Winner of two Ontario Tourism Awards, the Bike Train made its first stop on Windsor this evening, carrying about two dozen cyclists eager to explore what Windsor and Essex County have to offer.

The Bike Train Iniative is a partnership with VIA Rail to promote cycling tourism across Ontario.  Bicycle tourists board a VIA train to their selected destination and take part in group rides in different corners of Ontairo.

Joined by head of Tourism Windsor-Essex Chris Ryan and cycling tour guide from Canada South Eco Tours, Chris Carvallo, the riders were welcomed to the VIA Windsor terminal by volunteers and participants shortly after 9pm.

Bike Train riders will feast on a pancake breakfast tomorrow morning before heading out to the Chrysler Canada Greenway, accompanied by Windsor Police cyclists.

They’ll make their way to Point Pelee for WindsorEats.com’s event ‘Picnic at the Point‘ and spend the night in Leamington/Point Pelee.

On Saturday, riders will enjoy taking part in Windsor-Essex’s award winning Wine Trail Rides.

You can find more about the Bike Train on their website, their Ontario destinations, and information about their second visit to Windsor in July.

Passengers disembark and are greeted by music and a locally-made Mountie inflatable (used at the 2010 Olympics)

WindsorEats.com provided trivia questions for cyclists on the train, with prizes including Essex County on Board