Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Release Date: 07/17/2025
Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 7
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
What was supposed to be a triumphant border crossing and final push from Niagara Falls back to the starting point became something entirely different when family health concerns required an immediate pivot. But sometimes the best laid plans need to be set aside for what actually matters, and day six became about completing the ride in the way it was always meant to end - with a proper beginning and a proper finish, both by bike, both connected to the places and people that made this whole adventure meaningful in the first place. Lake Ontario 2025: Part 7 Statistics Miles biked:...
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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 6
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Transitioning from from the peaceful Toronto Island back into the urban sprawl of southern Ontario is a bit of a record scratch I’ll more thoroughly experience when I eventually ride this ride, but a fast forward to a stunning Niagara Falls hotel leads to an extensive e-bike exploration of the Niagara River and Falls area. But plans always have a way of changing and this day was no different. Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 6 Toronto Island Farewell Final morning walk through the quiet island community Observations on the unique housing stock and lifestyle Discussion of waiting lists and the...
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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Toronto! The biggest city in Canada beckoned with its record shops, high energy and criminally underrated cycling on the islands off shore. With a basketball arena parking spot and my kind of weather, TO was ready to welcome me with open arms… Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5 🚗 Parking + Arrival in Toronto •Parking garage setup with EV charging — 24 hours for 24 CAD, prime downtown location. •Thoughts on Cybertrucks (spoiler: not a fan). •Quick record shop detour before rolling out. 🚲 Urban E-bike Sprint to the Ferry •Navigating Toronto traffic to make the ferry in time....
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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 4
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
This portion of the trip was always going to be a question mark - what kind of biking will there be? Will it be fun? Will I be looking too much ahead to more obviously notable places like Toronto and Niagara Falls? Wolfe Island once again answers the call! Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 4 🚲 Ride Overview •Starting the day from Wolf Island, Ontario •A late start, but with a scenic route west to Sandy Point •Focus on a relaxed e-bike ride due to a tight ferry schedule 🌞 Weather & Ride Conditions •Sunny and pleasantly warm, a bit hotter than ideal •Wind off the lake keeping...
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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 3
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
So the ebike is a brick in the back of my Rav4, but it still works like a normal bike, so let’s keep going! But a sudden realization may provide the solution to unlock all the battery goodness, just as another stunning discovery makes me realize, this trip’s Plan B was all meant to be. Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 3 Hotel pack-up & quick diagnosis Morning in Oswego, NY. Realizes the motor cut-off is just a loose brake-lever magnet. Simple electrical/duct-tape fix brings the e-bike back to life. Route planning & launch Scraps the closed Cape Vincent ferry idea decides to drive...
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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 2
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Episode 404? Isn’t 404 a website error? Well part 2 of the Lake Ontario adventure corrects for the very serious 404 we had with the ebike. Still a mystery, but we’re recovering and adventuring by bike in amazing towns like Sodus Point and Oswego, exploring apple orchard memories and historic nuclear power plants in between. Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 2 Abandoning the E-Bike Dream (For Now) The electric bike project is benched due to reliability issues Reflections on bike trust, touring logistics, and rethinking the approach New trip plan: use the RAV4 Prime to support bike day rides...
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Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 1
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Folks, if you've followed this pod for any length of time you know my bike adventures usually have a component that goes sideways. But has it ever happened before a single pedal stroke? Can the Lake Ontario adventure survive something like that? Lake Ontario 2025: Part 1 Packing anxiety: two batteries, 90+ mile days, and a lot of unknowns My ride strategy: charging on the go and treating watts like water Leaving from my parents’ home—why this ride had emotional weight First day jitters: range, elevation, and pannier paranoia The moment everything stopped working: my e-bike breakdown in...
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402: Lake Ontario 2025 Preview
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
After years of circling this ride (pun intended) it’s time to do a lap of the lake that I’ve lived near for a big chunk of my early life. Would it have been easier to pick a smaller lake? Sure. But Lake Ontario truly is a Great Lake in the sense it is surrounded by diverse and interesting places we’ll discover together. Lake Ontario 2025 Preview The basics About 540 miles Two countries, two border crossings Ferries galore All roofed lodging Rural stops and big cities Driving ebike to WNY that is the beginning and end of the loop The weather Warm days and cool nights Mixed bag for rain...
