One-Tank Trip for
May 26/18
(c) By Jim Fox
Hop on your bike
and ride through Waterloo Region.
This is the place
with a variety of adventures for the “dedicated bicycle tourist” through to
competitive cyclists.
“Competitive or
leisure, the scenery just looks better on a bike,” says Waterloo Tourism.
Whether in
competition or out for an enjoyable trek through pastoral countryside, the
cycling in Waterloo ranges from urban streetscapes to quaint villages, meandering
rivers and forested lands.
 |
| Heading out on forested trails are writer Jim Fox, Jenna Hunter and Natasha Borutski. (Barbara Fox photo) |
Drawing attention
to “fantastic” biking opportunities across the region is the Ontario Cycling
Association’s provincial championships on June 3.
Known as the KW
Classic, this is a 10.4-kilometre race that starts and ends in Hawkesville in
the northern part of the region.
Here’s an overview
of cycling opportunities from Waterloo Tourism.
Off roaders
- The Guelph to Goderich Trail follows an old railway
line for 127 kilometres, passing through the northern portion of the region.
The eastern portion stretches 45 kilometres
from Guelph through Woolwich and Wellesley townships.
 |
| One of Waterloo Region’s popular cycling trails includes the West Montrose Kissing Bridge. (Jim Fox photo) |
Known as the Kissing Bridge Trailway, it
passes by the famed West Montrose Covered Bridge spanning the Grand River.
It’s the last covered bridge in Ontario and is
better known by its quaint kissing nickname. kissingbridgetrailway.ca
- Nearly
40,000 annual visitors make the Hydrocut Trails in northwest Waterloo one of
Ontario’s top off-road cycling destinations.
The trails feature boardwalks,
bridges and switchbacks with fast lines and technical features to challenge the
most skilled riders.
It includes
26 connected trails that combine for 25 kilometres of off-road challenges. thehydrocut.ca
- So-called
gravel grinders will find many opportunities throughout the region – from the
Trans-Canada Trail to the old Grand Trunk Rail line that follows portions of
the Grand River.
 |
| West Montrose Kissing Bridge. (Jim Fox photo) |
There are
also dozens of natural and conservation areas with unpaved trails in both urban
and rural areas.
Dedicated bicycle tourists
- Waterloo Region
is home to two designated Ontario signature adventures.
One is the African Lion Safari in Cambridge while the
other is known as the “Path Less Travelled.”
Provided by Grand Experiences, the path is a
two-day, two-night adventure through Mennonite country.
The cycling and paddling experience follows
trails and back roads around St. Jacobs and includes a canoe trip on the Grand
River. grand-experiences.com
For competitive cyclists
- Cycle Waterloo hosts
competitions throughout the year along with the KW Classic.
There’s also the
Kitchener Twilight Grand Prix on July 27 and the Fieldstone Criterium of
Cambridge on July 28. cyclewaterloo.ca
- The Cambridge
Tour de Grand on June 10 is billed as a recreational ride with elements appealing
to the competitive rider.
With 11 routes
ranging from 10 kilometres to 160 kilometres, it traverses moderate terrain
with short steep hills and moderate climbs. cambridgetourdegrand.com
 |
Enjoying the
off-road trails with ride guide Sara
Archer. (Barbara Fox photo)
|
Recreational
cyclists, commuters
- Every
municipality in the region has designated and signed bike lanes and most have
paved trails making it easy to get around.
A
multi-use trail system connects Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.
- June is
Bike Month in the City of Waterloo, with a series of events including pop-up
information centres and Cycle2School day on June 4.
The goal
is to “encourage residents to use their bicycles” as part of the city’s
commitment to active transportation. waterloo.ca/en/gettingactive/Bike-Month.asp
- Kitchener holds its 6th annual Bike Fest
tomorrow (May 27) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at city hall to celebrate the “power
of the bicycle in positively transforming our health, environment and
community.”
It includes demo
and group rides, bike safety checks, music, food and prizes including two bike
giveaways. kitchenerevents.ca
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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