The Pedalshift Project 405: Lake Ontario 2025

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.

The Pedalshift Project 405: Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 3

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 405: Lake Ontario 2025 – Part 3.

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

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 the east shore of Lake Ontario, scouting state parks and quieter wildlife areas instead of sticking to busy parks.

Lake-side stops

- Quick visit to Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (too restricted for bikes).
- Heads north to Westcott Beach State Park for a short beach walk, photos, and a quick battery test run.

Drive to Canada

- Long detour to the Thousand Islands bridge (the only open crossing) because the south-end Wolf Island ferry is closed.
- Smooth Canadian customs stop; grabs ice cream and activates a Canadian eSIM for data.

Kingston → Wolf Island ferry

- Misses the boat by two cars; 80-minute wait becomes a snack-and-people-watch session.
- Free ferry ride over; hotel is literally a block from the dock.

Marysville check-in

- Rustic ground-floor room, lake view, no A/C needed. Drops bags, scopes dinner options (hotel café).

Evening e-bike shake-down

- 14-mile out-and-back along Route 95 to the shuttered U.S. ferry dock on the south tip.
- Cruises at ~20 mph, marvels at wind turbines, farmland scenery, and micro-climates.
- Confirms minimal battery draw and re-affirms “twice the speed, half the effort” mantra.

Wrap-up reflections

- Happy the brake glitch happened early—it forced a car assist and avoided being stranded.
- Wolf Island deemed a stellar, low-traffic cycling spot; sets intentions for next day’s ride and keeps an eye on looming Toronto weather.

Statistics

Miles biked 15

Closed ferry terminals visited 2

Open ferry terminals visited 2

Missed ferries 1

Denomination of Canadian currency that may or may not smell like maple syrup unless the bartender was trolling me 50

Flats 0

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!