A Bit of Island Time - Cycle Kingsville

Whether for a long weekend or even just a day, any amount of time cycling on Pelee Island is a wonderful way to spend some time on a bike. From the Canadian side, the ferry usually runs out of Leamington, Ontario for the first part of the spring/summer season. Then at the beginning of August, it starts running out of Kingsville, Ontario. Check the ferry schedule for sailing times, and be sure to reserve your place on your desired crossings. https://www.ontarioferries.com/pelee-island-ferries/

Ticket in hand, it is time to board the ferry.

The staff on shore will let you know when it is time to board the ferry with your bicycle.

The “new” ferry, the Pelee Islander II, has a rack system for storing bikes on the 90 minute voyage over to Pelee Island.

Racks on the car deck help keep bikes upright on the trip across the water

At Pelee Island, there will be an announcement letting cyclists and pedestrians know when they can head to shore.

On Pelee Island, flat roads lead you around the perimeter of the island. Several roads criss-cross the Island, both in the north-south and the east-west directions. Some of the roads are tar and chip, while others are gravel (which are usually very smooth).

Some very smooth gravel – shared with golf carts!

For something different, there is a gravelly path running between Harris Garno Road and Browns Road

The historic lighthouse at the northeast corner of the Island is a popular destination. Bikes are to be left where the trail meet the road, then there is a relatively short walk to the shore and along to the lighthouse.

Built in the early 1800’s as the volume of vessel traffic in Lake Erie increased.

Pelee Island Winery is an essential part of the Island economy and Island life. Tours, tastings and lunch offerings can be part of your time on the Island. https://www.peleeisland.com/

Welcome to Canada’s most southern winery.

A newer addition to the food and beverage scene on Pelee Island is The Stone House 1891. Woodfired pizza and craft beer may be their specialties, but other delicious options are also available. And if your ferry is due to leave in the next hour or so, let your server know and they may be able to put a rush on your order. https://www.facebook.com/StoneHouse1891/

To help make the most of your time on the Island, make advance reservations to spend the night (or nights!). The East Park Campground https://ccrvc.ca/campground/pelee-island-campground/ is right by the East Beach. The Wandering Dog Inn https://thewanderingdoginn.com/ is in the southeast part of the Island and is a time-honoured favourite. There are also several traditional B&B and AirBnB offerings around the Island. Summer weekends fill quickly, especially when the Island is hosting a special event, so it is best to make reservations quite early.

At the end of your Island explorations, be sure to get back to the ferry dock in time to get your ticket and be ready to board for the return trip to the mainland. The ferry waits for no one!

After about a 90 minute crossing, the ferry arrives back on the Ontario mainland. As cliché as it sounds, although your time on Pelee Island has come to an end (for this time), the memories will last until the next time you make the crossing to the most southern community in Canada.