mf - story #974 - Annual Niagara Falls by Bike

Annual Niagara Falls by Bike
posted by pasofol on April 1st, 2008 at 9:10AM

For those who have plenty of heart but lack the brains.
When? End of June.
Who? Me and who every wants to join.
The more you train the better. Reason for posting it now.
Distance about 300kms. Route to be discussed and figured out on the way.
Time ~16-24hrs.

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posted by Driusan on April 9th, 2008 at 6:17PM

I'm there, but I'd prefer beginning-mid August over end of June. I need to get used to my speedplay zeros and make sure I can handle this distance on my fixie first..

Up for the ride for heart up the DVP at the beginning of June?

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Reasons for late June.
posted by pasofol on April 10th, 2008 at 1:34AM

I'm planning to move to Europe for good in early/start of July.

Second not so big deal but does affect the trip. The longest days(sunlight)are at end of June, so reduces the risk and requirement for flashlights.

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posted by dennisn on April 9th, 2008 at 7:50PM

What are "speedplay zeros"?

And I don't suppose the ride for heart is free? :) (I don't see why it shouldn't be, seeing as how any show of support should be appreciated).

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posted by Driusan on April 9th, 2008 at 10:20PM

A type of clipless pedal. They're pretty sweet.. I'm definitely liking them better than my SPDs or Looks so far.

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posted by dennisn on April 1st, 2008 at 11:16AM

I think it'd be a good idea to sleep over, and breakfast there, before returning. Doing it all at once is pretty brutal. But, it's a pretty boring place -- there's nothing to do there. How about treking to some beach instead?

Also, driving at night is a BAD idea. I had seriously made peace with the world, and was prepared to die last time. It's PURE BLACK in many locations, with intermittent speeding drunk assholes. I would be doing my brain a great injustice if I would repeat that.

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Reason
posted by pasofol on April 1st, 2008 at 6:18PM

buy bike lights, and blinkers.
I've driven through the parts that were without lighting but my two bike lights were enough. First two times I had nothing but somehow remember not being so bad but I've always left at like 2am-5am and maxed out the daylight. Rested under the trees for couple hours in the park next to the falls, visited the casino and some popular sites.
The running of the tourists is fun at 5am-6am. Out of no where you find all these tourist running in the morning by themselves or in small groups.

By the third time I tried to make it out of st catherine parts which I know doesnt have lighting before sunset. (St.Paul/King St.) If you leave Niagara around 3-4pm you reach lincoln or grimsby and follow the lake which has enough lighting from there on in.

I agree it's not easy and physically demanding but that's kind of the point. Anyone can take a car or bus and visit but only few are willing to kill themselves for it.

As for doing nothing there. It's the journey that counts for me and not the destination. There's couple places that I try to visit all the time now. The dairyqueen next to the minigolf course, the cherry farmer stand before a huge hill, the tim hortons in burlington, and etc. There's also the nice farmers who took pitty on me and gave me free peaches but haven't found them a second time.

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posted by Nylorac on April 3rd, 2008 at 3:48PM

I'll chill at the casino/falls. Who's in to join me? Marlene? Diana?

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posted by blehblah on April 3rd, 2008 at 9:09PM

I'm always up for Niagara Falls and the Casinos. Maybe we can bring our bikes there, and bike along Niagara River...remember when we went to the Butterfly Conservatory - there was that beautiful path right along.

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Sounds good.
posted by pasofol on April 3rd, 2008 at 4:37PM

I can meet up with you at the casino, I try to justify taking the easy way out instead of biking back if I win over 100bucks. If so I take the greyhound which covers the cost and more.

Not sure who's going or not but still a bit of time to plan and work that out.

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posted by Nylorac on April 1st, 2008 at 12:38PM

I could drive myself + 4 people. My Altima's pretty spacious. Oh, I don't know how to ride a bike.. well.

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