Ontario By Bike E-News: May
Go Play in L&A

Credit: Lennox & Addington County

With nearly 600km of quiet paved road routes, many with paved shoulders, and a healthy balance between flat sections, curves and climbs, Lennox and Addington (L&A) has enough to keep cyclists riding for days. 

Only a 2 hour drive from Ottawa or Toronto, and 3 hours from Montreal, the region stretches from 'shore to shield'; including beautiful riding along Lake Ontario and north into the rugged Canadian Shield. Make no mistake, it should be on your cycling calendar for a weekend away.

Access the digital and GPS files for any one of the 12 looped L&A  County Trails itineraries. Download the L&A County Trails Map or  order the map through the mail .

Circle September 22 in the calendar and head out to L&A for the 58km Discover L&A RideThis is certainly a journey of discovery, where cyclists are encouraged to relax at the rest stops with local live music, learn about local history and sample locally crafted food and beverages along the way!

Visit www.OntarioByBike.ca/SouthEasternOntario  for more cycling resources, maps and information, as well as certified bicycle friendly businesses across the region.
Update: 2018 Ontario By Bike Rides 

The 2018 tour routes and weekend long rides are proving to be popular again this year. 
Toronto Trails & Ravines: June 2/3 - Last chance to book, as ride date is soon 
Uxbridge Kawarthas Rail Trail: July 28/29 - Now SOLD OUT 
Essex Windsor Loop: Sept 1/2/3 - Space still available
Niagara Circle Route South: Sept 22/23 - Limited space available
Don't miss out - find all info at: www.OntarioByBike.ca/Rides 
Bike Niagara This Summer

Get ready to bike Niagara this summer. One of the most popular ride destinations in Ontario makes biking easy for everyone.

GO Train's summer seasonal train service resumes between Toronto and Niagara Falls, a great travel option for you and your bike, Victoria Day weekend (May 18-21). The Niagara Parks Travel Deal will get you a return ticket for just $30. Regular summer schedule begins June 22 and runs through till Labour Day. www.GoTransit.com/Niagara
 
Try something different, ride from St Catharines GO Station, or park and ride directly from Thorold, crossing the Welland Canal on the handy biker and hiker only Port Robinson Ferry, and make use of suggested route to get to the Falls and Niagara River Recreation Trail. Link HERE for details.
 
Another great way to experience Niagara by bike, the ferry and Niagara south route, is to sign up for the Ontario By Bike September 22-23 ride and small group tour. Limited spaces still available. www.OntarioByBike.ca/RideNiagara2018
 
Easy to get to and easy to plan your own bike trip, make use of route info and cycling maps plus find bicycle friendly businesses at www.OntarioByBike.ca/Niagara

The E-Bike Challenge & Sweet Reward
- Excerpt from 2018 Cycling in Ontario Guide -

Credit: Howard Calvert

Have you ever ridden an e-bike? We took one out for a spin last fall in and around the Niagara Escarpment along the stunning Velodrome Vista (50km) road route in Halton Region

They certainly make you look. Whether you notice as they whiz by you on your push pedals or you're an innocent bystander noting something just isn't right with the ease of speed and rider; a second glance may answer the question. Read our blog article for our full experience.


This is an excerpt from the 2018 Cycling in Ontario Guide, packed with feature articles, resources to help you plan your cycling trip in Ontario and over 50 day trip and overnight itineraries for cyclists of all abilities.  If you don't already have a print copy, order one today! 

Available in French or English.  Digital versions also available  OntarioByBike.ca/2018

Request a print copy by emailing name and mailing address to:   [email protected]
Pedal Magazine Special Offer 

Ontario By Bike and Pedal Magazine, the largest cycling magazine in Canada, have teamed up to bring you great savings. Pedal keeps you up to date on all the latest local and international cycling news, new cycling gear, racing, touring, and adventure cycling from across Canada, and around the world, in print and online. 

Save 30% off regular subscription prices! 

Try a Pedal/SkiTrax Combo Deal with even more savings and get the largest cross-country ski magazine in North America! 

