycling but no longer. I feared for my life on several occasions and asked whatever deity was listening to look out for me. NEVER, EVER ride the busy roads into Galway.

Now if you are a racing car enthusiast then get yourself to Ireland
because you will not get a speeding ticket, you will never see the police, and you will have one heck of a good time taking the curves at 120 kms/hour BUT please give us cyclists a break.

Connemara area, Ireland

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Adventure Travel Tours and Tips, Biking in Europe- tours and tips | Leave a Comment 

Another Free Adventure Guide – Banff to Jasper , Canada

Inside this guide you’ll find all the information you need to book and execute your own trip.

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