Cycling Tour FAQs

Each tour has a different length of time and distance offered. Typically cycling from one vineyard to another is about 10-20 minutes, stopping at each. You should be prepared to participate in light to medium exercise without pain or discomfort. We plan our tours so that guests are on and off our bikes throughout the day, usually 15-20 minutes at a time.

Yes! We do operate our cycle tours daily! We recommend making reservations prior to tour departure date to ensure the tour you would like to book is running that day.

There is no best time! We cycle May to mid-October when the weather is generally comfortable and suitable for cycling. May, June and October typically have cooler nights, and October has cooler days too! Our fall harvest season is a beautiful time of year with the changing of the leaves and autumn colours. July and August can be hot and humid but may be tempered by the rushing air and close proximity to the surrounding lake and river.

We did try negotiating a deal with Mother Nature this year, however, we could not get her to agree to perfect cycling weather every day this season!

So, regarding weather, our tours go rain or shine - it is all part of the wine country experience! In the case of rain, we do have rain ponchos available for sale in our Tour Centre. If it does begin to rain hard, our groups just hold up in the winery a little longer! We usually don't have any objections to this!

Most of the time, even if rain is forecast, it doesn't rain more than an hour or two. If it is a light rain, and deemed safe conditions we will ride - but we recommend you wear a light rain poncho or waterproof outer layer.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a micro-climate with less volatile weather than surrounding areas. Safety is a priority for our guests and cycling tours do not proceed in lightning. We typically have wonderful weather. We often refer to it as "Fairyland" weather here :)  If we are forced to cancel a tour, we do our best to accommodate a same day similar tour by vehicle. We may also give you a rain check for a future date.

In the event that a tour has begun but is cancelled due to severe weather after departing, we'll do our best to accommodate everyone by vehicle for the remainder of the tour. We have a saying like the West Coast, "just wait 10 minutes and the weather will change". All this said, we have never had to cancel a tour.

Layering is always the best approach! We suggest guests bring along a light weatherproof jacket and dress appropriately for both the weather and comfort. "You can always take it off but can't wish it on!" We do have rain ponchos available.

We do recommend that you check the Niagara on the Lake region forecast 1-2 days prior to your trip and plan accordingly. Comfortable, athletic, or "athliesure" breathable clothing is best to cycle in. Feel free to wear cycling gear. 

We have a wide variety of bikes guests can both choose to ride and be fitted for. We have over 100 bikes with a selection of hybrid touring bikes and cruisers, in unisex, male and female models. When you call to book, you will be asked the height and gender for each guest participating in our tour. This will assist us to prepare for your tour prior to your arrival. In particular, we are looking to determine if you or one of your guests are taller than 6' 0" or shorter than 5' 2", as we do have special bikes we set aside for guests falling into these categories. If you would like to bring your own bike you are welcome to do so. Simply make us aware you are doing this upon booking your tour.

May we recommend bringing a hybrid bike and not a road bike since we travel on a variety of terrain on our tours including bikes paths, country roads, vineyards and horse trails. Please note you would need to support your own repairs as we are not able to provide these on location if required. Seat and saddle switching is not permitted. Our pedals are not interchangeable to allow for shoe clips.

If you prefer to bring your own mountain or touring bike you are welcome to.  Please note you would be required to support your own breakdown while on tour, so please plan to bring a small repair kit with spare tire tube. Feel free to bring your own helmets, cycling gloves and other cycling gear if you wish. Bike seats may not be interchanged. 

If you are over 18 years of age in Ontario, it is your choice to wear a helmet. You are required to sign a liability waiver prior to joining our cycle tours or renting bicycles. You are welcome to bring your own bike helmets if you wish. Helmets are mandatory in Ontario for guests under 18 years of age; above 18 is optional. Daily sanitized helmet rentals are extra, at an additional rate of $4.00 each.

Yes, all of our guests are required to sign a liability waiver provided prior to your tour. Cycling is not a dangerous sport, however caution and attention to the road and other cyclists must be paid at all times. It is possible to fall and be injured due to rider error or other hazards on the road or outdoor conditions. Your Tour Guide will review basic bike and road safety for all guests prior to tour departure which takes place during check in. Your safety and enjoyment on our tours is our priority!

We do not provide a support vehicle that follows our cycle groups. Our experienced, local tour guides are professionals that cycle our routes regularly and they are equipped with First Aid Kits and cell phones. They are certified as professional Tour Guides in Niagara Parks, CPR and First Aid. Our bikes are all professionally maintained on a regular basis. If there is a problem, we always have support for our guests on tour that's just a quick call away!

Once you have been booked and confirmed on a cycle tour you are NOT able to switch the day of to a vehicle for any reason. All of our wine tours have different offerings and routes and are pre-booked into the wineries and restaurant venues.

If you are trying to book within 48 hours of the tour departure date, please call directly to make your reservations or check availability at 905-988-0405.

We partner with over 40 wineries in Niagara on the Lake and Niagara Benchlands, 20 Valley Escarpment wine region. Our daily tours include a variety of grassroot wineries and keen attention to the combination of experiences for our guests. Each daily tour includes a list of potential wineries we may be visiting. Itineraries are confirmed 24 hours prior to tour departure.

YES! If you are one of our many returning guests, you may want to visit a favourite winery you have been to on a prior tour or include new winery experiences. We try to include a variety of wineries so guests may see all that Niagara on the Lake has to offer. Plan to book early and request your winery or wine varietal preferences. We will do our best to accommodate requests or make alternative suggestions based on wine varietal preferences. We do change our itineraries for our daily tours regularly to ensure guest satisfaction.

