Ontario By Bike E-News: May 2023 | |
Escape the Usual in Ontario's Near North | |
You’ve toured Ontario’s ‘wine country’ and ‘cottage country’ by bike, but now you’re in the mood for something different – the Near North.
Cycling across the continent’s ancient volcanic core on the Canadian Shield where North Bay and the Almaguin Highlands sit – is surprisingly different.
With some of the oldest rocks on the planet, the land pulses in time to the Earth’s ancient heartbeat and for thousands of years, it’s been a sacred home to Indigenous stewards. With a long colonial history of French and English fur traders and settlers, the area is deeply rooted in Canadian history.
Cycling in the Near North wilderness is never far away, services and bicycle friendly businesses and amenities are plenty. Discovery Routes, a local trail and cycling advocacy organization has developed a series of rides with just the right amount of rustic and urban for cyclists of all abilities, from roadie day-trippers to bikepackers to gravel grinders.
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If you’re planning a cycling day trip, look no further!
Guelph is home to an extensive and well-maintained Trail System that is perfect for cyclists. Whether you’re looking for Mountain Biking Trails at Guelph Lake, cross-regional trail systems including the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail and the Trans Canada Trail, or simply a family trail ride, you’ll find it in Guelph. Take a day or weekend trip to discover Guelph’s unique and historic architecture, beautiful rivers and farmland, unique local shops and markets, and recharge at one of the many restaurants or coffee shops around town.
The city of Guelph is a fantastic spot to get outside and enjoy all the amenities of a city. With the seasons changing and warmer weather ahead, there’s no better time to get outside than now!
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2023 Ontario By Bike Rides
** Limited Spaces Left - June & September Rides Only**
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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, breakfast, 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. Just bring your bike and ride! | |
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Oxford Rural Road Ride
(SOLD OUT)
OntarioByBike.ca/MayRide2023
Dates: Saturday, May 27 – Sunday, May 28 (2 days / 1 night)
Total Distance: 159km
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Toronto Trails & Ravines Ride
(BOOK BEFORE MAY 31)
OntarioByBike.ca/JuneRide2023
Dates: Saturday, June 17 – Sunday, June 18 (2 days / 1 night)
Total Distance: 85km+
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North Bay & Lakes Tour (SOLD OUT)
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 (LIMITED SPACE)
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 the Canadian Automobile Association: | |
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Interested in one of our Ontario By Bike Ride itineraries and going on a self supported getaway? All our past itineraries are available online making it easier for you to make a plan and ride our routes at anytime. OntarioByBike.ca/Itineraries | |
2023 Cycling in Ontario Guide | |
**Limited Print Quantities Remaining**
Over 90% of print copies already distributed
For information on how to receive a print copy or to view online visit: OntarioByBike.ca/2023
The 2023 edition of the Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario guide
is available in print and digital formats.
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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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 5th 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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This state-of-the-art residence building for George Brown College transforms into a hotel between May and August, and makes an excellent alternative to more pricey traditional hotels in downtown Toronto. Close to the Waterfront Trail and Don River Trail, the RCC welcomes and accommodates cyclists, allowing them to bring their bikes up to their 2 bedroom suite rooms. The RCC makes a great base for before or after a cycling event or visit to the city.
The RCC – Toronto Downtown is the overnight accommodation on our Toronto Trails & Ravines Ontario By Bike Ride on June 17 and 18 – book by May 31 to secure your spot! Or stay at the RCC before and after the Mattamy Homes Bike for Brain Health on June 4, raising funds for research, innovation, care and education in the field of aging and brain health, in support of Baycrest. Ride the Gardiner Expressway and scenic Don Valley car-free.
StayRCC.com/Locations/Toronto-Downtown
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Haute Goat Farm
Newtonville, ON
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Located in the picturesque rolling hills of Northumberland County just north of Port Hope, Haute Goat Farm has been a key stop for many cycling groups over the last few years. The farm is easy to access and park at by bike or car (including supervised bicycle parking), has great animal experiences, food and drink at their cafe, washrooms, and also overnight accommodations – including a chance to sleep alongside Alpacas! They even have a network of mountain bike trails and a pro disc golf course on the property.
Make a visit or overnight stop at Haute Goat on the two day 195km Highland Hustle Route, a cycle touring loop which follows the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Greenbelt Route through beautiful Northumberland County and Durham Region. On day one, ride up and along the Oak Ridges Moraine through Ontario's Greenbelt, and on day two enjoy the descent south and long stretches of the flat and scenic Waterfront Trail along Lake Ontario from Port Hope back to Whitby. HauteGoat.com
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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 2023, special mention and an award goes out to the following in Kawarthas Northumberland and Greater Toronto Area: | |
Down to Earth is a full service bike shop and outdoor store that has served the downtown Lindsay community for over 20 years. The shop has expert mechanics and friendly staff who can guide cyclists to local trails and safe cycling roads. | |
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The Cyclepath Danforth since 1988 has sold and serviced bikes for riders of all ages in Toronto's Danforth neighbourhood. They offer bike and ebike rentals, bike builds, storage, and cycling maps. They have a huge selection of bikes and equipment and are very close to all the best paths and mountain bike trails in the city. | |
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Camping for Cyclists along
Ontario's Heritage Waterways
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Follow the Trent Severn Waterway or Rideau Canal and discover Ontario’s heritage waterways by bike, instead of boat. Cyclists on self-supported rides (ie. travelling with no vehicle) can camp at Parks Canada lockstations along the way for just $5 per night, per person (mid May till mid October). While amenities vary depending on lockstation, and not all lockstations offer this option, with a little research this is a super affordable way to visit the beautiful areas around the waterways and experience these historic settings, each so unique and different.
Rideau Canal National Historic Site
Ottawa to Kingston – Camping info HERE
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
Georgian Bay to Quinte West - Camping info HERE
Are you planning to or have you cycled routes following many of Ontario's waterways and major rivers? We'd like to hear about your experience. Get in touch - send us an email to: info@ontariobybike.ca
Photo credit: Parks Canada
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Ride Gravel & More
-New Backroad Cycling Routes in L&A-
With the growing popularity of gravel road and trail cycling, Lennox and Addington, located in south eastern Ontario, north and south of Napanee, have just launched 10 new backroads cycling itineraries, a total of 388km of looped routes. Celebrating all things gravel and local communities, on June 10 they are hosting an inaugural Gravel Ride and event. Find out more HERE.
Photo credit: Lennox & Addington
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2023 Cycling Events
Visit our 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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Antique Cycling Exhibit
in St. Thomas
On display now until August you’ll find the fascinating Cycling: An Unspoken History exhibit and collection of antique bicycles at Elgin County Heritage Centre in St. Thomas.
Full of rare and antique models that show the evolution of the bicycle from the 1860's to the 1930's, along with historical artifacts from photographs to medals, tools and costumes it is amazing that this is only a part of the private collection amassed by avid cyclist Rick Wolf, a collector for over 50 years.
Take a trip to south west Ontario, and while visiting the exhibit be sure to have a ride around Elgin County. Find maps and routes at: www.elgintourist.com/cycling and bicycle friendly places to eat, visit and sleep HERE.
Photo credit: Michelle Both/CBC
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Video: Prescott Russell Recreational Trail
Find out more and see a sampling of the great cycling following the 72km long Prescott Russell rail trail. Ride from the outskirts of Ottawa to south of Vankleek Hill and Hawkesbury, near the Quebec border. To plan your ride, visit: www.sentierprtrail.com
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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: info@ontariobybike.ca
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Want to read more: Link to our e-Newsletter archive HERE | |
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