Cycling Events Across Ontario 2012
(Also see Cycling Tours Across Ontario 2012)
Each year there are more and more cycling events happening across Ontario. Below is information on a variety of recreational, touring and race events for 2012. Also see the Cycling Tours Across Ontario 2012 page and Bike Tours map category for more options, and scroll down this page to see ongoing events for 2012 as well as past events in 2011 (updates for 2012 will be posted as they become available).
January
The Coldest Day of the Year Ride – This January 30th ride starts at Toronto's City Hall at noon and concludes at 1:30 pm with hot chocolate to warm up riders.
March
Pole, Pedal & Pound –This March 17 event offers 5 km cross-country skiing, 3 km snowshoeing and 5 km of mountain biking (weather permitting – otherwise the bike portion may be on the road). Participate solo or in a team of 3. Lots of age categories.
April
South Coast Bicycle Night – Port Dover has a Friday the 13th event for motorcycles, but what about what about people with bikes of the pedal power variety? Join a new tradition and ride your bike to Crystal Beach in Fort Erie on Friday, April 13, for a night of live music and fun. Prizes for best and worst bikes, farthest distance ridden, etc. For more details, visit the event's Facebook site here.
Paris to Ancaster Bicycle Race – 60km or 35 km options, on a mix of roads, farm lanes and trails. This well-attended annual event will take place on April 15, marking its 19th year. The 2011 event also included a Sprockids Course.
May
Dandelion Festival Grand Prix – During the Dandelion Festival in Kemptville on May 25-27, almost 300 racers of all levels will compete on a course in North Grenville, Oxford Mills area. Race day (date tbc) runs 8 am- 5pm, culminating in the 136 km elite race. Participants and spectators alike join in the local Dandelion Festival.
Durham Waterfront Community Ride – The United Way Durham Region invites cyclists of all skill levels to “Ride with the Mayor(s)” along the Waterfront Trail in Durham Region. Ride starts at 10 a.m. on May 27 at Lakeview Park, Oshawa. Cyclists arriving by GO Transit will be met by a group leader at the Oshawa GO Station. Minimal $10 fee to support the United Way; riders may raise additional funds, but it is not a requirement to participate. Contact the United Way Durham Region for more information.
Bike 4 Betty – This 5th annual ride is a non-competitive fundraising event held in Mississauga on May 27. Bike 4 Betty offers 5 ride lengths – including several shorter-length rides – plus lots of family entertainment. Visit Bike 4 Betty's Facebook page here.
Share The Road Ride – Durham – Join the first Share The Road Ride in Durham on May 30, at Lakeview Park, Oshawa. Starting with the first ride in 2006 – Greg’s Ride – the Share The Road Rides have spread across Ontario. The event brings together community partners to promote cycling – and in particular the “share the road” message.
June
Toronto Bike Month – Annual event with a wide range of activities spread out month-long, celebrating cycling in across the city. Starts May 28 and continues throughout June. See Toronto’s cycling website for a schedule of events.
Capital Vélo Fest – Bicycle Rodeo and expo by day, and Tour La Nuit by night, this festival has activities to inspire cycling in Canada's capital city. 2012 will be this event's 2nd year – on June 2, at Ottawa City Hall.
Bruce-Manitoulin Passage Ride – Mark June 2 & 3 on your calendar for this 2nd annual ride in partnership with M.S. Chi-Cheemaun Ferry. Celebrate the new safe northern cycling corridor and explore the serene beauty of the Bruce and Manitoulin. June 2 on the Bruce; June 3 on Manitoulin. Free ferry passage both ways for cyclists. Visit Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates' (MICA) Facebook page here.
Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart – On June 3, join 13,000 cyclists on the 25th annual ride enjoying Toronto's traffic-free highways downtown, including the Don Valley Parkway. Rides of different lengths to suit all.
Cycle for Sight – Raising funds for Foundation Fighting Blindness, this event is a fully supported one-day ride with two distance options. For experienced and novice cyclists alike. June 3: Ottawa. June 23: Toronto.
Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer – This popular annual fundraising ride between Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara Falls – 200+ km in 2 days – draws over 4,000 cyclists from across Ontario & North America. New route options have been added for 2012. Fully-supported tour rolls June 9 & 10.
Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour – Now in its 41st year, this weekend-long event offers 4 different tour routes, between Ottawa, Perth to Kingston, and return. June 9-10, 2012. Approximately 2,000 cyclists participate in this popular tour run by volunteers and organized by the Ottawa Bicycle Club since 1972.
Cambridge Tour de Grand – This annual bicycle ride takes place the 2nd Sunday in June in Cambridge. 2012 will be the 15th year of this ride for all levels – 10 km, 15 km, 25 km, 50 km, 60 km, 72 km, 100 km or 160 km routes. Scenic rides through urban and rural areas. Free food and drinks, including lunch.
