Ontario By Bike E-News: March 2023 | |
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This is the first edition of our e-newsletter for 2023.
Look out for it monthly through till October and in your inbox mid month. Find ride ideas, resources, inspiration, news and events to help plan your next outing with your bike or longer cycling adventure.
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NOW AVAILABLE
2023 Cycling in Ontario Guide
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We are pleased to announce the 2023 edition of the Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario guide is now available in print and digital formats.
For information on how to receive a print copy or to view online visit: OntarioByBike.ca/2023
This is the 11th annual edition of our extremely popular free publication, available in both English and French. Get inspired to ride this cycling season with interesting articles and more than 50 day trips and multi-day ride ideas and itineraries for all different ride types.
**Please note we have a new order form for print magazine requests. All individual print orders must use this form.
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Discover Five New Gravel Routes in
Oxford County This Season
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Photo Credit: Oxford County
When planning a gravel cycling getaway this summer, there is one destination that should be at the top of your list – Oxford County.
The county continues to develop more enticing gravel cycling routes, including the launch of five new gravel routes this year. They range in experience level from intermediate to advanced and cover diverse terrain and unique stops around the county.
For gravel riders, Oxford County is a real hidden gem, with more unpaved roads than nearby counties. This means quieter cycling routes and a feeling of being off the beaten path. Oxford’s unpaved gravel roads also hold some of the county’s most beautiful scenery: rolling hills, bucolic countryside, and unique stops that showcase the bounty of the area, whether that’s local cheese, bakeries and markets, BBQ, maple syrup, art galleries and tons of historic sites.
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2023 Ontario By Bike Rides
- Destinations and Schedule Announcement -
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Ontario By Bike's 2023 group rides are now available for booking. We will be hosting four fabulous weekend rides this year and can't wait to ride with you, exploring new trails and routes and unique Ontario destinations you may have not visited before. | |
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Just bring your bike and ride!
Join us on a weekend tour this summer to explore Ontario by bike. All rides are small group (~45 cyclists) and include hotel accommodations, luggage transfer if needed, lunches, mid-ride snacks and water, ride ambassadors, optional social gathering and route maps. Let us take care of the logistics while you ride along enjoying these four cycling getaways.
We are excited to announce that new this year we will be booking our rides directly. To book, please use our new ride booking form on our website, linked from each ride page. Note we are only accepting payment by credit card and e-transfer. Please be sure to check our updated cancellation policy.
For more information on all 2023 Rides visit: OntarioByBike.ca/Rides
*Be sure to book early, as our rides are extremely popular and sell out early.*
Spaces are filling fast, with announcement already sent to past riders.
Once rides sell out, we will fill spaces as they come available from a waitlist.
Ontario By Bike/Transportation Options
TICO#50026868
Email: [email protected]
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North Bay & Lakes Tour
OntarioByBike.ca/AugustRide2023
Dates: Friday, August 25 – Sunday, August 27 (3 days / 2 nights)
Total Distance: 157km+
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Georgian Bay Collingwood Explorer
OntarioByBike.ca/SeptRide2023
Dates: Saturday, September 23 – Sunday, September 24 (2 days / 1 night)
Total Distance: 80km or 118km
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2023 Ontario By Bike Rides presented in partnership with: | |
® CAA trademarks are owned by, and use is authorized by, the Canadian Automobile Association | |
With Their Cycle Tourism Map, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island Is Ready for Ontario Cyclists | |
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Photo Credit: Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
In Ontario we’re blessed with a multitude of cycling options, but I found my happy place riding in the region of Windsor Essex Pelee Island. It started years back when I was cycling the open roads of Pelee Island, and then before I knew it I was back with my partner Briana, riding from one winery to the next in EPIC Wine Country.
I rode along the water in Windsor, and through the historic streets of Amherstburg. I locked my bike up to check out the restaurant scene in Kingsville, and put my bike down for a moment to walk along the picturesque sand in Point Pelee National Park. I took my two wheels to Tecumseh, and found moments of reprieve amongst the stately homes along Lake St. Clair.
