Cycling Adventures Await in Canada’s Deep South

Great Lakes Waterfront Trail (Various Surfaces) – Ride any portion (approx. 412km) of this trail in Windsor Essex that stretches over 2,100km along Canada’s iconic Great Lakes coasts. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail connects communities, First Nations, and 748 of Ontario’s finest parks and natural areas. Depending on the length or section of the trail, this route is suitable for both recreational and experienced cyclists. Following Lake Ontario’s shoreline from Quebec to Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Lake Erie from Fort Erie through Essex South, Windsor and Essex North; to be extended in 2018 past Grand Bend to the town of Collingwood on Georgian Bay. This well-mapped and fully signed route offers a mixture of paved on- and off-road trails. The route also includes a 28km circle route around Pelee Island.

Windsor Riverfront Trail (Paved Trail) – Suitable for families, as well as recreational and experienced cyclists, start off beginning at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge for 8km of a smoothly paved trail that winds its way along the Detroit River and passing Windsor Sculpture Park, and parks such as Dieppe Gardens in the heart of downtown Windsor.

Credit: Goh Iromoto / Waterfront Regeneration Trust

Great Lakes Waterfront Trail (Various Surfaces) – Ride any portion (approx. 412km) of this trail in Windsor Essex that stretches over 2,100km along Canada’s iconic Great Lakes coasts. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail connects communities, First Nations, and 748 of Ontario’s finest parks and natural areas. Depending on the length or section of the trail, this route is suitable for both recreational and experienced cyclists. Following Lake Ontario’s shoreline from Quebec to Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Lake Erie from Fort Erie through Essex South, Windsor and Essex North; to be extended in 2018 past Grand Bend to the town of Collingwood on Georgian Bay. This well-mapped and fully signed route offers a mixture of paved on- and off-road trails. The route also includes a 28km circle route around Pelee Island.

Windsor Riverfront Trail (Paved Trail) – Suitable for families, as well as recreational and experienced cyclists, start off beginning at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge for 8km of a smoothly paved trail that winds its way along the Detroit River and passing Windsor Sculpture Park, and parks such as Dieppe Gardens in the heart of downtown Windsor.

Credit: Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island

Point Pelee National Park (Various Surfaces) – Riding in Point Pelee National Park includes options totalling 19km, including 7.5km of crushed stone on the Centennial trail, which parallels the main road through the park from the park entrance to the Visitor Centre. Cyclists can also ride the seasonal 2.5km crushed stone biking trail between the Visitor Centre and the DeLaurier area creating a short loop (Note: this trail is closed to cyclists between April 15 and May 31 for birding). Those comfortable riding on roads can cycle 7km from the gate to the Visitor Centre on an asphalt, roadway  shared with vehicles. Finally enjoy a 2km roadway extension to the tip area (southernmost mainland Canada), closed to vehicular traffic during business hours.

Windsor Arts Bike Route (Road and Paved Trail) – This self-guided tour is a perfect way for recreational cyclists comfortable riding on roads to explore the city of Windsor. Starting near the Ambassador Bridge, the route then heads south through city streets and features Windsor’s many unique sculptures, historic murals, awesome street art and eclectic galleries.

As a peninsula, Windsor Essex provides shoreline excursions which showcase various cultural attractions and accommodations along the way. The cultural backdrop and terroir welcome cyclists and connect them between various points of interest within districts and communities of the region.

Award-winning tour operator, WindsorEats, offers a Wine Trail Ride through the picturesque Lake Erie North Shore wine region while also providing Friday Night Lights, an urban experience in Windsor along the historic Detroit River. Sign up for their Bikes & Beer Cycling Tour, where you can explore the city one beer at a time. Cycle through the streets of Windsor, Ontario, sampling beers at local breweries and pubs (always drink responsibly). Farm Dog Cycles also provides excursions through EPIC (Essex Pelee Island Coast) Wine Country, featuring half and full day guided tours as well as self-guided tour options. On Pelee Island, Canada’s southernmost location, the eco-tourism company, Explore Pelee features bike tours while Comfortech Bikes, the island’s only bicycle shop, provides bike rentals.

Being on an international border, the Two-Nation Destination experience connects Windsor Essex to “America’s Comeback City” and one of the fastest growing cities for cycling in North America, Detroit, and their trail system, which links to Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail. Notable events within the area include the family friendly and popular Essex Region Conservation Bike Tour, the Tour de Troit “Bike the Bridge”, where cyclists can cross the international border via the Ambassador Bridge, connecting Detroit, MI with Windsor, ON. The Tweed Ride allows cyclists to dress up in their finest vintage attire and cycle through Windsor heritage districts such as Sandwich Town and Old Walkerville; SCAR (South Coast Adventure Race), is a multi-sport adventure race that takes place in several municipalities in the Windsor-Essex region; Tour di Via Italia is the oldest, historical, international street race in Ontario featuring amateur and professional cyclists racing through the streets of Windsor’s own “Little Italy.”

The Greenbelt Brewery Discovery Route offers thirsty cyclists multiple stops along the Barrels, Bottles & Brews Trail. There are a myriad of accommodations to choose from which are cycle-friendly. For all certified bicycle friendly businesses in Windsor Essex and Pelee Island, click here.

For more information on cycle-friendly businesses and routes, go to  page www.visitwindsoressex.com/categories/cycling