Ontario By Bike E-News: March
Muskoka & Algonquin Provincial Park

Enjoy riding in a destination that connects the spectacular scenery of dense mixed forests rich with wildlife, picturesque lakes and meandering rivers all framed by rocky Canadian Shield outcrops.

Credit: Explorers' Edge

Road riding in the region offers world-class training and cycle touring experiences with routes that criss-cross a rugged and true Canadian wilderness. There are plenty of opportunities to stop at quaint bakeries and general stores, interesting cultural heritage sites, and welcoming communities along the way. 

For road routes, pick up the Muskoka Cycling Routes Map from bike shops in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville, or request one in the mail. Visit BikeCottageCountry.ca for digital routes, events and other bike resources for the greater region. 

Mountain bikers will be treated to a range of trail networks that are ideal for weekend trips with riding buddies. Both Buckwallow Cycling Centre in Gravenhurst and Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park offer campgrounds a short ride from the trails. 

A 16km rail trail in the heart of Algonquin Provincial Park offers plenty of beach access points and campgrounds along the way, making for a perfect spot to try out your first family ' bike packing' trip with younger children.

Looking for more? Visit  OntarioByBike.ca/MuskokaAlgonquin to download cycling maps and information on road routes, trail networks and mountain bike locations, as well as certified bicycle friendly businesses across the entire region.
Cycling in Ontario Guide 2018
- NOW AVAILABLE! -

The word is out and boy are they moving fast.  The all new 2018 Cycling in Ontario / Le v é lo en Ontario guide is now available. 

If you are looking for some ride ideas for the summer you will want a copy before we run out. 

View a digital copy here: OntarioByBike.ca/2018

To request a print copy by mail, email your name, mailing address to:   info@OntarioByBike.ca

* Available in French or English
Ride with GPS Ambassador

Local routes from local experts - That's the concept of Ride with GPS' Ambassador program. 

Ontario By Bike is thrilled to have become one of Ride with GPS' Ambassadors in Ontario, with the following 4 curated overnight itineraries for recreational cyclists now online.
  • 1000 Islands St Lawrence River Ride
  • Georgian Bay Explorer
  • Simcoe County Loop Trail
  • Hamilton-Brantford-Port Dover Rail Trail Ride
These are legacy itineraries from our Ontario By Bike Ride small group tours. The neat online format for these itineraries allows us to share a variety of useful information for each of these vetted routes, making it easy for you to plan your own self-guided trip. 

Visit our profile online and check out the routes, as well as some from other Ambassadors in Ontario.
2018 Ontario By Bike Rides 
- What You Don't Want to Miss - 

Recently announced are our 2018 Ontario By Bike Ride destinations. These weekend long small group tours are immensely popular and sell out well before ride times. This summer we are excited to explore 2 new areas, and return to ride 2 tried and tested routes. For each of the next 4 enewsletters we'll share some of the hidden gems from each tour and see if we can't entice you to join us for one.

  • Credit: Torontoist.com
    The extensive and unique ravine system in Toronto is a true urban treasure. Over half of the 90km of this 2 day tour follows paved ravine trails.
  • The ride starts out following the Humber River south and what was once the primary trade and travel route to the Upper Great Lakes from Lake Ontario.
  • Although a city route, riders may be surprised when they pass 5 clean, white sand and beautiful urban beaches.
  • Marvel at the variety of public art scattered along the Don Valley Trail, with underpass murals, iconic red canoes, mosaic path designs, gargoyle sculptures and more.
This tour is a Bike Travel Weekend trip and a part of Adventure Cycling's initiative to get more people out on overnight bike trips. In the past 2 years over 20,000 riders have participated in more than 1,800 collective trips. Rider bonus: A chance to win a new bike and Amtrak tickets to Glacier National Park, Montana, USA.

Make this your bike travel weekend. Join us, just bring your bike and ride. For full ride details visit: OntarioByBike.ca/RideJune2018

Our other 2018 ride destinations include:  Uxbridge Kawarthas  Rail Trail,   Essex Windsor Loop, Niagara Circle Route South.  For more information visit:  OntarioByBike.ca/Rides
Ontario's Spring Classics

As the flowers begin to bloom and cooler days (mostly) behind us, it's the perfect time to tune up your bike and pack up the Zwift trainer. 

Inspired by a long European tradition of early season cycling races, Ontario's Spring Classics are a collection of one-day events that test endurance and resolve along routes that are challenging to say the least.

Think steep hills and climbs, rail trails, gravel roads, rough farm lanes and just about any other fun terrain one can ride on. 

The early season dates also present unpredictable weather conditions that help round out these epic Spring events. 

Kick 2018 into gear by signing up to one of Ontario's Spring Classics

Sunday April 1
70 & 90km Options

Rob of SlowDad.ca " The tough sections were tough, and the hills were great.  It was what I imagine a classic spring race to be given we don't have any cobble here. "

Sunday April 8
40 & 65km Options
   
Blake Ellis of Cycle Waterloo says "C yclists  really enjoy riding what they have nicknamed the Longest Mile and Mud Mountain - a single track cow trail along the Conestoga River." 
 Sunday April 15
29, 34, 55km Options

 Steve Shikaze of RideCycleSpin.com says of one particularly 'fun' section, "... despite the length of time it took to complete this portion of the course, I remember thinking that it's sections like this that make this spring events 'classic'."
Sunday, April 29
20, 40, 70km Options 

John Thorpe of P2A says, " 2018 is the 25th  Paris to Ancaster. We've come up with something special for everyone, from new course sections, to cool finisher medals.  We're celebrating 25 years of riding and racing on the roughest roads, farm lanes and trails we find."
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2018 Cycling Events in Ontario

Join a cycling event in 2018 and discover one of the best ways to explore a new area by bike. Here is a list of some of the cycling events coming up over the next couple of months.
  
Mike Ride
May 6
 Ride for the Rouge
May 12
Spring on the Trail
May 13
 Ride of Silence
May 16
Ride for Jack
May 26
The Lake Ride
May 27
 Rotary Lilac Ride
May 27
Manitoulin Passage Ride
June 2-3
Manulife Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart
June 3 
Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer
June 9-10
Rideau Lakes
Cycle Tour

June 9-10 

Now updated for 2018, be sure to visit OntarioByBike.ca/Events for more complete listings and search over 100 cycling event listings with something for every type of cyclist ! 

Do you know of an event that isn't listed on our site? Send an email to info@OntarioByBike.ca and we'll add it!
The Indoor to Outdoor Transition

With March shaping up to be more winter-like than February, don't pack up the indoor trainer or cancel your gym membership just yet! While your version of fun and fitness may be more indoor centric November to April, keep your eyes on the forecast and ride woolies handy as there is guaranteed to be a good ride day in the very near future.

As most event and tour dates have now been announced for the coming season, dig a little deeper into our resources, find something that suits your style, and block out some ride dates for summer 2018, making sure you get somewhere new to explore more of Ontario by bike this year. 
 
 
Happy trails, 

From Louisa & Michael 

Ontario By Bike Network 
Project of Transportation Options 
850 Coxwell Ave ~ Toronto, ON ~ M4C 5R1 
Office : 416-827-2774 
Toll-Free : 1-866-701-2774 

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