One of the allures of committing to a ride with a group of friends or a cycling club is that it often takes you to new places, roads, and trails, and motivates you to get going. So thatβs why when the Peterborough, Trent-Severn and Lilac Ride date was set earlier this year, I was quick to sign up with my club friends for what I knew would be a good one.
What cycling clubs call βremote startβ rides generally begin outside of their regular ride zones, and always make for a great adventure. This ride promised all the ingredients to get me spinning. I rose early on a Saturday and headed to Peterborough, about a 1.5 hour drive from Toronto, for the meet up.
We gathered at a large parking area adjacent to Beavermead Park, just off Ashburnham Drive. Parking was free and the washrooms were handy. After debating what gear to wear under ominous early day grey skies, we rolled out following the delightful park trails that skirt Little Lake. Our first sighting of the Trent-Severn Waterway was not far, as we walked our bikes across a small narrow bridge on top of Lock 20βs gates. It was the first of seven Trent-Severn locks we were to encounter that day.
Following the well-signed Rotary Greenway Trail north from the park, we enjoyed riding the paved city trail that passes behind a number of city neighbourhoods and crosses Hunter Street East, where numerous cafes, restaurants and patios beckon. Noted for a return was the Ashburnham Ale House with its large trailside patio.
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As the more urban sights faded away, we rolled along a section of trail that was lush green and, at this time of the year, heavily laden with fragrant lilac bushes of all different hues. After 7km we rode across the trail bridge just south of Trent University, a scenic viewpoint to watch boaters and rowers on the Otonabee River. Following the river and trail north the route bisects the pretty university campus, which was quiet for the summer season. Continuing northwards we had the choice to ride along River Road, a popular paved road cycling route or the gravel off-road trail alternative. Tough choice, as both are equally pleasant. With so many Waterway vantage points as well as five lock stations, each with unique parkland, picnic spaces, and water views, we chose River Road and enjoyed an idyllic 10km ride into Lakefield.
A true Trail Town, and one of ten along the Trent-Severn Waterway in the Kawarthas Northumberland area, Lakefield is most worthy of a stop. Having taken the Lakefield Trail behind the town, which ends at the old train station, we popped out onto Queen Street. Bakeries and sunny patios, ice cream and cottage shops, parkland, beach areas, and the scenic lock could fill hours and make this an easy terminus or turn around point for the day, but onwards we went.
An easy connection from the busier but low speed town roads, we quickly turned onto Youngs Point Road. We pedalled hard and fast along a scenic and quiet 10km-long road with alternating farmland and forest views, and many cottage roads leading off to Katchewanooka Lake, a continuation of the Trent-Severn Waterway. Passing the Cheeky Duck Vineyard along the way, distracting thoughts of stopping for a rest and gourmet meal at the small but well-regarded vineyard restaurant dominated my thoughts. As the group passed by, I logged the location for my next visit.
I had never been to Youngs Point before, but after our stop there, Iβm guaranteed to return! What a lovely setting surrounds Lock 27, as one lake merges into another, and boaters channel through the historic Waterway surrounded by parkland well-tended by Parks Canada. The lock station located on a small island has washrooms that were very welcome at the halfway point of our 60km ride. So too was Steamers Cafe, with coffee, cold drinks and ice cream inside the Lockside Trading Company, a cottage store with so much more, and yet another place to return. For a larger meal and longer break, itβs a short stroll past the lock to Lock 27 Tap and Grill, which has a waterside patio and summer vibes.
Leaving Youngs Point and the magical island that sits in the middle of the Waterway, we crossed yet another scenic bridge closed to traffic and marvelled at the fast-moving rapids below. Single file our group of riders pedalled southwards 6km on Highway 28. It was an easier trip than our ride north, with the wind now at our backs and a paved shoulder and pristine road surface to cycle on. Our quick pace continued, retracing our route through Lakefield and back onto River Road towards Peterborough.
Just south of Trent University we took Nassau Mills Road across the Otonabee River, following the trail to Riverview Park and Zoo, where we biked past the eye-catching bison grazing on parkland slopes adjacent to the trail. At Carnegie Avenue we joined the paved 5km Parkway Trail, which follows a greenway towards the city centre, terminating close to where other city trails begin. The Trans Canada Trail through Jackson Park heads west all the way to Lindsay, while the route east leads downtown. As the trail ended, we rode the short distance back to the Otonabee River, making use of some well-planned city bike lanes.
The never-ending riverside trails in Peterborough continued as we wound our way through Millennium Park, past the popular original location of the Silver Bean Cafe. Crossing the old railway bridge extension reserved for cyclists and pedestrians, we rode a different route through Beavermead Park. We passed the new Canadian Canoe Museum, an impressive building housing the worldβs largest collection of paddled watercraft, as well as the newest Silver Bean Cafe location, before returning to the start after a 60km round trip and incredible ride.
Wanting to continue the fun and have a chance to connect further with club friends, after loading our bikes and changing out of ride gear we headed to the nearby 100 Acre Brewing Co. With a warm welcome and ample indoor and outdoor garden space, this award-winning, bicycle-friendly brewery was the perfect last stop of the day for delicious food, a variety of cold beers, and non-alcoholic craft beverages.
Plan Your Locks, Rivers & Discovery Ride in Peterborough & the Kawarthas
- Kawarthas Northumberland β Visitor Information
- Trent-Severn Trail Towns
- Peterborough & the Kawarthas Cycling & Trails Map
- Parks Canada β Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
- Wild Rock β Rent a Bike in Peterborough
- RidewithGPS β Check out the Route Map for this ride, hosted on the Ontario By Bike RidewithGPS Tourism Account, providing free navigation
- Ontario By Bike, Great Places to Cycle β Peterborough & the Kawarthas β Find certified bicycle friendly businesses and more route and ride ideas
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Sponsored Content Partner: Kawarthas Northumberland / Regional Tourism Organization 8
Article by: Louisa Mursell, Ontario By Bike
Special thank you to: Oshawa Cycling Club
Photo Credits: 1 β Richard Oldfield/Oshawa Cycling Club; 2 to 6 β Ontario By Bike; 7 β 100 Acre Brewing Co.
The post Locks, Rivers & Discovery Ride in Peterborough & the Kawarthas appeared first on Ontario By Bike.
