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Ontario By Bike E-News: June
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Warm greetings to our community of fellow cyclists who receive and read the Ontario By Bike monthly e-newsletter. We sincerely hope you, your family and friends are well during this challenging time.
Our intent in delivering the June e-newsletter is to provide you with info to help inspire and plan future bicycle trips in Ontario, as guidelines for travel change, businesses reopen and when you are comfortable to do so.
Until then, enjoy the read, visit our website, stay in touch on social media and stay fit.
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Discover Canada's Southernmost Bike Trails
Looking for a way to safely explore a new area while on two wheels? Whether it be within the city or out in the county green spaces, Windsor Essex has plenty of ways for you to plan your next cycle-friendly adventure.
Cyclists of all sorts can explore this region at the southern peninsula of Ontario via six established cycling trails, mapped out by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and their partners.
The trails vary by way of experience - with everything from an 8km scenic ride along the Windsor Riverfront to a three-day, 130km cycling adventure through Windsor, Kingsville and Essex - so no matter your skill level or preference, there is certainly a trail to get your wheels turning! You can check out all the trails now at VisitWindsorEssex.com/Bike or learn more about the unique experiences and read our latest blog.
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Cycle Tourism & Cycling Activities
- Results from Survey -
Thank you to all who were able to take the time to complete the survey we issued in May. We were pleased to have almost 900 responses.
You may be interested in our findings:
- There is great demand for cycling with cyclists active and keen to cycle this year
- 62% of cyclists are planning on day trips, with a growing interest in resuming multi-day trips
- 75% of respondents are planning on cycling closer to home this summer
- Participation in cycling events and groups has changed for the time being
- With 41% cancelling international travel that includes cycling activities, cycle tourism in Ontario will be a popular activity
Having this information is important to us, our tourism partners, tourism businesses and related organizations. We are a part of a number of tourism recovery industry groups and are able to use and share the findings to assist with future planning.
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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.
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Fuel yourself mid-ride or celebrate post ride with a freshly made coffee or tea and a healthy sweet treat at this cafe l
ocated in the charming Village Square in downtown Burlington.
Just a short ride from the
Great Lakes Waterfront Trail
, this little desert and coffee house invites cyclist to stop for a break and enjoy the beautiful historic architecture. Cyclist are warmly welcomed and can find secure space to park their bikes and some tools for minor repairs. Additionally, all visitors arriving by bike receive a 10% discount on their order.
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Ontario's largest community museum invites visitors to learn more about the history of the Waterloo Region from the last 12,000 years. The adjacent heritage village lets you take a stroll back in time to 1914 to explore some of the architecture and daily life of people in the area.
The museum can be accessed from the trail through Homer Watson Park and the Great Trail. From water refill, clean washrooms and friendly and knowledgeable staff, the museum makes for a fun excursion or short rest stop on a ride in Kitchener and Waterloo Region.
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In addition to the award winning bicycle friendly places to eat, sleep and visit there are a number of bike businesses that provide services and/or tours located in each region. To recognize all they offer, and new in 2020, special mention and an award goes out to the following in the Hamilton Halton Brant area:
The Bicycle Shop Brantford - Centrally located in the hub of bike trails within southern Ontario, cyclists can count on knowledgeable staff, fast repairs and all the cycling gear needed.
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Ontario Cycling Events are Going Virtual
When summer arrives and warm temperatures get more of us out on bikes, participating in a cycling event is usually a great catalyst to ride more, discover a new ride area, and often raise funds for a good cause. But this year everything is different and many cycling events have been cancelled or postponed. However, some events have taken a different approach and changed to a virtual ride. But what does that mean?
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.
Below you can find a list of events that have decided to take their ride virtually. Check it out, and consider signing up for a virtual cycling event this season.
Also make sure to v
isit
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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DIY Bike Repairs
Although bike stores are considered an essential service and were allowed to operate, many of them have been working on reduced hours and offer their services only by appointment. With those measures in place, it can be difficult to get your bike in to a mechanic for repairs at the start of the season.
While we always recommend the services of an experienced mechanic for anything beyond a minor repair, now might be the time to pick up a few tools and watch some of the videos below to learn how to fix up some smaller problems on your bike by yourself.
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Cycling in Ontario Guide 2020
- AVAILABLE ONLINE -
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 avid 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:
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2020 Ontario By Bike Rides
- UPDATES -
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Midland Trail, Simcoe County - Credit: Destination Ontario
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Consider joining us later this season for an Ontario By Bike Ride and small group weekend tour. We are making special arrangements, removing touch points, have precautions in place and will be following all guidelines required to ensure our riders remain safe and healthy, while enjoying a fun ride weekend. Cycling is an activity that easily allows for social distancing. Plus w
ith a maximum of 40 riders per weekend, we are able to make changes easily, and we offer a cancellation policy that won't leave you out of pocket, should you wish to cancel the ride.
As a not for profit organization, these rides are an important part of our offering, and we hope that you will be able to come ride with us in 2020.
Sign up for an Ontario By Bike Ride this summer!
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OBB Classic!
August 22-23
2 days / 1 night
Distance: 123
km or 162km
Price: $259*
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New This Year!
September 19-20
2 days / 1 night
Distance: 121km
Price: $249*
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Note: Both above rides are looped, reducing need for bus transfer and additional touch points.
Updated Routes & Info
June 27-29
Distance: 158km
Price: $389*
We are proceeding with this tour, have health and safety precautions in place, and have made some changes to route and start/end locations. We will now be doing day rides out of Brockville and Morrisburg, and still enjoying the beautiful trail, 1000 Islands and waterway scenery plus staying in the same hotels. Daily ride distances will remain similar to the original route, plus some new daily loop options will be offered. LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE - MAY BE SOLD OUT.
If you are not already signed up and are interested in finding out more about our rides v
isit:
OntarioByBike.ca/Rides
who offer a wide range of cycling tours in Ontario and world-wide!
*Prices per person based on double occupancy. HST not included. Single rider supplement, triple, quad and youth discounts available.
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Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike!
Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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Ontario By Bike`s 2020 Photo Contest
If your bike is taking you to some scenic spots around Ontario 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) will be open until November 20, 2020.
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2019 Honourable Mention - Brockville Railway Tunnel - By D.M. Nyenhuis
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Self-Guided Cycling Trips
If you are looking to plan your own multi-day cycling tour or day long bike adventure and feel more comfortable riding solo or with your own small group, don`t forget to visit our website (OntarioByBike.ca) as we have all the planning resources you need under the following tabs or directly at:
- Itineraries - Use our past Ontario By Bike Ride itineraries to create your own tour at any time, with detailed information online
- Great Places To Cycle - Each region has it`s own page, with links to road, trail and mountain biking routes, along with print and digital maps
- Bicycle Friendly Businesses - For each region find businesses and stops to eat, visit and sleep; over 1,500 certified bicycle friendly locations across Ontario
- Cycling in Ontario/Le velo en Ontario 2020 - Our annual guide has many trip ideas to help inspire your next ride
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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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