Ontario By Bike E-News: March 2022 | |
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This is the first edition of our e-newsletter for 2022.
Look out for it monthly through till October and in your inbox mid month. Find ride ideas, resources, inspiration, news and events to help plan your next outing with your bike or longer cycling adventure.
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NOW AVAILABLE
2022 Cycling in Ontario Guide
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We are pleased to announce the 2022 edition of the Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario guide is now available in print and digital formats.
For information on how to receive a print copy or to view online visit: OntarioByBike.ca/2022
This is the 10th annual edition of our extremely popular free publication, available in both English and French. Get inspired to ride this cycling season with interesting articles and more than 50 day trips and multi-day ride ideas and itineraries for all different ride types.
The guide and its growth over the past 10 years would not have been possible without the assistance of many, as well as you our readers. Celebrate with us and find out more at: OntarioByBike.ca/Ten
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The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail,
Two Days at a Time
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Planning a cycling adventure in Ontario is challenging in the best possible way. There are so many options to choose from – touring routes, bike packing adventures, mountain bike trails, gravel loops – so much to explore, so little time. The impressive Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is one route worthy of any cyclist’s bucket list. The good folks at the Waterfront Regeneration Trust have been connecting communities along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes for two decades now.
As much as I wish I could ride it all, at 3,600km this requires a time commitment that has to be put on the shelf for someday. I’m by no means giving up on the Waterfront Trail, just switching to plan B and chipping away at it a couple of days at a time. Here are some ideas to give you a taste of the great experiences you will have with just a weekend of riding along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
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2022 Ontario By Bike Rides
- Destinations and Schedule Announcement -
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Ontario By Bike's 2022 group rides are now available for booking. We will be hosting four fabulous weekend rides this year and can't wait to ride with you, exploring new trails and unique Ontario destinations you may have not visited before. | |
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As all rides are small group (~45 cyclists), we feel fortunate to have been able to host these events over the past two years, and are looking forward to riding with you again in 2022. Rest assured, we will be monitoring all restrictions and adhering to all requirements to keep you safe.
Join us on a weekend tour this summer to explore Ontario By Bike.
Hotel accommodations, lunches, luggage transfers and more are included. Let us take care of the logistics while you ride along enjoying these four fantastic routes we'll be cycling this summer.
Just bring your bike and ride!
For more information on all 2022 Rides visit: OntarioByBike.ca/Rides
*Be sure to book early, as our rides are extremely popular and sell out early.*
With early announcement sent to past riders, many rides already have limited availability.
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Lanark Trail Tour
OntarioByBike.ca/AugustRide2022
Dates: Friday, August 26 – Sunday, August 28 (3 days / 2 nights)
Total Distance: 160km or 186km
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Hamilton Brantford Port Dover Trail
OntarioByBike.ca/SeptRide2022
Dates: Saturday, September 24 – Sunday, September 25 (2 days / 1 night)
Total Distance: 92km or 124km
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Make Plans for a Gravel
Grazing Adventure in Oxford County
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With a large number of gravel roads that bisect the county’s endless farms and agricultural greenspace, an easy to navigate grid system of roadways, well situated sizeable towns north, south, east and west, plus a smattering of small hamlets and unique destinations scattered about – Oxford County earns the bragging rights as a top gravel riding destination in Ontario, (or gravel grazing as they like to call it in the county).
The surge in popularity of gravel cycling (whether that be unpaved roads or trails) and the desire for more nature based rural getaways over the past few years, make Oxford County an easy choice. Situated in south west Ontario, just east of London, this is the place for a gravel adventure, daytrip, weekend, or multi-day tour this season.
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Ride Destination: Grey County | |
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If you are looking for a holiday destination that will please all, look no further than Grey County. With Georgian Bay shoreline at the top end, extending south through quiet farmland and the escarpment that runs like a ribbon through the area, there are plenty of ride options.
Trail lovers can ride the 34km Georgian Trail from Collingwood to Meaford or ride south from Owen Sound on the CP Rail Trail. Road cyclists have a large number of routes (view map here) to choose from, from flatter hinterland loops to more challenging escarpment climbs near Blue Mountain. And mountain bikers will not be disappointed at Loree Forest or Three Stage.
