St. Lawrence Seaway teeming with adventure | Ontario | Travel | Toronto Sun

"Tourism operators along Ontario’s leg of the St. Lawrence Seaway are expecting their riverside towns to draw more visitors this year as people open their wallets for a post-recession summer break.

The small towns dotted from Kingston to Cornwall along the St. Lawrence have long been popular for those looking to spend time on the water or wander historic streets. Last year, though, they took a hit as domestic tourism spending dropped four per cent from 2008."

Separated Bike Lanes: Changing the Downtown Paradigm for Transportation in Toronto � Third Wave Cycling Blog

"Just earlier this week and despite vocal opposition from a handful of politicians and residents, Toronto Public Works Committee councillors approved a summer pilot for separated bike lanes on University Avenue, a major 8-lane arterial road in middle of downtown Toronto. Yes, it is 8 lanes wide. Final approval should occur at the Toronto City Council meeting on May 11 and 12."

There are many, relatively safer than roads - in park cycling and trail options, please use http://ontariotrails.on.ca

Organizers want a'mini adventure' - The Daily Observer - Ontario, CA

"Since discovering the Renfrew County forest walking trails off Government Road near Beachburg a couple of years ago, they have been riding there and have also taken students from their Outdoor Adventure and Outdoor Adventure Naturalist classes at Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley to the site to enjoy the natural resource and work on trail improvements. They have actually added about five kilo-metres of trail to the network, Mr. Shillington noted."

Trail cleanup this Sunday - The Barrie Examiner - Ontario, CA

"The Simcoe County Off Road Riders Association is holding its spring cleanup event on Sunday.

Bring the whole family to help tidy up a section of trail in the Hendrie Tract of the Simcoe County forest. Garbage bags will be provided.

This is also a great way for high school students to earn some volunteers hours. Students can get their forms signed at the end of the day."

Caching in for a bit of fun - The Cornwall Standard Freeholder - Ontario, CA

"South Nation Conservation is participating in a high-tech treasure hunt Saturday near Winchester that will double as a trash cleanup.

On April 24 at Cass Bridge Conservation Area off Hwy. 31, the Geocachers of Eastern Ontario will unveil a series of new hidden caches in the area, each one officially logged on the website www.geocaching.com."

ONTARIO MEDICAL ASSOCIATION | "Rock the Walk" Toronto Trails Festival is set to launch from Sunday April 25th to Saturday June 5th

The 8th annual Toronto Trails Festival is set to present it's FREE 7 week walking festival. The Festival will cover the entire city from the enchanting ravines to wondrous Lakeshore vistas that give life to Toronto and are open to all participant levels, from beginner to advanced.

Our mission is to inspire Torontonians to take charge of their personal & environmental wellness through walking, said Tom Fiore, Festival Director. One of our Special Features this spring will include the participation of world-renowned environmentalist/nature painter Robert Bateman.

NEW Trail Interface shows location of Ontario's trails like NEVER before

Ontario Trails Council announces the most dynamic trail locating interface for the largest number of trails and uses in Ontario. This world class portal lets the user and seeker of trail knowledge research our database of trails like never before.

This leading edge interface has captured the comprehensive nature of Ontario's trails while allowing the trail-finder to work with what they already know to learn more about trails.

Two ways to get where you want to go, use the link above to take you to a sample page, or go to: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/

Choose a trail, then go to GPS, and WOW! Ontario - Yours to Discover! Select by trail, region, activity, group activities in a region, select by town, see the trails in your town, as you move the map, trails appear and the list moves with you. Thanks to the Team at Context Creative, Wilson Santos, the MNR and MHP and all the folks that helped, fund, edit, gather and put the data together!

Remember add your trails! http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/customWork/otcTrailForm.cfm

Bike Train makes cycling vacations easy with new routes

"The Bike Train provides bike racks onboard special rail trains to destinations across Ontario, making cycling holidays easy and accessible. Toronto serves as a hub offering its own network of 1000 km of bicycle paths including the scenic Waterfront Trail.

Why not try the new Ontario Southwest Bike Train to Windsor-Essex on your next romantic getaway?"

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS | The Bike Train expands green travel options across Ontario

"'With the new 2010 routes, the Bike Train has truly become an Ontario wide initiative,' said Bike Train founder and Project Director Justin Lafontaine. 'Ontario has so many cycling destinations within easy reach, it's easy to take a unique and eco-friendly cycling vacation this summer.'"

