Welcome Cyclists Network

Bike Train Ontario

Bike Train & Welcome Cyclists Update

In This Issue: September 2013
Great Places to Cycle: Toronto
Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail
CAA Bike App & Bike Assist
Owen Sound Salmon Tour By Bike
Upcoming Events 

Kawartha Lakes & Kawarthas Northumberland Classic

September 21 & 22

 

Canadian Paramedic Memorial

Sept 20 - 23

 

Bay of Quinte
Road Race & Tour

September 21

 

Epic 8 Hour MTB

September 28

 

Tour de Hans

September 28 

 

Kiwanis Colour 
Cribbage Ride

September 29

 

Simcoe 100k for 
United Way

October 6

  

Find more events!

Find more tours!

Cornwall & Counties
Cycling Map
New in 2013 this map features 13 cycling routes of varied lengths in eastern Ontario. 
Cornwall & Counties Cycling Map
Order a map and have it mailed directly to you.
Or preview rides HERE
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Find us at
#welcomecyclists    

 

Thanksgiving
Bike Train
GO Transit will be operating the Bike Train and its service between Toronto and Niagara on Thanksgiving weekend. 
Bike Train
While regular season weekend service has finished, take advantage of this special add-on date and get yourself and your bike on board. 

More info & schedule at: 
Parkbus

Express bus service runs until mid October. Enjoy fall colours and get your tickets now.  

Parkbus

Limited bike transportation available, call to prebook or look to renting a bike at or near park of your choice. 

 

Full info at: www.parkbus.ca 

With Thanks to

our 2013 Sponsors

 

  

  VIA Rail 

  GO Transit

 Pedal Magazine

Advermap

 

Norco Bicycles  

 

  

Great Places to Cycle: Toronto
Toronto Bicycle Tours

There is no better way to immerse yourself in and get to know a big city than by riding a bike through it. No matter what type of cyclist you are there are many great ride options to explore Toronto, its neighbourhoods, parks and waterfront, by bike.

 

The Toronto Cycling Map is a great resource to have in hand, showing the Bikeway Network of trails and bike lanes: over 560 km that stretching out across the city. New on the map this year is an 18 km self guided downtown touring route that will take you to many attractions and parts of the city you may never have visited before. Cyclists looking for a guided tour experience may want to join Toronto Bicycle Tours on one of their fun and themed outings.

 

If you are not bringing your own bike, or cycling in and out of the city on the Waterfront Trail, consider renting a bike or hoping on a BIXI Bike, available at one of the 80 public bike share stands located downtown.

 

To really experience the city's parks and trail system, and ride without traffic, head to the Toronto Islands for a day or afternoon's leisurely ride. Not only is there a wonderful paved trail system in the Don Valley, but there are also technical mountain biking trails and features in the Crothers Woods area of the Valley. Or trace the heritage waterway by cycling the trails along the Humber River.

 

Welcome Cyclists Toronto

Torontonians are avid cyclists, over 54% do some type of cycling, and the city's bike culture is flourishing. There are over 100 bike shops around the city, making for some great stops to shop or browse at the latest and greatest bikes and accessories.

 

The Welcome Cyclists Network recently expanded to Toronto, including accommodations only. Find out more information about cycling in Toronto at: www.welcomecyclists.ca/toronto

For additional visitor information connect with Tourism Toronto: www.seetorontonow.com

Riding with Friends: 
Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail 
Youtube Video
Link here to short Youtube Video

By Marteen Heilbron  

My wife, Kim and I are avid but not hard-core cyclists. We enjoy relaxed rides along flat off-road trails on warm sunny days. We have no goals - other than to enjoy the scenery, the company of friends and to find a nice 

spot for leisurely lunch.

 

When our friends Diane and John asked to join us for a ride, we suggested the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail  along the Grand River. Although the trail continues through Brantford and on to Hamilton, Paris is our preferred lunch spot. That's a round trip of just over 40 km, about two and a half hours of riding at our unhurried pace.

 

The packed gravel trail follows the river, and we took photos at several scenic outlooks. Diane spotted the abandoned German Woolen Mill hidden in the woods. We also stopped to chat with other riders and hikers along the trail.

 

Like all abandoned railway corridors, the trail is flat with gentle grades. It's part of the Trans Canada Trail and well maintained by The Grand River Conservation AuthorityIf 40 km seems far to you, consider starting in Glen Morris halfway between Cambridge and Paris. We picnicked on the riverbank at Lion's Park in Paris. And while Kim and Diane shopped along Grand River Street, John and I enjoyed apple fritters and lemonade on the patio at Brown Dog Caf�.

  

For detailed trail maps and more info: www.grandriver.ca

Experience the ride yourself, link to Marteen's great Youtube video (2.5 minutes) HERE

CAA Bike App & Bike Assist

CAA Bike App Did you know that the Canadian Automobile Association, better known as CAA, is no longer all about cars? Ontario members can access their bike assist services; if you run into trouble on your bike, need repairs and can't get back to your start point, they will send a vehicle to pick you and your bike up or fix your bike on the spot.

 

In addition to the bike assist service, CAA recently launched a new app useful for cyclists in Ontario. Smartphone users can download the app for free, access, plot and share favourite cycling routes. Useful while out cycling, the app will also connect riders instantly to the bike assist service if needed. Members enjoy enhanced features, but the app can be downloaded and used by all.

 

Find out more and download app HERE

Bike Assist info can be linked to HERE.

www.caasco.com

Owen Sound Salmon Tour By Bike

Owen Sound Salmon Tour If you are looking to do something different on your bike this fall here it is: take the Owen Sound Salmon Tour. A bike route has been laid out following the Sydenham River and path the salmon are taking as they return from the summer in Georgian Bay to spawn in the river they started in.

  

The salmon are running now and for the next couple of weeks. The bike route will take you from town centre up river 6km, with a number of interesting stops along the way. See how these clever fish bypass the Mill Dam using a special fish ladder. Stop at the riverside Harrison Park to enjoy more including connecting to the Bruce Trail for hiking, learn more about the underground railway, stay at the Inn or camp. Further upstream and nestled in the Niagara Escarpment is Inglis Falls Conservation Area, a scenic gorge, power packed waterfall and trails with views back to the Bay.

 

For tour map and more information visit: www.owensound.ca/play/salmon-tour/cycle-tour 

We hope you love riding in the fall as much as we do. Fall colours, cooler temperatures and autumn harvest treats are just a few of the reasons to keep your wheels turning. Not to mention the great end of season events scheduled in many different parts of the province.  

 

Our next e-newsletter, mid October, will be the last of the year. 

An archive of past newsletters can be reviewed at on our website, or linking directly HERE

 
From Louisa & Joanne 
Welcome Cyclists Network & Bike Train Team
Projects of Transportation Options

850 Coxwell Ave ~ Toronto, ON ~ M4C 5R1  

Office: 416-827-2774
Toll-Free: 1-866-701-2774

Funding Partners
Rail Partners 
 
Plus over 100 destination partners and supporters.