Trails to Niagara - Sep 2025
What started as a simple idea — “We should ride from my house all the way to Niagara-on-the-Lake" — turned into one of the most memorable adventures I’ve ever done. Five days. Two bikes. One best-friend energy. And a route that took us from Canandaigua’s farmland all the way to the shores of Lake Ontario, following bike paths, canal towns, historic villages, waterfalls, and finally the Canadian wine country.
This was our Home to NOTL Adventure, and every day had its own rhythm, scenery, and tiny surprises.
⭐ Day 0 — Arrival & Warm-Up Ride (Wednesday)
Holly arrived at my house on Middle Road, and we kicked things off with a gentle warm-up ride around Canandaigua — an easy 15 miles to shake out the travel stiffness and get into bike-touring mode.
We had dinner at home, spread out all our gear, compared packing strategies, fussed with panniers, and did that wonderful pre-tour ritual of organizing everything twice just to feel “ready.”
We went to bed excited — the kind of excitement that has you half asleep, half already pedaling.
⭐ Day 1 — Canandaigua → Brockport (54 miles)
We left after breakfast, rolling down quiet country roads for the first 12 miles, surrounded by fields, barns, and open sky. Eventually we caught the Auburn Trail, a beautiful paved bike path that carried us toward Pittsford.
Lunch was at the Coal Tower Restaurant, right on the Erie Canal — classic diner food with boats drifting by outside the window. Afterward we browsed a few shops along the canal.
Back on our bikes, we continued along the Erie Canalway Trail, following peaceful crushed-stone paths and scenic water views until we reached Brockport.
Dinner was at Cappelletti’s, complete with an outdoor patio — the perfect end to a long day. We checked into the Hampton Inn, took hot showers, stretched, and laughed about how tired we were.
⭐ Day 2 — Brockport → Lockport (42 miles)
We started with breakfast at Java Junction in downtown Brockport — simple, warm, homey, and full of cyclists’ energy.
The day’s route was all along the Erie Canal, a steady ribbon of calm water and gentle miles. We stopped in Medina for lunch and explored the village a bit before continuing on to Lockport.
Lockport is a town full of canal history, lift bridges, and brick industrial architecture. We wandered around, took pictures, checked out the locks, and soaked in the feel of the place. Dinner was somewhere downtown, casual and easy.
We stayed at the Lockport Inn & Suites, which had a funky 80s vibe, was still run by the family that founded it 30+ years ago, and felt welcoming after a long day of riding.
⭐ Day 3 — Lockport → Niagara-on-the-Lake (36 miles)
This was one of the most exciting days — the day we crossed into Canada.
We had breakfast in Lockport, then followed the path along the canal until the scenery slowly shifted toward the Niagara region. The ride into Niagara Falls was thrilling — dense with energy, mist rising in the distance, and that unmistakable roar of water.
We stopped for lunch and spent time visiting the falls.
From there, we continued north along the Niagara River Parkway — one of the most beautiful cycling routes anywhere — eventually arriving in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with its vineyards, gardens, boutiques, and historic charm. We met my brother on his bike just north of the falls, and he joined us for the last 15 miles of our ride.
We checked into a local B&B, where Serge, Lisa, Suz and Chris all joined us. We have a big family dinner at a local winery and restaurant and celebrated the arrival with excellent Niagara Wine Region reislings.
⭐ Day 4 — Niagara-on-the-Lake → Buffalo (37–50 miles)
After breakfast at the B&B, we spent some time among the cute shops and cafes of Niagara on the Lake. Around mid-day we began the final day of riding — a gorgeous journey along the river, past overlooks, parks, and historic markers. We crossed at the Peace Bridge and got through customs with only a minor wait. The route into Buffalo took us through my old neighborhood and right up Utica street.
We met Serge and Lisa in Buffalo for dinner at one of our old haunts - the greek cafe in Elmwood village. A perfect celebratory moment — then loaded the bikes into the car and drove back home to Canandaigua.
It felt both triumphant and exhausting.
⭐ Day 5 — Breakfast & Farewell (Monday)
We spent the morning relaxing, having breakfast in Canandaigua, and enjoying a quiet end to a very big journey. Holly packed up and headed home - with promises to bike together again in Florida this winter — and the adventure officially became a memory.
⭐ Reflections
Riding from my home all the way to Niagara-on-the-Lake was more than a physical challenge. It was five days of movement, companionship, small-town discoveries, unexpected joys, and the simplicity of living life one mile at a time. Sharing it with Holly made it even better — we talked, we laughed, we encouraged each other, and we settled into the easy rhythm you only get when friends travel well together.
It was a reminder that adventure doesn’t have to be far away to feel extraordinary. Sometimes you just get on your bike at your own front door, point it toward the horizon, and go.