All cycling tours begin and end at our Touring Centre located at 1534 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, (our entrance is located at the REAR of the building) If you are travelling from the GTA area please allow yourself enough travel time to arrive safely to Niagara on the Lake. Busy weekends can take up to 3 hours! Our tours do depart on time; late arrivals will be caught up to the group.

YES! Day-tripping guests enjoy FREE parking at our Tour Centre while on tour.  

Yes! Please make us aware of your dietary restrictions in advance so we may make our best effort to respect these. Due to the nature of the tours, not all dietary accommodations can be made at all stops for full meals and other culinary experiences.

Yes! We do require reservations in advance so we may prepare for guests arrival.  We require full payment of our tours and rentals by EFT (eTransfer) payment and credit card at time of booking.  We accept both Visa and MasterCard.

You may, however, reservations guarantee you on the tour you would like to participate in. Tours may be cancelled without notice when reservations for certain tours are not made in advance.

If you have set your date for arrival into the Niagara area, advance reservations are recommended. We typically book 3-6 months in advance of tour dates.

Each tour offering indicates the number of wineries we visit and the type of culinary stop. All touring and tasting fees are included. Each winery offers a minimum of 3-4 tastings and ice wine is also included on each tour.

Your Tour Guide Host will mark all of your individual purchases throughout the tour to keep each organized for you and your party for distribution at the end of your tour.

We craft daily tours to include a variety of wineries showcasing a wonderful cross section of wineries we visit in Niagara Wine Country. We look to combine different experiences at each unique winery with a culmination of each to combine a variety of winery, wines and stylings for your enjoyment with us!

Our focus it to create more memorable experiences in Niagara Wine Country by keeping our groups more intimate in size. Typically group sizes range from 6-12 guests. This said, busier days for our more popular tours will increase.

Many of the fine wines tasted on our tour are only available for purchase at the wineries, making it an extra special experience! Any individual wine purchases would be extra. Applicable taxes are extra (13%) and any individual wine purchases you make are not included in your tour rate.

Gratuities are greatly appreciated and are valuable part of rewarding your caring and hard-working guides and may be provided directly to them.  Individuals booking our daily tours do not have gratuities included in our daily rate.  *Groups 6+ will have an automatic minimum gratuity 15% applied.  Private Hosting for groups will have a minimum gratuity of 18% applied, prior to tour departure to make their experience more enjoyable; with less to be concerned about on the day of the tour.

Gratuities in Canada are typically based on the pre-tax amount at a similar rate of other service and hospitality industries; rates range from 15-30% based on guest satisfaction.

Booking & Cancellation Policy for 2023 Season

Cancellation Insurance provides piece of mind enabling you to cancel or reschedule (based on availability) your tour at least 7 days prior to tour date for a FULL refund for the tour cost, less the Cancellation Insurance Fee, or, re-scheduling based on availability, without a re-scheduling fee.  Cancellation Insurance ($10 per person +HST) may be purchased for all tour reservations at the time of booking.  All cancellations must be made in writing by replying to your tour reservation confirmation email. It’s easy! Just reply to your Tour Reservation confirmation email and you will receive an email within 24 hours confirming your request for cancellation or rescheduling has been received and/or processed. Tour refunds will be reflected within 5-7 business days.

Cancellation Policy (without insurance)

Cancellation or rescheduling requests must be made in writing from the person booking the tour by replying to your tour reservation confirmation email.  Tours cancelled more than 14 days, in advance of your tour date are non-refundable without cancellation insurance, however, may be converted into a gift certificate, or rescheduled within 12 months based on availability. A cancellation/re-scheduling fee of $25.00 per person applies for each booking cancellation or reservation re-scheduled.  Tours canceled within 14-days are 100% non-refundable and no credit will be received without cancellation insurance.  Cancellations are only accepted in writing by email from the individual booking the tour. The individual booking the tour is ultimately responsible for payment and all communication.  No-shows or late arrivals are non-refundable. Late arrivals or missing your pick-up time may rejoin the tour in progress, at your own expense.

 Your final confirmation will be sent out the evening prior to your tour date; typically, after 8pm; requiring all guests to review, understand and reply back by email.  

 Let’s all hope and pray this never happens again, however, tours that must be canceled due to government-imposed restrictions or closures are non-refundable, however, your tour reservation will automatically be shifted to a gift certificate, redeemable for a future date without expiry.  Your Gift Certificate will be recorded as your (organizer’s) name and tour date booked.  We continue to lead our industry by providing clean & sanitized vehicles, bicycle rentals and accessories, as we have in the past and continue present day.  We strive to ensure all guests and our team members remain healthy while in wine country.  

Working together respectfully with patience will ensure everyone will enjoy Niagara’s Wine Country together!  Current COVID-19 Protocols - There continue to be numerous changes in Niagara’s Wine Country once again this season.  We adhere to current Covid-19 Provincial mandates.  All our Tour Guides are fully vaccinated.  Prior to March 21, 2022, masks will continue to be required on board our vehicles and in each winery.  As of March 21, 2022, masks are not required in most indoor settings, nor in our tour vehicles.  Guests electing to wear masks may do so.    We do recommend bringing your mask however, as each winery may choose to have different Covid -19 protocols in place.

Routes and venues are subject to change without notice to accommodate local circumstances and ensure safety. Please note we pride ourselves on fresh itineraries throughout wine country to ensure a wonderful wine country experience.   We are unable to provide a list of the wineries you will visit on tour with absolute certainty and substitutions for wineries where necessary may be arranged without prior notice.