Welcome to the first edition of Fold & Go, where we fold our Bromptons, hop on a train, and unfold adventure. For this ride, we took two Brompton G-Line folding bikes and set off to Paris – Paris, Ontario, that is. This trip was the perfect test of just how frictionless the G-Line really is. Can it ride gravel? Yes. Climb big hills? Absolutely. Fold into a hotel without drama? Like a charm. Take it on the train? No problem.
The Fold & The Go Train
We’ve travelled with the original 16″ Brompton on planes, trains, and automobiles, so we already knew a folding bike is a traveler’s best friend. But the Brompton G-Line has a larger fold – around 7 cubic feet versus 3CF for the classic model. That sounds big, but it’s mostly width, not height, and the difference is negligible when you’re rolling it like luggage. Weight-wise, it’s similar to a C-Line 12-speed with a rack, and the seat-mounted carry handle makes brief lifts easy.
Of course, most Brompton owners know: you rarely carry it. You roll it. Thanks to the built-in wheels, the G-Line feels light and manageable in almost every situation. The only times we had to lift the bikes were onto the GO Train and up a long flight of stairs when the elevator was out. Stairs are where any folding bike feels heaviest – and why some riders spring for the titanium T-Line. There’s no Titanium G-Line yet (though imagine!), but even with the added width, it was not unlike carrying the smaller Brompton C-Line up the stairs.
Onboard the GO Train, the Brompton G-Line stayed well out of everyone’s way—though it drew a fair bit of admiration. We sat nearby, but noticed lots of potential spots to lock up if needed. The train ride to Aldershot gave us time to catch up on some reading and prep for the climb ahead.
Day One – To Paris!
Aldershot is one of the least urbanized GO Train stations, meaning you hit the countryside almost immediately—but only after climbing the Niagara Escarpment. The G-Line chewed through the climb with gears to spare. Soon, we were spinning down quiet country roads toward our first pit-stop: West Avenue Cider. (For those craving extra distance, routing up to Carlisle Cidery feels less commercial, more cozy, and even more scenic.)
After a refreshing tipple, we turned west toward Cambridge. This leg is mostly flat farmland with a few rolling hills. The route skirts past the African Lion Safari (no lions spotted), some less exciting wetlands, and then eases into Galt. The Grand River flows through towns like Elora, Fergus, and Paris, and Galt feels like it’s having a bit of a moment. As coffee drinkers, we recommend a stop at Disko Cafe, a cozy downtown spot with great coffee and a big print magazine selection.
Gravel Glory: The Cambridge-to-Paris Rail Trail
From Galt, things get really fun. Just outside downtown, the Cambridge-to-Paris Rail Trail hugs the Grand River. The surface alternates between crushed gravel, hardpack, and double-track dirt – perfect terrain to test the Brompton G-Line’s wider tires and longer wheelbase. The ride was smooth, fast, and confident. Steering felt precise. Traction was excellent. The Grand River teased through the trees and opened into stunning vistas. Hard to believe this was once the most polluted river in Canada.
We’ve done this ride before, and Paris never disappoints. The town sits tight along the water, with a train bridge overhead and a charming downtown built into the banks. Dill pickle fries at the Cobblestone Pub are a must, and the Arlington Hotel across the street is full of literary-themed rooms—Hemingway, Cohen, Freud, and more.
We’ve stayed at the Arlington before with full-sized bikes, but it always took a negotiation. Not so with the folding Brompton G-Line. We rolled in, luggage still clipped to the front blocks, and folded the bikes in seconds. No fuss, and no sideways looks. In the suite, they tucked neatly by a cabinet. Frictionless.
Paris to Brantford: Industrial Ghosts and River Views
The next morning, we grabbed coffee at Detour Coffee Roasters, inside the historic Wincey Mills building. Once a textile factory for the Canadian military, it’s now home to a thriving market with tacos, beer, and great local vendors. Once the caffeine hit, we moved on.
The trail to Brantford is more varied – passing old industrial zones and wooded edges before opening into parks and conservation areas. Brantford itself is rough around the edges, but the trail network here is impressive. From this hub, you can ride the LE&N Trail to Port Dover or head east to Dundas and Hamilton.
In Brantford, despite the shiny new trail centre, signs of struggle were evident. Brantford’s housing crisis is visible, and some areas feel neglected. Still, the ride from Brantford to Dundas is gorgeous. Farmland gives way to Carolinian forest, canal remnants, and the leafy Dundas Valley Conservation Area. It’s the kind of route where you ride side-by-side and talk the kilometers away.
Rolling into Hamilton on the G-Line
We usually stop in Dundas at Cafe Domestique, run by our friend and bike industry veteran Krys Hines. On weekends, the place is buzzing with cyclists. This time, we rolled on through Hamilton, cruising wide bike lanes, quiet backstreets, and polished two-way protected lanes toward West Harbour GO Station.
If we’d been riding in reverse, we’d have grabbed a coffee at Synonym Cafe by the station. Instead, we closed out the trip with tacos and cider at The Mule. Highly recommend the Cease and Desist taco—absolutely unreal.
Final Thoughts: Why the Brompton G-Line Shines for Travel
Back on the train, the Brompton G-Line folded effortlessly and slotted into whatever space we could find. And the train? It was packed. Absolutely rammed with fans heading to a Scissor Sisters and Kesha concert. After two days riding through quiet forests and farm roads, rolling back into a train full of glitter, energy, and party-ready strangers was the perfect jolt of contrast. A reminder: the city’s pulse is always just a train ride away.
This is what makes bike touring so rewarding. You move slowly enough to take it all in, but fast enough to be surprised. One day it’s cider stops and crushed gravel trails, the next it’s concert crowds and tacos. Unlike driving, you’re never sealed off from the world – you’re connected to it. You get to feel the transitions, the terrain, the temperature, and the mood shift in real time.
The best thing about a folding bike is how it transforms into luggage when the journey demands it. That’s what makes it so frictionless at hotel or airport checkins, or commuter trains and car trunks. The Brompton G-Line delivers. It folds fast, rolls smooth, and expands your range beyond the pavement. It’s everything the smaller-wheeled Brompton is – just with a bigger appetite for adventure.
