Thanks for a great summer!
A huge thank you to everyone who got out cycling this summer and supported local bike businesses, cafés, restaurants, breweries/wineries and all other manner of small businesses along your routes. In an obvious understatement, it has been a crazy few months. Like almost everyone else in the tourism industry, March and April were marked by booking cancelations and sleepless nights. Fortunately, with the COVID-19 reprieve over the summer and a renewed interest in cycling, we were able to run tours. To meet 2020’s unique needs, we focused on local day and weekend trips, and custom tours.
Pedal, Pints & Pubs Orillia
We were really lucky that Orillia and area suddenly became home to two craft breweries this spring, where previously there had been none. This presented an opportunity to introduce a Pedal, Pints & Pubs Orillia, modeled on our Haliburton tour, with Couchiching Craft Brewing Company and Quayle’s Brewery as the fun end-of-ride destinations. We also offered a Quest for Quayle’s Brewery Ride as a day trip. These were both really popular and will be on the menu for 2021.
Simcoe Loop Trail
We ran the new Simcoe Loop Trail PLUS Georgian Bay and Severn self-guided tour a couple of times. This trip covers the 160 kilometre Simcoe Loop Trail as well as some additional forays along the Severn River and Georgian Bay. With its combination of gravel rail trail and quiet country roads, lakefront accommodations, and “just-right” distance of approximately 50 kilometres of riding per day, it is a relatively relaxed tour that provides an excellent introduction to cycling in Simcoe County.
Custom Tours
The highlight of the summer was an awesome 12-day custom tour that Guide Alec Diebel and I planned together in collaboration with our guests. We shuttled our guests from Orillia to Sudbury to start, and then they cycled to Espanola, onto Manitoulin Island for a few days, down through the Bruce Peninsula, Owen Sound, Collingwood, Port Severn, and back to Orillia. They did about half the trip as self-supported bike backing, and half with Humdinger vehicle support, covering well over 800 kilometers in 11 days of riding. We did more luggage transfers and custom tours than ever before in 2020 – it is a great option for those who want to mostly DIY but have some support where needed. Check out our Build Your Own Bike Tour page.
All in all, it turned out to be a great summer, and we are confident that 2021 is going to be outstanding. Enjoy the last few weeks of outdoor cycling, stay safe and healthy, and book your 2021 Humdinger Tour early! Mention this blog post when you book before November 30 2020 for a $150 off fully guided 6 day tours and $75 off self-guided 5 day tours 🙂
2021 Humdinger Tours
Fully Guided Tours
Signature Georgian Bay – Muskoka 6 days/5 nights
Beautiful Bruce County 6 days/5 nights
Self-Guided Tours
Simcoe Loop Trail PLUS Georgian Bay & Severn 5 days/4 nights
Hills of Huntsville and Haliburton 5 days/4 nights
Semi-Guided 2 Day Tours
Pedal, Pints & Pubs Orillia 2 days/1 night
Pedal, Pints & Pubs Haliburton 2 days/ 1 night
