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Ontario By Bike E-News:
September 2025
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Trail Towns and River Views:
Cycling from Carleton Place to Pakenham
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Just west of Ottawa lies an undiscovered gem of recreational opportunities – cycling, paddling, hiking – you name it and you’ll find it in Lanark County. Here, one of the recreational centrepieces is the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT), a 300km multi-use trail following a former rail corridor from Smiths Falls to Mattawa.
I am by no means an experienced cyclist – I’ve been on some long rides (the longest was 30km) but the day my husband and I set off for our OVRT adventure from Carleton Place to Pakenham would be only my second time on a bike this year. I wasn’t sure what to expect – I’d heard a lot about the OVRT from cyclists, some said it was amazing and a great day-trip option, some said it was boring or the gravel surface was too hard to cycle on, so I was prepared for anything when we set out one sunny morning in June.
Here’s what we learned about the route, what you need to know, and how to plan your own cycle trip on the OVRT.
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Cafe Gems & Gravel Rides in Hastings County
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Hastings County is a scenic outdoor playground of forests, lakes, and low-traffic gravel backroads, with authentic and historic small communities that are a joy to explore by bike.
Across Hastings County, tight-knit communities have a tradition of celebrating local food and ingredients, blending recipes passed down for generations with fresh ideas from young entrepreneurs. This has created a dynamic culinary scene from rustic bakeries to modern cafes.
It’s well known that cyclists love cafes – they provide a window into a local community and are perfect places for rest and refreshments on bike rides. Given this natural connection, we wanted to share with you some of Hastings County’s most unique and delicious cafes paired with cycling routes from the county’s growing collection of signature gravel and adventure rides.
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2025 Award Winners
Ontario's Best Bicycle Friendly Businesses
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We are pleased to announce the 2025 Bicycle Friendly Business Award Winners. This is the 7th year of our awards, where we select one Ontario By Bike certified bicycle friendly business from each of the 13 tourism regions in Ontario.
See the full list of 2025 winners at: OntarioByBike.ca/2025AwardWinners
Throughout the year and in each e-newsletter we will feature award recipients. Consider stopping in at one of these locations on your next cycling adventure in their region as they have all gone above and beyond to offer services and amenities to welcome cyclists.
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RCC Niagara-on-the-Lake is open May to August each year and offers cyclists affordable and spacious suites with easy access to the area’s scenic trails. Standout offerings include multiple bike storage options, an outdoor bike wash and when available wine passes for groups to visit the Niagara College Wine Visitor + Education Centre, where you can sample local wines.
Residence & Conference Centre is the perfect place for a night’s stay exploring the 140km Greater Niagara Circle Route, which links the Niagara River Recreational Trail, Welland Canals Parkway Trail, the Friendship Trail, and the on and off-road Waterfront Trail. StayRCC.com/Niagara-on-the-Lake
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With amble bike parking, outdoor seating perfect for enjoying a post-ride meal, a menu offering hearty, nutritious meals and a welcoming atmosphere for cyclists, The Mill Tavern loves seeing the cycling community come together at their classic English pub on Manotick’s main street, just 25km south of downtown Ottawa on the Rideau River.
The 56km Manotick South & West route follows paved country roads starting and ending in the village of Manotick, which is a great spot to start and end your ride with excellent restaurants and cafes. Visit Watson’s Mill, a historic flour and gristmill, still in operation today and book a stop in at Strathmere Country Retreat post-ride with a 6,000 sq ft spa. MillTavern.ca
| | In addition to the award winning bicycle friendly places to eat, visit and sleep there are a number of bike businesses that provide services and/or tours located in each region. To recognize all they offer in 2025, special mention and an award goes out to the following in Niagara Region (Tourism Region 2) | | | | County Cycle in Beamsville has an excellent reputation in the community with 13 years of friendly customer service, technical know-how and a carefully curated selection of Canadian bike brands. The full-service shop offers bike rentals, water, snacks, repairs, a washroom, coffee, retail, which is really all you could want as a cycle tourist! They see thousands of local cyclists and hundreds of cyclists visiting the region each year. | | Ride Destination: Waterloo Region | | |
It's true what they say: “Waterloo Region is where contrasts come together to spark something new. From rural landscapes to urban energy, old-world charm to next-gen innovation, quiet moments to bold adventures – this is a place full of surprises, ready for the curious to explore.”
Satisfy your curiosity on a ride alongside one of the region's most famed rivers: the Grand River. Select a route to try:
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Classic Grand River Loop - The southern end of this 40km loop is exclusively on shoreline trails, while the top end will take you on a tour of Waterloo Region’s incredible cycling infrastructure to the Public Square, Iron Horse Trail, through parklands and neighbourhoods, past trailside cafes, restaurants, breweries and the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.
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Hespeler Village - Mill Run Trail Ride – A 14km total out-and-back trail ride on the Mill Run Trail will have you pedalling alongside the Speed River, which downriver flows into the Grand River. Start and end in the historic and bicycle friendly Hespeler Village, a scenic riverside setting with multiple craft breweries, restaurants and interesting sights to see.
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Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail – From the pretty city centre hop on the 18km trail that follows the Grand River through lush Carolinian forest with spectacular river overlooks, all the way into Paris, Ontario, and ride the same distance back.
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Waterloo Region Four Rivers Bikepacking Route – If you are keen for a longer ride, this 212km loop, also has a suggested 3 day itinerary. Find it only on the Waterloo Region Cycling Guide App.
- Bike rentals are available at several locations, or try the e-bike share program.
Satisfy your curiosity: Get all the info you need to get riding on our Waterloo Region Great Places to Cycle page, plus listings for 56 bicycle friendly businesses to eat, visit and sleep.
