Discover Simcoe County’s Big Chute Cycling Loop

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Welcome to another premium cycling route in Simcoe County, Ontario! If you’re a cyclist who is also a nature enthusiast seeking adventure, the Big Chute Loop is for you. Winding through Severn Township with views of the Severn River and Georgian Bay, this route offers great scenery, fascinating landmarks, and a delightful cycling experience. The Route The Big Chute Loop, just under 60 kilometres, is a cycling route renowned for its natural beauty and historical significance. With moderate difficulty, the trail caters to a wide range of cyclists, from beginners to seasoned riders. This route showcases the captivating landscapes of the Georgian Bay and Severn along a route with fun rolling hills, making it a popular choice for cyclists. The route includes forests, Canadian Shield, and waterfront, immersing you in the region’s natural beauty. Pedal past woodlands, wetlands and farmlands. […]

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Celebrate Cycle Simcoe’s 10th Anniversary with a Century Ride

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Have you ever challenged yourself to a century ride? Well now’s your chance! This year, Cycle Simcoe is celebrating their 10 year anniversary and we’ve partnered with them to host a one-day tour of the Simcoe County Loop Trail—a ride that will check the century off your bucket list and immerse you in all the beauty Simcoe County has to offer. The 160 km Simcoe County Loop Trail is about 80% gravel rail trail with some paved trail and on-road sections. It winds through forests, wetlands, farmlands, and urban areas, offering a multitude of experiences for hikers, cyclists, and runners. Admire the scenic beauty The varied terrain and plentiful vistas provide an exceptional outdoor experience. You’ll ride through the Minesing Wetlands Conservation Area, catch glimpses of the Nottawasaga River, and look out over the expanse of Georgian Bay and Lake […]

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How to cycle every day in April in Ontario

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How to cycle every day in April in Ontario The “30 days of biking” pledge is an international movement to ride every day in April, any distance, and then share your adventures online with the hashtag #30daysofbiking. It sounds easy enough! I am down to the last few days and am confident I am going to make it. I have been out every day, with some very short rides, some e-bike rides, some cruises, and some longer rides and decent workouts. All in all, the experience has been positive: it has made me more active, encouraged me to be outside in all weather, and I am feeling strong and ready to tackle the rest of the season. What was challenging? It was a challenge to go every day, especially when the weather was bad. I knew before starting that I […]

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What gear should I bring on a supported, multi-day cycling tour?

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What gear should I bring on a supported, multi-day cycling tour? If you are going on a multi-day cycling trip with vehicle support and luggage transfer, you have the luxury of packing less carefully than you would on a self-supported tour where every ounce counts. Here I provide some suggestions for what you may find useful to make your cycling tour enjoyable. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list – a toothbrush is not listed – bring the things that you would normally travel with. Most importantly, pack clothing and equipment you find comfortable! Do test out the gear you are bringing, especially your shorts/seat, to make sure they are comfortable for the average daily distances you will be riding during your tour – i.e. average 60km per day on the intermediate/advanced tours and average 25km per day […]

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Bring on the e-bikes!

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Bring on the e-Bikes E-bikes make cycling accessible to almost everyone. They come in many shapes and sizes, with differing motor types. The basic premise is that an electric motor assists as you pedal, and the amount of assistance varies depending on what assist level you select. For more about how they work, check out this article.  From a practical perspective, here are some things you can do with an e-bike: Get fit. There is research to suggest that e-bikes can contribute to meeting physical activity recommendations and increasing physical fitness.  Like regular biking, riding an e-bike likely improves mood and overall well-being as well. Have control over exercise intensity. With an e-bike, you can get outdoors and cycle without having to follow the stereotypical cyclist’s “suffer” mantra. By controlling the degree of pedal assist, you can work harder or […]

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My first bikepacking trip

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“Bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping, It evokes the freedom of multi day backcountry hiking, but with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike, It’s about exploring places less travelled, both near and far, via single tracks trails, gravel, and abandoned dirt roads.” – Wikipedia  Doesn’t this definition sound lovely and appealing? I had a feeling I would love a bikepacking adventure. As an introduction I would pick some fairly easy terrain and enjoy the quiet but adventurous vibes of being off road, more or less remotely. This promised some challenges, wild landscapes and the rewarding feeling of independence.  I started a packing list and quickly realized that carrying a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes, cooking gear, water and food on a bike on trails seemed…hmm, nuts?  I pictured a heavily-loaded bike, with […]

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Cycling around Lake Rosseau:

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If you have half a day to spare, are up for spectacular scenery and challenging hills, and enjoy a charming town mid-route, then the Lake Rosseau Loop is for you. This is a route on our Georgian Bay – Muskoka 6-day trips, and has also featured in some of our custom tours. The route is about 65 kilometres and includes about 900 metres of climbing. It is a loop, so of course you can start wherever you like, but Port Carling is a good choice as it is well-serviced for any pre- and post-ride needs you may have. It has several great food and beverage choices, and you will have earned your lunch by the end of this ride! Stuff to know before heading out Start and finish in Port Carling, looping Lake Rosseau clockwise. Note that parking in Port […]

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Cycling Georgian Bay Shores in Tiny & Tay: A Double Dog Route

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Cycling Georgian Bay Shores in Tiny & Tay: A Double Dog Route Tiny and Tay townships in Simcoe County are known for their rich history, adjacency to Georgian Bay, and… being the namesakes of dogs owned by Lady Simcoe, wife of the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. There are numerous great cycling routes in these townships, and we have merged a couple of them into a point-to-point route on our  Georgian Bay – Muskoka tour.  We start just outside of Waubashene and end in Wasaga Beach with an optional extension to Collingwood. It is mostly flat, with the notable exception of a hill out of Midland. Much of the ride is along the scenic shores of Georgian Bay. The route is about 77km one way. There is a link to the GPX file at the end of this post. […]

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Kids love cycling trips too!

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Kids Love Cycling Trips Too! When kids and adults spend time together outdoors, whether it is hiking, skiing, or cycling, it can be exhilerating, and, in our opinion, leads to the most fabulous family vacations. Everyone involved has the chance to experience the adventure together including the joys and challenges, the camaraderie, and shared pride of accomplishment.  If your family loves to be on their bikes, here are some tips to help you plan a fun and memorable cycling trip.  Make cycling a regular family activity Cycling as a regular family activity allows children to gain skills, confidence, and satisfaction while allowing parents to assess their potential, as well as making sure the equipment fits, especially their bike. For young children, going for 10-15 minute rides is fine. It’s all about empowering them and ensuring they associate cycling with fun […]

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I BLINKED MY EYES AND SUMMER WAS OVER, BUT WHAT A RIDE IT WAS!

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I BLINKED MY EYES AND SUMMER WAS OVER, BUT WHAT A RIDE IT WAS! By Mathew Pettit Hey folks, Mathew here with his very own take on the SUMMER THAT WAS. I’m sure I can find a relatable audience with a few choice words here: very hot, very cold. Ups, downs. CONFUSION. But most importantly, biking. Biking? What? Aye! This has been the summer of BIKES.  For the past 8 weeks, I’ve been leading a tour of cyclists through the heart of ORILLIA, catching glimpses of the city that IS, but also WAS.  From the Mnjikaning Fish Weirs, a meeting place with historic and cultural significance dating back a certain 3000 years, to the newly renovated and beautiful Couchiching Craft Brewery. Two quite distinctly different meeting places, with different practices culturally and spiritually, albeit both meeting places nonetheless. The WAS, […]

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