Again, in spite of threats, no rain today. Jerry says my number is up, that it will "even" out. Nope! That's not how statistics work lol. But let's not test my luck either!
We started the morning with breakfast at Denny's, which, thankfully, Jerry spied the night before on the way to dinner. We were staying at the Quality Inn only because they offered breakfast, and, at the time, we thought we would be staying in a wasteland of restaurants. But when we checked in, we learned there would be no breakfast; the place was under renovation. So we lucked out with the Denny's. Almost like being back in America (well, we're close).
After that, it was time to get going, so back through all the construction going on around the QEW interchange we had passed through yesterday, and from there, back to the waterfront trail!
The generous trail through and leading out of Hamilton.
Unfortunately, that didn't last long. We were soon weaving through residential neighborhoods and riding along shoulders on what is, essentially, a service road for the QEW. At least there were sound barriers in some locations. And on the busier sections, there was always a good shoulder. And then I met Mike.
Mike's neighborhood, a pleasant diversion from a busier road.
Mike was a great meet. I had stopped to check my phone, and he asked me if I was lost. I wasn't, but we had a great conversation about him and me and all things political and historical. He gave me great background info on the area and was able to put some of my observations into context. If you ever bike this part of the trail, and he says he sees many cyclists, keep an eye open for him.
Shortly after leaving Mike, which was difficult as he's a great conversationalist, I was directed onto, what I later learned to be, the Forty Mile Creek Side Trail. This is NOT part of the official Waterfront Trail, so I must have made a mistake when I mapped out the course, but it was interesting nonetheless.
The beginning of the Forty Mile Creek Side Trail. Well, it didn't really look like a trail, but I decided to go for it anyway.
After that, it was through more residential neighborhoods and then back on the service road along the QEW . . . for ten miles! Yikes! At least there was a good shoulder.
The Welland Canal Trail was a real pleasure to ride. It's not part of the Waterfront Trail. We abandoned that when we turned right to go through Port Dalhousie, but it's paved and is probably more interesting . . . so interesting that I missed my turn to cross it!
My planned crossing was at Homer Bridge, a double-leaf bascule span.
The actual bridge I crossed on, Glendale Bridge, is a vertical lift span. It was just lowering into place when I approached it after letting two pleasure crafts through.
So that resulted in some minor re-routing, mostly because I refuse to backtrack if I can avoid it. Always forward! Forward for six miles . . . to the start of the Niagara River Recreational Trail. Almost home! The pictures will tell the story from here . . .
The entry point for the Niagara River Recreational Trail. Immediately after entering, there is a long climb up to a summit.
The first bridge you will see, the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, carries Ontario Highway 405, also known as the General Brock Parkway, to U.S. Interstate I-190. It had plenty of trucks queued up on it, waiting to get through customs.
And the obligatory selfie. Later, I learned that Jerry, who was behind me, had gone straight to the hotel room, which is his habit. I always like to first cruise around the town I arrive in to check things out.
One last point. Niagara Falls is known for its waterfalls, but the city itself is quite the scene. I thought I had landed in Disney World. Later, after dinner, Jerry and I walked down to catch the waterfalls at night, and the city was lit up like Times Square. There were also fireworks. I've devoted separate pages to that!
The climb into town, with an audience to boot. I did not fail them.
