Category: Travel

I’m excited to share a personal goal completion, to cycle from Toronto to Niagara Falls (170 km in one day).

Ever since I’ve been cycling long rides in the past 5 years, I’ve had a goal in mind to cycle all the way to Niagara. This past July I finally did it!!!

Building up to 170 km

It’s been a few years building up to this, from doing longer and longer rides every time. It first started with going to Burlington, which was around 75 km, then to Hamilton, which was 125 km.

Last year, 125 km was the furthest I had gone. I realized there were three limiting factors other than pure mental and physical endurance:

1. Weather
2. Average km/hour – should be >20
3. Leaving early to maximize the sunlight

This year I was determined to get it done. I bought a new road bike and coordinated with my friend to find the perfect weekend to make it all the way.

The ride

It was a long ride leaving early in the morning, around 7:30 and we got to the Burlington beach into Hamilton by noon. We had to wait for the bridge to open and we got a good lunch there. The grind was getting to St. Catharines on the service roads.

From St. Catharines to Niagara-on-the-Lake, it was the toughest ride for me. It was long and grueling and getting some ice cream at Cows was a much needed stop.

The part I was looking forward to the most was the scenic ride along the Niagara River from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Niagara Falls. I was mentally and physically exhausted and I needed to take a few breaks along the way. I didn’t want to stop and call it quits.

Arriving at Niagara Falls

Arriving at Niagara Falls on my bicycle was a surreal feeling. After a quick photo stop, there was a final push to the GO Train station 10 mins away. We left at 7:40 pm and were able to make the 8 pm train.

All in all it was a long but satisfying day. It was a long three-hour train ride home and I wouldn’t trade the feeling of accomplishing my goal for anything else.

Now I’m thinking about what’s next for my cycling journey…

In summer 2019 I visited the Gaspé Peninsula. It is a beautiful 800+ km drive around the coast with stunning views and beautiful parks.

The drive around the coast is breathtaking with numerous lookout points every few kilometers:

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A post shared by Rachit Rohan (@rachitrohan)

Below is the route we travelled from Toronto

The top highlights from this trip are the beautiful natural scenery, the numerous hiking trails, and the friendly hospitality of the local residents.

During my last 6 hour layover in Amsterdam, I wanted to make the most of my time. Although the Schiphol airport has great lounges and many shops, the train to the city centre is short and a great way to spend the time exploring the city.

My flight landed at the airport early in the morning at 8 AM. Since I only had a backpack, I did not need to store my luggage and made my way to the train station past passport control.

There are ticket machines where you can purchase tickets to the central station. I got a round trip ticket for around $12 CAD. I asked the staff which platform and made my way onto the train.

When I arrived at the Central Station at around 9 AM and walked out into the city, I could not believe how quickly I got off the plane and in the city.

I walked around the city along a path below. I also took a short ferry to check out the new lookout tower.

As soon as you walk out the central station there is a tourist information centre. Walking straight down from the station for 10-15 mins you will arrive at Dam Square. There are usually free walking tours starting here.

After spending a few hours touring the city it was time to head back to the airport and continue on with my travels. Here is a short video of the many sights I visited on this foggy morning:

Update, October 2026: the $12 CAD train fare above is the 2017 price.

In summer 2015 we drove for nine days from Ontario through Vermont, Cape Cod, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI, and back to Toronto in a Subaru Forester XT.

Why road trips

Road trips are a great experience that should be taken more often. You get to enjoy driving on great roads, spend quality time with your family, and view scenic landscapes.

Traveling to many countries gives you a new perspective and understanding of how people choose to live their lives. However, the US and Canada are so vast that it seems like they are composed of small countries.

For any road trip to be enjoyable, great roads are a must. Experiencing the vast range of the interstate system and highway network in the US and Canada is a satisfying feeling. This great infrastructure lays the foundation for a prosperous country.

The car

Great roads require a great vehicle to maximize the fun. The 2015 Subaru Forester XT is an excellent example of a balanced road trip machine. Here are a few reasons why it was so awesome:

• The suspension was firm enough for the curves
• The ride was comfortable over the bumpy roads
• The turbo provided adequate power for passing
• The HID Headlights illuminated the road well
• The large sunroof contributed to a bright cabin
• The power tailgate was very convenient when loading luggage

Day by day

The road trip lasted nine days and I have described each day below:

Day 1: Ontario to Vermont

Beautiful scenery along the way and visit to Dartmouth College

Day 2: Vermont to Cape Cod

Visit Ben and Jerry’s Factory, drive along Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountain National Forest, tour of Harvard and MIT, and finally arriving in Cape Cod

Day 3: Cape Cod to New Brunswick

Early morning visit to Race Point Beach at the tip of Cape Cod, then to Marginal Way Walkway in Maine, and finally arriving in Saint John in New Brunswick

Day 4: New Brunswick to Nova Scotia

Starting the day at Irving Nature Park then to Reversing Falls. Then a drive to the famous Peggy’s Cove and an evening in Halifax

Day 5: Cape Breton

Spent the morning in the Halifax Public Gardens then a drive on the world famous Cabot Trail and arriving in Sydney to see fireworks at night

Day 6: Nova Scotia to PEI

Left Sydney and then off to taking the ferry between Caribou, NS & Wood Islands, PEI. Drove on the coastal drive and made our way into Charlottetown. Taking the fireworks cruise was a great idea.

Day 7: PEI to New Brunswick

Made our way to Cavendish beach and Green Gables heritage site then the Giant Lobster in Shediac, Magnetic Hill in Moncton, Hopewell Rocks, and finally arriving in Edmundston

Day 8: New Brunswick to Ontario

Long drive from New Brunswick passing through via Quebec to Brockville. Picnic stop in Quebec.

Day 9: Ontario

Thousand Islands tour in Brockville then making it back to Toronto

Apps we used

Apps used for navigation are Waze for in city traffic, Apple Maps for long drives, Google Maps for getting location addresses.

Below is a Google location history map of the trip:

Ever since a young age, I’ve always been fascinated with how people live their lives. Everyone has limited time and it’s those that make the most of it that truly succeed. Some places foster an environment of growth and prosperity while others limit potential and fulfillment.

Growing up on three continents and traveling to more than 30 countries gives me a unique perspective and appreciation of all the places and helps me gain a broader understanding of how one should live a good life.

Here are three reasons how travel has enriched my life:

#1 Attitude of Appreciation

Seeing how different buildings are designed and used, watching people interact, and how the infrastructure is meeting the demands of the population are a few small but essential parts of the bigger picture that you start to appreciate. Taking a stroll on a city street during rush hour such as the Shibuya Crossing made me think of all the intensive planning and foresight to plan such a city and keep it running 24/7.

#2 Sense of Wonder

Taking a gondola ride in Venice, walking on the Great Wall of China, and going on a safari in the vast plains of Africa makes you just stop, breathe, and ponder. So many people before me must have lived such rich, fulfilled lives throughout time. It makes me wonder what their dreams were, what they wanted from life, and what they were afraid of. This sense of wonder has now made me look up to the skies and imagine what interplanetary life would be like, and hopefully experience it in my lifetime.

#3 Acceptance of Responsibility

Making the most of each day goes hand in hand with travel. Researching, planning, budgeting, and going through the travel process makes you accountable and prepared. These same skills have trickled into my daily life and I have benefited tremendously from them. It is both exciting and liberating knowing that you are responsible for your life and the choices you make.

All in all, travel has deeply enhanced my life. I look forward to more travel experiences and the unique people, places, as well as the deep thoughts that come along the journey.