C2C Day 45 Port Dalhousie ON to Buffalo NY

Plenty of smiles on this gorgeous day.

A quaint coffee shop wake-up followed by a morning ride along a wide pier stretching into Lake Ontario. Then a glorious ride through Canadian vineyards and orchards. Yes, Canada has a wine region, nestled into a micro-climate caused by the steep Niagara escarpment hills and warm Lake Ontario breezes. An idyllic ride to the British-inspired hamlet of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Here, flower-lined streets of small shops and cafes beckons international visitors. The town is situated on the banks of the Niagara river as it flows into Lake Ontario, and also marks the starting point of the Niagara Recreation Trail, which follows the Niagara all the way to Lake Erie.

Of course, the most famous stop along this spectacular 56 km trail is Niagara Falls, one of the great natural wonders of the world.

And what a great place to meet my ‘trail angel’ for lunch. Jax has provided wonderful support and companionship throughout this year’s ride.

The Niagara River Trail is a touring cyclist’s dream, winding through orchards, historic sites, picturesque estates, and scenic vistas. And on a stunningly beautiful day like today, it’s got to be one of the best rides in the world. Jax found a nice calm stretch of a tributary river lined with dockside taverns and parks in nearby Chippawa for a perfect paddle boarding experience. The smiles continued all the way to Lake Erie. From here, we bid adieu to Canada and crossed the Peace Bridge into the U.S.

New York is our ninth state on this cross country journey. And Lake Erie is the fourth Great Lake. Jax whipped out the paddle board and bagged Great Lake #4.

Buffalo, New York is the finish line for this 2022 segment. 650 glorious miles. The bike, rider, and supporter all made it with no mechanical issues or mishaps. One more segment to go, in 2023… to somewhere on the eastern coast where we will dip the front wheel into the Atlantic. For now, adios from Buffalo. Thanks for following along. ~Dan