A family cycling trip to Orillia

It was labour day weekend, and my wife and I were still clinging to the last few precious days of summer holidays.  So, we decided to make them count and go on an overnight family cycling trip.  We landed on a visit to Orillia, about an hour's drive away, booked a hotel, loaded the bikes, and away we went.  We were pleasantly surprised.

We stayed at the Best Western Plus Couchiching, which I definitely recommend.  It backed right on to the Millenium Trail, a 10km trail from one end of town to the other.  The free hot breakfast made for a great start to the day, and I also made use of their hot tub and sauna after the day's activities.

This was our first taste of cycling touring as a family away from home.  We had a great time and hope to do more trips like this in the future.

Hotel with trail in foreground

Here are some photos along the Millenium Trail in Orillia.  It passes along the Lake with several nice beaches and parks.

Tudhope Memorial Park

Paved path, dirt road.  I like the priorities!

Wayfinding

At Couchiching Beach Park, we happened upon a delightful train ride that was run by the Orillia Rotary Club.

At this entrance crossing, the path bends away from the road to provide better sight lines and reaction time to motorists and cyclists.

Here's the view from the other side

This park had a lot of amenities including a beach, kayak rental, splash pad, and playground

East end of the trail (the narrows)

A well-deserved cold treat on a hot day!

Motorists and Cyclists: respect each other and share the road

Warden Avenue is one of the most popular recreational cycling routes in York Region.  You can ride it from Markham all the way to Lake Simcoe in Georgina.

Here's some footage of my ride on Warden travelling southbound from Stouffville Rd to Major Mackenzie Drive on Sat, June 20th at about 1pm.  Major Mackenzie is around where the country meets the city. Unfortunately, the City of Markham's urban boundary expansion is pushing development further north. There are lots of farms, greenery and rolling hills.  This particular segment has a wide paved shoulder, but further north it is a shared roadway with no shoulders.



Warden, Kennedy, McCowan and others are enjoyed by hundreds of cyclists each week.  I often hear of complaints between motorists and cyclists.  Either motorists are trying to pass unsafely or aggressively, or cyclists taking up the road and not leaving space to pass.

York Region has developed an educational campaign in partnership with York Regional Police (YRP) and the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) to promote cycling safety and respect for all road users. 

The campaign was launched on May 14 with a media event at Highway 7 and Leslie Street in the Town of Richmond Hill.

The York Region Cyclist’s Handbook, a practical guide containing rules of the road and safety tips, was launched at the event. 

On June 2^nd, the Province passed the Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act, which includes increased fines for offenses like dooring a cyclist, and a 1m safe passing law.

We all have a part to play in making our roads safer. Please ride and drive with care.

Cruisin' the Holland Marsh

On the morning of Saturday, May 2nd, I did my first ride with the Toronto Bicycling Network.  It was one of their morning cruiser rides, this one through "Ontario's vegetable patch", the agricultural and wetland area known as Holland Marsh.  I was late for the start, but did manage to catch up to some TBN members during the 75 km ride.  Starting at King City Arena, I headed north on Keele along rolling hills and scenic countryside.  North of Highway 9, I entered the Holland Marsh area where there were endless farms with rich organic soil.  One of the first attractions I came across was Holland Marsh Wineries.  If I had more time, I would have stopped.  I'll have to come back!  The sights and smells of the Marsh gave me a deeper connection to where my food comes from, and it seemed fitting to experience it by bike.

King Road

Some roadside chickens

Canal Road.  There was a race on the canal called the Marsh Mash, and it was a treat to watch over a hundred people in kayaks, canoes, and standup paddleboards go by me while I rode alongside the canal.

Farmers market and garden centre along Hwy 9, east of Rupke Road.

Historic Plaque of Toronto Carrying Place

Here's the route.  Holland Marsh is really a unique and fascinating place, and very bike-friendly!

Touring Musselman's Lake

Musselman's Lake is a small community in Whitchurch-Stouffville and the lake itself is a significant natural and recreational asset.  Being a popular destination among touring cyclists, and I decided to check it out for myself.  It was worth the trip.


Most online bike routes around Musselman's Lake (such as this one from Warden to Cedar Beach on the shores of beautiful Musselman's Lake) follow Ninth Line, on the east side of the Lake.  I found this part of Ninth Line to be a bit narrow and uncomfortable for cycling, since there tight turns and are no shoulders.  A better alternative, in my opinion, is to go along the west side on quiet residential streets.  There's a section connecting Connor Blvd to Cedarvale Dr that is closed to motor vehicles, but accessible by bicycle or on foot.

Musselman's Lake is a tranquil community with some awesome views, although most of the shoreline is privately owned.  It makes for an excellent rest stop.  Connect to Ballantrae via Aurora Road to the north, and to Stouffville via Ninth Line to the South.

 

Here is the trail connection between Connor and Cedarvale on the north side of the Lake

Ice cream shop at Ninth Line & Cedarvale

Restaurant at at Ninth Line & Cedarvale