In 2023, it is the 10 year anniversary of Cycle Simcoe. Since it was launched in 2013, Cycle Simcoe has set out to improve local infrastructure and establish the county as one of, if not the, top tourism destinations for cyclists countrywide.
Just over an hour North of Toronto, Simcoe is in the perfect spot for those wanting to break away from the city’s traffic lined streets. The draw; well apart from the rolling hills and soft flowing bends that nestle between some of the highest points of Niagara’s Escarpment and wind their way down to the Georgian Bay, there are plenty of routes to choose from. Simcoe boasts 1,023 km of road cycling, in addition to 320 km gravel, and a further 207 km of single track, should you want to skip the asphalt. In short, from short flat coffee shop rides to longer steeper climbs up and over the escarpment, there is something for every ability level and plenty of other activities to engage in off the bike too.
The Creemore Loop is 60 km of fantastic riding
Having already tackled the renowned Simcoe County Loop trail on a previous visit, I set out with a couple of locals to explore another signature route, the Creemore Loop; a 60 km round trip from Collingwood to the quaint village of Creemore. Starting with a relatively flat section out of the town, this route offers plenty of time to warm up before the rolling hills and fast descent into Creemore. Here, the views are exceptional, making it hard to believe it is so close to the city.
A must-see bakery
First stop, the Creemore Bakery; Quite the hotspot, I would recommend getting there early ahead of the hungry cyclists that are lining up for a fantastic selection of butter tarts. Packed with a variety of places to eat and drink and small, often bespoke, stores, it would be easy to while away the time in Creemore and perhaps enjoy a couple of drinks at the Creemore Springs Brewery, but we were back on the road relatively quickly.
Fuel up for the big hills
Just outside of the village, the Fairground road climb is perfectly placed to meet you with a belly full of Butter Tarts on your way back to Collingwood. I had been ‘warned’ about the hill as we sipped on our coffee at the bakery, so I dropped back a little in anticipation for the steep and gruelling climb that awaited us, only to realize that the stories had been somewhat exaggerated. A cyclists sense of humour, I am certain!
Up and over what was certainly the biggest climb on the route, but nothing in…
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