Pedalling Through Waterloo Region, Canada

WATERLOO, Ont. — The Ontario Provincial Road Racing Championships are coming to Waterloo Region in June, highlighting the fantastic cycling opportunities across the region.

Whether a competitive cyclist or just out for a enjoyable trek through pastoral countryside, the cycling in Waterloo runs the gamut from urban streetscapes to quaint villages, meandering rivers to forested lands.

“If you want to be challenged, there are some tough road and off-road hills and routes that will push you to the max,” says Minto Schneider, Chief Executive of Waterloo Tourism. “But there are also more gentle routes perfect for a beautiful afternoon enjoying the scenery.”

For three decades the KW Classic has been a key part of Ontario Road Racing. On June 3^rd, the 10.4-kilometre race that starts and ends in the village of Hawkesville in the northern parts of the region will host the best in the province and beyond for the provincial championships. But that is just the start of the cycling opportunities in Waterloo this summer.

For the Competitive Cyclist:

• The Cambridge Tour de Grand is billed as a recreational ride, but has elements that will appeal to the competitive rider. With 11 routes ranging from 10 kilometres to 160 kilometres, it traverses moderate terrain with short, steep hills and moderate climbs. The ride happens June 10^th.

• Cycle Waterloo hosts several competitions throughout the year. Besides the KW Classic, this summer it will host the Kitchener Twilight GP on July 27^th and the Fieldstone Criterium of Cambridge on July 28^th.

For the Dedicated Bicycle Tourist

• Waterloo Region is home to two designated Ontario signature adventures. One is the African Lion Safari. The other is known as the Path Less Travelled. Provided by Grand Experiences, the Path Less Travelled is a two-day, two-night adventure through Mennonite Country. It is a cycling and paddling experience as you follow trails and back rounds around historic St. Jacobs and take a canoe trip down the Grand River.

For the Off-Roader

• Nearly 40,000 annual visitors make The Hydrocut one of Ontario’s top off-road cycling destinations. The trails, free to use, feature boardwalks, bridges, switchbacks and “armoured” walls, with fast lines and technical features to challenge the most skilled of riders. It boasts 26 connected trails that combine for 25 kilometres of off-road challenge.

• The so-called gravel grinders will find no shortage of trails throughout Waterloo Region, from the Trans-Canada Trail to the old Grand Trunk Rail line that follows portions of the Grand River, not to mention the dozens of natural and conservation areas with unpaved trails in both the urban and rural areas of Waterloo.

• The Guelph to Goderich Trail (G2G) follows an old rail line for 127 kilometres, and passes right through the northern portion of Waterloo Region. The eastern portion of this trail stretches 45 kilometres from Guelph through Woolwich and Wellesley townships. Known as the Kissing Bridge Trailway, it passes right by the famed West Montrose Covered Bridge spanning the Grand River — the last covered bridge in Ontario — and better known by its nickname, the Kissing Bridge.

For the Recreational Cyclist/Commuter

• Every municipality in Waterloo has designated and signed bike lanes and most have paved trails that make it easy to get around. A multi-use trail system connects Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.

• June is Bike Month in the City of Waterloo, with a series of events planned throughout the month, including pop-up information centres and Cycle2School day on June 4.

For more information, please visit www.explorewaterlooregion.com, or connect with Waterloo Tourism on social media; Like it on Facebookand Follow on Twitter @ExploreWR.