French Festival Frolic 2019
Distance: 39 km - ending in Cape Vincent (NOTE: +12 km back across Wolfe I. = 51 km)
Pace: Leisure Pace (14 kph - 18 kph)
Terrain: mostly flat with a few rolling hills, paved and hard packed dirt roads
Difficulty Level: Easy (leisure pace with several stops and breaks)
Bicycle Type, Recommended: road-touring or hybrid
Start Location: Wolfe Island Ferry terminal, Kingston
Start Time: 07:45 (to take the 08:00 ferry)
End Location: Cape Vincent, New York
Est.End Time: 13:00 (in Cape Vincent for lunch and the festival)
Enjoy the sights and sounds this annual French Festival, Cape Vincent’s nod to its French cultural roots. Rendezvous at the Kingston ferry terminal for a boat ride to Wolfe Island; then a 12 km ride to Horne’s Ferry for a crossing to Cape Vincent. On arrival in NY, take your choice of a pancake breakfast at St. John’s Church ($7 USD) or pick up French pastries for sale at the Fire Hall – or do both! After our “carbo” load breakfast, we will muster to ride a loop (27 km) though the countryside south of Cape Vincent with stops at The Cape Winery (tastings: $3 for 4 up to $10 for 16) and Tibbetts Point Lighthouse. The out ‘n back to the lighthouse returns to Cape Vincent and the French Festival – option to skip the lighthouse (3.5 km shorter). We will return to Cape Vincent in time for lunch and a quick look around the arts and crafts before the parade at 2 p.m. For more information on the French Festival go to http://www.capevincent.org/french-festival/
Organizer / Leader: Hal Cain, 613-548-3514 or veloist360@gmail.com
Note 1: A valid passport or Enhanced Driver's Licence is necessary for border crossings. Also, there is a $3 ferry fare (CAD or USD) for Horne’s Ferry between Wolfe Island and Cape Vincent – both directions.
Note 2: In addition to the always road puncture kit (tube, patches, pump), bring water/hydration liquids and money (USD) for food, souvenirs, wine tasting, ferry, etc. You may also want to bring snacks for the road.
Note 3: If you plan to do the wine tasting or have beer in Cape Vincent, please drink responsibility and know your limit. Cycling while impaired is not safe.
Note 4: This ride ends in Cape Vincent. Horne’s Ferry posted schedule indicates a ferry at 14:00, then hourly service until 18:00; last ferry at 19:30. However, schedule will likely be on on-demand during the festival. The direct route (all paved Hwy/CR-95) to the Wolfe Island Ferry to Kingston is approx.12 km (back across Wolfe Island to Marysville). Ferry leaves for Kingston on the half-hour in the afternoons (e.g., 14:30, 15:30, 16:30). Map
Kingston Velo Club - www.KingstonVeloClub.ca
