Cycle the North – 10 compelling reasons to join the 2024 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure

In August 2024 the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA) visits Northern Ontario to showcase  the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail between Lake Superior and Manitoulin Island. This celebrated fully supported cycle tour will run from August 13-20 and start in Sault Ste Marie. Over the course of a week the tour will follow the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail along the Lake Huron North Channel to Little Current on Manitoulin Island.

GWTA Tour Director Jo Sharland shares 10 features which make this year’s GWTA the unmissable ride of a lifetime.

1. Be among the first to enjoy cycling the Lake Superior expansion of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail  As the largest freshwater lake in the world, a visit to Lake Superior is a true “bucket list” experience. Lake Superior is a place of haunting natural beauty, breathtaking landscapes, rolling water, rugged dramatic cliffs and rock cuts. This summer we ride to Chippewa Falls for a taste of what is to come. Once complete the Lake Superior expansion of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail will offer 1000km of recreational cycling and connect 22 communities from Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay.

 

2. Discover the gorgeous landscapes that inspired the Group of Seven from the seat of your bike – there’s a reason why the famed Group of Seven Artists were so enamoured with the landscapes of the North. The area is ruggedly beautiful, featuring rocky shorelines, expansive forests and bucolic farm fields. From Sault Ste Marie to Manitoulin Island you’ll be pedalling through gorgeous scenery on a daily basis.

 

3. Enjoy authentic cultural experiences – as you cycle through the diverse landscapes of Northern Ontario you are also journeying through a corridor of cultural heritage. Enjoy a “Breakfast at Bashiin” with Garden River First Nation, join a community dinner in partnership with the Mississauga First Nation and Blind River and feel the influence of the First Nations on Manitoulin Island. You will also appreciate the warm hospitality and unique character of the 16 northern communities connected by this section of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.

 

 

 

4. Enjoy more time to explore communities – with two days in Sault Ste. Marie and two days on Manitoulin Island you can slow down and explore at your own pace. As well as supported local rides the GWTA offers “off-the-bike-activities” – take a leisurely river cruise on the Miss Marie in Sault Ste Marie, enjoy an interpretive guided canoe tour or visit the famous Bush Plane Museum. On Manitoulin Island take the opportunity to hike one of the amazing trails.

 

5. Challenge yourself while boosting your physical and mental health – We don’t need to tell you how great cycling is for your physical health; the act of training for the GWTA and incorporating cycling into your everyday life is a guaranteed fitness booster. Add to that the mental health benefits of cycle touring on this ruggedly beautiful route – it’s a winning combination.

You don’t need to be an ultra-athlete. Ride at your pace, choose shorter or longer day options and be confident that we will support you if you need help.

6. Be Part of a Friendly, Like-Minded Community – The GWTA is a community on the move. Amid the shared trials and triumphs of the ride a unique bond is formed between our riders. By the time we reach our final destination in Little Current the group will feel like family.

7. Embrace slow travel –In a fast-paced world the decision to join the GWTA offers the rare opportunity to slow down.

8. Capture breathtaking photos and tell your own stories – so many photo ops so little time! Whether you are looking to post to Social Media or simply save your memories you just won’t be able to stop taking photos.

9. A journey to fit every budget – whether you chose to camp or stay in hotels along the route you can make the GWTA fit your budget. With a number of meals included in your registration and a variety of different options available for meals and snacks on your own you can spend as much or as little as you wish.

10. Finally…….all you need to do is ride

We take care of the details to make this your best ride ever. Daily routes are planned for you and made available as both paper maps and Ride with GPS routes – choose one or both . The same goes for detailed daily itineraries which feature details of rest stops as well as our recommendations on the best places to stop for views, meals and cultural experiences.

No need for heavy panniers – we pick up your luggage in the morning and transport it to your overnight accommodations – whether that be a campsite, hotel or Airbnb.

Unrivalled mechanical support with our own experienced and dedicated mobile bike mechanic.

Amazing tour support with a team of experienced volunteers, support vehicles and community support.

Organised receptions and community dinners to meet and share stories with your fellow riders.