24 Hours of Summer Solstice – This mountain biking festival and relay event offers numerous mountain biking options and camping at Albion Hills Conservation Area, Caledon. In its 15th year, this event is set for June 23-24. The event repeats later in the summer as 24 Hours at Albion: Hot August Nights (date to come). A number of other mountain bike events and races are hosted by Chico Racing.
Healing Cycle Ride – The 8th annual ride raises funds in support of hospice palliative care programs across Ontario. On June 24, riders will have a choice of routes – 10 km, 25 km, 50 km, 100 km and 160 km Gran Fondo – starting and ending in Mississauga. Cyclists can participate individually or as part of a Team Challenge.
July
Centurion Niagara – Hosted out of St. Catharines, this Centurion event runs July 6-8. The event boasts races and events for riders of all ages and levels, and includes challenging climbs of the Niagara Escarpment as well as breathtaking landscapes.
MS Bike Tour – Multiple locations and dates through out the province (and across Canada) for this fundraising event in its 22nd year. July 8: Prince Edward County (inaugural tour); July 28-29: Grand Bend to London; August 18-19: Acton to Waterloo; August 26: Niagara; September 9: Toronto; date tbd: Ottawa.
Lost in the Rocks and Trees – Billed as Ontario's toughest mountain biking race, this event offers up challenging courses of 30 km, 62 km and 110 km on trails in the Mattawa area. July 14.
Great Waterfront Trail Adventure – Over 8 days, this annual tour travels the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Over 250 cyclists complete the Waterfront Trail end to end, 700 km+, from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border. Local cyclists and communities enjoy welcoming participants along the way. The 5th annual adventure happens July 14-21.
GranFondoOttawa~ReggioCapitale – This new 2012 event in the National Capital Region will offer cyclists an Ottawa Valley "town to town" theme along historic and quiet country roads. Multiple route distances are planned, as well as an EventExpo, a GiroPreFesta, a GiornoJaveFesta and a FondoFesta. July 21. Visit website for more details.
Friends For Life Bike Rally – Over 400 cyclists ride the Waterfront Trail from Toronto to Montreal – 600 km over 6 days. This 14th annual event, which raises funds for people living with HIV/AIDS, is set for July 29 to August 3.
August
Ride 4 United Way – This annual fundraiser for United Way Durham Region offers cyclists various route options, as well as rider support, prizes, food and entertainment at finish. Mark August 26 on your calendar, and check the event website for details and updates.
September
Ride the Rideau – This 100 km fundraising ride on September 12 takes riders along the Rideau River from Ottawa to Merrickville-Wolford. Funds raised go to support cancer research at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
Centurion Canada – On September 14-16, join in for a variety of races and rid/es that are part of this popular event. Attracting thousands of participants, the September Centurion is based out of Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood.
Paul's Dirty Enduro – The 17th edition of this annual mountain bike event will be held on September 15. Races and rides – 15 km, 30 km, 60 km, 100 km and a kids' race – all in the Ganaraska Forest. View more info at Bloomfield Bicycle Club.
Tour de Mississauga – The 6th annual ride is set for September 16. Each year this tour highlights a new quadrant of the city, with routes of various lengths. Non-competitive, suitable for all ages (recommended 10+).
North American Moving Services Tour de Force – Canada Company stages its 3rd annual bike tour challenge this September 17-23. This 6-day event raises money to support the children of military families. Ride is divided into six 80-120 km stages, concluding with a community celebration each night. 2012 route from Toronto to Ottawa. Limited to 50 riders.
Kiwanis Colour Cribbage Ride – On this bicycle tour of Prince Edward County, enjoy 100 km or 50 km of the county's beautiful paved backroads. Lunch, prizes, well-mapped and marked routes, and refreshment stops/checkpoints throughout the route. Organized as a fundraiser on September 29 by the local Kiwanis Club. View website or link to pdf here for more info.
Tour de King – On September 30, riders will take courses from Seneca College to Cold Creek Conservation Area, through a variety of trails, roadways and road allowances and along the scenic Oak Ridges Moraine in King Township.
October
Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day – This free 6th annual event is a fun day for kids of all ages and riding abilities. On October 6, take your kids out of the city and into Durham Regional Forest and onto a real mountain bike trail! Experienced guides and a bike mechanic on site. Rides approx. every 10 minutes. Free lunch and hot chocolate for kids; prizes; raffles; and loot bags. Durham Regional Forest, 3789 Concession Road 7, Uxbridge.
Ongoing
Ontario Cycling Association Race Events – Provincial Road Races – Hosted by cycling clubs throughout Ontario, the annual qualifying races and provincial championships draw cycling teams from across the province. Consult Ontario Cycling Association’s event calendar.
Have we missed a cycling event?
With so many options, we just may have.
Please let us know and we will add to the list.
Email: information (at) welcomecyclists.ca
