Registration closes one week before the ride, but accommodations should be secured before that date.
Ride is a 260 km four-day trip on the Goderich to Guelph trail. Participants must have demonstrated an ability to complete the ride.
One-way (three day) or section options may be available if there is enough interest. If this is your preference, contact one of the event organizers.
Route sections are as follows:
Day 1 60 km Drive to Blyth Inn (422 Queen Street, 519-523-9381, blythinn.ca) check in, park vehicles. Ride to Goderich, have lunch, ride back to Blyth.
Day 2 75 km Ride to Leisure Estates B&B (1099 Floradale Road, Elmira, 519-669-3295, leisureestates.ca).
Day 3 75 km Ride to Guelph train station and back. Stay at Leisure Estates.
Day 4 60 km Ride to Blyth, collect vehicles, return home.
Accommodations are to be booked by participants. Leisure Estates has six rooms. Three rooms are on hold for us until August 27. A deposit is required at that time. Additional rooms can be reserved if needed.
Interesting side loops will be added if riders' abilities permit: Benmiller, Falls Reserve Conservation Area and Elora Gorge.
Gear will be carried on your bike unless someone volunteers to porter it...ie someone doing part of a ride or someone who has a non-riding buddy who would like to join.
A mandatory group meeting will be held a week before the trip to review details such as travel arrangements, meals, general expectations.
The Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail,132 km. long fosters connection: between people, nature, cyclists, hikers, and diverse landscapes. It's upheld by dedicated volunteers, funded by donations and grants. Free for all, it relies on contributions to sustain maintenance. It is mostly rural, with busy sections of road and shared paths between Elmira and Guelph. It's mostly flat, finely crushed stone (very good riding surface) and well maintained. There are sections where bikes have to be rolled up/down a steep hill to cross a road. There is one river (the Maitland) to be ridden around (or forded if conditions permit). It passes through some small towns between Blyth and Elmira but is often remote.
Other activities: Cowbell; Old Mill (Blyth)
Expected expenses are accommodations, meals, shared travel cost (fuel).