Ontario By Bike E-News:
October 2026 | | Thanks for reading along. As the October edition is our last e-newsletter for 2026, we invite you to stay engaged via our social media pages (see below) and look out for our next edition in Feb/March 2027. | | |
Cross Border Cycling the Gordie Howe Bridge:
How to Take a Bike-Friendly City & County Trip to Windsor Essex
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After several return trips to the Windsor Essex region, it’s become clear to me that this part of Ontario is perfect for visitors who appreciate travel on two wheels. Between its wide open roads, scenic farm fields, rivers and lakes, and a bevy of bike-friendly businesses to boot, there are so many ways to appreciate Windsor Essex by bike.
And to top it all off, when Chris and I learned that the long-awaited Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit was open for pedestrians and cyclists, we knew we had to plan a return trip. This is a trip you’ll definitely want to bring the bikes for!
Blog & Photos: @brimitchelltravels
| | Rails, Ferries & Waterfronts:
Riding the Cataraqui Kingston Wolfe Cruiser | | |
On a bright and cheery morning, we set out westbound along the waterfront in downtown Kingston. Bellies full from the hotel breakfast spread. Faces a little rosey from the sun two days earlier. Bodies slightly sore from the previous day’s riding, but in the good way that reminds you of the strength you possess. Nevertheless, we had stretched, fuelled up and were eagerly ready for the day ahead.
That is the feeling I remember most from the third day of the Ontario By Bike Cataraqui Kingston Wolfe Cruiser. I had joined the group for only the second time, slightly apprehensive about taking on three consecutive days in the saddle. Looking back now, I am glad I did. It was a ride I know I will repeat, one I will tell friends about, and one that has already settled into the category of rides that come with fond memories.
The June 2026 ride covered roughly 160km over three days, combining rail trails, quiet country roads, waterfront riding, a ferry crossing and a full day exploring Wolfe Island. Kingston served as our home base for two nights, giving us the luxury of leaving overnight bags behind and heading out each morning with only what we needed for the day’s adventure.
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24th annual. Once a year. Seven hours of cycling deals.
Looking to upgrade your bike, refresh your kit, or pick up some new cycling gear? This is your chance to shop great deals on all things cycling, all in one place.
Ontario By Bike will be there, too! Stop by our booth to say hello and pick up some free cycling maps to inspire your next ride.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 24
Advance ticket holders get to shop early.
Don't miss out.
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Travellers Tales: What's Your Cycling Story? | | |
Had an epic cycling adventure this year?
We want to hear all about it!
We are looking for your stories and 'Travellers Tales' to be included in our 2027 Cycling in Ontario/Le vélo en Ontario guide.
More info and submission instructions: OntarioByBike.ca/TravellersTales
To read the 2026 edition and included 'Travellers Tales' visit: OntarioByBike.ca/2026
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2026 Award Winners
Ontario's Best Bicycle Friendly Businesses
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Showcased by region, we are pleased to feature the final winner of the 2026 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards.
View the full list of award winners at: OntarioByBike.ca/2026AwardWinners
Consider stopping 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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K Okay Cafe and Roasters is a welcoming stop for cyclists exploring the rolling hills of Northumberland County. Located in Warkworth, the cafe offers bike parking, healthy food choices, water refill facilities and outdoor patios. Owners Tracy and Jimmy welcome cycling groups throughout the year, sharing in the stories of riders travelling through the region and enjoying the village’s inclusive, small-town atmosphere.
Cyclists can explore a variety of routes in Kawarthas Northumberland, including the 50km Shelter Valley Route through the county’s rolling countryside, the 74km Rice Lake Ramble along quiet rural roads, plus the Ganaraska Forest for hundreds of kilometres of mountain biking opportunities. With routes for a range of cycling styles and abilities, the region offers plenty of local communities and countryside to discover by bike.
Facebook: K.OkayCafe
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Local Beat - Trail Construction
...Coming Soon
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Little Lake Loop, Peterborough
Little Lake is central to downtown Peterborough, with Beavermead Park and Trent-Severn Waterway locks, water fountains, trail bridges and the Canadian Canoe Museum all nearby. While there are currently trails around a portion of the lake and cyclists can connect onwards to Lakefield, Hastings, Lindsay and beyond the complete 4.5km lake loop, the remaining 1km of trail infrastructure expansion will start in 2027.
To plan a ride in Peterborough and area visit: OntarioByBike.ca/PeterboroughKawarthas
Credit Valley Trail, Caledon/Brampton/Mississauga
Fundraising and construction in part is moving ahead to expand the Credit Valley Trail alongside the Credit River, from the river’s headwaters in Orangeville, down to Lake Ontario in Port Credit. Currently 43km in length, the optimized route has been established for the full 100km aspirational trail that will eventually fully connect communities, people, nature and Indigenous heritage along a recreational pathway.