Photo credit: Explore Waterloo Region
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Ontario By BikeRide Recap:
Sarnia Lambton Loop
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Our August Ontario By Bike - Sarnia Lambton Loop was a fantastic two-day loop exploring the expansive farmland, fascinating history, friendly communities and beautiful blue waters of Sarnia and Lambton County in southwestern Ontario.
On day one we pedalled flat open roads to the site of the first oil wells in North America and through the scenic communities alongside Lake Huron, cycling paved shoulders, park paths and under Sarnia's impressive Blue Water International Bridge.
On day two we cycled south on the 40km St. Clair River Trail, past delightful riverside communities with a tranquil park lunch near Port Lambton before returning back through scenic countryside to our start location in Dresden.
Here what some of our Riders had to say about their experience:
“I had no idea Sarnia had so much to offer!”
“As always, extremely well organized. Enjoyed the people and Sarnia”
“Sarnia and surrounding area is lovely. Who knew? Hotel was awesome”
All our past itineraries are available online making it easier for you to make a plan and ride our routes at anytime, including this Ontario By Bike Ride.
OntarioByBike.ca/Itineraries
| | 2025 Cycling in Ontario Guide | | |
Still looking for some cycling getaway ideas this season?
Get inspired to ride and explore Ontario by bike. Find inside more than 50 day trips and multi-day ride ideas and itineraries for all different ride types.
For information on how to receive a free print copy or to view online visit: OntarioByBike.ca/2025
Available in English & French
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-September is Smart Commute Month-
Time to Rethink Your Commute?
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Chances are that as a cyclist in Ontario, you are likely using your bicycle for more than recreational outings, adventures and touring. Bicycles are a handy way to get around where ever you live for transportation as well as to get to work. Whatever the travel reason, there are options to consider that include bike, walk, transit and carpool. If you live or work in one of these participating regions get the Smart Commute app to get motivated and discover more sustainable ways to commute. You can also fill in a brief survey to win a prize.
Regions: Bruce County, Durham Region, Halton Municipalities, City of London, City of Greater Sudbury, City of Toronto, York Region
Find out more at: SmartCommute.ca
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Open/Closed:
Bridges & Crossings Used by Cyclists
There are a number of updates to routes well used by cyclists as we head into the fall, that might change your ride plans.
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Now Reopen: Doube’s Bridge, the much-loved trestle bridge, closed due to vandalism earlier this year, is now open to cyclists and pedestrians. Located between Lindsay and Peterborough, the historic bridge spans the Buttermilk Valley and at 200m high, is a perfect vantage point to view the changing leaves this fall.
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Recently Closed: The West Montrose Covered Bridge, north of Waterloo, is now closed for rehabilitation for approximately 20 months. With the closure, this scenic crossing of the Grand River, affectionately known as the ‘Kissing Bridge,’ which is already a necessary and safe detour along the G2G Rail Trail, cyclists are forced onto a segment of the busier Hwy. 86 to return to the trail or other road routes in the area.
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Closed: The Menesetung Bridge in Goderich, closed since April 2025 for repairs, is expected to be re-opened at the end of November. The magnificient bridge is a major attraction in the Lake Huron community and is a fixture of the G2G Rail Trail. Those following the G2G Rail Trail may plan detours on the trail’s interactive map, available HERE. While on the trail itself, people may follow the blue arrow markers.
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Ferry Service Terminated: What was once a historic ferry route across the St. Lawrence Seaway, connecting Wolfe Island, Canada to Cape Vincent, New York - Horne’s Ferry – has now ceased operations. Previously popular with cyclists riding around Lake Ontario, and other travellers – it is unknown at this time if operations will continue due to the passing of long time operator.
Know of any other integral bridges or passages on popular cycling routes in Ontario closed for construction or other reasons, let us know at info@ontariobybike.ca.
Photo credit: @yoliforjolly, Doube's Bridge
| | Toronto Bike and Outdoor Sale - Oct 3/4 | | |
Want to try something new? The Toronto Bike Show’s well-known “Fall Blowout Sale” is being revamped this October 3 and 4 as the Toronto Bike and Outdoor Sale. The event is organized by StyleDemocracy and there are some exciting changes that you can expect this year at the show.
For two days only, shop an incredible selection of Bikes (and E-bikes) and Outdoor Gear from top brands and retailers across Ontario and Canada. The organizers have even added new outdoor categories: Golf, Skiing, Hiking, Running, and more!
Location: The International Centre Hall 1, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
For more information and to purchase tickets visit: www.styledemocracy.com/events/toronto-bike-and-outdoor-sale
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2025 Cycling Events
Visit our 2025 Cycling Events Calendar. Events can be displayed in your choice of list or calendar view, search for events by categories and location, and find all the useful info you need to plan ahead and sign up to participate at events that suit your ride style in 2025.
View the full 2025 calendar here: OntarioByBike.ca/Events
Upcoming Events
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In the News: Bikes & Travel
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Get Inspired to Ride:
Upper Canada Heritage Trail, Niagara
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This delightful trail, while short in length but extending from Niagara-on-the-Lake through vineyards and backyards with escarpment views, is not to be missed. And while at present you can only ride 4km with trail surfacing currently ending at Line 3, it is easy to make a loop back to town on quiet country roads and connecting to the Niagara River Recreation Trail. With work well under way, it will soon be 5km, to Line 4 - and growing yearly. HeritageTrail.ca
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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: info@ontariobybike.ca
| | | Want to read more: Link to our e-Newsletter archive HERE | | Stay Connected with Ontario By Bike! | | |
Share using the hashtag #OntarioByBike & #BikeON!
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