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Ontario By Bike E-News: September
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Warm greetings to our community of fellow cyclists who receive and read the Ontario By Bike monthly e-newsletter. We hope you, your family and friends are keeping well. Tourism is an important economic driver in our province and the 1,500 certified bicycle friendly businesses in our network want to welcome you back. Make use of our September e-newsletter and extensive website resources to help inspire and plan your bicycle trips and outings in Ontario, when you are comfortable with travelling again. Support our tourism industry and cycle tourism.
Enjoy the read, visit our website, stay in touch on social media and stay fit.
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Minutes Away ... A World of Difference
Caledon, Ontario is a cyclist's destination, right next to metropolitan Toronto. Characterized by rolling hills, lush river valleys, the steep Niagara Escarpment, amazing views and farmers' fields, it is an impressive place to escape the confines of the city and explore by bike.
Find out more about family friendly trails, challenging road rides and mountain biking adventures in our new blog, and be sure to
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Take the Backroad: Exploring Gravel Routes in Kawarthas Northumberland
Photo Credit: Justin Ross / Wild Rock Outfitters
Gravel roads have a beauty all their own. Choosing a less-trafficked route lets cyclists enjoy the sights and sounds of the countryside with little or no intrusion from cars, making for a more contemplative ride. Perhaps the only downside is the difficulty of finding routes close to town, but fortunately that's an area where the Kawarthas Northumberland region excels.
Whether you're departing from Peterborough, Cobourg, Lindsay, or one of the smaller nearby communities, peaceful and secluded rides are never far away. Read our new blog for some suggestions to get you started exploring.
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Bike the Bridge: Bracebridge
Sample some of the great riding and plan a trip of your own to bike and visit the bridge, Bracebridge, in the heart of Muskoka's. View some tips from locals and find out more about the trails and road routes near this waterfall town.
With a variety of cafes, bakeries, breweries, pubs and downtown shops, there is lots to see and do before and post ride: VisitTheBridge.ca
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What a Deal: Cycle & Stay in Eastern Ontario
Make September and early fall the time to explore eastern Ontario by bike. To further entice you to get there, activate one of these deals and start riding:
Stay 2 nights and get $100 off your booking. Reserve before September 30, travel anytime before December 31. See more about our Ottawa 2020 Best Bicycle Friendly Business, the Alt Hotel, below and a participating accommodation in this Ottawa promotion. OttawaTourism.ca/en/ItsStillOnUs
With close to 1,000km of bike trails and routes in the urban centre and nearby countryside you may be tempted to stay longer. OntarioByBike.ca/Ottawa
Cornwall
Cycle and stay in this bicycle friendly town alongside the St. Lawrence River and close to the Quebec border. Get a deal at 1 of 2 hotels that includes a $40 dinner voucher and complimentary grab and go breakfast, available till October 31.
Follow the scenic waterfront trails and enjoy over 40km of off-road paved trails alongside the hydro canals, across islands, through natural and heritage areas. CornwallTourism.com/Cycling
Photo Credits: National Capital Commission; Cornwall Tourism
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Ontario's Best Bicycle Friendly Businesses
2020 is the second year of our Bicycle Friendly Business Awards, where we select one Ontario By Bike certified bicycle friendly business from each of the 13 tourism regions in Ontario.
We'll be showcasing the Best Bicycle Friendly Business Award winners throughout the year. Consider stopping in at one of these locations on your next cycling adventure in their region as they have all taken the extra steps offering services and amenities to welcome cyclists to their location.
This modern and stylishly decorated hotel is centrally located in the heart of Ottawa making it a great spot to explore the city by bike. Cyclists will find secure bike storage and knowledgeable staff on site to learn more about what to see and do in this bicycle friendly city.
Explore Ontario's beautiful capital by bike along a well mapped out network of trails and roads or enjoy a scenic ride along the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River using our carefully crafted ride itinerary. Make it a multi-day trip with a stay at the Alt Hotel and benefit from reduced rates for a limited time.
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Located in Burlington's pretty Village Square, cyclists will find an abundance of tasty treats, healthier sweets and fresh coffee. With bike-parking on site, tools for minor repairs and a 10% discount for guests arriving by bike, this place is making sure all your cycling needs are covered.
Find more great places to explore in downtown Burlington. Only minutes away from the shores of Lake Ontario cyclists can easily access the Waterfront Trail with options to ride east towards Toronto or connect to other nearby cycling routes like the 50km HamBur Loop.
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St. Clair River Trail: Sarnia Lambton
If you are looking to extend the summer, head to south western Ontario, usually the warmest part of the province. Starting south of Sarnia and ending in Port Lambton, plan a day out meandering through parkland linked by the St. Clair River Trail, a 34km linear route, with options to ride further on either end along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
Plan your ride route and time in the south west with more information HERE.
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Ontario By Bike`s 2020 Photo Contest
2019 Honourable Mention - Tay Trail, Midland - By L.I. Sheppard
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If your bike is taking you to some scenic spots around Ontario this fall, take a picture and consider sharing with us some of your best cycling shots. Enter the 2020 Ontario By Bike photo contest.
Visit OntarioByBike.ca/PhotoContest for more information on how to enter and look at past year's winners and some honourable mentions. 2020 submissions are now open and the contest (with prizes to be won plus publication in our 2021 Cycling in Ontario guide) will be open until November 20, 2020. And if posting online, be sure to #OntarioByBike.
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Cycling in Ontario Guide 2020
- AVAILABLE -
The 2020 Cycling in Ontario guide is now available in print and digitally. Packed with over 50 day trip and overnight itineraries for all ride types and so much more, the guide is a must have for all cyclists to find inspiration for and help plan their next biking adventure.
If you prefer a physical copy to read at your leisure or to take with you on your adventures, send us an email with your name and mailing address including 'Cycling in Ontario' in subject line to:
If you are a business or have an outlet for distribution of larger numbers, or even a suggestion of distribution locations in your area, send us an email to let us know, and we will follow-up. We will soon be working on the 2021 edition and are keen to make sure the remaining print copies of our 2020 edition and popular guide gets out to as many cyclists as possible.
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Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike!
Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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Ontario Cycling Events
While the days are slowly getting shorter and the temperatures are cooling down a bit, there is still plenty of ride time ahead to enjoy the nice crisp fall weather.
See below for a list of selected events some of them held in a virtual format and a few proceeding with new ride protocols.
What is a virtual ride?
A virtual ride lets you choose your own adventure and ride solo or as part of a smaller group challenge with friends and family. You may be able to choose between riding your own bike outside or pedalling indoors on a trainer. Some are set up so you can connect virtually with other riders and share your experience by creating a community feeling and in many cases still raise funds for important charities. Some events take place on a specific date and have specific targets, while others are more open and let you choose your own goals, where and when to ride.
Also make sure to visit OntarioByBike.ca/Events to see which events are still taking place later on this summer and to stay up to date with changes and new additions.
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Be well,
From Louisa & Simon
Ontario By Bike
Project of Transportation Options
850 Coxwell Ave ~ Toronto, ON ~ M4C 5R1
Toll-Free: 1-866-701-2774
Want to read more: Link to our e-Newsletter archive HERE
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