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Ontario By Bike E-News: August
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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 during this challenging time. 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 August 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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Top Cycling Routes Exploring Ontario's National Parks & Historical Sites
Photo Credit: Parks Canada
We are fortunate in Ontario to have both National and Provincial park systems, providing residents and visitors with access to treasured and protected outdoor recreational spaces, many with historical significance. In Ontario there are 6 national parks and 39 historic sites under the stewardship of Parks Canada. One of the best ways to explore some of these parks and sites is on two wheels. Whether you are riding just a few kilometers or on an extended tour, you are guaranteed to see and enjoy more. To get you rolling, read our latest blog with some of our top picks, day rides or multi-day, for exploring Parks Canada sites in Ontario, by bike.
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2020 Ontario By Bike Rides
- LAST RIDE OF THE SEASON -
Photo Credit: Destination Ontario
Cyclists, and many of you in our are community are keen to get out there and ride, confirmed once again as we are about to head out on our second sold out weekend ride of the 2020 season. (Simcoe County Loop Trail, August 22 to 23).
There is still room for you to join us on our last ride of the season and enjoy the spectacular trails, rural roads and urban bikeways in the Guelph and Waterloo area. Starting from Guelph, Saturday morning we will ride out along the Guelph to Goderich (G2G) Trail, taking a small detour to ride under the arches of the famed Kissing Bridge. An easy roll through mennonite farmland will get us to St Jacobs, where riders can stop at the old flour mill that houses the EcoCafe (as featured on page 7 of the 2020 Cycling in Ontario guide). After a comfortable night at the Comfort Inn in Waterloo, we will roll on to and through nearby Kitchener along the Laurel and Iron Horse Trails, with the Trans Canada Trail taking us across the Grand River, through the outskirts of Cambridge and looping back around to Guelph for a total two day looped ride distance of 121km.
What's Included: Hotel accommodation; van support; breakfast and two lunches; parking; luggage transfer; snacks and water stops; socially distanced group ride options and detailed maps for independent riding. Priced from $249* pp.
Just bring your bike and ride!
We have stringent health and safety precautions in place for each of our rides and a last minute cancellation policy should you need it. As we expect this ride to sell out, avoid being disappointed and book before it is too late.
who offer a wide range of cycling tours in Ontario and world-wide!
Find out more about our annual rides visit:
Use one of our past itineraries and ride one of our routes self-supported:
*Prices per person based on double occupancy. HST not included. Single rider supplement, triple, quad and youth discounts available.
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Discover L&A Your Way
Photo Credit: County of Lennox & Addington
If riding somewhere new, away from the busy summer and fall vacation crowds is what you are looking for, then consider planning a bike getaway in the Napanee area. Situated in Lennox and Addington Counties (L&A), this south eastern Ontario destination is not far from busier Prince Edward County and Kingston.
Ideal for road cyclists, there are five routes spanning out from the town of Napanee, ranging in length from 24km to 71km and a total of 600km of paved roads through out, many of which are quiet country roads with paved shoulders.
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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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The small SW Ontario town of Kingsville and this local brewery take welcoming cyclists seriously. With expanded patios that take over the main street, closed to traffic at varying times through the weekends this summer, plus ample town and trail parking, it is easy to start and/or end a ride here.
Discover the Greenway Trail that is 48km in length and passes right through Kingsville or find a mapped road route nearby. Take out an active or honourary membership in their very own Banded Goose Bicycle Club to enjoy a group ride or member discounts and gift cards.
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Brighton Inn Bed & Breakfast
Brighton
This bicycle friendly four bedroom B&B is set in a renovated Victorian home on the main street.
With some excellent cycling nearby, make this your base for the weekend or longer, or a stopover on a cycle tour passing through town.
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Pedal & Paddle in Ottawa Valley
Photo Credit: Ottawa Valley Tourist Association
Take your pick of activities to add onto a ride adventure and Ontario local vacation in Ottawa Valley this year. Along with ample road riding and mountain biking trails, there are several rafting and kayaking adventures awaiting you along the Ottawa River or further inland near beautiful Barrie's Bay, on the Madawaska River.
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Toronto Niagara - GO by Bike Train
As announced at the beginning of August, GO Transit has resumed their popular Toronto Niagara summer service that includes bike coaches, making travelling by bike to either destination and stops in between easy.
Running all weekends through Thanksgiving, there are four scheduled departures daily on Saturday's, Sunday's and holiday Monday's. Plus with the affordable $30 return per person ticket, or $65 for a family group, the convenience and price are right! Read more about this year's service and new safety enhancements here, and book your advance ticket through Niagara Parks HERE.
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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:
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Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike!
Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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Ontario Cycling Events - Virtual
With many cycling events cancelled or postponed consider signing up to participate in a virtual ride this summer.
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.
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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