Prince Edward County

"Wine-ding" Our Way Through "The County"

Prince Edward County is a one week tour with a route that "wine"ds its way through a grape growing district that has matured.

Cyclists start and end their ride in Kingston, the big city on the eastern shores of Lake Ontario.

Cycling is on paved roads. Daily distances are shorter than our other tours, giving you time to explore and enjoy the region's scenery and farm produce.

 

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Loyalist Territory

Modern Kingston probably is best known for its prisons, Dan Ackroyd and the cult band Tragically Hip. In a much earlier time it was the refuge centre for Loyalists. They had fled the American colonies to remain loyal to the British crown when the United States of America was formed in 1776.

Follow the Loyalist Parkway to get to "The County." It used to be an island until a land bridge was built on the west side. But we arrive from the east and it is a ferry trip to get to Glenora, where John A. Macdonald once lived. Sir John A., as he is commonly known, was the first prime minister of the Dominion of Canada. Before moving on to nation-building he was a lawyer for a time in Picton, the biggest town in the county.

Island Lifestyle

That island mentality includes a more relaxed pace of life that fits cyclists to a T. Farms still are a big part of the local economy and those rural roads are great for cycling. Apples have been a big crop and you still find varieties not in supermarkets. Beginning in the early '90s there has been a boom in wine-making and many of the grape orchards now have the maturity to compete with the long-established Niagara region.

Lake on the Mountain and Picton

A first-night destination is Lake on the Mountain. The Mohawk name was Lake of the Gods and it was a spiritual place for indigenous people. From travel to Picton and follow a route that takes you past several wineries. Overnight stops include Lake of the Mountains and Picton, then a return trip to Kingston on a route that is mostly different from the Day 1 ride. On Prince Edward County we will have daily loops. Along the way pass by Sandbanks Provincial Park and other beaches where you might want to have a swimsuit in your bike bag.

A Place for Flatlanders

The county and the shoreline districts west of Kingston are mainly flat tableland. But there are limestone outcrops that contain the odd hill. Most notable is the climb to Lake on the mountain. It is a geological oddity because its shoreline is so close to a big lake (less than 150 metres) but higher than that big lake (62 metres). Generally, though, terrain is gentle on this trip.

Extend your stay in Kingston or Ottawa

If you plan to stay some extra time at the beginning or end of the trip there's lots to see an do in Kingston. It was Canada's first capital city with artifacts from that time. During the time of Sir John A. the prison system was the biggest government employer and the prisons offer tours. Modern Kingston has several fine art galleries. Fort Henry, built during the War of 1812 (colonial Britain and the U.S.), has recreations of military life during that time. Kingston is the southern terminus of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ottawa is at the other end and the canal was planned during the period of tense relations with the new American republic in order to have reasonably secure travel to Quebec City and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.