Simcoe County Loop Trail: A 2 day bike packing adventure
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- North of Barrie, Ontario, the Simcoe County Loop Trail is a 160 KM route that links rail trails and multi use trails. It links together the picturesque lakeshore towns of Orillia, Midland and Penatanguishene and takes in villages like Coldwater, Wyvale and Elmvale on the way. I started in the thriving City of Barrie, just a short 45 minute drive north of Toronto.
I took 2 days to ride the loop and my Giant Defy Advanced 2 endurance bike with 34 mm WTB Byway 34 tires, was more than up for the challenge. This would be easily accomplished on most road bikes, but I would suggest that you have them equipped with at least 28 mm tires.
I found your channel a couple of days ago... I'm really enjoying your videos. I've derailed from the trail leaving Barrie and headed towards Orillia due to lack of adequate signage (or just chatting too much). BTW old guys like us deserve motel rooms. Keep the great videos coming.
Thank you very much.
I did the loop recently and have several recommendations. I parked at Oro Medonte Trail parking lot along Shandy Bay road. The nice thing is that the trail is right next to it and nothing will bring you more joy than seeing your car after cycling 160 km. I did the trail clockwise and I'm glad I got the hill climbing of Barrie out of the way. Signage along the loop is spotty at best so it's a good idea to either use route guidance or, in my case, a point by point list of where one should turn. The signage is confusing especially in Penatanguishene, getting onto Murray road and the trail over to Midland. I found myself off the trail and had to take the road way into Midland. As for the three main sections of the trail, I would say the most challenging is the Midland to Coldwater to Orillia section. The trail between Midland and Coldwater is nicely paved but once you reach Coldwater, then you're back onto single track.
The trail was closed north of Snow Valley road at Flos road 4, and you have to detour until you rejoin at Flos Road 8. Overall, this is a good ride, which took me 10 hours using a gravel bike. It's so nice to be able to ride through mostly tree covered trails, with no cars to deal with. Dogs, well thats another issue as many owners feel free to let there animals roam along the trail. As for tyres i don't think I'd try anything less than 38s, unless you enjoy a bumpy ride.
That's sound advice for people who might be looking to do it for the first time. Thank you
23c all day and night for this guy
That looks like a really appealing 2 day ride, some great scenery and close to home so not too much of a commute to get there. Thanks for posting.
Bob...
It's a perfect 2 day ride Bob, with lot's of contrast.
Looks amazing, tidy trailways with some variety in the landscape and a random London bus... Nothing wrong with Hotel camping, sounds perfect 👍
Thanks for another most enjoyable video. The trails look as if no one is one them other than yourself! I want to definitely do the Oro Medonte trail . Looking forward to the next video Cheers.
They were incredibly quiet, which was just amazing. The only people you would see would be a few people doing the same as you.
Great video as always and good timing. I've been pondering something like this in that part of the province, especially now that the fall colours are showing.
At 5:18 there is.a nice shot of your bike and gear. Not sure if you have done a video about your load out for this trip but would like to know what you packed and the bags you used. Thanks for this video loved it.
I used an Apidura, saddle bag and a Rockbros frame bag. I did another video, if you click on my channel, about my first bikepacking experience and that has a little bit about the gear.
Thanks for another great video! What a great autumn ride.
Great video....thanks. Great accomplisment
Thank you Ken, much appreciated. Make sure you subscribe to the channel as I do many more videos of rail trails like that one.
Another informative video I have been thinking of this route for a while. Looks very doable over two days.
It is a really relaxed 2 day ride, you'll enjoy it
Did it last year as a one day ride on a beautiful day. Highly recommend it.
Got off the bikes to see Fort Willow - very neat.
Great video. I’ve been doing a lot of trail riding from Alcona to Beeton on the Great Trail. Same kind of scenery as your Simcoe loop.
I’m going to try your epic adventure this fall.
Any suggestions where to park or stay the night?
Thanks in advance.
I ended up staying in a cheap hotel in Midland. There is a campground, but I couldn't find it and having done over 100 km, I didn't really want to start riding backwards and forwards searching for it. At the start point, I actually left my car in a hotel parking lot in Barrie as I had to stay the night in Barrie on business the night before I started. I believe, if you talk to the manager, there are several Walmart locations that allow overnight parking. mainly for RV's, but I am sure they would be okay with a smaller vehicle.
@@cardiaccyclist7477 thanks a bunch. I live just 20 mins drive from Barrie but parking there post Covid is $10 per hour.
I think I’ll just add to my ride and bike over.
I really appreciate your videos I’ve learned a lot.
That is great to hear. Thank you Gary
I have really enjoyed your videos over the past year. I have produced health videos for the past 35 years under the name BodyBreak and showing people that they can get back to being active after a heart attack is fantastic! My wife and I went from Orillia to Midland and back yesterday about 100KM in preparation for our Erie Canal and Great Allegheny Passage rides this summer.
I was wondering what is your general length of ride in a day when you are on a multi day ride?
We live in Huntsville and also plan on doing a lot of the rides you have featured on your channel.
Are you doing the DVP ride on June 4th?