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401: LA Metrobike Adventure
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
What happens when you’ve only got one day in Los Angeles, a conference that demands your physical presence, and a red-eye flight back home? You grab a Metrobike and explore, of course! On this edition, it’s a whirlwind bike share adventure from the hilly streets of Westwood to the iconic Venice Beach boardwalk and a race for that flight home. Los Angeles Metrobike Adventure Intro: •Location: Westwood, California •Reason: Quick trip for an AI conference •Game plan: Metrobike adventure from UCLA to Venice Beach and eventually towards LAX The Plan: •$5 Metrobike day pass –...
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Spring Break: Filling in the Blanks Part 2
The Pedalshift Project: Bicycle Travel Adventures
Part 2 of 2. My three day weekend tour was about to be washed out by the remnants of yet another hurricane rolling through the area. And since the C&O isn’t exactly the best trail in a soaker, it was a good idea to reverse course and head back to my cabin. But would the tropical gusher wipe me out or would my “special” river crossing be impossible to traverse?
info_outlineToronto! The biggest city in Canada beckoned with its record shops, high energy and criminally underrated cycling on the islands off shore. With a basketball arena parking spot and my kind of weather, TO was ready to welcome me with open arms…
Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5
🚗 Parking + Arrival in Toronto
•Parking garage setup with EV charging — 24 hours for 24 CAD, prime downtown location.
•Thoughts on Cybertrucks (spoiler: not a fan).
•Quick record shop detour before rolling out.
🚲 Urban E-bike Sprint to the Ferry
•Navigating Toronto traffic to make the ferry in time.
•First glimpses of the Harborfront Trail and ferry terminal success.
ðŸ›³ï¸ Ferry to the Islands
•On board the William Lingus (insert SNL reference).
•Observations on Toronto Island’s regulars and off-season calm.
ðŸï¸ Exploring Toronto Island by E-bike
•Discovering the island’s unique layout — car-lite, license-limited.
•Big marina views and rear-view cityscapes.
•Moody, Oregon Coast-like weather setting the tone.
☕ Cafés, Birds & Black Squirrels
•Coffee shop scouting and parking time calculations.
•Noticing Toronto Island’s charm: cardinals, fire stations, and disc golf.
📸 CN Tower Skyline Shot of the Day
•Photo stop at a postcard-perfect harbor: ducks, loons, and urban backdrop.
•Tangent on the CN Tower’s claim to fame and photographic techniques.
ðŸŒ§ï¸ Light Rain, Green Spaces, and Island Vibes
•Embracing the drizzle in classic bike touring style.
•Pedal-assist set low to savor the scenery and solitude.
•Disc golf, beaches, and lots of benches — the quiet off-season character.
🎡 Amusement Park Detour
•Riding through a closed kiddie amusement park and petting zoo.
•Peacock spotting and the return of Muppet-inspired names (Kermit Fog, anyone?).
•Funnel cake cravings and childhood park nostalgia.
🕠Center Island + Beer Dreams
•Discovery of the Toronto Island BBQ and Beer Co.
•Harbor views and light snack planning before continuing the ride.
âœˆï¸ Quest for the Airport
•Meandering west toward Hanlan’s Point and the Billy Bishop City Airport.
•Geeking out over planes, windsocks, and off-limits fencing.
•A side of Toronto most tourists never see.
ðŸ³ï¸ðŸŒˆ Historic Discovery: Canada’s Oldest Queer Space
•Hanlan’s Point signage reveals a legacy of LGBTQ+ community since 1971.
•Reflections on inclusivity, history, and the spirit of the island.
ðŸ—ºï¸ Full Island Traverse & Wrap-up
•Realization that the “Toronto Islands” are really one big, bikeable park.
•Rain resumes just in time for the ride back.
•Cozy Airbnb vibes: lilac trees, woodland cottages, and coffee-fueled reflection.
🚨 Day 4 Reflections
•Just 10 miles ridden, but packed with discovery and beauty.
•Looking ahead to Niagara Falls and planning the next cycling routes.
Statistics
Miles biked 10
Closed amusement parks featuring obvious IP theft 1
High temperature in Celsius 12
Records purchased 1
Poutineries visited 1 (a solid 8 stars)
Flats 0