Written Directions
Google link if it helps
https://goo.gl/maps/Rq7vUNSb3M3jhh6C6
Start: Clare's Cycle & Sports Ltd
799 RR 20, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0
Head east on Hwy 20 W/RR 20 E toward Balfour St
4.1 km
Turn left onto Effingham St (signs for Effingham Street)
8.6 km
Sharp left onto Pelham Rd/Regional Rd 69
4.5 km
Turn left onto Twenty Rd/Regional Rd 69
4.2 km
Turn left onto Victoria Ave/Regional Rd 24
240 m
Turn right onto Twenty Mile Rd/Regional Rd 69
10.7 km
Turn right onto RR 20 W
2.0 km
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto St Catharines St/RR 20 W
Continue to follow RR 20 W
1.4 km
Continue straight onto Station St/Niagara Regional Rd 14
Continue to follow Niagara Regional Rd 14
4.4 km
Continue onto Thirty Rd
3.4 km
Slight left toward Ridge Rd E
94 m
Slight left onto Ridge Rd E
4.5 km
Turn left onto Mountain St/Regional Rd 12
180 m
Turn right onto Ridge Rd W
7.4 km
Turn right onto Fifty Rd
2.3 km
Turn left onto ON-8
2.6 km
Turn left onto McNeilly Rd
700 m
McNeilly Rd turns right and becomes 8th Rd
900 m
Turn right onto Ridge Rd
5.6 km
Keep left to stay on Ridge Rd
2.4 km
Turn left onto Upper Centennial Pkwy/RR 20 S
1.6 km
Turn left onto Mud St E (signs for Mud Street E)
120 m
Turn right
Tim Hortons will be on the right
Scenery
Just up the road from Clare's Cycle there is a great golf course on the left
When you turn right at the end of Effingham St there is a nice Winery "Henry of Pelham" with some new pavement
Then there is a relaxing drive through the town of Smithville and long straightaway to Ridge Rd
All along Ridge Rd there is a great view of lake Ontario looking over the City of Hamilton
On Ridge rd at the "Devil's Punchbowl" there is a huge cross that looks over the escarpment
90% of the ride is all farmland.
This is a ride up and down the Niagara Escarpment, and some towns in the fruit belt.
This begins with a windy trip up the escarpment and in a hairpin turn to Ridge Road, the first of three elevation changes of 100 meters in just over 1 km. winding up through trees to a great road running along the ridge. Up and down curvy roads, with some great vistas overlooking Hamilton and Lake Ontario on Ridge Road, the roads up and down the escarpment are through some beautiful trees.
Drive Enjoyment
The drive down Effingham has a few fast spots but we careful it gets tight in spots
Some big sweepers on RR69 with elevation changes and a very interesting right hand curve that drops into a valley (I have had to give the right of way to cows before so keep that in mind)
The side track down Fifty rd is quite steep and tight so watch your speed
As above the run backup McNeilly rd has a 180 degree lefthander so keep an eye out for it
Some twisty bits going up and down insane elevation changes, a nice curve up on top of the ridge here and there. The pavement is in good shape, but do watch out for leaves in the fall, the north-south roads are covered by trees, not all evergreen.
Tourism Opportunities
There are several winery's along the route or just a short drive off it
Henry of Pelham, Rockway Vineyard, Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery, Ridge Rd Estate Winery
If you are a woodworker in Smithville there is a shop called "The Wood Shed" lots of odd pieces for for projects
On Ridge rd just before "New Mountain Rd" there is a pull off called "Ridge Rd Lookout"
Also on Ridge rd at the "Devil's Punchbowl" there is a pull off to stop and look around.
Just east of McNeilly on Highway 8 is Memphis Fire Barbeque Company, indescribably good BBQ.
Winona hosts an annual peach festival the weekend before Labour Day.
You'll drive past some wineries, with many more a stone's throw from the route. Plenty of places for food and beverage in Beamsville.
To the north is downtown Grimsby, home of some restaurants, cafes, and Simply Moto, a great motorcycle apparel shop.
