Labour day weekend : GTA to Windsor anyone have a good route?

[Tam905]

Hi Everyone,

While I've done this route many times between the GTA and Windsor with my car (it's probably one of the most boring drives ever...) I've never done this trip on a bike. I've been trying to find some half decent routes to makes this trip a little more interesting.

Hopefully Some of you guys have some suggestions!

Thanks,

- T -

 

[suzuki2000]

I don't any direct route will get you there by finding any decent roads other then highway

You would likely need to go to the shores of Lake Huron and head south or go to lake Erie and run parrallel (west) along the lake.

I dont have any specific routes but quick mapping on google

direct route along 401 (Toronto to Windsor) is 360kms @ 3 1/2 hours
gertting to Lake Erie and across is about 450 kms @ 6 hours
going to lake Huron is about 450 kms @ 6 hours too.

the two alternate routes still dont have the best roads and will still have a fair amount of highway

 

[matthew]

If given the option, I would never ride my bike to Windsor. 3 hours of 401? No thanks. 6 hours of straight back roads? no thanks

 

[wonderings]

the 401 route to windsor is a soul crusher. Only reason I ride that way is to cross the border. Afraid there will not be many good ways to get there, all the roads are pretty straight and boring.

 

[SeaBreez]

I did that trip last fall: Started in Scarborough to Port Dover then the coastal route to Windsor. It was awesome....The trip did take all day though.....Re: Playing Hookey Ride - Wednesday Scarborough (post #325) http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...sday-Scarborough/page9&highlight=hookey+rides

Another "Hookey Ride" squeezed in before it gets too cold. This one included an overnight stay in Windsor. Yes it's a bit late in the season but the forecast was looking good - six layers, early morning drizzle and the freezing cold morning temperature did not stop me from taking this adventure. I took the 401 to the 403 to Hamilton and continued to Port Dover on Hwy. 6.

I watched the sun rising from the Pier at Port Dover, a delicious breakfast at the Dairy Bar and off I was to follow the coast to Windsor.


Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 155KB.

I left Port Dover and headed west on Hwy. 6 to scenic Hwy. 42, passing through fields of pumpkins, Wind mills, and the picturesque costal towns of Port Rowan, Port Burwell, Port Bruce and Port Stanley.


Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 330KB.

Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 192KB.

Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 161KB.

Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 152KB.

Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 273KB.

Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 182KB.

I very much enjoyed the coastal towns draped in their fall colors. I had the roads to myself and by 11:00 the sun came out and the temperatures started to rise - the mitts were replaced with my riding gloves and off came the rain gear (It was very useful to stop the cold wind from stealing away vital heat from my core). When I stopped to take a picture of one of the colorful roads it happened....


Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 231KB.

The Accident!
While braking for another picture - my front wheel locked up on some loose gravel causing my 700 pound bike to topple, twisting and pinning my left foot under the passenger floorboard. Pinned and laying face down on the road I twisted my body allowing my right foot to push on the bike seat just enough to free my aching ankle. Limping, cursing and finally gaining my composure after some loud screams of pain, I concluded my foot was not broken and could continue. The "crash bars" kept the bike from any real damage, so in pain, I tightened the boot laces and continued on my way to Hwy. 3 along the scenic shoreline dotted with vinyards and beaches.


Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 222KB.

Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 649KB.

Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 308KB.

I visited my hometown of Harrow meeting the present owners of my boyhood home and sharing stories of winning my little league championship in 1971, how the house was heated with coal, and of the barn we had out back and my mom's huge garden. It was great to remember those days. I stopped by the local watering hole for lunch and met some locals who never left the small town of 2000 people.



Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 214KB.

I took the backroads to the farm where I picked tomatoes as a boy. I remembered seeing my first mini skirt - knowing it was good but not knowing what to do with it. I remembered how big of a man I was, being able to by my own "bell bottoms" and moccassins when I started grade 4. (1970).


Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 199KB.

I continued to Windsor's waterfront to see the Ambassador bridge, the Casino and Detroit across the river.


Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 213KB.

Click here to view the original image of 1024x768px and 144KB.

I woke up this morning to a horribly sore and swollen left ankle (shifting foot) I was unable to put any weight on it and had to decide if I should ride home or visit the hospital in Windsor. I decided if I needed a cast it was better to get it done in Toronto than try to figure out how to get my bike home from Windsor with a cast on my foot. So painfully I headed down the 401 and back home. Thankfully the xrays proved it is not broken. I just hope my ankle is well enough for this weekend's ride with 30 other bikers.....:icon_smile:

I think there is still time for the 507....'till the next Hookey Ride...

SeaBreez
​

 

[Tam905]

Thanks for the replies lol I do believe that the windsor route is a soul crusher... I've done this drive so many times on the 401 and yes it's terribly boring I don't know if I'd want to do that too many times with the bike. Looking for alternative routes... we're pretty much set on this route: 401 to missussauga area and then head north to 7 and take that through Guelph, then head south on 24 to Paris and take hwy 2 to London. Go south on 30 to hwy 3 and follow until Windsor. This will take the better part of the day but should be much more interesting than staying on the 401.

@SeaBreeze Thanks for the photos and options I think we're going to do something similar and follow the lake towards Windsor

 

[MacDoc]

401 to missussauga area and then head north to 7 and take that through Guelph, then head south on 24 to Paris and take hwy 2 to London.

mostly boring

The Dover route is better
Stick to the Lake - there are some interest side roads.

Slab to Dover 401, 427, QEW 403 to 6 to Dover

Then mosey along the lake