I was out cycling around Ontario, Canada in the summer of 2023. I live in Ontario, and cycle there every year. This year I biked some of my favourite routes as well as some places that I had not been to before, which was really nice.

RAIL TRAILS IN ONTARIO

We are so fortunate in southern Ontario because there are so many rail trails – reflecting Ontario’s central location in Canada and its commercial activity from long ago. The rail trails are essentially flat – because that’s how you needed to build the railways. There is a maximum 2% grade (“gently sloping”), which is what makes them so wonderful for bike riding. This of course, is also wonderful for runners and walkers who also use the trails for their own preferred activity.

When I am on the rail trails, I always form an image in my mind of people toiling almost 200 years ago to build the railways, followed by an image of different people (and machines) working about 130 years later to remove all those ties and tracks. It could not have been predicted at that time!

Typical rail trail canopy – a favourite view on any trail

The rail trails are good for day trips – you can go as far as you like (remembering that you will have to turn back before it gets dark or you run out of energy). Some link up to other trails so that you are not simply doing an out-and-back. Some can be turned into multi-day trips, either on the same route (such as the G2G (Goderich to Guelph) or in combination with other routes, such as the Greater Niagara Cycle Route. Depending on where you are, you can go from a rail trail to quiet local roads to build your own personal loop. So many options.

Many of the trails have places where you can park for free nearby, washrooms at the start, and places nearby to buy water or snacks in case you forgot yours. All good!

There is no central website for all the routes so you would have to do some research on your own, depending on where you are going to be. Google is your friend.

Some of my cycling in 2023 included:

GUELPH TO GODERICH

It’s a really well-marked ride with some pleasant rest stops created by local residents, which really adds to the community feel of this trail. There is one tricky part when you get to the Maitland River, where there used to be a bridge for the trains. You can either go through the water, or you can take the suggested detour, which adds about 10K (6M) and some hills. With my group we tried it both ways. One of my favourite parts of this trail is the ride from Guelph to Millbank and the short detour to the 198 foot-long West Montrose Kissing Bridge, the last covered bridge in Ontario, dating to 1881.

The Kissing Bridge by the G2G

I just love cycling in Niagara – I never get tired of seeing the Falls. I usually do day trips to different parts of the Niagara loop – one day I will do it as a weekend adventure. A really nice aspect of this route is that much of it is paved.

There is a well-established route that you can follow knows as The Greater Niagara Cycle Route. (There are numerous references if you just type that into your browser).

The loop is about 140KM (87M) comprising 4 different trails (not all rail trails). There is so much to see along this route – not just the Falls. I love going by the Welland Canal and watching the boats. The Niagara Gorge is spectacular for walking and you can see the impressive Whirlpool Rapids from the cycle route above. You can cross the border to Goat’s Island and see the Falls from behind – before they go over – so cool! If you want, you can take your bike to some of the wineries in the area. You can visit the charming pedestrian friendly city of Niagara-on-the-Lake, or visit museums or places such as the Fort George National Historic Site. If you are there in the evening you can take in the Shaw Festival, with its very full calendar of plays and events each summer.

Actually – maybe I will do this as a long weekend! It’s such a diverse place and very bicycle friendly.

Whirlpool Rapids at Niagara Gorge

BARRIE SIMCOE COUNTY

A little bit north of Toronto is Simcoe County, a traditional “cottage country” for many of those in southern Ontario. My family never had a cottage – we would do day trips to places such as Wasaga Beach. Many of my friends had cottages in the area – Collingwood, Orillia, around Georgian Bay. There are a lot of trails in the area and this year I was able to spend a wonderful spring weekend there with a group of friends. It was a gorgeous weekend, lots of sunshine, and spring was in full bloom. Trails included the Thornton-Cookstown Trail, the Tay Shore trail and the North Simcoe Rail Trail. There were many that we didn’t get to. Many are paved, many are interconnected so you can really extend the day. Some of our group found road routes to follow, allowing them to go faster and further. There are somany options here. Lots of trails that pass through smaller towns and natural settings such as provincial parks or conservation areas. Lots of water views – it is incredibly picturesque in this part of the province.

I like to get to this area too at least once a year.  

Apple blossoms on a rail trail

 

I learned something this year. In the spring I was reflecting on the beauty of all the apple trees in bloom. Someone offered the explanation that the reason there are so many apple trees on rail trails is that “back then” people would just toss their apple cores out the train window. Yes! That makes perfect sense. Now we benefit from canopies of apple blossoms for a few short weeks in the spring. Lots of apples too, but they are not cultivated. Another reason why I love travelling with groups – you meet so many people with knowledge you don’t have.

Apples on a rail trail

TORONTO ISLANDS

Another place I cycled to this year was the Toronto Islands. This is a group of islands a short ferry ride from downtown Toronto. They are all connected by paths and bridges so it is a nice place to take your bike. There are still some residences there, many of them reflecting their 150 years. Others have been extensively renovated. I like riding my bike on that part of the island because many of the gardens and trees are also really old – very mature with lots and lots of beautiful flowers in the spring. The residents are bike friendly too, as cars are not allowed on the islands. Nor are there any grocery stores. So, those who live on the islands take their bike on the ferry to load up on groceries in the city. I also like to cycle past the beaches and the Centreville amusement park, wander around the Far Enough Farm (a petting farm), and admire the views of the city from afar. It’s always a pleasant visit. However, I am happy to leave by mid-day because it is a popular place that gets quite crowded, and riding the bike there becomes more of a challenge.

Waterway on Toronto Island – early spring before trees are fully leafed out

NORTH BAY

New for me this year – cycling in North Bay. North Bay is considered the gateway to the north, still close enough to southern Ontario to be driveable for a weekend. It’s a place of lakes and water and it extremely beautiful. We were not on rail trails this weekend – mostly roads that were really well marked. Our group cycled the first afternoon in South River around Eagle Lake, and 2 days in the Callendar area, seeing Lake Nipissing, Big Moose Beach on Nosbonsing Lake, and Kaibuskong Park.

The North Bay Waterfront Sundial – they provide instructions on how to use it to tell the time – it worked!