Cycle Canada Bicycle Tours

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Simcoe Circle

Circumnavigating Lake Simcoe

The Simcoe Circle Bicycle Tour is a circumnavigation of Lake Simcoe, Ontario. It's a three day ride just north of Toronto. We start in Bradford which is located on near the south end of Lake Simcoe. Lake Simcoe is a relatively shallow lake with shoreline perimeter of 303 km.

Our overnight stays are in mid-size and smaller towns and we're not far from the lake.

Cyclists ride clockwise around Lake Simcoe, staying close to the shoreline wherever possible. Our route travels through summer cottage districts that hug the shores of this lake and past long-established farm districts that surround the lake.

Our departure time on day one will be at 9am. If driving to the start point from Toronto, travel time is approximately 1.5 hours. Bradford is served by GO Transit and riders who prefer public transit will be able to travel to the start point by bus/train or train, with departures in downtown Toronto or on the northern end of the city at Downsview.

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Tour Itinerary

Testimonials

Day One to Orillia

Riders meet in Bradford, Ontario in the morning for the first day's ride. Parking will be available for the duration of the tour. From Bradford we'll travel through the Holland Marsh and the travel north staying as close to the lake as possible. We'll ride around the beautiful Barrie harbour at Kempenfelt Bay, past the famous » Spirit Catcher sculpture by Ron Baird. From Barrie we'll hug lake Simcoe till we arrive in Orillia for our first overnight stay, the home of renowned Canadian author Stephen Leacock. Orillia is widely considered to be Mariposa, the fictional town in Leacock's Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town. The sinking of the ramshackle steamboat Mariposa Belle is among the more memorable episodes in that series of short stories.

Day Two to Brechin (Mostly Road)

Early the next day we pass by the Mnjikaning Fish Weirs, a national historic site. These freshwater fish traps pre-date the Great Pyramids of Egypt and are among the oldest remnants of human habitation in North America and we ride to a waterfront accommodation on Lake Simcoe.

Day Three, returning to Bradford (Mostly Road)

Our route follows the west side of the lake as we pass by farmland and through a cottage district that is being transformed to year-round residences away from the bustle of the big cities. We'll pass through portions of the Holland Marsh again, the richest patch of farmland in Ontario that often is referred to as the province's vegetable garden.

Tour Summary Dates and Fees

  • Dates: TBA
  • Total amount includes Registration Fee ($150.00) and Deposit ($150.00) which are non-refundable (please refer to our cancellation policy)
  • Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

Accommodation & Meals

  • 2 nights indoor accommodation
  • 1 dinner
  • 2 breakfasts
  • Snacks
  • Vehicle and/or telephone backup, waterbottle and reflective triangle

There may be an additional charge for parking if you arrive by motor vehicle to the start point. 

Distances and Rating

  • Day One: 103 km / 64 mi
  • Day Two: 99 km / 62 mi (* may be longer)
  • Day Three 50 km / 31 mi
  • Riding Days — 3

Please read these information sheets on tips for riding through the time of COVID-19

Challenge Level: One out of four Cogs (medium challenge)