Description
Join Tour Leader, Bob Swayze on a 2-day gravel ride on the Guelph to Goderich/Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail, a well-established 132 km rail trail for a round-trip total of approximately 264 km. You will enjoy beautiful farm scenery through Mennonite country, Wallenstein Mennonite General Store, Kissing Bridge in West Montrose, Anna Mae’s Bakery in Millbank for apple fritters and lunch, Cowbell Brewery in Blyth, and the Goderich Harbour to name a few. This is a self-supported ride so you will need to bring extra clothes and anything else you may need (snacks). Please wear bright cycling clothing.
Make sure you are fully fueled and ready to start Day 1 at the Walmart Supercentre Guelph. We’ll then hit the trail and ride to Goderich. There will be a few stops along the way for refreshments and refueling. Overnight accommodations will be at the Cedar Lodge Motel. We will have a group dinner Friday evening. On Day 2, we will have breakfast in Goderich and then retrace our route back to Guelph. Unexpected detours may add additional kms.
Day 1: Friday, July 19 Start Time: 9 am Start Location: Walmart Supercentre Guelph, 11 Woodlawn Rd West, Guelph. There is the possibility of changing the start location, if there is an interest in shortening the ride by 29-32 km. Distance: 132 km
Information on the G2G Rail Trail, including maps can be found at: G2G Experience
Accommodations: Cedar Lodge Motel, 157 Huron Rd, Goderich
- A block of 12 rooms is on hold under ‘Bicycle Club’ until Wednesday, June 19. If you think you are interested, book a room and then cancel if you change your mind.
- Rooms have 2 double beds and are on the ground floor; bikes may be stored in rooms.
- Nightly Rate: $199 + tax, based on double occupancy
- Reserve your room for Friday, July 19
- Reservations: 519-524-8379 or book online
- May cancel your reservation up to 48 hours prior to the day of arrival.
- Breakfast: at a local restaurant
- Amenities: indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and refrigerators in rooms
- You are of course free to stay anywhere you like if you prefer.
Friday Evening Dinner: Location to be decided by group. There are several restaurants within an 8-15-minute walk.
Join the Ride:
- Reserve your room. If you’d like to share a room or carpool, please let Bob know and he’ll make others in the same situation aware on your behalf.
- Please email Bob Swayze and provide your contact/emergency contact information.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Swayze (226-753-6184)
Here’s what you need to know about gravel rides!
Equipment:Tires are the key! Any road or touring bike will do as long as the tires are suitable. This ride uses smooth and hard public gravel roads, rail trails and clay roads, but there’s always the chance of looser gravel. For this ride you should have 700x28c tires or larger, pumped to a minimum of 65 psi pressure to avoid pinch flats.
Pace and Skill Level: Riding gravel requires more energy to push the pedals, so our pace will be slowed down a bit from the usual ‘B’ pace. There may be some ruts in the clay, so decent bike handling skills will be important. This will be a group ride rated B4.
Estimated Ride Time: Approximately 10 hours from start to finish with stops and no unforeseen challenges.
Weather: If it is very rainy weather in the forecast for that area, we will need to cancel 48 hours in advance.
