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The Pedalshift Project 405: Lake Ontario 2025 – Part 3

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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.

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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! 

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