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Ontario By Bike E-News: August
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1000 Islands in 158 Kilometres
Over the long weekend in August our much anticipated, sold out Ontario By Bike Ride and small group tour headed east for a 3 day, 2 night weekend of riding the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail between Gananoque and Cornwall. Averaging 50km a day, left lots of time to enjoy the many interesting stops along the way.
We had riders from the UK, US, Quebec and of course Ontario join us. Some were on their first bike tour, others had toured before in Europe, and all had interesting bike tales to tell. A big shout out goes to our youngest rider, 12 years old, from London, England, and our oldest rider Ed, 86 years young, who we had trouble keeping up with, and arrived at nightly hotels before anyone.
You can easily plan your own self supported tour following our route, and using our itinerary that is now available online. Click below to d
ownload all you need to know, plus route maps for this tour.
From our recent blog posting about the ride:
"Travelling often requires early departures, so it was with some acceptance that we pulled out of the big city well before sunrise on Saturday of the long weekend. Loaded with bikes and all our ride supplies to keep 35 cyclists hydrated, energized and bikes in good running order on the tour, we hit cruise control for eastern Ontario and our 1000 Islands St. Lawrence River Ride start location in Gananoque."
Click below t
o read the entire blog post about this fantastic weekend!
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Ontario 150 - Celebrate by Bike
While Canada Day may have come and gone for 2017, the celebrations live on!
In honour of Canada's 150th, we continue to roll out events, itineraries and programming for Ontario 150 Celebrate by Bike!
Cycling this summer? Tag social media posts and pictures with
#BikeON so we can share it far and wide and show the world how we celebrate by bike!
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Bike Hub: Bonnechere Caves Eganville
A free bike lending hub is being piloted this summer in Renfrew County, to encourage healthy active lifestyles for residents and visitors.
Centred out of Bonnechere Caves, near Eganville, a number of bikes are now available to borrow at no charge from this popular attraction that is surrounded by quiet pretty country side, a perfect place to ride and explore a part of the spectacular Ottawa Valley.
If you are travelling with your own bike, this certified bicycle friendly location has all you need including free parking, washrooms and bike maps on site.
If you don't already have plans for August 20, head that way for a real ride experience and to participate in the annual
Tour de Bonnechere
.
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Do Something Amazing This September!
.
When you pair historic waterways and stunning rural landscapes with vibrant communities, 'Kawartha' hospitality and one of Ontario's premier trail networks,
you have a recipe for an outstanding cycling hoiday!
For only $239*, this self-guided and supported recreational tour is almost entirely on trails and includes breakfast, two lunches, snacks and refreshments, overnight accommodation, support van and transportation for bike and rider back to start.
*Based on Double Occupancy and does not include HST
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Vote for Your Favourite Rail Trail in Ontario!
For some it may be a local trail used for fun day trip explorations. For others it may be trails ridden on epic overnight cycling adventures.
What is your favourite Rail Trail in Ontario?
Have your say by taking a
1-question survey, no more than a minute of your time! We are interested to hear what you think and will let you know the consensus.
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The Results Are In!
Last month we asked you,
"What is your Favourite Moble App or Digital Mapping Platform for Cycling?", and the response was fantastic! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Over 1 in 4, indicating Strava as their preferred app when cycling, with GPS Devices a favourite for 1 in 5 cyclists. The most common response for GPS Devices was "Garmin".
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The New Greenbelt Explore Website is Now Live!
V
isit
www.Greenbelt.ca/Explore
and take this new interactive website, showcasing the 475km and signed Greenbelt Route for a test drive!
Recently designated one of Ontario's Trails of Distinction, the Greenbelt Route stretches from Niagara to Northumberland County and features an additional
12 signature day trip and multi-day cycling itineraries
that spur off the main route. From accommodations to cheese-makers and antique stores to bike shops, t
here are a ton of points of interest (literally thousands
) to help fill out a cycling day trip or overnight holiday exploring Ontario's Greenbelt.
Looking for a short day trip? Try the
Scugog Country Cruise, a 39km day trip on quiet rural roads in/out of the historic downtown of Port Perry.
Seeking something more ambitious? Tackle the
Royal City Mill Run, a 193km 3-day overnight adventure looping through Erin and Wellington County, passing through conservation areas and historic villages, local farms and farmers' markets.
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$25 Deal: Toronto Niagara Bike Train
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Credit: Lorne Bridgeman
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There are just a few weekends left to grab this deal and try the summer weekend GO Train from Union Station in Toronto to Niagara Falls.
For $25 (incl HST) round-trip hop on board with your bike.
This price also includes 2-day access to WEGO, the hop-on, hop-off bus service that travels throughout the city of Niagara Falls and Niagara Parks.
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Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike!
Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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2017 Cycling Events in Ontario
Join a cycling event in 2017 and discover one of the best ways to explore a new area by bike. Here is a list of some of the events coming up over the next couple of months.
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Ontario 150 Celebrate by Bike
Celebrate by Bike events are connecting 15 communities across Ontario through cycling. Events take advantage of the iconic Greenbelt Route and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
For full event listings visit www.OntarioByBike.ca/150 |
Be sure to visit
www.OntarioByBike.ca/Events
for more complete listings
and search over 10
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!
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Ride Halton This Year
- Join Us at Epic Tour Halton -
Located less than an hour west of Toronto, Halton Region is easily accessible and has an array of cycling experiences that continues to offer surprises even for local riders.
Download or request a print copy of the Halton Region Cycling Map featuring 8 on-road cycling routes ranging from 36 to 100km over a variety of terrain, easy to hilly.
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Join us at PwC Epic Halton on September 10th!
Recognized at the largest Gran Fondo cycling event in Canada, this event is on many a road riders' calendars and offers wide range of routes from 50 to 170km.
Are you riding this year? If so, stop by our Ontario Cycle Tourism Info Booth after the ride. We would love to hear about your ride and share some new cycling maps, trip ideas and resources with you.
To find more information on the ride and how to registered visit www.EpicTour.ca
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2017 Cycling In Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario Guide
This popular (
and free!) 32-page guide features some of Ontario's best road, trail and mountain bike experiences from destinations across the province!
Published in both French and English, the annual guide has become a key trip planning resource for cyclists looking to explore more of Ontario by bike.
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Here's to Summer!
Will we even experience the true dog days of summer this year? We're not worried about it; we'll just keep on riding.
We've clocked hundreds of kilometres and have a few overnight rides under our belt so far for 2017,
with more to come. We hope that you too have been able to get out on your bike pedalling some of your favourite rides or have been able to explore new routes and trails in Ontario this year. There really are some many experiences to have on a bike in our province.
Looking for something new to ride?
C
heck
www.OntarioByBike.ca
and source the latest maps and resources for your new favourite ride destination!
Share your cycling pics and stories through email or post on social media and tag #OntarioByBIke and #BikeON.
We'll be back again in September. Enjoy these warmer days of riding and exploring Ontario by bike!
Cheers,
From Louisa & Michael
Ontario By Bike Network
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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