GO train to Niagara Falls with bikes

Hi, just a quick day trip report. My husband, a friend and I took the new GO transit route to Niagara Falls yesterday. We were anxious about getting on with our bikes as there is a first come/first served rule. Well on the 6:30 am train it wasn't any problem, there were only 5 bikes. The Second Cup in Union station right beside the ticket window was open at 5:30 (thank goodness); the ticket office opened at 6am. Adult fare $31.80 return.

They put the bikes in their own locked car that doesn't open until the final destination; passengers are not allowed in the same car and it hold around 20 at full capacity I was told.

We enjoyed the 2 hour ride there, lots of pretty fruit tress and vineyards to admire and at 9:30 we were riding along the bike trail towards Niagara On The Lake along the waterway. It was really quiet as most everything wasn't yet up and running. The Butterfly Conservatory was opening in a half hour at 10 so we decided maybe on our return leg.
We did roll through much of the Botanical Gardens which was open and had very few people about. Lovely and well kept - we were much impressed by the varied vegetable gardens which were producing beautifully.

We are not hard core cyclists, all in our late forties to mid fifties so although we bike a lot we were there for the scenery and experience not speed/distance etc. We continued riding (the trail is well marked, completely paved and has nary a rough spot). It was along the river mostly but veered off past Fort George (more inland) and onto Niagara On the Lake. A very pretty town but already overrun buy tourists by 12:30 so we started back the same way we had come, stopping to enjoy the picnic lunch we had brought along with us at on of the many picnic tables overlooking the water along the way.

The return ride was more difficult but we were aware as we glided down the escarpment earlier we would still have to climb back up; we did although pushing our bikes a good part of the way. The Butterfly Conservatory and evertyhing else was awash in sightseers so we passed on that and were back in Niagara central by about 4pm and stopped at the first 'cold beer' signed patio we found. Nothing special but certainly well received.

My husband was the only one who wanted to continue to the Falls themselves so we opted to split up and regroup at the train station at 6:30 in plenty of time for our 7:20 return.

It was a bit too much time actually, my friend and I explored the non tourist area of downtown Niagara Falls which was pretty darned quiet. We coffee at Balzac on Queen St. and a light dinner at Midé Cafe also on Queen Street. It was nice, a small menu and locally brewed beer on tap.

There is really nothing much around the train station itself, mostly closed and decomposing old buildings. There was no person at the station to answer any GO questions (the poor VIA guy was understandably unhelpful) but we eventually found someone to lock the bikes back up for the trip back, only our three.

The return trip in was fine but I would wish an earlier time for return was offered for daytrippers especially so it wasn't dark on arrival at Union Station but I would do the day again gladly, in fact we're looking at a two day trip again before Fall. A great easy way to get out of the city with bikes and lots of routes for varied bike trails on uncrowded beautifully maintained paths when you get there. There are other times of travel available and group/family pricing, check out GO's website.