Durham Region is inviting residents, visitors and avid cyclists to register and take part in the Epic Lake to Lake Adventure Ride on Aug. 26.
Cyclists will be travelling from the shores of Lake Simcoe to Lake Ontario, along the Beaver River Trail in Brock and a section of the Trans Canada Trail south to Ajax. Participants can experience the epic 95-km route or simply ride a section of the route.
“Durham Region is excited to be a part of this inaugural ride…this event promises to be a truly epic experience, and is a great way to discover Durham,” said Kathy Weiss, the Region’s director of economic development and tourism.
Nick Colucci, Director of Public Works for the Township of Brock, is participating in the event and says, as of Thursday (Aug. 17), 45 people had registered. He expects the number to continue to climb but noted they’re anticipating quite a few participants will be walk-up registrations on the day of the event.
Colucci says when it comes to cycling, many people rely on the weather as a determining factor. Although he’ll be riding rain or shine, the Director says others may prefer to have the sun on their shoulders for the lake-to-lake ride.
The ride is a collaborative partnership among the five municipalities (Brock, Ajax, Pickering, Scugog and Uxbridge) as well as Durham Region’s Cycle Durham and Sport Durham programs.
It offers cyclists the opportunity to travel the Beaver River Trail (from Beaverton to Cannington to Blackwater) and the Trans Canada Trail through Scugog, Uxbridge, Pickering and Ajax.
The $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt, lunch at the Second Wedge Brewing Co. in Uxbridge and refreshments at rest stops along the route. For an additional $25, riders can take a bus from the Ajax Community Centre to begin the ride at Beaverton Harbour or in Cannington. Register online on the Township of Brock’s website at www.townshipofbrock.ca/L2L.
The ride is also looking for volunteers-those interested should complete the volunteer form available on the website.
“Durham Region has more than 350 kilometres of trails and conservation areas, from the waterfront trails to the rolling hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine. The trails lead through a variety of landscapes from urban centres and small hamlets, to wetlands, lush forests, and the region’s many beautiful waterfronts,” reads a press release on the event.
“Cycle Durham provides support for current and aspiring cyclists and seeks to educate road users on how they can safely share the road. Sport Durham develops and implements plans to evolve and promote cycle tourism and the use of Durham’s network of beautiful trails.”
