Ontario By Bike Ride - September 2021

Ontario By Bike Ride – September 2021

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This ride is now over.

The detailed itinerary for this ride is available below for download. Enjoy great trail and road riding with a self-guided ride experience.

Cataraqui Kingston Cruiser

Photo credit: Destination Ontario

When: Anytime. It’s a self-guided itinerary.

Enjoy this brand new tour in south eastern Ontario, experiencing some of the top rail trails in the region, waterfront vistas and stops in pretty small and large communities along the way. Ride the well-groomed Cataraqui and K&P rail trails following creeks, past marshes and lush agricultural land into Kingston. Enjoy an overnight stay in downtown Kingston, close to all the action, cafes, shops and the city’s scenic lakeside trail. On day two enjoy the spectacular views following the shores of Lake Ontario and stopping at historic sights along the Loyalist Parkway. From the village of Bath enjoy riding inland through flat farmlands on quiet country roads, returning to Napanee.

The Ride:

Total Distance: 121km

Experience Level and Ride Guide: Moderate. The route incorporates parts Cataraqui and K&P Trail systems with mixed, unpaved surfaces of gravel and stone dust as well as segments on the paved Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Other stretches include quiet country roads with limited paved shoulders and some busier connectors and crossroads with more traffic, cycling into Kingston. Riders should be comfortable cycling on roads with shared vehicle traffic. A hybrid, gravel or mountain bike is recommended due to mixed surfaces but the ride can also be done on a road bike with appropriate tires.

View Route: RidewithGPS

K and P Trail — Photo Credits: County of Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Tourism

Cycling in Napanee — Photo Credits: County of Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Tourism

Day 1: Napanee to Kingston – 69km

Start Time and Location: Napanee, ON, full details to be sent to riders in advance.

Your ride adventure will start in downtown Napanee, with just a quick 8km ride before turning onto the Cataraqui Trail. What follows is a fantastic 47km trail ride on converted and well maintained old railroad beds through largely flat agricultural lands known as the Napanee Plains. Pedal at your own pace and enjoy the car-free scenery as you experience the natural beauty along the route. After a lunch stop in Harrowsmith, the trail intersects the K & P trail and the ride route turns south through the Frontenac Arch Biosphere into the city of Kingston. An easy cruise following a 7km stretch of pathway, both on and off-road, along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail will lead you into the vibrant downtown area and overnight accommodation at the Residence Inn by Marriott Kingston Water’s Edge.

Day 2: Kingston to Napanee – 52km

From Kingston, we ride west, following the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, for an easy morning 30km ride following the scenic shores of Lake Ontario. As the shared on-road route with generous paved shoulders continues along the Loyalist Parkway, learn more about the early settlers stopping at the numerous heritage landmarks and marveling at the well preserved old limestone farmhouses. With countless waterfront parks enroute to admire the views, set a slow pace before a group stop for a picnic lunch. Approaching the small village of Bath, make sure to load up on some local goodies at Schell’s market or visit the local museum before a turn northwards. Enjoy the last 20km of the route on quiet country roads with options to visit the rurally set local breweries and cideries (MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company, Hard Way Cider Co.) before the ride ends back in Napanee.

End Time: Sunday, September 12, at approximately 4 pm or at your own pace.