Every trip I took became easier as more and more resources were created to help cyclists like myself who were coming to explore and appreciate the region. All of this culminated with the establishment of the Cycle Tourism Map, which established six distinct trails that span a combined 354 kilometres.
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2023 Award Winners
Ontario's Best Bicycle Friendly Businesses
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We are pleased to announce the 2023 Bicycle Friendly Business Award Winners. This is the fifth year of our awards, where we select one Ontario By Bike certified bicycle friendly business from each of the 13 tourism regions in Ontario.
Find a full list of all 2023 winners at: OntarioByBike.ca/2023AwardWinners
Throughout the year and in each e-newsletter we will feature award recipient. 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.
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Crazy 8 Barn is a must-visit attraction and rest stop while cycling in Southwest Ontario with their welcoming attitude, historic 8-side barn, native tree garden and experiences, water refills, wifi and nutritious snacks, ice cream and butter tarts. The owners love welcoming cyclists and the positive influence they bring to their business and have met all types of cyclists, from day-riding families, to round-the-world tourers.
Crazy 8 Barn is located on key cycling routes, including the cross-provincial Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the trans-continental Erie Connector Route. The Barn is also a popular stop with visitors to Rondeau Provincial Park, where there are three beautiful trails open to cyclists and stunning park roads, featuring old growth Carolinian forests and a rare oak savanna. Crazy8Barn.com
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On the Bay Bed & Breakfast
Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON
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On the Bay B&B is located on the south shore of central Manitoulin Island, steps from the Providence Bay Beach, said to be one of the best beaches in Northern Ontario. The B&B is close to the boardwalk, great food shops and many of the island’s cycling routes start at their doorstep. The B&B has been supportive of Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates (MICA) initiatives to promote cycling on the island through the years and have even rescued cyclists caught out in a storm.
On the Bay B&B is a great base for a cycling exploration of the island, or a relaxing stay before or after the Manitoulin Passage Ride, scheduled for June 3 and 4, 2023. The Passage Ride is an annual group road ride on the island and includes luggage transfer, meals, a dance, and many other perks. OnTheBayBB.ca
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In addition to the award winning bicycle friendly places to eat, visit and sleep there are a number of bike businesses that provide services and/or tours located in each region. To recognize all they offer in 2022, special mention and an award goes out to the following in Southwest Ontario: | |
WindsorEats is a tour company based in Windsor focusing on food and drink and local experiences. They also offer bicycle tours, bike rentals, bike parking, information and food/drink all at their headquarters. They are excited about the post-pandemic return of their Friday Night Lights tour, an illuminated group night bike ride which is a chance for riders to meet new people and visit establishments and parts of the city they have never been too. | |
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Cycle Tourism Conference Canada | |
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On March 2, Ontario By Bike was pleased to host our 5th Cycle Tourism Conference.
With over 160 attendees and 30 speakers from Ontario, Canada and international destinations, industry partners learned more about the latest trends and opportunities in cycle tourism.
If you are interested in finding out more about the destinations that attended and to view the presentations shared, it's all online at: OntarioByBike.ca/CTC23
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2023 Cycling Events
Visit our new for 2023 Cycling Events Calendar. Events can be displayed in your choice of list or calendar view, search for events by categories, and find all the useful info you need to plan ahead and sign up to participate at events that suit your ride style in 2023.
View the full 2023 calendar here: OntarioByBike.ca/Events
Upcoming Events
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Recent Shows
Great to see all who were able to drop by and say hello and pick up an advance copy of the 2023 guide at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show and Montreal Bike Show/Salon du velo, in late February.
We were also pleased meet Florence & Jessica (right), avid cyclists who wrote one of the articles in this year's Cycling in Ontario guide.
Come and see us:
And stay tuned for for where you will find our Ontario Cycle Tourism Info Booth at additional events this season.
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In the News: Bikes & Travel | |
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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
Email: [email protected]
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Want to read more: Link to our e-Newsletter archive HERE | |
Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike! | |
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Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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