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 Five Challenging Looped Routes (back roads)

As outlined on our Outdoor Adventure Map here are 5 on-road cycling routes as recommended by the Ganaraska Freewheelers. We've also mentioned those establishments that are registered on the Welcome Cyclists Network so you know you'll be greeted with open arms: 

A. Glorious Ganaraska - 30 km relatively level route.  Why not consider booking into the Hill and Dale Manor.

B.  Rice Lake Ramble - 87 km route which the Toronto Bicycling Network greatly favours.   You'll enjoy views of Rice Lake using wonderfully quiet roads.  In Harwood, the general store offers homemade pastries and pizza. Farther west at Lander Road and County Road 18 in Gore's Landing is Pitcher's Place Restaurant where you can try Marvin's homemade raspberry pie. Try a stay at Victoria Inn or Aye Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast and enjoy the views of the lake. Replenish at the Stone School House Cycle Stop at 9063 Minifie Rd where you will find a cooler at the end of the driveway full of water, power bars, bike tools, pump, spare tube and tire. Or nearer to the end of the route, Inn By The Mill Bed and Breakfast and The Woodlawn Inn Cobourg welcomes cyclists, too. VIA Rail's Bike Train makes a stop in Cobourg, and the Ramble is a more advanced route to take from the train station.

Click here to pick up your gps'd route and you'll be good to go!

C. Shelter Valley Road - 51 km route which begins hilly and then levels out. Have lunch at the Grafton Village Inn. Before your journey, book into the Woodlawn Inn, Cobourg, or in the midst of your cycling journey, take a maximum group of 6 to a renovated century farm house near Vernonville - Cold Creek Guest House. At the end of this loop on County Rd 2, east of Cobourg is the newly-opened By-The-Pond Bed and Breakfast with the owners being cyclists themselves. If you are looking to combine this route with an event, why not consider the Shelter Valley Folk Festival (north of Wicklow off of Dudley Rd) held each year on the Labour Day weekend where you can camp right on the festival grounds near their Sustainable Living Village.

D.  Presqu'ile Promise (map) - 69 km route which begins flat and heads for the hills where you can take a swim at a public beach at Little Lake (Lake Road). A few kilometers south of this route in Colborne, small cycling groups can easily be accommodated at Loughbreeze Bed and Breakfast where you'll have your very own cyclist hostel right on Lake Ontario. Farther east, you can enjoy a great meal on a patio at Harbourview Cafe south of Harbour Street in Brighton overlooking Presqu'ile Bay. Adjacent to the cafe is Harbourview Motel. Too, Brighton Inn, an 1890s Victorian Bed and Breakfast a few blocks north of Brighton proper, welcomes cyclists.

E. Crowe River Cruising* - 49 km route (as offered on the first printing of the Outdoor Map) takes you to Church-Key Brewing at Pethericks Corners and over our lovely suspension bridge at Ferris Park.  Camping at Ferris is an affordable option or, should you wish something a little more upscale but off of the Crowe River Cruising route, consider cycle-friendly Windswept on the Trent which boasts "an athletic high-energy muscle recovery meal plan, massage therapist and access to an emergency certified bicycle mechanic."  What more could you ask?

*At the second reprint of the Outdoor Adventure Map, the Crowe River route was replaced with...
 
Trent River Truckin' - 63 km route which interestingly enough follows a portion of our Lilac Driving Tour Route (Conc 6 East, Skinkle Rd, Mahoney Rd), with chances to visit locks along the internationally-renowned Trent-Severn Waterway, Church Key Brewing for a sampling of beer, and the newly-opened Crowe Bridge Park on Crowe River Road where a picnic or a nice swim will help you cool off for the next leg of your journey. When heading south on Godolphin from Cty Road 35, watch for an packed-dirt, abandoned rail line .7km along on your right hand side. This is the Trans Canada Trail marked by an historical sign outlining the history of the Godolphin flag station. Taking this trail to your right will lead you 10km north into Hastings where you can get a bite to eat.

On the "Truckin" and "Crowe River Cruising" routes, camping at Ferris Park is an affordable option. It's located just below Campbellford proper, off of County Road 8. If you prefer more comfortable accommodations try Emilyville Inn in Campbellford for a good nights rest.