Find more cycling info for Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga HERE.
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K&P Trail, Frontenac County
K&P Trail fans will soon be pleased with undergoing trail improvements on a section that has long been in need of drainage and surface attention. This remote section and trail closure until early November runs north of Snow Road, 20km north from Sharbot Lake. The improvements will also help close the infrastructure gaps on the developing 320km Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop. For more info on the K&P Trail and cycling in Frontenac County visit: OntarioByBike.ca/Frontenac
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Closing Soon: 2026 Photo Contest
Submit Your Best Ontario Ride Photos!
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Submit your best Ontario ride photos before November 15 contest deadline.
Do you have an inspiring photo that captures the joy and excitement of exploring Ontario by bike? Whether riding with friends or family, on a club ride, multi-day tour or afternoon spin, send us your photos featuring you, your bikes as well as places you have visited around the province. Submit for your chance to win our 2026 Photo Contest and inspire others to explore Ontario by bike!
The winning photo will be published in the 2027, 15th annual edition of the Cycling in Ontario / Le vélo en Ontario guide!
You can find previous Photo Contest winners, honourable mentions, and more info at OntarioByBike.ca/PhotoContest
Submit your photo(s) by email to info@ontariobybike.ca before the contest closes on November 15, 2026. Be sure to include your name, where you are from and the location in Ontario the photo was taken.
Photo: 2025 Photo Contest Winner – Afternoon light in Tommy Thompson Park, Toronto by Victor Cabahug
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Ontario By Bike Ride Recap:
Guelph Wellington Routes & Rivers
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It was an ideal fall weather weekend for our last Ontario By Bike Ride of the year.
We met and started both days from our hotel in the northwest of Guelph, not far from the trailhead of the G2G Rail Trail and the 14km Kissing Bridge section we rode on. Using the new and much improved trail exit to Katherine Street North we followed a quiet road route that gave us our first sighting of the mighty Grand River at Wilson’s Flats, a taste of fall at a road side pumpkin display and a lovely rural ride experience into Elora. It was a busy day as it is often for this small-town destination, scattering our large group between the town bridges and gorge outlooks, bakeries and shops. It wasn’t long till all were underway following the Elora Cataract Trail into pretty downtown Fergus where we made another stop for stunning river views at Templin Gardens. After our picnic lunch the roads back towards Guelph slid by so comfortably, with all admiring the varied countryside views along Jones Baseline and onwards to the Guelph Dam and reservoir area.
After an enjoyable evening in Guelph, the next day we were happy to retrace our route back through the enchanted woods and Royal Recreation Trail. The 60km route headed northeast under the big blue skies that so beautifully framed the harvest fields that ran into thick green forests, making the few hills all the more worthwhile. Having circled into Rockwood for our mid-day break, we pedalled on, having no choice but to route on a few busier road patches bringing us winding through the sweet and sleepy hamlet of Eden Mills. It wasn’t much further till Arkell and our stop at Flow State Bike Co., where ice creams and coffee were enjoyed on the welcoming patio of this award winning bicycle friendly business. Rounding out the ride was the peaceful roll through University of Guelph’s extensive Arboretum and parkland, plus more trails in downtown Guelph, along the Speed River Trail to Riverside Park. It was a wonderful ride weekend and great way to end the season!
Find our itinerary and enjoy it as a self-supported ride
plus see all our past ride itineraries which are available online at: OntarioByBike.ca/Itineraries
| | Get Inspired to Ride: G2G Rail Trail | | Plans are underway to improve the connection from downtown Guelph to the G2G Trail trailhead on the outskirts of the city. Ride along via this video and see how the connection, when complete, will bridge that gap. | | |
Get Your Holiday Shopping Done Early!
NEW - Ontario By Bike Jerseys
Now available are our 2026 cycling jerseys. With a lively and vibrant all-Ontario look and design, these high quality relaxed fit jerseys are proving to be very popular this year.
Get one for yourself or as a gift for cycling friends and family. If you are travelling to bike elsewhere, show your Ontario pride by wearing this jersey.
Find out all the details at: OntarioByBike.ca/2026Jerseys
| | Have your say in the plan for cycle tourism
in South Eastern Ontario! | | |
Have you cycled in South Eastern Ontario before? If so, as a cycling enthusiast your input would be greatly valued and appreciated by the Regional Tourism Organization for South Eastern Ontario (RTO9).
With your responses, have an impact on the future of cycle tourism, infrastructure developments and resource allocation in South Eastern Ontario. Fill out the survey (link below) before December 5.
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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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