To order click HERE www.PedalMag.com
2018 Bike Month & Bike to Work Day 

Credit: Cycle Toronto
Circle the date! May 28, 2018 is Bike to Work Day! Encourage family, friends and colleagues (heck even strangers), to be a pedal participant and ride to work. 

Dating back to 1989, Bike to Work Day has evolved to incorporate an entire month of cycling celebrations, activities and events in communities across the province. What could be better?

Participating in Toronto? Spin by our booth at Nathan Phillips Square and pick up the latest cycling maps and resources from across Ontario. 

Check your local event calendars for activities, or:
Parkbus - TD Park Express - Service

The outdoors can feel far away when you live in a city, but it doesn't have to. Parkbus, a project of Transportation Options, is closing that gap!

A nnounced on Monday, Parkbus will offer TD Park Express , a free shuttle service from four Canadian cities to four national and provincial parks, including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton. 

For Ontario residents and visitors to the province, Parkbus makes day and overnight trips easy, with express bus service from Toronto / Ottawa to National and Provincial Parks, as well as conservation areas in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area.

Also check out NatureLink, which provides subsidized transportation to outdoor spaces and outdoor programming to Ontario newcomers, as well as ActiveDays, a community of outdoor enthusiasts who are curious explorers; exploring, hiking, running and star watching through the parks of Ontario. www.parkbus.ca
Top Tips for Planning a Summer Bike Tour 
 
If you are planning anything more than a simple day trip, perhaps a multi-day summer getaway with your bike, you may want to consider a little advance preparation for both you and your bike.
 
Credit: Destination Ontario

Training - Planning to ride lengthy distances on back-to-back days? You may benefit from a training plan that gradually has you increasing distances on practice rides several weeks or months out from your start date.
 
Plan Your Route - On a longer multi-day ride, it pays to plan ahead. Pour over cycling maps, download digital routes and think ahead to where your stops maybe. If you are looking at a bike overnight during the busy summer season it may be wise to pre-book accommodations. Click here to find over 1,400 bicycle friendly locations in Ontario
 
Bike Check - Nothing will slow you down more, or stop you completely than a bike maintenance issue. Have your bike looked over by a local bike shop before you go. Make sure to pack some emergency repair supplies, most importantly a tire repair kit, extra tube and portable bike pump.
 
H20 and Foods - There can be long distances between services in some parts of Ontario. Consider adding an extra water bottle cage on your bike frame and definitely pack some  emergency snacks or more extensive meals for the ride.
 
What You Wear - Packing lightly is key, unless you have the luxury of a support van. Don't forget to pack the most important piece of bike apparel - padded cycling shorts. A light rain or windproof jacket is key for early starts, and if you are buying new look for one that comes in the now bright bike colours that can add to your visibility.
 
Consider your options for a self-guided, or supported or guided tour. For more info on your options, and the pros and cons of each, read more on page 7 of the 2018 Cycling in Ontario / Le velo en Ontario guide.
Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike!
Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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.

Don't forget that June is Bike Month in Ontario, where most communities have a day, week-long, or even month-long schedule of events celebrating cycling. Check local event listings to find out more.
  
     7 Days in May
May 26 / May 26-June 1
Hardwood Single Track Classic 
May 26
Manitoulin Passage Ride
June 2-3
   Evan's Ride for Autism 
June 9
Moveathon Ride
June 10
The Blue Mountains Gran Fondo
June 16
 VÉLOCITY
June 16
 The Ice Cream Ride
June 23
 MEC London Century Ride
July 8
Andy`s Ride
July 14
 GranFondo Ottawa - Reggio Capitale
July 21 

Now updated for 2018, be sure to visit www.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 [email protected] and we'll add it!
Stain Alive - Short Animated Film

Now living in Berlin, Allan Shaw has studied and worked at the National Institute of Design in India, creating inspiring works of art around the world. 

When most of us spill coffee on a document, it`s back to the drawing board. For Allen, it becomes his drawing board. 



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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