Circumnavigate the Lake of Shining Waters-Lake Ontario

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW

Here’s your chance to strike another one off your bucket list—join us on a fifteen day journey clockwise around Lake Ontario (name comes from the Iroquoian language and means “lake of shining waters”).  There is much to see and do—historic sites on both sides of the border, primarily built either during the War of 1812 or in response to it; award winning wineries along the Niagara Escarpment, in Prince Edward County (PEC) and near Oswego, NY; the largest freshwater dune system in the world in PEC; farm fields and orchards on both sides of the lake; and wildlife areas where you may be able to see birds making their annual migration north.

The tour will start and finish In Rochester, NY.  We will follow the Seaway Trail towards Niagara Falls, cross into Canada on the Rainbow Bridge, and then pick up the Niagara River Parkway and head north.  For those who are George Bernard Shaw fans, we will stay across the street from the Shaw Festival.  We’ll then follow the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail around the north shore of Lake Ontario through Toronto to Kingston.  Two nights will be spent in Prince Edward County—an area noted for its wineries and cycling.  From Kingston, we’ll take two ferries to reach Cape Vincent, NY.  We then pick up the Seaway Trail again, following the south shore of Lake Ontario back to Rochester. Click to see a high level view of the tour.

This tour will cross into Canada at Niagara Falls then return to the US at Cape Vincent.  Participants will need a valid passport to cross at both points. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Prior to the final payment for the tour, an infectious disease plan will be developed and communicated. The plan will identify possible actions for dealing with persons with an infectious disease on the tour that could affect their ability to ride or the health of others in the group. The plan will include items such as isolation protocols, testing, masking, distancing, and leaving the tour.

All participants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and be prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by Ride Leader, if requested. (At this time, proof of COVID-19 vaccination, pre-testing and quarantine are not required to enter Canada.)

RIDE RATING

This trip is rated a 1B with an average daily distance of 45 miles (75 km) and 720 ft. (220 m) of elevation gain per day (ranges from 120 ft (36.6 m) to 1320 ft (402 m)) and no steep grades (maximum grade of 6%). There are three days that exceed the ride rating with required distances of 60 miles (96 km).  Twelve days of riding are planned with one rest day at just over the half way point at Picton, PEC.  Most of the rides are along established bike routes and often on separated bike paths.  Routing is based on information from Round Lake Ontario: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide by Harvey Botzman, Waterfront Trail & Greenway Mapbook, heat maps available on Ride with GPS, and the Ride Leadership Team’s personal familiarity with the area.  Most riding surfaces (~97%) are paved. Some additional scouting is anticipated before the tour begins. The exact routing will be finalized at that time.

CUE SHEETS, MAPS, GPS FILES

GPS files for all routes will be created using Ride with GPS.  A link will be provided well before the tour to all the GPS files in an "Event" and you will be able to download all the files to your computer, bicycle computer or smartphone.  You will also be able to print maps and cue sheets if wanted.  Note: It is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS device before the trip begins.

WEATHER

For the period planned for this tour, the weather can vary quite dramatically from year to year.  Typically temperatures range from 45°F -67°F (8°C - 19°C) in May and 54°F - 76°F (12°C - 24°C) in June with about 3 inches (7.6 cm) of rain both months.  Daytime temperatures in the mid to high 80’s (~30°C) are not unusual nor are thunder storms in the late afternoon.

LODGING & MEALS

Hotels will range from chain hotels (e.g., Comfort Inn, Best Western), bed and breakfast, cabins, a former jail, and four star hotels.  In most cases, lodging will be close to downtown.  Along the south shore of Lake Ontario, the communities tend to be quite small and in at least one location, more than one establishment will be required to house all of our participants.  Overnights in order are Rochester, Kent (Point Breeze), Youngstown, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Burlington, Pickering, Cobourg, Picton (2 nights; there is a coin laundromat a three minute walk away), Kingston, Sacketts Harbor, Oswego, Sodus Point, and Rochester. 

At least seven breakfasts and four group dinners are included in the tour.

LOGISTICS

The tour starts in Rochester before dinner on Saturday 25 May 2024 and ends back in Rochester after breakfast on Saturday 8 June 2024. Participants who fly can use the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) which is serviced by Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and United. Details on parking and the storage of bike boxes will be provided in a communication with participants closer to the starting date of the tour.  We will have a driver whose primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies. While it will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as a SAG vehicle and participants are expected to complete the ride each day.

Tandems and e-bikes are welcome on this tour.

We are not aware at this time of any place that rents bicycles suitable for this tour.

COST & ADMINISTRATION

Cost estimate is $2,550 per person double occupancy for 14 hotel nights, at least seven breakfasts, happy hour drinks and snacks most afternoons, at least 4 group dinners, daily route review, luggage transfer, and routes and sightseeing information.  The initial deposit is $1,450 with the final payment of $1,150 due January 15, 2024. Costs incurred in Canada have been converted assuming the Canadian dollar is worth $0.80 USD. Depending on currency exchange rates, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment. 

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY

We welcome single participants, whether you share a room with another single or you choose to pay a solo supplement. If you are thinking of participating as a single, please contact the Ride Leader to determine what is available.  In several locations the number of rooms with two beds is quite limited although there may be rooms with a futon, pull out couch or a daybed that could be used.  It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given two weeks to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the $1,450 Solo Supplement and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office by January 15, 2024. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. They should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. For individual cancellations, refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and whether costs can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped, the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

INSURANCE

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient.

While in the US:  BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents. This coverage applies when touring inside the US, regardless of your nationality. It’s assumed that members’ personal insurance will cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, so these have not been included in the BAC policy. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible. You may want to consider personal coverage for emergency evacuation, as this is not included. The costs of treatment or quarantine for Covid and other unexpected illnesses are not covered. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.

While in Canada:  BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US, regardless of your nationality with the exception of Canadians cycling within Canada who are not covered. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.

SIGN-UP

To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee and Tour Deposit by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description. Wait listing is encouraged.