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If you want to take an overnight bike trip, you should consider staying close to home. Simcoe County has 110 km of singletrack, 300 km of rail trail and 1000 km of cycle friendly roads.
You can even take advantage of the Ontario Staycations Tax Credit. This is a credit for the 2022 tax year that gives you a 20% back on accommodations expenses in Ontario.
But with so many places to stay in Simcoe County, where should you go for an overnight weekend bike trip?
1. Dragonfly Dreams Inn In Midland
Dragonfly Dreams Inn is a 5-star bed and breakfast in the heart of Midland. This Victorian century home is close to downtown and is a short bike ride to several local attractions. Popular sightseeing stops include:
- Martyrs Shrine
- Wye Marsh
- Ste Marie Among The Hurons
- Huronia Museum
- Discovery Harbour
“Dragonfly Dreams Inn was a wonderful base for our cycling adventures in the area.”
The Inn offers secure bike storage and easy access to local biking trails. The closest trail, Tiny Beaches Loop Trail (50 km) is a 2 minute bike ride away and connects to:
- Heart of Georgian Bay Loop (75 km)
- Thunder Beach Loop (75 km)
- Tiny Trail (23 km)
- Uhthoff Trail (22 km), which also connects to trails in Ontario’s Lake Country
It also feeds into the Tay Shore / Midland / Penetanguishene Trails. These paved trails follow close to the waterfront for 29 km from Waubaushene to Midland to Penetanguishene. You’ll also pass by Ste Marie Among the Hurons on these trails.
2. Sugar Ridge Retreat In Wyebridge
Sugar Ridge Retreat is a country accommodation in Tiny Township. The property is on 150 acres of forests and meadows surrounded by 3,000 acres of provincial land. Guests stay in private cabins on the edge of the woods and have access to 25 km of trails.
The retreat is 9 minute bike ride to the Heart of Georgian Bay Trail (75 km), which connects to:
- Thunder Beach Loop (75 km)
- Tiny Trail (23 km)
- Uhthoff Trail (22 km)
- Tiny Beaches Loop (50 km)
If you’d like to spend the day at the beach, you can also bike to Balm Beach, which is a 1 hour ride away.
“The setting is truly beautiful and I was thankful to be able to explore the many hiking trails around the resort and take a bike ride down to Balm Beach.”
Aside from being a great location for bikers, the retreat is also pet friendly.
3. Horseshoe Valley Resort In Oro-Medonte
Horseshoe Valley Resort offers a lift access bike park with mountain and cross country bike trails. The trails are suitable for all skill levels and are constantly expanding.
“The best MTB bike park of Southern Ontario!”
The resort also plays host to cycling events and has a bike shop and mountain bike camps for kids.
Aside from on-site trails, the resort has direct access to Copeland Forest and 800 km of paved roads. It’s a short drive to other mountain bike trails at Hardwood Ski & Bike and 8th Wander, 7th Heaven. And it’s a 20 minute ride to:
- Canopy Cruising (26 km)
- Bass Lake Beauty (34 km)
- Hills of Oro-Medonte (92 km)
Once you’re done biking for the day, you can enjoy many other on-site activities including:
- Golf
- Mini golf
- Disc golf
- Tree top trekking
- Swimming at the pool or beach
- Off roading
Horseshoe Valley Resort also offers Bike & Stay Packages.
4. Casino Rama Resort In Rama
Another Simcoe County Resort that offers Cycle & Stay Packages is Casino Rama Resort. The Resort is on Rama First Nation and offers live shows, several on-site dining options, a spa and, of course, a casino.
The hotel is great for cyclists, as bikes fit in the elevator and so you can store them securely in your room.
The nearest trail is Ramara Trail located 1.3 km from the casino, which is part of the Trans Canada Trail. Ramara Trail starts on the Mara-Ramara boundary and follows the abandoned CN rail line. It ends at the historic Mnjikaning Fish Weirs. These are the largest and best preserved wooden fishing weirs in Canada.
You can then follow the trail to the Orillia Waterfront. Or you can take a 20 minute bike ride for the Simcoe County Loop Trail. This trail is 160 km long and passes through 9 municipalities. It also passes by Georgian Bay, Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching.
5. Craigleith Manor In Collingwood
Craigleith Manor is a boutique Bed & Breakfast that's perfect for an overnight bike trip. It's located 10 minutes from the main street in Collingwood. It’s also 10 minutes from Blue Mountain Resort and 5 minutes from Scandinave Spa.
The B&B offers modern private rooms, each with their own en suite, and a 1 acre lot with private gardens. They also have packaged cycle tours, like their Cycle & Lunch Package.
“We loved that we could bike the Georgian Trail from the B&B all the way to Meaford and onto the trails of Collingwood.”
The property backs directly onto the Georgian Trail, which can take you to the Clearview-Collingwood Train Trail. You can also connect to the Apple Pie Trail PEDAL & PADDLE Adventure (40 km) just 12 minutes from the B&B. Or you can take a 15 minute ride to the Lake Eugenia Loop(90 km), Badjeros Loop (85km) or Creemore loop (60km).
There are more bike trails in the area that you can drive to. This include:
- 7 Beaches Route (60 km)
- Iron Bridge Route (35 km)
- Community Bike Loop (14 km)
- Thornbury Sticky Bun Loop (15 km)
- Wasaga Collingwood Connections (15 km)
- Elmvale ‘Bakery’ Extension (37 km)
- North Simcoe Rail Trail (32 km)
- Wasaga Beach Shore Lane Trail (19 km)
- Collingwood Waterfront Trail (5 km)
- Collingwood Loop Trail (6 km)
- Three Stages (Mountain Biking)
These are only some of the many places to stay in Simcoe County for an overnight bike trip. There are many other options that also have great access to bike friendly trails.
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