Shifting Gears: Exploring Guelph by bike

One of the best ways to discover Guelph is by bike. Two wheels, three wheels, even one wheel, large, small, thin and smooth, or wide and knobby, no matter what you’re style is, there’s something for everyone here in Guelph.

There’s nothing like zipping around on an open road or trail. A bicycle is the perfect tool to explore, and get to know the city you’re in, seeking out hidden gems along the way. You can cover large distances like you would in a car, but at a pace that allows you to look around and share in the local experience, like a pedestrian. When you visit Guelph, be sure to bring along your bike, or rent one from Speed River Bicycle, and discover Guelph at your own speed.

We asked locals to share what they enjoy most about biking in Guelph…but don’t just take their word for it, experience it for yourself.

Recreational Riding:

The Royal River Trail is my favourite place to ride – and you can stop for a delicious ice cream at the Boathouse Tea Room along the way! After, I like to continue north on the trail, enjoying Guelph’s beautiful Riverside Park, and beyond to the Guelph Lake Conservation area. Later, I might head out to the trails in the south end of Guelph where you are bound to be awed by the hidden natural areas leading to Preservation Park.  – Yvette

Road Riding:

A “classic” road riding loop… a loop that I ride quite a lot, is the Guelph Lake Loop (30km). In the morning it is hard to beat the felling of riding down through the fog by the lake, out through the fields when the sun is just starting to warm up…it’s a good loop. – Taylor

* For a more challenging ride explore some the loops starting in Guelph branching out into Wellington County.

Mountain Biking:

The Guelph Off Road Bicycling Association (GORBA) has designed/maintained a great 20 kilometer network of single-track trails on the Grand River Conservation Area land east of Victoria Road. With the new popularity of Fat Bikes, these trails are now being used all year round.  My personal favourite route combines the new WASPcam ALLEY trail with a handful of other trails for a great combination of challenging technical trails with some fast, flowy and fun sections. – Jim