Just an update to my experience. In summary, I rode from Ottawa to Guelph via Toronto, then Windsor to Niagara Falls along the shores of Lake Erie. I took my Bike Friday, which was handy because I took the train back from Niagara. I ended up going through Toronto after all -- I realized after getting to Port Perry that it would be more comfortable going through the metropolis even with all the traffic because the roads were better.
I started out on rural roads out of Ottawa via Franktown road to Perth
Cycling on Highway 7 is suicide (I had to do it for a few kms) but parallel to it just to the south is the TransCanada trail which is runs along an abandoned railway. I took this all the way to Tweed. It was rough but really peaceful.
For the first time touring, I took a GPS with me. It was really handy and reassuring, and took a lot of guesswork from navigation. It allowed me to appreciate the scenery rather than worrying about where I was going.
Some sights along the way:
The big twonie in Campbellford:
An eagle's nest on a hydro pole:
This was a secluded sweet spot to free-camp in, pointed out by a local:
Millbrook:
First sight of the CN Tower:
And leaving it:
As far south on the mainland that you can bike on legally:
You can break the rules and cycle the 1 km pedestrian path to the point, but being a good Canadian, I didn't:
I took a ferry down to Pelee Island as well and rode around the island. I witnessed a water snake catching a fish:
A message to sppeders, perhaps?
I saw these guys on the Welland Canal as I was cycling along the towpaths:
End of the journey: