Ontario By Bike E-News: September
Top 5 Fall Ride Destinations

It may not feel like it yet, but a change of seasons is not far off, and with it comes one of the best times of the year to ride. Cooler temperatures and dazzling colours should help inspire you to get out there and enjoy some of our top fall ride suggestions.

Grey County
- The escarpment makes for an incredibly scenic backdrop for any ride in this area. Road riders should try the 85km Island View ride heading north out of Owen Sound or a shorter route with big climb on the Blue Mountain Loop. Wanting to stick to an off-road ride? The Georgian Trail is tree-lined and sure to be stunning this time of the year.

Haliburton - There are several options from town. A 109km looped route passing through Tory Hill and Kinmount; an easier 39km loop following in part Kashagawigamog (say that fast!) Lake Road; or the 33km County rail trail to Kinmount, connecting to longer Victoria Rail Trail. Mountain bikers and sightseers will enjoy the lifts to the top of hill at Sir Sam's Ski & Bike, operating weekends through Thanksgiving.

Caledon - Forks of the Credit Road is famed for fall colours and draws a huge crowd. With the reduced speed limit of 30km and speed bumps installed, sharing the road with vehicles is easier. Experienced cyclists can try the 30km Credit River Ride loop, just off the Greenbelt Route, trail riders can too enjoy the area along the Caledon Trailway, 37kms connecting park lands and villages.

Haldimand - Looking for a weekend long ride? Then this 135km, 2 day ride itinerary that starts in Caledonia, follows the Grand River to Lake Erie and loops back after an overnight in Dunneville is the perfect fall trip. Get a preview with cute local guides, link to video HERE. For some fall day rides in the area use the new interactive cycling map
 
Cornwall & Counties - For a late season camp-out and easy ride, enjoy the parkway through Long Sault islands, alongside the St Lawrence River, a part of the Waterfront Trail. Close to Quebec, enjoy bilingual hospitality in the area with a longer 100km road ride on the Long Sault Loop.

Find more great places to cycle this autumn at www.ontariobybike.ca
Hidden Gem Magnetawan

A lovely area north of Muskoka has come to our attention with a recent rush of certified bicycle friendly locations. Magnetawan: Both the town's name and that of larger surrounding municipality, amazed us when we visited this summer. Explore the area along quieter country roads, (many with freshly paved shoulders), along with panoramic views of rolling hills, vast green valleys, rivers and lakes.

Try out one of the 11 road routes and enjoy small town bike hospitality pre or post ride stopping at homestyle restaurants and bakeries, staying overnight at a lake side inn, B&B or camp. Travellers to the area in early 1900's took a train to Burk's Falls, and steamers up the Magnetawan River as far as Ahmic Lake, navigating the waterway through town locks to reach their piece of paradise. 

Find yours, with information about riding in this area at  www.ontariobybike.ca/parrysoundRead more with Bike Cottage Country's recent blog article HERE

Cycle and Stay Networks

Credit_ visitgrey.ca
Did you know that Ontario has 3 Cycle and Stay networks, where a number of accommodation  providers work together to offer services and amenities specifically for cyclists?  The resources and services they offer, including luggage transfer from one accommodation to another, aim to make a  cycling trip to their regions more convenient and easier to plan,  meaning you get more time on your bike out enjoying the roads and trails of the area. 
Visit our new Cycle & Stay Networks resource page and/or direct links above for more info. 
Urban Culinary Tours -  Best Served By Bike

Want to try some culinary delights, restaurants and cafes that you may not find by yourself?
Let a local show you the spots to stop in Hamilton or Toronto, all on two wheels. Also a fun and unique idea for birthday gatherings and all kinds of other group celebrations. 

Brunch or dinner food and bike
tours in Hamilton
Ride to a 3 course meal at
3 unique restaurants in Toronto
Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike!
Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike!
Upcoming Cycling Events in Ontario

A great way to get out and explore a new area by bike, enjoy a tour, have fun and depending on event, support a charity. Here is a list of just some of the events coming up over the next couple of months.
   
Centurion Blue Mountain
September 16-18
September 17

September 18

September 24

Highway of Heroes Bike Ride
September 24-25
Greg's Ride
September 25
October 1
October 8-10
October 9 
Past Ontario Cycling Events 
October 29-30 
Cyclo Cross Events
Fall 2016 
October 15

Be sure to visit  www.ontariobybike.ca/events  for more complete listings  and search over 9 0 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 to our site!
2016 Cycling In Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario Guide

We are now down to our last copies of the 2016 annual Cycling in Ontario Guide  Visit  OntarioByBike.ca/2016  to view the guide online, download as PDF file or find information on how to request a copy by mail. 

Thank you to all our readers this year, we are starting to make plans for the 2017 edition. If you received a copy via email request, we recently sent you a survey link to ask for your feedback. If you picked up a copy at a show, event or elsewhere, and are interested in completing the survey send us an email to receive link. 

Bike Train - Thanksgiving Weekend
Credit_ GO Transit

T here is one more weekend run on GO Transit's special Toronto Niagara seasonal weekend service.  

Make a plan to hop on board October 7 to 10, bike  coaches run Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday, and Friday evening with limited space. Great way to get to/from ride destinations including Toronto, Port Credit, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines and Niagara. 

For all other GO Transit routes, bike transportation is available on non-peak travel times, with a limited number of bikes per train. Lakeshore East & West, Barrie, Kitchener and stops in between make one way rides or connecting to routes at new destinations easy to plan. www.gotransit.com 
Ontario By Bike's Blog
In case you missed it!

Have any cycling adventures you`d like to share? Send us an email to [email protected] to talk about becoming a guest blogger. 
Summer Extension

An easy way to extend that summer feeling is to keep riding through September, October and into late fall. No route or trail will look the same once the leaves start changing. We are excited to hit the trails September 24 to 25 with our sold out Ontario By Bike Ride and small group tour on the Simcoe County trail loop. We'll be sure to share our experience and fall pictures of the ride and hope you will share some back with us too. 

We'll be back in October with one last e-newsletter for 2016, stay tuned. 

Cheers, 
From Louisa, Joanne & 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 

Want to read more: Link to our e-Newsletter archive HERE