biking – BIG

Biking of all kinds has grown in popularity, especially throughout the pandemic—it’s an easy way for everyone to get fresh air and exercise. While biking is convenient for zipping through cities, more of us will be taking to rural roads as the warmer months approach. Luckily, these bike shops near and in Ontario cottage country will be there to get you set up. Whether you’re a new or experienced cyclist, these bike repair and service shops have something for everyone.

The Bike Asylum in Stouffville

The Bike Asylum is a great one-stop-shop for all bike needs, not just repairs; you can browse adult and children’s bikes, mountain bikes, and more. The staff also keep a regular blog on their website with tons of useful bike-related information if you’re headed out on a day ride with the kids or going on a multi-day adventure.

Ancaster Cycle Ltd. in Ancaster

This highly rated, widely reviewed shop in Ancaster provides extensive bike services and information. You can also join their classes and events and register your new bike with them for any ongoing service needs.

Total Sports: The Bike Shop in Midland

Don’t let the name throw you off; you don’t need to be a sports or even bike fanatic to take advantage of the great service at this place in Midland. They conduct repairs and offer advice about what to purchase if you’re new to biking or sport-related biking.

Parry Sound Bikes in Parry Sound

This shop is about more than just repairs—they offer all-season support for things like winter fat biking or even cross-country skiing—acting as a hub in the area for all kinds of activities. Of course, they’re also experts in bike repair, maintenance, and more.

Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop in Huntsville

There’s no shortage of sporting goods or outdoor-related stores in Muskoka, and the Bicycle Pro Shop in Huntsville is among the best. They also have a good selection of bikes for sale and a handful that are typically discounted, so keep an eye out if you’re looking for a deal.

County Cycle in Beamsville

Located in the beautiful Niagara Region, County Cycle calls themselves a ‘bike boutique,’ with experts on hand to repair and maintain your wheels. They’re a full-service bike shop that also prioritizes selling Canadian bike brands.

Bikeland in Barrie

You can’t go wrong at Bikeland, where there’s a wide variety of bikes available for purchase, as well as regular bike servicing. If you’re interested in adding some equipment to your home gym, they also have indoor training models you can test out.

The Crank & Sprocket in Orillia

This local bike shop in Orillia services new and veteran riders and is open year-round for repairs, maintenance, and sales of all different types of bikes and bike apparel.

The Bike Garage in Lindsay

An excellent bike shop serving the Kawarthas area, The Bike Garage also has unique items to browse, including electric bikes. They also offer a variety of options for servicing and warranty on the bikes you purchase with them.

Yantha Cycle in Pembroke

This shop specializes in all different kinds of bikes, including mountain, sport, and motorcycles; it opened in 2008 when owner, Adama Yantha, had the vision for a high-quality bike shop in the Ottawa Valley. That vision has certainly come to life with Yantha Cycle, which performs all kinds of repairs and maintenance. Be sure to inquire in advance or book an appointment.

I realized I had taken the range of outdoor adventures around my hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., for granted when I was tasked with producing a local adventure map for the area by the Central Algoma Freshwater Coalition (CAFC), an environmental non-profit based in Bruce Mines (a small community about 60 km east of the Soo).

A triage situation rapidly emerged as I started brainstorming with the group’s president, Chuck Miller, an avid cyclist, naturalist, and paddler who knows the region’s backroads and waterways better than just about anyone else.

The CAFC’s mandate is to encourage environmental awareness along Lake Huron’s North Channel from Echo Bay to Iron Bridge, including St. Joseph Island and many other villages and small towns in a landscape that’s equal parts cottage country, Crown land forests, and agricultural fields.

We whittled down Miller’s abundant notes, eventually settling on a short list of the area’s best outdoor adventures, including cycling, canoeing and kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking, skiing, and birdwatching. With that, I set out exploring. Here are some favourites for all seasons of the year.

Winter

Hit the snowy trail: The tall pines and spruce of the Kirkwood Forest, located north of the Trans-Canada Highway and west of Highway 129 near the town of Thessalon, are the result of efforts to reclaim agricultural lands about a century ago. Snowshoeing or backcountry skiing on the Voyageur Trail is a great way to experience these open woodlands atop a blanket of snow.

Try a ski loppet: St. Joseph Island is Ontario’s top producer of maple syrup. Get a head start on sap season by participating in the Maple Syrup Stampede, a recreational cross-country ski loppet held each February at Mountainview Centennial Park on Highway 548 in Jocelyn Township. Ski trails are groomed at the park throughout the winter and open for hiking at other times of year.

Spring

Go birding: Central Algoma has plenty of great destinations for birdwatching, especially in migration seasons of spring and fall. One of the best is located at Pumpkin Point, near the eastern end of the St. Marys River in Laird Township. A bird-viewing platform overlooks vast wetlands, perfect for spotting waterfowl and shorebirds, and nearby forests provide songbird habitat. Over 200 species have been recorded at this location.

Bike a country road: The backroads of St. Joseph Island are among the first in the area to become bare for spring cycling. A great warm-up ride goes from the village of Hilton Beach east to Big Point Park on Lake Huron.

Summer

Go sea kayaking: The North Channel of Lake Huron is often overlooked as a sea kayak destination. But stunning smooth rock, pine-clad islands at the mouth of the Mississagi River rival anything on Georgian Bay. The public boat launch at Beherriell Park, near Iron Bridge, is the best spot for experienced paddlers to access the North Channel.

Explore by bike: You’ll find an overwhelming array of cycling options on quiet Central Algoma roads, many of which include sections of the long-distance Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Ride 39 km between the communities of Desbarats to Bruce Mines on mostly gravel roads, passing traditional farms, sawmills and farm fields that provide habitat for eastern bluebirds and bobolinks. Desbarats features a vibrant farmer’s market and you’ll find ice cream and coffee shops in Bruce Mines.

Fall

See the fall colours: The Sylvan Valley is a mix of hills and farm fields, arcing between Echo Bay and Bruce Mines on the Highway 638 corridor. An abundance of mature maples and oaks set the hills afire with reds and golds, contrasting with the deep green of hemlock and pine. This quiet highway makes for excellent road cycling. A moderately difficult 35 km loop starts and ends at Rydal Bank Park, revealing exceptional fall scenery and offering a picnic spot on Old Mill Beach Park on Rock Lake.

Hike part of the Trans Canada Trail: One of the best hikes on the Voyageur Trail (which bisects all of Central Algoma as part of the Trans-Canada Trail) follows the Mississagi River. Access this 8 km route from Melwel Road and follow the ups and downs of the river’s shores to Tally Ho Park, near Iron Bridge.

You can download the map and full list here and start planning your outdoor adventures now.

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