Thank you so much Hal. So in my limited experience, I have found that covering about 75% of my max achievable distance, when I am doing a multi day ride, is pretty comfortable. So for example, when I did the Simcoe loop, I comfortably managed 100 km on day one. At that time, for a single ride, I was able to cover about 130 km without too much trouble. In contrast, on another trip, I was pretty exhausted after 75 km, but at that time, I had only been going out for 80 to 90 km rides.
Rail trails are flat and often shaded and so if you do go on a route which is exposed and a little more hilly, be prepared to be even more conservative. In the end, bike packing, to me is about fun, so I would much rather reduce the distance and be able to soak in the experience than beast around a route and be a miserable wreck.
Your channel is packed with fantastic information and I remember seeing you on TV a lot when I was first in Canada. (I don't watch TV often now, just mainly CZcams!!)
I have not quite decided whether I will be doing the Baycrest yet as I may be out of the city. However, if you ever want some company (a fifth and sixth wheel!) on a rail trail ride, I would happily join you, just let me know
@@cardiaccyclist7477 Thanks! love to get out for a ride anytime. We are new to bikepacking but thoroughly enjoy it. One of our biggest challenges is to treat this as a enjoyable ride and not always a training session. I do enjoy history and learning about different regions and bikepacking seems to be the way to do it. Last year we went to Pittsburgh to watch the Jays play and took our hybrid bikes, we rode a section of the trail and were hooked. Over the winter we bought new gravel bikes and now the adventures begin. I am not sure how much filming I am going to do or just ride, I am torn between shooting or just riding.
My wife and I rode the Orrilla to Barrie and back yesterday 105km with a stop at the famous Mariposa Market for a treat. It is a fantastic ride, really enjoyed it. We are going to try and do one long ride every week. Thanks for turning us on to the Simcoe loop.
@@BodyBreak Hal, I am so glad you are enjoying the trails in that area. The stretch from Orillia to Midland is very scenic as well and very quiet.
Next week I shall do an overnighter. I am not sure exactly where I will go yet but I do have several potential routes. All with lots of gravel, of course!!
@@cardiaccyclist7477 Next weekend we are doing the Baycrest DVP ride, Joanne and I are the lead riders for the event and really looking forward to it. The next week we may do the Haliburton trail or the Seguin rail trail. Have you done the Sequin, is it worth while doing?
I watch your videos for the music alone.
Not really.
I find your productions refreshing, entertaining and bla bla bla.
I look forward to every video you post.
Thanks for all you do.
Thanks for this. Looks amazing! Marking this trail down for a 2023 ride. It'll take me a day of riding to get there, then another coming back. If you say 3 for leisure then I'll plan for a 5 day trip. How were the motel/hotel prices there?
That would be a fantastic trip.
Really enjoyed the ride but I would have liked to know how you enjoyed the dehydrated meal!xxx
Great video! I have done a LOT of southwestern rail trails but was always curious about the Simcoe trail!!! I am curious as to how cold it was that night?
Does Simcoe county do regular maintenance to the rail trail in the spring? Been riding it a few times so far and it’s in pretty rough shape. Any info would be appreciated…thanks
The Simcoe county loop is a series of linked rail trails and their condition varies slightly. When I did the complete loop in September, I found them all to be very decent.
Well done.
Thank you Ed
Fantastic video here. I've pondered doing this trial but I struggle to get any detailed info (gpx files/camping facilities) to make a go of it. If you have suggestions??? Love your channel. Cheers, mate.
Thanks Ian. I used an app called GAIA for the route. To be honest though, apart from entering and exiting Midland and a little bit towards the end (I did a counter clockwise loop), it was really easy to follow the signs. As for camping, unless you are wild/stealth camping , I only found one campground, Bayfort Camp near Midland. If I were doing it again, and was planning to camp, I would prepare myself to ride on the busy road for a km or two.
@@cardiaccyclist7477 thanks.
Ride with gps search simcoe County loop trail and there u will find the gpx file...
There are also other places to find it
@@apistacio6794 A huge thank you.
Hi Ian, you can also find all the info at cyclesimcoe.ca. We can mail you printed maps, as well.
Great video, Cardiac Cyclist!
Hey, great video! Thanks for spreading the word about our Simcoe County Loop Trail! Email us for an 'I Rode the Simcoe County Loop Trail' t-shirt, if you haven't already.
Thank you very much. It's such a beautiful trail
THANK YOU FOR LEAVING THE POSTED WORDS, SUBTITLES OR WHATEVER THEY ARE CALLED UP ON THE SCREEN LONG ENOUGH TO BE READ BY REGULAR PEOPLE.
WELL DONE.
how many hours in the saddle? roghly
At a very rough estimate I would say: Day one, 100k in a leisurely 7ish hours and Day two, 70k or there abouts 4 1/2 maybe 5 hours.
@@cardiaccyclist7477 awesome, thank you very much
Did you change the tire of your defy sir?
Yes for that ride I was using WTB Byway 34. I made a review of that tire: czcams.com/video/ygTiCxTGZ8M/video.html
where did you park ? or stay ?
In Midland at a Super 8