Friends For Life Bike Rally - Experience The Route

Experience The Route

The Bike Rally is not a race. Road Safety, Food, Wellness and a host of volunteers support you along the way. Find a pace that is comfortable and safe for you. And, take the time to enjoy the ride.

Route and Daily Highlights

Departure 2011

Day 1: Sunday, July 29, 2012
Toronto to Port Hope - 108 km

The Bike Rally departs early Sunday morning. We will start out heading down Yonge St to the Waterfront Trail. Your departure from Toronto is marked by cheering onlookers as you and all the other cyclists depart the city. We have 108 km to cover till Port Hope.

The route on Day 1 takes us along now familiar training ride routes before heading into the countryside. These will be the busiest roads of the journey as we travel on the Kings Highway for sections but they are lightly travelled on Sunday. Rolling hills make the afternoon challenging but also one of the prettiest.

Campsite: The Haskills Farm is a gorgeous location, high atop a cliff overlooking Lake Ontario just before Port Hope. Swimming is available but the shore is rocky so please use appropriate footwear.

Highlights: Our emotional departure, a scenic afternoon ride and a gorgeous camping field overlooking Lake Ontario complete your first day.

Day 2: Monday, July 30, 2012
Port Hope to Adolphustown - 126 km

Day 2 is the longest day of the Bike Rally at 126 km and it may be the first time you`ll excede a double-century ride. We`re out in the country now and have the swing bridge at Murray Canal followed shortly after by lunch at the Henderson's B&B in Consecon. The afternoon is spent riding beside the lake as we head to Picton - and the largest hill of the ride.

We are following the scenic and historic Loyalist Parkway (Hwy 33) which connects Prince Edward County with the mainland via the Glenora Ferry. Once we`ve crossed it's a short ride to camp and you have the longest day of the ride behind you!

Wicklow Beach Park 2011

Campsite: U.E.L. Heritage Centre/Park Adolphustown is a lakeside retreat, a short ferry ride on the Glenora Ferry. Swimming and showers are both available; however, showers are limited and may have long wait times. We recommend taking an eco-shower on the beach. Showers take $0.35/$1.00.

Highlights: The swing bridge at Murray Canal, Henderson B&B, the ride along Lake Ontario after lunch, the Glenora Ferry and riding through downtown Picton.

Red Dress Day 2011

Day 3: Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Adolphustown to Kingston - 51 km

Day 3 marks the halfway point of Bike Rally and is known as Red Dress Day. It is the shortest day with a 51 km ride to Queen's University.

Today, you will ride along the edge of Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte as you approach the historic town of Kingston. You'll make it to Kingston in time for an amazing lunch at Queen's University. No camping tonight, you'll be sleeping in the dorms at Queen's and have a chance to catch up on some laundry

No campsite! We will be staying in Leggatt and Watts Halls at Queen's Unversity. Laundry facilities are available. Bring money to buy laundry cards or take your clothes to a local "fluff and fold".

Highlights: Cycling along the bay, buffet lunch at Queen's University, having the afternoon off, laundry facilities, showers and a bed.

Day 4: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Kingston to Johnstown - 110 km

Wake up early fully rested with clean laundry. Enjoy a hot breakfast at Queen's University cafeteria before heading back on the road towards Gananoque, the Thousand Islands and lunch at the best swimming spot of the week. Don't forget to bring your bathers!

Today, we will take a moment to recognize our Top Fundraisers. Both Riders that raise over $6000 and Crew that raise over $1,000 will be recognized.

Get "Goofy" 2011

Campsite: Grenville Park Campground is located just past Prescott, at the food of the bridge to the USA. Swimming and showers are both available. Please note you will need quarters to operate the showers at this campsite.

Highlights: Hot breakfast at Queen's University, Gananoque, cycling through the Thousand Island Parkway, Brockville and the best swimming spot of the week.

On The Road 2011

Day 5: Thursday, August 2, 2011
Johnstown to Lancaster - 104 km

Today is Poz Day and we will take time to reflect on why we are here. Participant who are living with HIV are welcome to self-identify by wearing a red ribbon t-shirt. This is a safe place to be HIV positive. There is no stigma attached to being HIV positive here.

Our ride includes going along the Long Sault Parkway and a stop at Dairy Queen in Lancaster (which always donates a percentage of today's Blizzard sales to PWA). With the number of calories we've burned thus far we can afford to splurge.

Campsite: Glengarry Park Campground is a beautiful wooded campground nestled along the shores of the St. Lawrence.

Highlight: The stunning Long Sault Parkway, Cornwall's bike paths, Dairy Queen, tenting amongst the tall trees and the emotional Candlelight Ceremony.

For so many participants, the Candlelight Ceremony is why they say, "The Bike Rally will change your life." After dinner, we will gather on the beach and reflect upon our journey. We will keep in our hearts and minds the people in our lives that have been affected by HIV/AIDS and our candles will represent the flame of hope that someday we will see a world free of HIV/AIDS.

Day 6: Friday, August 3, 2011
Lancaster to Montreal - 101 km

Today is our last day as we cross the border into Quebec. Today we wear our official Bike Rally Jerseys and Crew T-shirts along with a red ribbon attached to our helmet, hat or vehicle. We're heading into Montreal, and luckily we are riding on bike paths on the way into the city. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.

We assemble at the last rest stop just shy of Montreal (at the beginning of the Lachine Canal) and then ride single file for the last 14 kilometres into the heart of Montreal. It makes an emotional end to a wonderful ride as we arrive in Montreal for Divers/Cité. Lots of people are waiting for you ...along with a cool beer. Congratulations... you’ve made it!