Ditch the car for the Bike Train, and enjoy some 'green' summer fun

Last summer I took my inaugural Bike Train weekend trip. Four friends and I met at Union Station on a Friday afternoon to catch a two hour, $60 round trip, train to Niagara Falls. With bikes in tow and bungee cords wrapped around every free bar on our bikes, we boarded the Niagara Greenbelt Express.

Bike Train reserves a car specifically for bikes, and the incredibly candid and cool crew load them for you. There's a single car also reserved for Bike Train participants, and space is limited; be sure to book your trip in advance, or call (internet works too) for information on availability.

Being a group of young individuals we decided on a hostel for the two night stay. It was ideally located, literally, a block away from the train station and away from the Las Vegas strip of Niagara Falls' Lundy's Lane. Oh, and cheap. We bought food at a local produce shop and cooked in the hostel kitchen.

For those less keen on wood bunk beds, the hotel options are endless, so surf the net for some good deals. Also, think about a bed and breakfast. We arrived late that Friday night, too late to ride anywhere, however, should you decide on an earlier train, riding into Niagara on the Lake to a quaint guest house or b&b would be very doable.

Like accommodations, the bike routes are bottomless. Our intention for the trip was to visit as many wineries as we could before dark, or before we fell off our bikes. Our trip took us along a paved trail that traced the escarpment and gorge all the way into the vineyards. From there we hopped from one winery to another, ate lunch amidst the vines, and had endless tastings. We really didn't need much of a map for this route, since the trail went from one end to the other. But Bike Train provides you with a very informative bike map of the Niagara and Niagara on the Lake area. And they take the time to speak with each patron on departing train ride about Bike Train, Niagara Falls, biking in general and are there to help with anything else you might need. Did I mention you get a T-Shirt too? Well, you do! On your way home you get a lovely souvenir to remind you always of your wicked green Bike Train trip.

You don't need to be an avid biker, or maniacal cyclist to do this trip. Ride as far or as long as you'd like. While we road for almost an entire day with stops of about 30 minutes for some, ahem, refreshments, you can decide on an abridged version and no one would ever know. This is a stress free and fairly low priced getaway for the summer. Round up some friends or family and get outside, move around a bit, and don't forget to try the wine.

This summer Bike Train has opened up a northern Ontario corridor if Niagara Falls isn't your bag. I think I'll be trying it out this summer. Let me know what you think!

By Kendel Doyle