Ontario By Bike Blog

In our excitement to ride and discover Ontario by bike, we sometimes forget the right gear can make our trips much more enjoyable. Whether you prefer day or multi-day trips on road, trails, gravel or mountain bike track, consider these tips as you equip yourself and your bike.

It was December 2015, on a cold brisk morning, when a few cyclists gathered at a local cafe that the Bluewater International Granfondo (BIG) was born. The goal was simple; to get more people off the couch and active in our community; to promote exercise and comradery; to showcase the beauty of Sarnia-Lambton; and to hopefully raise money for palliative care. Within four years, BIG has had an impact far greater than anyone could have imagined.

For many recreational cyclsits, 'Rail Trails', are the trail of choice for day trip and overnight cycling trips. These converted rail beds are increasingly found throughout Ontario and offer opportunites to explore more and more of this province along car-free corridors in scenic, rural settings. The City of Kawartha Lakes, which incorporates Lindsay and the surrounding area, including the villages of Bobcaygeon, Kinmount and Fenelon Falls, among others, sits at the cross-roads of two major rail trails in Ontario. Travelling east to west across the entire region, the Great Trail, known locally as the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail intersects the Victoria Rail Trail, which runs north to south, (download map here) in Lindsay and offers plenty of trail riding for those looking to take bike trips in the heart of Ontario's cottage country.

Wondering what could possibly be better than a two-wheeled adventure with pit stops for wine and great eats along the way? Look no further than the Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island Cycle Tourism Map to plan your next visit. If you are looking to pedal your way through the southern peninsula of Ontario, cyclists of all sorts can explore this region via six established cycling routes, all featured on this new map. Routes vary by way of experience with everything from an 8km scenic ride along the Windsor Riverfront to a three-day, 130km cycling adventure through Windsor, Kingsville and Essex.

There are few regions in Ontario that can boast a more complete cycling offering than Kawarthas Northumberland. From a rail trail network that spans over 200km and connects urban centres with quaint villages to over 1,000km of signed routes that touch every corner of the region from Lake Ontario, north through to the heart of Ontario's cottage country, the region has something for everyone.

Love to cycle AND eat? We hear ya! If you’re looking for a unique ride, then cycling along The Oxford County Cheese Trail is a super fun and delicious way to enjoy your next ride. With 92km of new stories, local flavours and oh-so-tasty cheese, there’s no ride quite like it. The Oxford County Cheese Trail is a list of 24 curated stops throughout Oxford County that serve up a local cheese or dairy offer for visitors to enjoy. If you follow the Oxford County South Route, you’ll be able to experience many of these stops yourself right from your two wheels. Don’t forget to bring a cooler!

If you have spent anytime cycling in Ontario, chances are you have already experienced some of the top trails and rides in southern Ontario and are looking to set your sights and spin your wheels on new routes. Why not make 2019 the year to ride the north, exploring more of northern Ontario by bike?

It’s the morning of the third day, or maybe the fourth. Truthfully, it’s starting to be a bit of a blur, and I’m feeling pretty moody. I can tell that my body doesn’t understand what I am doing to it, and I’ve never done anything like this before. I mean, six days of cycling? Seriously?

When the weather turns cooler, a clear crisp autumn day is the perfect time to plan a late season ride. Haldimand County, located a short drive from Hamilton and other major urban centres in Southern Ontario, is the perfect destination for a day away or a weekend adventure.

When the group of 35+ riders set off from Comber on the Saturday of the 2018 Labour Day long weekend here in Canada, it was already heating up and most knew it was bound to be scourcer. It didn't take long for riders of the Essex Windsor Loop, an Ontario By Bike Ride and small group tour, to get right into the quiet countryside amongst the corn fields and wind turbines.

Less than three hours’ drive from Toronto, southwestern Ontario’s Blue Coast offers some of the best waterfront cycling in Ontario, with over 200 kilometres of waterfront to explore. Discover two internationally renowned Blue Flag beaches as well as awe-inspiring natural scenery, impressive local art, and sumptuous local food and drink.

Whether you are a city resident or just passing through on 2 or 4 or more wheels, there is a fascinating new exhibit recently opened in Toronto that any avid cyclist or budding historian is not going to want to miss. Bike City - On now till November 17 at the Market Gallery located on the second floor of the south St. Lawrence Market. Not to share too many spoilers, as you must go and learn more yourself, here are some of the fascinating bits of historic Toronto bike culture we learned from this well curated and documented exhibit: Bikes have been built in Toronto since 1882. Early manufacturers that included Massey-Harris, merged to create Canada Cycle & Motor Company (CCM brand) to combat American competition.