Tour de Greenbelt Adds 100km Routes for Second Cycling Weekend Sept 25/26 - greenbelt's posterous

"The addition of the 100km routes is really exciting for those cyclists who have been cycling all summer and are looking for a challenge to test their legs at the end of the season,” says Peter Hart, Director of the Tour de Greenbelt. “We’re still very much a family event, but sometimes some members of the family want to do more, while others want to do less, so this way we’re able to offer something for everyone.”"

For hundreds of rides in and around the GTA see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-regions/greater-toronto-area/

Cyclists, drivers, need to learn to share the road - Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin - Ontario, CA

"It's possible for cyclists and motorized vehicles to co-exist peceafully, according to a program being unveiled in The Blue Mountains.

'The 'Share The Road' Campaign' is an initiative intended to dovetail with the Centurion Race,' said spokesperson Lisa Kidd of The Blue Mountains. 'Share The Road is an education initiative, aimed to educate all users of the road of the rights and responsibilities of motorists, cyclists and agricultural equipment operators.'"

Legally both vehicles have access, but only one has dedicated lanes - and markings province wide. Signs are a start, not the finish.

Nude kayaker dressed down - The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA

"It may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but a Kingston man's nude kayaking expedition has garnered him 18 months of probation and an enforced abstinence from alcohol.

Lou W. Zimmer, 57, pleaded guilty in Kingston's Ontario Court of Justice on Tuesday to creating a public disturbance by being intoxicated, but assistant Crown attorney Janet O'Brien revealed that it was actually Zimmer's over-exposure that got him into trouble on April 2."

The law is the law on land or water, please be trail smart.

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority protects the landscape - Thorold News - Ontario, CA

"The Niagara region is home to a number of wetlands – which are essentially marshes and swamps that act as a filter. Without these natural filter systems, the water quality in the region would degrade significantly

'Unfortunately, over time, a lot of these areas have been destroyed because of development or farming practices,' said D'Amario. 'We have to protect what is left.'

As the authority began to evolve over the years after its inception, so did the original regulations that were established to protect the Niagara region."

The OTC is glad they allow trails. For a list of trails in the Niagara Region see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-regions/greater-toronto-area/

Best Parks in Toronto for Viewing Autumn Leaves | Backpackers on Dundas

"You can start to see colour changes in the deciduous trees all over Toronto, now that the temperature has dropped and winter is right around the corner. Bright green leaves are turning into the reds, oranges and yellows that Canada is famously known for. There are parks all over the city and here’s a short list of the best ones to enjoy the stunning autumnal foliage:

High Park – High Park (1873 Bloor St., Toronto, ON) is the largest park in the city of Toronto, spanning 399 acres and has various attractions such as nature trails, bike paths, a museum, restaurant and a small zoo. It is one of the most significant natural sites in Toronto and its nature trails features oak and other deciduous trees. The fact that 1/3 of the site is in its natural state makes this park wonderful for enjoying the colours of fall."

Read further on this blog for mote suggested walks. For a full list of GTA trails see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-regions/greater-toronto-area/, then cross reference to City of Toronto area.

Cycle Toronto: BIXI coming to Toronto?

"As you may already know, the City of Toronto is considering investing in and bringing BIXI bikes to Toronto. Last night outside the Think Bike workshop the Toronto BIXI team set up a booth in their bid to sign up 1000 members before the November 30, 2010 deadline. The City requires that 1000 people sign up by this date in order to show a minimum level of interest to make the investment worthwhile. To get the official scoop, check out the Toronto BIXI website."

Tip - Everybody that went to the recent bike summit should by a ticket. I'm going to buy one and I don't live in Toronto.

GPS helping hunters stay on trail - The Sudbury Star - Ontario, CA

"Fewer hunters are getting lost in the bush thanks in part to global positioning satellite technology.

'The numbers are certainly on decline,' said Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Scott Taylor, the emergency response coordinator for the northeastern Ontario region.

'And the GPS, absolutely, I think it made a huge impact.'"

Hopefully more GPS use will ensure hunters are on or in their areas and recreational users are in theirs, creating a safe buffer between armed and unarmed groups.

Gotrekking.com: The Trekking & Hiking Community - Border Route Trail - Trail

"The Border Route Trail is a 65-mile (105 km) long hiking trail that crosses the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in the far northeast corner of Minnesota (Arrowhead) and follows the international border between Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. It connects with the Superior Hiking Trail on its eastern terminus and with the Kekekabic Trail on its western end at the Gunflint Trail (Cook Cty. Road 12). In addition to the eastern and western termini, the Border Route Trail can be accessed through several spur and connecting trails, allowing for hiking trips ranging from short day-hikes to multiday backpacking expeditions."

For information on trails in this area see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-regions/northwestern-ontario/

The Algonquin Outfitters web log: Where did the time go? It's fall!

"Late this summer, the Oxtongue Lake location took delivery of a few special canoes. Swift has been selling their new integrated carbon/Kevlar gunwale system for a year or so and we finally decided to test out a few of these very lightweight canoes in our rental fleet. For the moment, we are surprising customers we know and trust by saying, 'hey, do you want to test out a new canoe?' One of these lucky parties, Tony and Lois, are a couple who have been doing an annual fall trip for many years and always ask for 'the lightest Kipawa you have.' And so, that's what they got. Here is their report."

