North Bay & Lakes Tour

When: Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27 – 2023
(3 days, 2 nights)

Total Distance: 157km+

The Ride: Discover the near north with three days of riding adventures touring lakes, bays and heritage waterways. Follow the Voyageur Cycling Route and experience the ‘Spirit of the Bay’ around Ontario’s fourth largest lake, Lake Nipissing. Visit small towns and villages from South River to Callandar and ride the city trails making delightful discoveries in and around North Bay.

Experience Level and Ride Guide: Moderate to experienced. Riders on this ride need to have some experience riding on roads with vehicle traffic as the route primarily on roads, paved and gravel, with some city trails. The majority of the route follows quieter country roads, with some busier segments that have limited paved shoulders. Off-road trails in North Bay are paved. This ride is best suited gravel or road bikes, with wider tires and hybrid bikes. Enjoy a group ride option or ride at your own pace using detailed maps and information provided.

View Digital Routes:
Day 1 – Ridewithgps.com/routes/42051474
Day 2 – Ridewithgps.com/routes/41916204
Day 3 – Ridewithgps.com/routes/41753597
* Routes subject to change

Price: $399pp (based on double occupancy); $529pp (single); $339 (triple); $309 (quad).
+HST.

What’s Included: 2 nights hotel accommodations; 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches; snacks and hydration stops; parking; support SAG van; ride ambassadors; group social; detailed route maps.

Terms & Conditions: Please review information on cancellation policy, health and safety precautions and waiver required HERE.

Ontario By Bike/Transportation Options
TICO#50026868

Day 1: South River Start & Eagle Lake – 39km

Warm up for the weekend ride with a short and punchy afternoon start (approx. 1pm) looped route from South River through the Almaguin Highlands, north of Muskoka and cottage country, around Eagle Lake. Ride through rock cuts and along tree lined quiet paved country roads with a half way stop and lake look out from Mikisaw Provincial Park. Enjoy a post ride meet up and social at the award winning bicycle friendly South River Brewing Co. before driving your vehicle a short distance to North Bay and overnight accommodations at the Best Western Hotel & Conference Centre, our base for the next 2 nights and ride days.

Day 2: North Bay to Bonfield – 68km

Join the Kate Pace Way city paved trail as it extends south from North Bay to the village of Callander. Peeling away from shoreline of Lake Nipissing follow a section of the longer and well signed Voyageur Cycling Route as it winds its way along densely forested paved roads through Astorville, alongside Lake Nosbonsing Road and to Bonfield. Enjoy a catered picnic lunch alongside the rapids in Kaibuskong Park before riding a mix of gravel and paved roads looping back to North Bay and the Best Western Hotel. If energy remains, explore more of the Kate Pace Way, city trails and sights from the hotel.

Day 3: Callander & South Shore Lake Nipissing – 50km

Getting a jump start on the day, start the ride from Callander and the beautiful lakeside Centennial Park. From above the village take in the spectacular view of Lake Nipissing from the lookout. Following a quiet secondary highway and paved roads that pop up to the south shoreline of Lake Nipissing, intersect expansive farmlands and cut through northern forests of all kinds. Loop back on gravel backroads into Callandar, saving time for a visit to local galleries or post ride patio and eats at 1866 Lake House Bistro, to end the ride weekend.

Additional Visitor Information:
Use below to find out more about ride areas and plan an extra day or two to see more.

• Tourism North Bay – www.tourismnorthbay.com
• Discovery Routes Trails Organization – www.discoveryroutes.ca
• Ontario By Bike – Northeast Ontario & Parry Sound & Almaguin Highlands
• Northern Ontario Travel – www.northernontario.travel
• The Great Canadian Wilderness – www.thegreatcanadianwilderness.com & www.bikecottagecountry.ca
• Visitor Information – Destination Toronto – www.destinationtoronto.com

Getting To/From Start:
South River and North Bay are approximately 3.5 to 4 hours north of downtown Toronto or from Ottawa, and 1.5 to 2 hours from Sudbury.

Arriving Early / Staying Late:
Consider an overnight option at one of Ontario By Bike’s certified bicycle friendly accommodations in Parry Sound/Almaguin Highlands here or Northeast Ontario here at nearby certified accommodations.

Photo credits: Top right – Voyageur Cycling Route, Bottom: Destination Ontario