The Ontario Trails Council is pleased to have Justin as a speaker at Trailhead Ontario http://trailheadontario.ca , especially since so much of the seeking of opportunity to ride involves finding new trails in new regions!

What to Do on Holiday in Ontario

"Located in central region of Canada, the province of Ontario is the second biggest in terms of area and largest in terms of population. Apart from that, it is the only province in Canada which borders the Great Lakes. Canada rentals are very popular in the Ontario region. The first thing to do in Ontario is to take part in its land, aerial and water adventures. You can take a gentle forest walk, trek or pedal along the beautiful unspoilt countryside from mountains to valley.

Take a flight in a hot air balloon, paraglide, hang glide or a helicopter and view the landscapes rolling below you. Go for a kayaking, canoeing, rafting and scuba diving adventures in the Great Lakes as there are more than 100,000 km of rivers and 250,000 lakes in Ontario. If you are an adventurous spirit, then Ontario will be a real treat for you."

Almost turkey time in Ontario � The Outdoors Guy

"With Monday’s kick-off to the province’s annual gobbler season, it is ‘turkey time’ throughout Ontario for both novice hunters and gobbler gurus alike.

For thousands of wild turkey enthusiasts, April 26th marks the beginning of what should be another exciting gobbler season. An incredible 9, 252 birds were harvested last spring, and I wouldn’t be surprised if even more are taken this year.

Thousands of those new to the sport and a growing number of seasoned veterans will be hitting the woods in search of the province’s favourite new fowl."

Province clamping down on outdoor burning in northwestern Ontario - Winnipeg Free Press

"In an effort to prevent wildfires, the province is clamping down on outdoor fires in northwestern Ontario.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has declared a Restricted Fire Zone in much of the area beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.
Officials say the ban will stay in place until conditions improve."

The Bike Train back for the summer in Ontario (Includes first-hand account)

"You don't have to be a serious cyclist to enjoy Ontario by bike. This summer the Bike Train will make it easy to take a biking vacation in Ontario. It allows you to take bike racks on board select passenger trains to special places in Ontario. Transportation Options, a non-profit based in Toronto, announced on Thursday that the fourth season of the Bike Train will take place this summer."

Letter from Canada: The Logging Life

"For years, I spent every summer as a canoe guide in Ontario’s Algonquin Park, where thousands of miles of interconnected canoe routes crisscross 3,000 square miles, through more than 2,400 lakes and countless rivers and creeks. I imagined Algonquin as an untouched wilderness until a day in 1986."

Champlain trail museum - Pembroke Ontario on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Champlain trail museum - Pembroke Ontario on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

April Newsletter — Oxford Trail Riders

"It is just spring but feels like summer already. If it is this warm now I wonder what lies ahead? All you riders must love this beautiful weather. I know I do even though I am not riding. Hope everyone is able to get some good riding in. Show season is just around the corner so take advantage of the nice spring we have had so far. Hope to see you all at the first show. Until then be happy and stay safe."

Evening Cycle in Lytton Park

"Evening Cycle in Lytton Park
presented by:
Outing Club of East York

Starts: June 15, 2010 07:00 PM
Ends: June 15, 2010 09:00 PM
Cost: Free"

ski-doo snowmobile forums - DOOTalk.com

April 24 & 25
Enduro on Saturday
Beagle Bash Trail Ride on Sunday
Turkey Point, Ontario, Canada
(About an hour West of Buffalo, NY)
Level of Difficulty = 1 to 3 (Sandy Terrain)
http://oftr.ca/files/81/BEAGLE_BASH_TRAILRIDE2010COLOUR.pdf"

Cyclists Cottage Getaways Ontario: Ontario Cup Mountain Bike Race Gravenhurst

"Gravenhurst is located in Muskoka north of Toronto and south of the Almaguin Highlands, a great location to attract between 550 - 650 riders of every age and skill level. This race takes place in July at the Buckwallow Cycling Centre in Gravenhurst which is a tough and technical race course. The granite on Buckwallow trails allows pretty good traction so it is not as slippery when it gets wet. This biking trail opens every year in May so make sure you take your kids here for a fun family day of cycling or come to this event for a free race for the kids on Sunday in July in the afternoon."

All trails require some level of experience and safety

One mistake that novice and experienced hikers alike often make is to tackle too much at once. Remember it's all about the journey, not the destination. Break your hike into small manageable hikes and don't get too hung up on a specific timeframe. As soon as your venture starts to feel like work, or the destination has become the only thing that really matters your chances of completing your journey are lessened.