The Bike Rally is not a race. Road Safety, Food, Wellness and a host of volunteers support you along the way. Find a pace that is comfortable and safe for you. And, take the time to enjoy the ride.
Thanks go to Mark Fisher for helmet / handlebar cam videos of Bike Rally 2010 , days 1-6 ...just to give you a taste.
Bike Rally 2012 Route Maps (3.38 MB)Day 1: Sunday, July 29, 2012
Toronto to Port Hope - 108 km
The Bike Rally departs early Sunday morning. We start out heading down Yonge St to the Waterfront Trail. The departure from Toronto is marked by cheering onlookers as all the cyclists depart the city. We have 108 km to cover till Port Hope.
The route on Day 1 takes us along now familiar training ride routes before heading into the countryside. These will be the busiest roads of the journey as we travel on the Kings Highway for sections but they are lightly travelled on Sunday. Rolling hills make the afternoon challenging but also one of the prettiest.
Departure, 2012
28 km: 1st Break - Adams Park, Scarborough
61 km: Lunch - GM Headquarters, Oshawa
88 km: 2nd Break - Bond Head Park, Bond Head
108 km: Campsite - The Haskills Farm is a gorgeous location, high atop a cliff overlooking Lake Ontario just before Port Hope. Swimming is available off the rocky shore.
Starting at 3:00 pm, buses depart every 30 minutes to take participants to the local sports complex for showers and a swim.
Highlights: Our emotional departure, a scenic afternoon ride and a gorgeous camping field overlooking Lake Ontario complete the first day.
Day 2: Monday, July 30, 2012
Port Hope to Adolphustown - 126 km
Day 2 is the longest day of the Bike Rally at 126 km and it may be the first time to excede a double-century ride. We`re out in the country now and have the swing bridge at Murray Canal followed shortly after by lunch at the Henderson's B&B in Consecon. The afternoon is spent riding beside the lake as we head to Picton - and the largest hill of the ride.
We are following the scenic and historic Loyalist Parkway (Hwy 33) which connects Prince Edward County with the mainland via the Glenora Ferry. Once crossed, it's a short ride to camp, The longest day of the ride is over!
On the road - Day 2, 2012
36 km: 1st Break - Wicklow Beach Park, Wicklow
65 km: 2nd Break - Brighton Road Swing Bridge, Murray Canal, Lovett
77 km: Lunch - Henderson B&B, Consecon
100 km: 3rd Break - Schroedter’s Market at Huff’s Corners (just outside Picton)
126 km: Campsite - U.E.L. Heritage Centre/Park Adolphustown is a lakeside retreat, a short ferry ride on the Glenora Ferry. Swimming and showers are both available; however, showers are limited and may have long wait times. We recommend taking an eco-shower on the beach. Showers take $0.35/$1.00.
Highlights: The swing bridge at Murray Canal, Henderson B&B, the ride along Lake Ontario after lunch, the Glenora Ferry and riding through downtown Picton.
Red Dress Day, 2012Day 3: Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Adolphustown to Kingston - 51 km
Day 3 marks the halfway point of Bike Rally and is known as Red Dress Day. It is the shortest day with a 51 km ride to Queen's University.
Today, you ride along the edge of Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte as you approach the historic town of Kingston. You make it to Kingston in time for an amazing lunch at Queen's University. No camping tonight, you sleep in the dorms at Queen's and have a chance to catch up on some laundry.
22 km: 1st Break - Finkle Shore Park, Bath
51 km: Kingston Arrival
No campsite! We stay in Leggatt and Watts Halls at Queen's Unversity. Laundry facilities are available or clothes taken to a local "fluff and fold".
Highlights: Cycling along the bay, buffet lunch at Queen's University, having the afternoon off, laundry facilities, showers and a bed.
See also: Welcome to Kingston
Day 4: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Kingston to Johnstown - 110 km
Wake up early fully rested with clean laundry. Enjoy a hot breakfast at Queen's University cafeteria before heading back on the road towards Gananoque, the Thousand Islands and lunch at the best swimming spot of the week.
Today, we take a moment to recognize our Top Fundraisers. Both Riders that raise over $6000 and Crew that raise over $1,000 are recognized.
Talent Night, 2012
31 km: 1st Break - Gananoque Town Park, Gananoque
67 km: Lunch - Brown’s Bay Park by Thousand Islands – beautiful for swimming.
84 km: 2nd Break - Armagh S. Price Park, Brockville
110 km: Campsite - Grenville Park Campground is located just past Prescott, at the foot of the bridge to the USA. Swimming and showers are both available.
Highlights: Hot breakfast at Queen's University, Gananoque, cycling through the Thousand Island Parkway, Brockville and the best swimming spot of the week.
We are family, 2012Day 5: Thursday, August 2, 2012
Johnstown to Lancaster - 104 km
Today is Poz Day and we take time to reflect on why we are here. Participants who are living with HIV are welcome to self-identify by wearing a red ribbon t-shirt. This is a safe place to be HIV positive. There is no stigma attached to being HIV positive here.
Our ride includes going along the Long Sault Parkway and a stop at Dairy Queen in Lancaster (which always donates a percentage of today's Blizzard sales to PWA). With the number of calories we've burned thus far we can afford to splurge.
29 km: 1st Break - Morrisburg Beach Park, Morrisburg
59 km: Lunch - Milles Roches Island
77 km: 2nd Break - Cornwall Aquatic Centre, Cornwall
104 km: Campsite - Glengarry Park Campground is a beautiful wooded campground nestled along the shores of the St. Lawrence.
Highlights: The stunning Long Sault Parkway, Cornwall's bike paths, Dairy Queen, tenting amongst the tall trees and the emotional Candlelight Ceremony.
For so many participants, the Candlelight Ceremony is why they say, "The Bike Rally will change your life." After dinner, we gather on the beach and reflect upon our journey. We keep in our hearts and minds the people in our lives that have been affected by HIV/AIDS and our candles represent the flame of hope that someday we will see a world free of HIV/AIDS.
Day 6: Friday, August 3, 2012
Lancaster to Montreal - 101 km
Today is our last day as we cross the border into Quebec. Today we wear our official Bike Rally Jerseys and Crew T-shirts along with a Bike Rally pin. We're heading into Montreal, and luckily we are riding on bike paths on the way into the city. It's a time to enjoy the scenery.
30 km: 1st Break - Parc Wilson, Coteau-du-Lac, QC
53 km: 2nd Break - Shamrock Park on L’ile Perrot, QC
87 km: Lunch and Rendezvous - Lachine Canal. Group photos
Congratulations 2012
We assemble at the last rest stop just shy of Montreal (at the beginning of the Lachine Canal) and then ride single file for the last 14 km into the heart of Montreal. It makes an emotional end to a wonderful ride as we arrive in Montreal for Divers/Cité. Lots of people are waiting for us. Congratulations... we’ve made it!
Tonight we have a reception where we share the events from the week with colleagues and friends.
See also: Welcome to Montreal
Last Updated on Monday, 11 February 2013 21:49
