3 days in Orillia - Tuesday Aug 12 to Thursday Aug 14
On Tuesday there is an 11 AM start to allow time to drive to Orillia. Wednesday and Thursday have a 9 AM start.
Start location: Rotary Place, West Orillia Sports Complex
Tuesday - Day 1
Start time 11:00 AM
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 from Rotary Place.
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 up to you.
Suggestions:
- The student residence at Lakehead University, Orillia Campus may be available. This is next door to Rotary Place. This may be a good choice if you can arrange to share with another participant. A suite for two people consists of two separate bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Rooms in the residence can be booked here. (as of 2024).
- There are several motels/hotels in Orillia. For instance, last year several people stayed at the Comfort Inn; and one person camped at Bass Lake Provincial Park.
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
After the ride there are attractions in the area. The Leacock Museum could be visited after the ride on Thursday. 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
Gordon Lightfoot sculpture "Golden Leaves"
Leacock Museum - National Historic Site
Big Chute Marine Railway
