Dozens of cyclists will be here next week for a ‘beautiful ride’

Don’t be surprised if you see more cyclists than usual in the Sault and along Highway 17 north and east of the city next week.

110 cyclists from across Canada and the U.S. will enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds them as they pedal north from the Sault to Chippewa Falls then east to Little Current in the 2024 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure from August 13 to 20.

The Toronto-based Waterfront Regeneration Trust (WRT) and Sault-based Destination Northern Ontario (DNO) have worked together to bring the annual Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA) to the Sault and area this year. Established in 2008, the annual Great Waterfront Trail Adventure showcases different sections of the 3,600 kilometre-Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. 

Andre Riopel — well-known Sault cyclist, physiotherapist, non-motorized recreational trail advocate and environmentalist — is one of a few local individuals who will be participating in part of the tour.

“It’s a beautiful ride,” he said in an interview with SooToday.

Riopel will be cycling on the tour’s Sault-to-Chippewa Falls stage Wednesday, Aug. 14.

The routes north and east of the city are routes of discovery for those cycling in the Sault and surrounding area for the first time.

“The route going east is really nice because it gets you off Highway 17 and you go through Mennonite country, farmlands and small communities. It’s quite pleasant. It’s a great tour. We hope to get the message out there — to people who are not aware of it — that there’s really great cycling in this neck of the woods,” Riopel said.  

“Sault Ste. Marie in general is becoming a real mecca for cyclists because of the mountain bike trail system that we have. It’s the best in Ontario. We’ve invited thousands of people from out of town to discover all the trails and events we have. We want to make Sault Ste. Marie the cycling capital of Ontario. We’re on the map.”

The Sault and area hosted the Waterfront Regeneration Trust’s Great Waterfront Trail Adventure for the first time in 2019.

Its estimated economic impact — consisting of money spent by visitors at hotels and restaurants — was approximately $475,000, Destination Northern Ontario estimated.

“People like it up here. It’s different,” said Michael Wozny, Destination Northern Ontario strategic initiatives coordinator.

“They have these Great Waterfront Trail Adventures in southern Ontario but they’re in busy communities. When you’re riding here you’re on back country roads, the Mennonite farms, there’s peace. It’s quiet. It’s different. You’re riding beside a river and it’s quiet. It’s a totally different adventure from riding in urban metro areas. This is what people like,” Wozny said.

The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure is not a race.

“We are cycle tourists. We like to stop and visit the businesses and see the scenery,” said Marlaine Koehler, Waterfront Regeneration Trust executive director.

“We have 110 people and they’re aged 18 to 85. This is not an event where everybody has to stick together. You don’t have to worry if you’re keeping up with the fastest rider. You ride at your own pace and we have cycling volunteers that stay at the front and at the back.” 

“Most of them come from southern Ontario and about 10 per cent come from the U.S. We’ve got people coming from Arizona, Florida and other States. The trail and the ride are really earning a great reputation as something that cycle tourists want to do. As people ride on this trail they will get a very different impression of what the Great Lakes have to offer and it is a very gratifying experience for them,” Koehler said.

Cyclists will gather at Little Current and take a bus ride to the Sault on Tuesday, August 13 and book into hotels in preparation for the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure.

After Wednesday’s ride from the Sault to Chippewa Falls, cyclists will head out from the Sault on Thursday, August 15 and pedal east to Bruce Mines.

They’ll continue to Blind River Friday and Espanola on Saturday before finishing in Little Current Sunday.

Cyclists will see 16 communities, 12 heritage rivers, 11 northern lakes, forests, Amish and Mennonite farmland, historic villages, and 24 beaches. They will stop overnight in the Sault, Bruce Mines and Thessalon, Blind River, Massey, Espanola and Little Current. 

Along the way they will gather at the Sault’s Northern Superior Brew Company, Echo Bay’s Loonie, enjoy Caribbean and West African cuisine at Ije's Place in Desbarats, enjoy local music as part of the Best of Bruce Mines community festivities, explore museums in Bruce Mines, Iron Bridge and Massey, relax at Mississauga First Nation’s Pier 17, have lunch at Spanish Marina and hike to the lookout over Lake Huron. 

There will be several opportunities to swim at Jack’s Island Beach in Bruce Mines, Blind River’s Sellers Park, Chutes Provincial Park and Clear Lake Beach in Espanola.

The journey ends with a celebration dinner and medal presentation in Little Current.

A full itinerary and map of the trail route can be found on the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail website.