Ontario By Bike Ride – September 2019
This ride is now over
The detailed ride itinerary for this ride is available below for download. Enjoy great trail riding with a self-guided ride experience.
Oxford Rural Road Ride
When: Anytime. It’s a self-guided itinerary
Photo credit: Dudek Photography
Total Distance: 173km
The Ride: Oxford County, located in southwest Ontario, isn’t just the Dairy Capital of Canada, the county is also gaining a reputation as one of the best destinations in Ontario for road cycling. Experience it for yourself, as Ontario By Bike invites you to join this two day recreational road tour and loop around Oxford County. Flat, quiet and well-paved roads will take cyclists past rural landscapes and working farms, which are broken up only by quaint and distinct small towns and villages. Home to the Cheese Trail, this tour will showcase the unique heritage and natural attractions of Oxford County the best way we know how, by the seat of a bike!
Experience Level and Ride Guide: Moderate. This route is almost entirely on paved roads. Roads selected are designated bike routes, primarily on quiet rural roadways with limited paved shoulders. Participants should be comfortable riding on roads with traffic, however, traffic volumes are low on most of the roads. Suitable for road bikes of all kinds, hybrid as well as cross or gravel bikes.
View digital route of tour – RideWithGPS.com
Day 1: Woodstock to Ingersoll – 86km
Depart from Woodstock heading north and quickly entering the rural heartland of Ontario’s southwest. Cycle past horse farms and across small creeks and rivers before arriving in Tavistock with a chance to stop in this cute town. Pop into Quehl’s for some famous baked goods, before riding on! Take a deep breath as we roll south along more smooth and quiet rural roads with an endless horizon of farmlands. Tree-lined stretches of the route will make this afternoon ride in late fall picturesque as you pedal into the town of Ingersoll. Stop in town with a visit to Ingersoll`s Cheese & Agricultural Museum or enjoy shops and places to get a post-ride bite or drink. Recommended overnight accommodation is the certified bicycle-friendly Comfort Inn & Suites Ingersoll.
Day 2: Ingersoll to Woodstock – 73km
Take time to explore more of Ingersoll before setting off on day 2 and the southern half of this looped route. Riding south towards Tillsonburg, be sure to make the most of this ride by stopping off at country markets and unique country stores before heading into Tillsonburg for a mid-day break and lunch. This farming town is filled with unique attractions, bakeries and other fun places to visit. The afternoon offers opportunities to explore flower farms and the villages of Otterville, Norwich and Burgessville just off the route. The final stretch north brings participants back into Woodstock and past Roth Park and Pittock Conservation Area with more trails (unpaved) and spots to take in this stunning natural attraction less than 1km from the start/end location of this tour.
Getting To / From Start:
Woodstock is conveniently located directly off Hwy 401 and is approximately 45 minutes from London, 1 1/2 hours from downtown Toronto / Niagara, 2 hours from Barrie and 2 1/2 hours from Windsor.
Arriving Early / Staying Late:
Consider an overnight option at one of Ontario By Bike’s certified bicycle-friendly accommodations in Ontario’s Southwest here.
Photo Credits: Dudek Photography
Additional Visitor Information:
Use below to find out more about ride areas and plan an extra day or two to see more.
- Ontario By Bike – Southwest Ontario – for more detailed information visit www.ontariobybike.ca/southwest
- Ontario`s Southwest – www.ontariossouthwest.com
- Tourism Oxford – www.tourismoxford.ca
For More Information Contact:
Ontario By Bike
Phone: 416-827-2772 / 1-866-701-2774
Email: info (at) ontariobybike.ca
For information on all Ontario By Bike Itineraries, visit:
for more detailed information visit www.ontariobybike.ca/resources/itineraries