3 days in Orillia - Tuesday Aug 13 to Thursday Aug 15
On Tuesday there is an 11 AM start to allow time to drive to Orillia. Wednesday and Thursday have a 9 AM start.
You could drive up to Orillia for one of the three days, or stay over in Orillia one night and ride with the group on two days.
Tuesday - Day 1
Start time 11:00 AM
Start location: Rotary Place, West Orillia Sports Complex
Routes: Day1
These routes visit the Stephen Leacock Museum and the Gordon Lightfoot sculpture garden in Orillia, a bit of the trail systems, and countryside around Bass Lake. There are shorter and longer variants. All of the routes stop at Hewitts Farm Market and Bakery for lunch.
Tuesday dinner reservation: 6 PM at Studabakers
Wednesday (Day 2) and Thursday (Day 3)
Meet around 8:30 for a 9:00 AM departure at Lakehead University Residence & Conference Centre.
Day2 routes
On Wednesday we ride to Big Chute, where we will see the Marine Railway in action if we are lucky. The 108 km route starts at the residence. The 88 km route starts at Hewitts Fun Farm, beside Hewitts Farm Market and Bakery. The 68 km route starts at Baxter Ward Community Centre. Meet at the university residence around 8:30 AM. Those going on the remote starts - have your bikes loaded in your cars, ready to drive to the start locations. Gather at the start locations and leave in a group.
Wednesday dinner reservation: 6 PM at Couchiching Craft Brewing.
Day3 routes
Two choices: A ride through Orillia and along Lake Simcoe on trails and roads; or a remote-start tour on the paved Tay Shore Trail.
Accommodation is available in the student residence at Lakehead University. A suite for two people consists of two separate bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Parking is included for the day after you check in. Check in time is 3 PM to 10 PM. Checkout time is 11 AM.
The rate is $139/night for 2 connecting bedrooms, each bedroom with sink and sharing 1 full bathroom. Rooms in the residence can be booked here. Note as of July 1: This link now shows that no rooms are available - the residence is fully booked.
For those who wish to arrange their own accommodation - that's fine - there are several motels/hotels in Orillia. If you are not staying at the residence, you can park for $6 per day on campus, or park nearby for free at West Orillia Sports Complex, Rotary Place Arena.
Food: Breakfast is available (7:30 - 8:30) in the cafeteria at the university. Even if you are not staying at the residence you can have breakfast at the cafeteria, but you should park at Rotary Place Arena.
Breakfast in the cafeteria - plan the day - buy snacks
There are restaurants for dinner in downtown Orillia near the lake on Mississaga St. Closer to the campus, there are several restaurants at the nearby West Ridge Place mall.
After the ride there are attractions in the area. Near Bass Lake, there is the George Langman Wildlife Sanctuary. In Orillia, we have Couchiching Beach Park along the downtown lakeshore. The Maraposa Market is a great place to eat and/or shop. A cold one and hot nachos can be had on the patio at Fionn MacCool's or Studabakers near the waterfront.
The residence at Lakehead University, Orillia campus
Bikes can be stored at the foot of the bed.
Gordon Lightfoot sculpture "Golden Leaves"
Leacock Museum - National Historic Site
Big Chute Marine Railway
