Discovery Routes is a…

Discovery Routes is a regional organization representing stakeholders with an interest in trails across Northeastern Ontario. Since 1992, Discovery Routes has worked with local, regional, provincial and national partners to connect communities by trails and routes with natural and cultural heritage values in support of better health, tourism, strong communities, and environmental appreciation and protection. In addition to being the coordinating agency for the Voyageur Cycling Route, Discovery Routes also actively supports trail partners in the Almaguin Highlands travel area to develop the region as a trails destination. These partners include: Almaguin in Motion, a cycling advocacy group; Forgotten Trails Association, a volunteer trails action group; Burk’s Falls & Area Community Economic Development (BACED); Missing Link Adventure Tours, a bicycle touring company; Central Almaguin Economic Development, and; Magnetawan Area Business Association. The provincial cycling network, as illustrated on the EBR posting, proposes the Old Nipissing Road from Highway 518 to Highway 522 (Commanda) as an “existing connecting on-road route”. This route known as The Old Nipissing “ghost” Road is the original colonization road into northern Ontario and was one of the first trails to be designated as part of the Trans Canada Trail in Ontario. Although the present-day road is maintained from Hwy 518 to the community of Magnetawan, it is a technically challenging, mostly gravel backroad with steep climbs. Discovery Routes recommends this part of the route remain as a secondary route as it caters to a segment of the cycling population, however Discovery Routes recommends the route detailed in the submission by BACED as the primary cycling route north of Huntsville. The route follows Ravenscliffe and Sisted Road instead of the Park-to-Park/ Trans Canada Trail of which conditions are not suitable for cyclists for the reasons detailed in the submission by BACED. Discovery Routes also supports the cycling route as described by BACED that parallels Highway 11 from hwy 518 to hwy 124, but avoids hwy 11 entirely. North of Highway 124, the Old Nipissing Road gradually recedes to an off-road track where nature has reclaimed much of the original wagon road. This section should be indicated on the cycling network as a connecting off-road route to Rye Road (Hwy 522 at Commanda). No services are available along this route. Another significant omission from the provincial cycling network in Almaguin Highlands is the Hwy 124 corridor. Discovery Routes and local partners have been promoting a cycling route between Sundridge and Parry Sound along Highway 124 since 2000. The connection further north to the community of South River was recently added to the route when Highway 11 was four-laned and cyclists were no longer permitted to ride on the freeway. Hwy 124 has paved shoulders for most of its length and low traffic volumes. At Parry Sound, this cycling route will connect to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail when the Georgian Bay Cycling Route is complete. Organizations across Almaguin Highlands have been working to develop the region as a cycle tourism destination. Communities have invested in signed cycling routes and supports for cyclists such as Ontario by Bike bicycle-friendly business designations, bike racks and services for cyclists.

[Original Comment ID: 209407]