With 45 certified bicycle friendly businesses, ranging from B&B’s to cideries and wineries, spas, museums, bakeries, cafes and art galleries, there are plenty of reasons to slow down and enjoy the ride.
Find all the visitor info you need at: VisitGrey.ca
Be sure to visit Ontario By Bike's: Grey County - Great Place To Cycle Page
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Ontario By Bike's 2021 Photo Contest
We have a Winner!
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"Sunflowers in Whitchurch-Stouffville" by Dabera Yu is our 2021 Photo Contest Winner! Dabera's photo is published on page 2 of the 2022 Cycling in Ontario/Le vélo en Ontario guide. Congratulations to Dabera for submitting this winning picture, and providing such a beacon of joy in these times. We'd like to thank all those who submitted entries to Ontario By Bike's 2021 Photo Contest. Having received so many amazing photos, it was certainly hard to pick a winner. To see other inspiring photo contest honourary mentions, click the link below.
If you would like to share some of your best cycling shots with us, take part in the next round of our Ontario By Bike photo contest. 2022 submissions are now open!
Visit OntarioByBike.ca/PhotoContest for more information on how to enter, and take a look at our honourary mentions and past year's winners. The contest will be open until November 2022. We look forward to another round of beautiful cycling shots from all across the province and seeing pictures of your 2022 cycling adventures in Ontario.
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2022 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards
Nominate Your Favourite Bike Friendly Business
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We would like to call on you as avid cyclists who get out and about on two wheels, to nominate your favourite bicycle friendly business to win a 2022 award.
Do you frequent a business that:
- Excels in catering to and welcoming cyclists that visit their location?
- Goes above and beyond offering specific services and amenities for cyclists?
- Is the most bicycle friendly business in the region?
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Is certified as bicycle friendly by Ontario By Bike (review all locations here)?
Then we want to showcase and celebrate all that they do!
As one of our enews readers, you may have read with interest winning businesses featured monthly in past editions. Now you can help us find the best bicycle friendly businesses in Ontario for 2022. As our tourism and hospitality industries recover, it is more important than ever to help recognize and support outstanding businesses serving our communities!
Deadline to nominate is April 4, 2022.
Find out more and also view past winners at: OntarioByBike.ca/2022AwardWinners
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Ontario Cyclists Ready to Ride in 2022 | |
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Thank you to all who completed our survey issued in Nov/Dec 2021. We were thrilled to receive over 1,200 responses.
Now with the days getting longer and warmer, we as cyclists will all soon be out in force, and are keenly making plans for the cycling season ahead! The information that the survey gathered certainly provides some interesting insight as well as important data that our partners can use in a variety of ways, from tourism planning to making a business case and budgeting for improvements to infrastructure.
Some of the findings that may be of interest include:
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Cycling activity increased during Covid; 82% increased or did the same amount of cycling in 2021.
- 61% ride year round and in shoulder seasons.
- 61% did three or more day trips that included cycling in 2021.
- 48% did one or more overnight trips that included cycling in 2021.
- 46% of trips that include cycling in 2022 were anticipated to be overnight trips, 30% were considering day trips.
- Ontario By Bike website remains the most used resource for ideas, planning cycling outings and routes.
To read more and the full Ontario Cycle Tourism and Cycling Activity Report visit our research pages: TransportationOptions.org/OntarioResearch
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2022 Cycling Events
We are extremely excited that with the recent shift in restrictions, many of the cycling events that have been cancelled or reformatted over the past two years will be able to run in person again in 2022.
You will soon be able to find an extensive 2022 event listing page on our website as we are in the midst of making updates to one of the most popular pages on our site. Events will be displayed in your choice of list or calendar view, with all the useful info you need to plan ahead and sign up to participate at events that suit your ride style in 2022.
Stay tuned to: OntarioByBike.ca/Events
Upcoming Events:
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In the News: Bikes & Travel | |
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Ontario By Bike Network
Project of Transportation Options
850 Coxwell Ave ~ Toronto, ON ~ M4C 5R1
Office: 416-827-2774
Toll-Free: 1-866-701-2774
Email: [email protected]
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Want to read more: Link to our e-Newsletter archive HERE | |
Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike! | |
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Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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