In our 2014 Cycling in Ontario / Le velo en Ontario guide we featured a number of great cultural experiences that can be explored by bike. Here are 5 great ways to explore Ontario's culture by bike!
1. Explore the best of Autumn on the wonderful grounds at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario. Travelling with a bike to Canada's largest botanical gardens has never been easier with GO Transit's service. Cyclists disembark at Aldershot Station with their bikes and quickly access bike lanes heading west along Plains Road straight to the Gardens. Consider making a weekend out of it by riding the HAMBUR Loop throughout Burlington and Hamilton.
2. Truly pedal through history along one of the Canadian stretches of the Underground Railway Bicycle Route that starts in Windsor and follows Lake Huron's shoreline to Owen Sound. Be sure to stop in at Uncle Tom's Cabin located in Dresden, Ontario enroute.
3. With it's close proximity to the Waterfront Trail, consider spending the day taking in the rich art in the city of Brockville by bike! Connect with painters, woodworkers, sculptors, or jewelers along the Brockville Art Trail and cap the day off with a performance at the Brockville Arts Centre.
4. Catch a glimpse of living heritage as you cycle into the delightful village of St. Jacobs. Beaming with history and tradition, why not explore the rich Mennonite culture of the region by bike? Head out into the countryside on the Mennonite County Block Tour, a 19km route on paved roads that begins in the village of St. Jacobs. Looking for a guided tour? Check out Grand-Experiences.com for their award Path Less Pedalled 2-day/2-night, Pedal & Paddle Tour of the region.
5. Head to the nation's capital and cycle along the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America, the Rideau Canal. Ontario's only UNESCO World Heritage Site offers fabulous off-road riding along the canal's western and eastern pathways, both part of the Capital Pathway system. Culture by bike is abound in Ottawa. Check out the Rideau Heritage Route and some of their suggested cycling routes.
What are your favourite cultural experiences in Ontario? Be sure to send us an email or post to our Facebook page!
