The Toronto-Niagara Bike Train is now accepting reservations!
This is an exciting new service that will allow cyclists to bring their bikes on board VIA Rail trains between Toronto's Union Station and Niagara falls Station. Return fare is $59.00.
It is still a pilot project with limited weekend service in July and August 2007. Perhaps if there is enough demand, this will become a permanent service with expanded schedules and new locations added.
Personally, I'm hoping they can expand to have a Friday evening train. With the current schedule, the earliest train on a weekend arrives in Niagara Falls at noon, meaning half the cycling day is already over. They may also have trouble carrying tandems, recumbents, and trailers, so be sure to call ahead if you're bringing anything other than a "standard" bicycle.
Comments
Thomas Barone (not verified)
Bike Train Trip to Toronto July4-5 2008
Thu, 07/10/2008 - 18:19I was a ride organizer for this wonderful trip to Toronto via the Bike Train. From the very start of the organization Justin LaFontaine was very very helpful. I managed to gather 7 riders to go on the trip with me from the Buffalo, N.Y. area. All the riders were from my local bike club the Niagara Frontier Bicycle Club. The anticipation of riding a train to Toronto was very unique and for me very exciting as i had never ridden a train in my life. Hard to beleive for a 66 year old man!!! The train was on time and loading the bikes on the train was very straight forward and uneventful.
As we pulled away from the train station everyone setteled down and began to enjoy the ride. Not too far into the ride the conductor announced that a wine sampling ( tasting) was going to take place in the rear most car on the train and anyone wishing to taste ( sample) the Niagara Regional wines was welcome to come on back. Well needless to say the group really enjoyed the wine!!!
The trip to Toronto just seemed to fly by, before we knew it we were in Union Station downtown Toronto. While i have been to Toronto many times before the arrival on this day just seemed to be so exciting. We got our bikes off the train and proceeded to go to the Hostel and check in.
Dinner out on the town was wonderful , we walked around downtown and the surronding area for a few hours and then back to the Hostel for a good night's sleep.
In the A,.M. we had breakfast and then off to the Waterfront Trail and our adventure riding back to Niagara Falls Ontario . The Waterfront Trail is quite simply the finest trail i've ever ridden and the group was very impresssed with the parks, lake front views and the superb condition of the trail.
We rode all the way around the " Golden Horseshoe" . The Niagara region is an excellent cycling area and the bike Train opens the region up to anyone wishing to explore is wonderful region.
The cost of the Bike Train is very reasonable and the staff was absloutely GREAT! We have already begun to plan our next Bike Train Trip for the fall and many fellow cyclist that have read my trip report on our web site have expressed a desire to join the fall trip.
Just too much fun , now everyone wants to join in
Thank you so very much for this great experience.
Tom Barone
ride organizer
vic
Hi Tom!
Thu, 07/10/2008 - 18:27Cool! Didn't know you were coming to Toronto.
Jen and I did the opposite of your trip. We rode to Niagara, cycled around the region, then took the Bike Train back. Had a wonderful time.
Did you bring a 'bent on the train? Last year I brought my upright Bike Friday, but if we do it again this year I may bring the Streetmachine.
I'm trying to figure out a way to get the time off, etc...etc...to join you guys on at least part of this year's Niagara recumbent rally. Bike Train would help make this easier.
Cheers,
Vic