Lake Ontario Trek Living the Canadian Life

Our Lake Ontario Trek has gotten off to an exciting start, with the first day taking the group right into the Canadian province on Ontario!  Here is Laura's (one of the Leaders) recap of the first few days:

The whole gang

Taking a break along the Lake

Adventures at Niagara Falls:

The Lake Ontario Trekkers spent their first 2 days at Niagara Falls. We took a scenic ride from Buffalo to the Falls checking out each view of the magnificent falls. Those who had never been here before were pretty amazed by their power and beauty.  After a day with many stops to do some bike tune ups and fix flats we cooked a delicious meal at the hostel and went to bed to get ready for another busy day at the falls.  The next day, we rode the Maid of the Mist boat tour, getting up close and personal with the massive falls.  Then we followed the river to the Niagara Glen gorge area, which had amazing views of the falls and whirlpools.  We hiked down into the gorge which ended with a view of the whirlpools and a refreshing run off waterfall to cool down in. 

No shortage of mist here!

The next days were spent riding to a campsite in Jordan, ON and then to Hamilton, ON. The highlight was spending some time at Ball's Falls--a perfect opportunity for a swim.

Your fearless Leaders, Laura and Luke

Ball's Falls-great swimming spot!

Then we made the final trek to Toronto--our first 50 mile day! As we set off from our campsite in the morning we could see Toronto in the horizon and knew we had quite a trek ahead of us. But spirits were high as we could see the city getting closer and closer.  The view was amazing because we were riding on a bike path right along Lake Ontario, the Lake that Toronto sits on! 

We will spend 2 full days here before we continue around the lake!  Toronto is a great city for cyclists-the roads have bike paths, traffic isn't crazy and they have a cool bike culture-bike commuters and students whiz around (lots of fixed gear bikes and stylish outfits) at all hours.

The Trekkers setting of on the bike path to Toronto

Because the Trekkers are in Canada, blog posts will be less frequent-about every 5 days.  Once the group in back in New York State, it will be easier for Leaders to send up photos.

European Phantomers Ready to Move to Belgium, by Jordan

It is safe to say that Jordan's view of Belgium is shared by the whole group:

A note from Jordan, Trekker:

"As we leave the greatest country in the world and venture to a country known for its tulips, it is a proper time to reminisce and remember the glory and beauty that is encapsulated in brave little Belgium.

While we only stayed in Ghent and Brugges for two nights total I can 100% say that I'm hooked. We got into Ghent on the 16th and I was astounded by the center of Ghent, which surrounds a river.  ALL the people that we spoke to in Ghent seemed friendly and laid back, even the natives, who are called called "free boaters" or Ghentians(?). This fact, multiplied by the amount of bikers, waffles, chocolates, french fries, castle in the center of the city, amazing hostel, and lack of *bike thieves, made the medieval-looking Ghent one of my favorite places on the trip. It was a bittersweet departure from Ghent, but I was able to contain my tears.

I was skeptical that anything could live up to the paradise of Ghent, but after a confusing and easy bike ride, we arrived to the just-as-medieval-looking city of Brugges and I was pleasantly surprised. While Brugges is a little more touristy, it is just as awe-inspiring and has even higher cathedrals. The city seemed out and about the whole night, but it still maintained a quaint placid feel that was cool. (The only critique I had was that the restaurant we ate at made us pay for water.) The departure from Brugges was even harder as this was our last day in the beauty of Belgium.

Goodbye, Belgium. Cya soon.

Love,
Jordan

PS. Sean snuck out during the night to stay in Belgium. We don't know where he is now, but it is rumored he married a nice Belgian woman and has 6 chubby babies. Good luck Sean. May the odds be in your favor.

PPS. Don't worry, Mom of Sean, I'm just kidding."

*Jordan has the immense misfortune of having his bike nicked in Paris.

Summer in Ghent, simply amazing!

Bruges, Ghent's more popular big sister

Off to the Netherlands!

We can confirm that the group has safely arrived to their hostel in Amsterdam.  Dinner and exploring await!

European Phantom Bikes to Salisbury and Stonehenge by Jordan

At Salisbury Cathedral

Hey! I'm writing this from a hostel in Salisbury.
Everyone is tired after a fun day of biking and Stonehenge.
Let me start from the beginning.
Pre- trip I was worried about the intense physical exertion that comes with a full day of cycling.
What I have learned four days in is that biking is REALLY tough. I consider myself a pretty solid athlete, but I have never been so sore and exhausted in my life. Despite the fatigue (which I know will go away with more practice), I am really enjoying the trip. Beautiful sights, beautiful people (Oscar), and very responsible counselors. I have never eaten so well in my life and the other kids are nice and just as driven to bike as me.
Shoutouts to New York- Mom, Dad, Hailey, and Jess, hope everyone is keeping it real in Emont. Ill be back home soon jacked, self-reliant, and with a full beard.

- Jordan