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Ontario By Bike E-News: September
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We hope that you our valued readers and fellow cycling enthusiasts will make use of the info and resources below as well as online to inspire and plan your bicycle trips and outings whether that be locally and as restrictions allow, safely to destinations and bicycle friendly businesses around Ontario.
Until we connect again, enjoy the read, visit our website, stay in touch on social media
and most importantly stay healthy and fit.
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Locals Share Top Rides in Waterloo Region
If you are a keen cyclist chances are you know the best routes in your neighbourhood, city and surrounding area. Hence who better to ask for ride suggestions than a local. Feeling like we left much to explore since our Ontario By Bike Ride in Waterloo Region a year ago, and dreaming of returning this fall, we reached out to a few connected friends to ask them to share some insider tips, their favourite rides and destinations in and around Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge areas.
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Seeing the Sites of the St. Lawrence by Bike
The St. Lawrence River boasts some of the richest history, culture, and scenery in all of Ontario. As someone who has been an avid road-tripper for his entire life, it took a three-day ride along the 1000 Islands St. Lawrence River from Mallorytown to the Long Sault Parkway for me to gain a deeper appreciation of the beauty of eastern Ontario.
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2021 Award Winners:
Ontario's Best Bicycle Friendly Businesses
We are pleased to announce the 2021 Best Bicycle Friendly Business Award Winners. This is the third year of our awards, where we select one Ontario By Bike certified bicycle friendly business from each of the 13 tourism regions in Ontario.
Over the coming months and in each e-newsletter we will feature each 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.
This non-profit cafe offers locally-sourced homemade food at affordable prices, welcoming all community members including cyclists. While also hosting community programming, they focus on a pay-it-forward social mission where you can "buy a button" which anyone can use towards buying menu items. Cyclists can expect secure lock-ups and healthy food and beverages.
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1886 Lake House Bistro
Callander
For many years this casual cottage bistro overlooking Callander Bay on Lake Nipissing has welcomed cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts as a great place to enjoy a meal while still dressed in your outdoor gear. Working with local farmers, they prepare classic bistro and comfort food fare using seasonal and fresh ingredients. Cyclists can use on-site bike parking, bike staging area, and a large patio.
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In addition to the award winning bicycle friendly places to eat, sleep and visit there are a number of bike businesses that provide services and/or tours located in each region. To recognize all they offer in 2021, special mention and an award goes out to the following in the Hamilton, Halton, and Brant Region:
Brantford Cyclepath - O perating since 1991, this family owned bicycle shop offers a full line of products and services for all types of cyclists in Brantford and surrounding areas. They pride themselves in excellent after-purchase maintenance and customer service and offer a
bike repair and air pump station located outside the shop available 24 hours a day.
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New Cycling Maps Now Available
Newly published, this map is a great resource for county paved routes, gravel rides and Stratford city riding.
Available for PDF download as well as in print from a number of locations in the area. Find out more and view map at: PerthCounty.ca/Cycle
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Available only online, the newly revised map shows routes and trails in and around the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Also find additional info with wineries listed as well as historical sites plus safety tips and suggestions at: CycleNOTL.ca
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Fall Ride Ideas in Northumberland County
Photo Credit: Northumberland Tourism
Make Northumberland County a destination for some late-season cycling adventures. Located just east of the GTA, a ride starting from Cobourg or Port Hope will soon have you pedalling along the waterfront northwards into the lush, quiet farmlands and treed forests, with many opportunities for stops along the way.
Planning your outing is made easy with a large number of resources available on the Northumberland Tourism cycling web page, including detailed info for each of the five signed road routes, printable maps, RidewithGPS links, videos and blogs for each. Plus info on a number of mountain biking areas and cross-regional trails.
May We Suggest
Glorious Ganaraska Route - This 30km loop starting and ending in the historic town of Port Hope, is a great way to sample it all from waterfront to Greenbelt and back.
Shelter Valley Route - This 50km loop east from Cobourg is a little more challenging but the rewards for some hill climbs are spectacular views and treats at Ste. Anne's Bakery.
Highland Hustle East - Enjoy this ride 77km route that loops into Northumberland for 45km as part of the Great Lakes to Greenbelt Farm Fresh Tour on September 26, or any time on your own.
Reggie Ramble - If you are into gravel road riding be sure to sign up for this event on September 25 to ride your choice of 65, 130, or 200km on mixed surfaces and terrain around Warkworth and Trent Hills.
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Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike!
Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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JourneyWoman Exploring Ontario by Bike
For almost 30 years, Toronto based JourneyWoman has inspired women around the world to travel safely and well, with a range of informative and empowering resources easy to tap into. In August we teamed up with JourneyWoman on a number of stories about cycling in Ontario.
Gathering insight and info from a number of women who have participated in Ontario By Bike Rides this summer, read more about their:
- Top picks for best bike trails in Ontario
- Safety tips and life lessons learned from cycling
- The benefits of finding a community of cyclists, even as a solo rider
Travel on Two Wheels: Biking at Any Age
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2021 Cycling Events in Ontario
While many events are still planned as virtual rides or postponed until next year, we are now seeing a number of cycling events confirming dates for September/October. Below you can find a list of events that are planned for this fall - in person/live events! As always, we advise you to visit the event website links to confirm status directly with the event organizers.
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Braeside/Ottawa Valley
September 18
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Hardwood Hills
September 24-25
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Bowmanville
September 25 and 26
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If you do have any updates we should be aware of in regards to event dates please feel free to email us as we are eager to assist in helping events get back online and cyclists participating as soon as it is safe to do so.
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Photo Contest Open Till November
Our annual photo contest remains open until mid-November, so now is the time to snap some great fall ride shots. We've already received a great number of submissions but are keen to see yours!
A prize will be awarded to the winner with the photo published in our 2022 Cycling in Ontario guide. Honourable mentions are also awarded and photos shared on social media.
Visit OntarioByBike.ca/photocontest for more information on how to participate and check out some of the fantastic winning shots from previous years as well as lots of great honourable mentions.
2017 photo contest honourable mention: Ashley Brown
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Get Inspired to Ride with Justin+Lauren in Niagara South
Over the summer we've had the great pleasure to ride with a number of media guests who joined our Ontario By Bike Rides.
At the end of August Lauren from Justin+Lauren, embarked on and proudly completed her first and longest bike tour, on the Niagara Circle Route South.
Read more about her two day ride adventure, sights she saw and friends she made in her blog HERE. Or visit JustinplusLauren Instagram page HERE and be sure to click on the 'Ontario By Bike' story link at the top.
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In The News: Bikes & Travel
In case you missed it:
ALSO: August 22 - CBC Radio Fresh Air - Listen to Ontario By Bike speaking to host on show about:
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Welcome Peter!
Joining Ontario By Bike in August, we would like to welcome and introduce you to Peter McMurtry, our new Project Coordinator.
Peter brings an array of experience to our small team and will be helping coordinate our bicycle friendly business certification program, marketing and communications campaigns and coordinating rides and events.
Ready to roll on his Salsa Journeyman all-road touring bike, Peter has already joined us on our last two Ontario By Bike Rides of the season. As an avid cyclist he has biked about Ontario, his previous hometowns of Peterborough, Guelph, Sutton and now Toronto, plus toured down the west coast of North America. He is also an active musician, playing and singing with two independent folk and bluegrass groups.
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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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