Find certified bicycle friendly businesses in Essex County

www.ontariobybike.ca/windsoressexpelee

The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historical waterway stretching 202km between Ottawa and Kingston, has many sights and stops that will delight any visitor and beckon cyclists to explore more on two wheels.

In operation since 1832, the 23 lockstations are all unique and have individual tales to tell, along with facilities maintained by Parks Canada. Planning a bike tour following the Canal is suited to cyclists with comfort riding on roads. With many quieter country roads and well-paced towns and villages, an afternoon pedal or multi-day tour will not disappoint. The Country Shuttle is available for assistance with shuttle and luggage transfer services. 

Discover the canal and rural charm of the area starting from or ending in one of the following communities:

	Credit: Rideau-Info.com

• Chafey's Lock - Rent a bike or take a tour from Rideau Tours
• Westport, Delta, Jasper - A 125km route taking in river, rocks, lakes and farmlands. Break up the ride by camping or staying at a B&B or luxury inn
• Perth - Connect to the nearby canal with Heritage Bikes & Rentals and tours 
• Kemptville, Merrickville - Ride both sides of canal on this 76km route, so much to see and do from pretty village start and finish

To plan your Rideau ride and for more resources, maps, plus bicycle friendly businesses visit: www.ontariobybike.ca/thegreatwaterway & www.ontariobybike.ca/lanark & www.ontariobybike.ca/ottawa

The Art of Bike Packing

Whenever we meet long distance riders on routes across Ontario we marvel at their efficiency and ingenuity, cleverly carrying a self-sufficient load. Check out the following blogs for tips and tales.

Bikepacking Algonquin Park c/o AlgonquinOutfitters.com

Rail Trails Uxbridge to Belleville c/o RidingFeelsGood.com

Bike Share Goes Big, Toronto & Beyond

One of the first public bike share programs in Ontario, Toronto's Bike Share has recently undergone a major expansion, adding 120 new stations and 1,000 bikes. There are now 

over 2,000 bikes ready for visitors and resident users to explore the city of Toronto by bike. The easy-to-purchase $7/day pass makes for an affordable and fun way to get around the big city, 

	Credit: Maurice P. on Flickr

year round, with bikes available all seasons.

 

Learn more and plan your ride at: 

www.bikesharetoronto.com

Also find bike share in the following cities: 

Ottawa - www.velogo.ca  & www.rightbike.org

Hamilton - www.sobihamilton.com

While you may not want to hear it, we're closer to the end of summer than the beginning. The Dog Days of Summer are over and we're looking forward to the next great cycling season in Ontario with cooler and crisp mornings and evenings. 

For those diligently training and pushing themselves throughout the summer, this means signing up for a last event or tour of the year! Circle a few dates in September, a month jam packed with great cycling events and tours for all kinds of riders.  For others, you're planning family day trips or weekends away on the trails with friends before the summer wraps up. 

Whatever kind of rider you are, we know you'll be making new memories (and friends) on the roads and trails in Ontario over coming weeks. We will be too.  

Tell us about your experiences so we can in turn share these with others. So if you found a great cycling event in your community, w e want to celebrate it too! If you have a great experience at one of the 1,250+ bicycle friendly businesses in Ontario, we want to let everyone know as well! Email us or share via social media, #ontariobybike.

Cheers, 

From Louisa, Joanne & Michael 

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