Bike Train & Welcome Cyclists Update |
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MEC Bikefests
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Mountain Equipment Co-Op is hosting 4 Bikefest events in Ontario this spring (Toronto, Barrie, Burlington, Ottawa.)
These community events celebrate all things bike, offering skills clinics, demos, workshops and a chance for participants to meet with local cycling groups and clubs.
Come visit our Ontario Cycle Tourism Info Centre at the Toronto Bikefest this weekend, May 18, Trinity Bellwoods Park. www.mec.ca
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Largest Cycling Event
in Ontario
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With 13,000 participants annually, this is the largest cycling event in Ontario. Well organized staggered start times, multi-laned highways closed to accommodate all those bikes and a fundraiser for a good cause make it hard to say no to signing up for the 25th annual Ride for Heart.
Make sure you stop by our Ontario Cycle Tourism Info Centre near the start/finish line, so we can help you plan your next cycling adventure. www.rideforheart.ca
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Parkbus
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Operating every weekend from May 17, Parkbus is making extra stops this year, adding Ottawa departures to the already busy Toronto dates.
This express bus service to Algonquin, Killarney, Bruce Peninsula and more has limited space for bikes, so book ahead. Schedule and booking info at: www.parkbus.ca
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Event Volunteers
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Have you enjoyed many cycling adventures around the Province? Do you enjoy meeting people and sharing your cycling enthusiasm?
If so, you may want to volunteer at an event with us. Send us a brief note and a fun cycling c.v. to the email listed below, and we'll be sure to get back to you.
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With Thanks to
our 2013 Sponsors
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Great Places to Cycle: Niagara
| | With the blossoms blooming and fresh breezes blowing there is no greater feeling and sense of freedom than getting back on your bike for a spring time ride, and Niagara is the perfect place to do just that - a celebratory spring cycling adventure.
Wheeling about Jordan and the Twenty Valley area is a great place to start with ample wineries, restaurants and farm shops. A stop at the scenic Ball's Falls Conservation Area is not to be missed whilst weaving your way along quiet country back roads, either avoiding or embracing the big climb of the escarpment.
Nearby in St Catharines the GO Train/Bike Train service which starts running for the May long weekend and all weekends in July and August, plus Thanksgiving, can deliver you and your bike right to the heart of this cycling mecca. Follow signs from the station directly to the nearby Wine Route or downtown area. From the cafes and shopping downtown, continue on to: the Welland Canal, learning more about the history of the canal at the Museum at Lock 3; north to Port Dalhousie's 5-cent vintage carousel and Waterfront Trail; south to Thorold and mountain biking in nearby Shorthills Provincial Park; east to all the fun at the Falls, plus charm and culture of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
If you don't feel like riding alone, there are a number of options for touring the region. Bike rentals and guided tours start from numerous locations, or can be brought right to the doorstep of your accommodation. Mass start events such as the Niagara GranFondo (September 14) and MS Bike Tour (August 25) offer participants multiple ride length options to choose from. The Ride to Conquer Cancer Classic Route and Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (more below) both end in Niagara.
Make sure you stop in at one of the 151 certified bicycle friendly place to eat, visit and sleep while there. To help plan your trip there are many resources on the Welcome Cyclists Niagara Great Places to Cycle page, including a link to the Niagara Region Cycling Map. www.welcomecyclists.ca/niagara
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New Lake Erie Waterfront Trail & Adventure
| | Farther, Greener, Greater, the Waterfront Trail is set to extend along the Canadian shores of Lake Erie, adding an extra 600km that connects to the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Waterfront Trail. This summer you can enjoy the new permanently signed recreational route from the Windsor area all the way to Fort Erie and the Niagara River. Detailed route maps will soon be available.
To celebrate and open the new trail, the annual Great Waterfront Trail Adventure will take cyclists along this wonderful new section from August 11 to 17. This fully supported and super fun cycling holiday has ride days of 60 to 100 km, hop on and off the support shuttles and plenty of options to visit local communities, enjoy wine tastings, and stop at historical sights enroute.
Limited spots still available!
More information at: www.waterfronttrail.org
Enjoy a preview of new route and the adventures that await with the following video links: Video 1 or Video 2
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Bike to Work and WIN - May 27
| | May 27 is Bike to Work Day in the Greater Toronto Area, and also kicks off a month of bike events in 6 regions.
Take the pledge to ride your bike to work and win a weekend getaway to Kingston, Ontario. The Welcome Cyclists Network, along with prize partners Tourism Kingston, First Canada Inn, Fort Henry, VIA Rail and Smart Commute have a great prize pack awaiting a lucky winner.
More information and pledge entry form are available at:
Ottawa is already a month ahead with Bike Month events slated for the full month of May. Find out more: www.biketoworkottawa.com |
Eastern Ontario Trails On Your Bikes!
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This multi-use trail network covers thousands of miles from Bay of Quinte to Algonquin Park, Haverlock to the west and Perth to the east, linking outdoor recreation and adventure to the natural environment, rural communities and their businesses, along the way. Visit the new website for trail info, maps and weekend getaway ideas: www.thetrail.ca
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Do the Dozen
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While in eastern Ontario how about signing up for this challenge riding on Lennox and Addington's County Trails. New this year, cycle all of the 12 well mapped and signed road routes covering over 600km north from Napanee area. Go anytime, cycle at your own pace. Check in to wayfinding points and enjoy well maintained quiet country roads with the majority of routes offering paved shoulders. Once complete, your name will go down in history and you will be eligible to win a prize pack worth $500.
Find the County Trails Map and info on Do the Dozen at: www.lennox-addington.on.ca
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VIA Rail Bike Train Update
| | Further to our April update, we have now received additional information regarding the VIA Rail bike transportation options available this summer.
Effective May 6, VIA Rail no longer offers baggage car service on trains to Ottawa, making bike transportation to and from the capital city impossible.
While there is still a single daily train with baggage car service between Toronto and Windsor trains, there will be no bike racks available this summer. All bikes will have to be boxed and depedaled or bagged.
Bike transportation service between Toronto and Montreal remains unchanged, with bike racks installed on select trains offering baggage service.
For more information visit: www.viarail.ca/en/bike |
Connecting to Manitoulin
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Businesses, residents and visitors rallied together earlier this month in a campaign to expedite the work needed to Tobermory docks as a result of extremely low Lake Huron water levels. Fortunately the water levels have increased naturally and the ferries can now get in and out safely.
There is also the option to connect to the island by bus, on one of the 8 weekends Parkbus operates to the Bruce Peninsula. Last stop - Tobermory. www.parkbus.ca |
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It is a busy time of year as we look forward to summer holidays and are planning to pack as many fun getaways into the short season. Cycling is a great way to extend the summer season because (arguably) the greatest riding times are really spring and fall!
So get out there now and/or make long range plans, sign up for an event, tour or plan your own adventure at a new destination or old ride favourite.
Stop by our Facebook page and tell us more, we would love to share in your adventures.
From Louisa, Joanne, Robert
Welcome Cyclists Network & Bike Train Team
Projects of Transportation Options
850 Coxwell Ave ~ Toronto, ON ~ M4C 5R1
Office: 416-827-2774
Toll-Free: 1-866-701-2774
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Funding PartnersRail Partners Plus over 100 destination partners and supporters.
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