If you are looking to get back into nature after an extended period of staying at home, and once travel restrictions are lifted, why not plan a ride and day trip to an Ontario Provincial Park in the near future. 

With over 330 park locations across the province, it was recently announced that Ontario Parks will be open again for use, with limitations on facilities. 

To get you rolling, here are some of our top picks for exploring Ontario Parks by bike. 

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.

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.

Bruce Mines/Great Lakes Waterfront Trail - Credit Martin Lortz

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?

Credit: Friends For Life Bike Rally @ bikerally.org

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?

For some winter in Ontario can be disheartening. Shorter days, the polar vortex and a feeling that this cold weather will never end, all lead to too much time inside and mindless scrolling through Netflix.

For others, there isn't a better time of year to head outside, get on a bike and get that blood flowing. We've scoured Instagram to find some images that will help you get out on a bike this winter and discover a new ride destination!

Travelling often requires early departures, so it was with some acceptance that we pulled out of the big city well before sunrise on Saturday of the long weekend. Loaded with bikes and all our ride supplies to keep 35 cyclists hydrated, energized and bikes in good running order on the tour, we hit cruise control for eastern Ontario and our 1000 Islands St. Lawrence River Ride start location in Gananoque. 

In various states of caffeination we pulled out of town shortly after 10am, and soon joined the off-road trail heading east paralleling the 1000 Islands Parkway.

It’s somewhat human nature to obsessively check a weather app the week prior to one’s holiday. As we approached the June 17-18 weekend, and the first Ontario By Bike Ride of 2017, we were willing the sun to persevere and to push away the severe thunderstorm warnings for Simcoe and Grey Counties. Regardless of what Mother Nature would throw at us, we were excited to embark on the new Georgian Bay Explorer route with a sold out tour along nearly 100km of rail trails and quiet rural roads throughout southern Georgian Bay from Stayner, through Meaford to Owen Sound. See the routing here.

Happy 150th Birthday Canada!

It's a special year here in Canada with fantastic sesquicentennial events being held all across Canada, including Ontario. If there was ever a time to visit The Great White North, now's that time! To help celebrate this wonderful occasion and the amazing places Canada has to offer, Parks Canada in 2017 wants to give you unlimited opportunities to enjoy National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites across the country - FOR FREE!

Click here to order your 2017 Free Parks Canada Discovery Pass!

We thought it only appropriate to highlight some of the great cycling in and around Ontario's National Parks. While many don't allow cycling on trails, some have fantastic cycling opportunities both in the parks and in close proximity to them. 

DAY 1:

We had 2 full days of perfect cycling weather on the horizon, which just happens to coincide with our group ride with this nifty little organization: “Ontario By Bike”. Our family booked a weekend trip with them last year and had a good time. So we booked the three of us for this late September weekend tour and trail ride. Booking fall outdoor activities far in advance of any realistic weather forecast is always a bit risky. Occasionally, you can end up with a weekend like this one.

A seemingly endless distance of quiet, well paved roads exists in Ontario just waiting for cyclists to put rubber to pavement. Take your pick of routes in some of the following destinations and start training for one of the events listed on our Events Page.

Not just a buzzword or an option in other destinations, combining cycling with different modes of travel in Ontario can be both convenient and add to your next bike adventure. 

'Century Rides' are a goal and training milestone for many. The 100 mile routes are offered at lots of cycling events in Ontario. So if you are looking for your next big ride, put some of these top picks on your list. (We've included some Canadian versions too, with a more modest ride distance of 100km.)