ONTARIO TOURISM MARKETING PARTNERSHIP CORPORATION | Travelling Green is Best Way to See Ontario's Fall Colours

"The award-winning Bike Train has partnered with Northern Edge Algonquin to provide a green travel option to experience Ontario's brilliant fall colours in South River, near Algonquin Provincial Park.

On Sept. 24, mountain bikers will journey by train from Toronto to South River, with their bicycles secured in a baggage car equipped with bike racks, for an unique 'Rails, Trails and Ales' experience featuring great mountain biking, beautiful fall colours and locavore fare matched up with Ontario's finest beers."

For a fuller listing of all the trails you can experience in the north see: http://ontaiotrails.on.ca

Expanding trails - The Daily Observer - Ontario, CA

"On Aug. 25, county council learned about a proposal by members of the Renfrew County Stewardship Program and the Shaw family of Shaw Lumber fame, to develop the Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre.

The presentation was made by Wayne Remus, chairman of the project, and a member of the stewardship's steering committee.

In his presentation he described the group's intention to further expand the trail system at the Shaw Woods off County Road 9, as well as develop viewing platforms and a central office, all for the purpose of educating the public about sustainable forestry and good stewardship.

The site is already popular with people wanting to take a stroll in the woods, surrounded by some old growth forest."

Another teen charged in Greenway Trail assault - Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA

"City police laid charges against another 16-year-old boy following an attempted robbery on the Greenway Trail Sept. 13.

The boy, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged with robbery, assault and breach of probation at his Cameron St. home Sunday, police said, and appeared in court Monday."

We regularly work with police and land managers to ensure the safety of trails.

Woman assaulted on trail - Simcoe Reformer - Ontario, CA

"Norfolk OPP are searching for a suspect after a woman was assaulted on the Lynn Valley Trail Saturday.

The 58-year-old woman was accosted around 6 p.m. on the trail north of Decou Road in Simcoe.

Police report the woman, who was southbound, was approached by a man on a bicycle. The pair exchanged greetings. The cyclist turned around and passed by the woman twice before grabbing her, knocking her to the ground and hitting her.

The suspect fled the scene in a northwesterly direction. The bike he was riding was described as a low-riding BMX-style brand."

Be safe please, carry a cell phone and tell someone where you are going and for how long.

Cycle Toronto: Think Bike Workshop

"Earlier this evening I had the opportunity to attend the Think Bike Workshop at El Mocambo. The City of Toronto and the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands played host to Dutch bicycle planners yesterday and today."

Take the Lane: Rob Ford may be bad news for Toronto cyclists, Globe writer says

Take the Lane: Rob Ford may be bad news for Toronto cyclists, Globe writer says: "Toronto mayor-apparent Rob Ford is a 'pretty unpleasant piece of work' who may be bad news for Toronto cyclists, says Globe and Mail columnist Marcus Gee.

Gee was the closing speaker today at the Ontario Bike Summit here in Burlington, hosted and organized by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition."

One dies after ATV, van collide in Marmora - Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA

"One person was killed and another is in critical condition after an ATV struck a van on Highway 7 Friday night.

Central Hastings OPP said an ATV on Tiffen Rd. failed to stop at the highway around 8:15 p.m.

Both ATV riders were taken to Campbellford Memorial Hospital where one male died. The second male was taken to Kingston General Hospital and was in critical condition as of Saturday."

As trail users we aren't responsible for on-road activity but PLEASE take an ATV riding course and check out: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-life/trail-smart/ATV BEFORE using this equipment!

northumberlandnews.com / indynews.ca | Trent Hills' residents urged to help preserve waterways

"Residents of Trent Hills and the surrounding area who have a stream, pond or wetland on their properties, take notice.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) with Lower Trent Conservation and the Northumberland Stewardship Council host an information night on Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Trent Hills Public Library, Campbellfor"

The Ontario Trails has also been a promoter of land and water preservation, for a full list of greenways and waterways see: http://www.ontariotrailsmap.com/ontariotrails.html?cat=3&icon=canoeing.png

Cycle Toronto: Early morning bike ride along the Martin Goodman Trail

"A few weekends ago I went for a lovely early morning bike ride with my good friend Sam. We met up in the west end and biked down to the water so that we could go along the Martin Goodman Trail. The MGT is one of Toronto's best cycling paths primarily because it is separated from car traffic and affords the cyclist, inline skater, or jogger a stress free way to commute across town and take in the beautiful water front."

For a full list of trails in the GTA see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-regions/greater-toronto-area/

Hike and Bike Top-Notch Terrain In Ontario This Autumn � : Blisstree - Tips, advice and insight with a personal touch

"For the adventurous cyclist who craves rolling hills or country lanes with stunning views of Lake Ontario, Northumberland County is just one of many areas to visit – its five looped routes of various lengths are the best spots to put that new road bike to the test. And more hard-core riders won’t be disappointed by the three challenging trail areas perfect for mountain biking in the Ganaraska and Northumberland forests. And the best part? There are always lodging options nearby, so no matter how far you roam, you can always put your kickstand down every evening at your home-away-from-home."

Mississauga.ca - City Hall - News Releases

"Join Mayor Hazel McCallion and Members of Council, in partnership with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), as they officially open the Etobicoke Creek Trail for cyclists and hikers to"

http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-news-events-2/