This slow-travel cycling tour will take you on a 40-kilometre out-and-back journey from Cornwall to Long Sault, with a basketful of cool stops in between.
Illustration by Taliah Fast/Painting Posies
Start your day in downtown Cornwall by fuelling up at one of the drool-worthy eateries. Choose from greasy spoon Spinners Diner (118 Pitt St.), health-conscious Mindful Cookery (110 Pitt St.) or hearty Love Love Food (109 Pitt St.). With a full tummy, head toward the sparkling shores of the St. Lawrence river and onto the Waterfront Trail. (Psst! If you’re an out-of-towner here on a quick day trip, pick-up a free map and free Cornwall Run/Cycle Pass at the Visitor Centre (160 Water St. W.) that gives you après-adventure access to shower facilities at the Aquatic Centre.)
At the end of the canal, you’ll find the St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre (2500B Second St. W.). This cool, LEED-certified building (read: enviro-friendly design) has informative tours and 13,000 square feet of fun, educational activities (like chasing a virtual eel up a ladder)!
You’ll know it’s time to move on when you get that mid-morning twinge of hunger. Hop back on that bike and ride to the one and only Archie’s (1719 Vincent Massey Dr.) for scoops of your favourite ice cream flavours and maybe even a round or two of mini-putt.
Sugar high in full effect, get back on the main path and head to the Lost Villages Museum (16361 Fran Laflamme Dr., Long Sault), a collection of ten heritage buildings that were all saved in the late 1950s when communities were flooded for the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. By now, the midday sun is on full blast and you’re probably hungry and thirsty!
Bike a little further to find Nautica Grill & Wine (15968 County Rd. 2, Long Sault) featuring one of the best patio views around. Arrive prepared: this restaurant is a bring-your-own wine establishment with a corkage fee of only $3! Sated and watered, travel on to the beach.
Mike and Jenny’s Paddle Fit (15890 Long Sault Pkwy., Mille Roches Island, Long Sault) can rent you the gear. If you’re more into relaxing, soak up more sun with a little laydown in the sand and your feet in the water. After reaching maximum contentment, peel yourself off the beach and ride back to the city at your leisure.
GOOD TO KNOW
GRAB YOUR RIDE Bike rentals are available at two local bike shops: Total Cyclery & Sports (241 Pitt St.) and Bicycle World (150 Pitt St.).
STAY THE NIGHT Bed down at one of Ontario’s oldest and cyclist-friendly inns, Chesley’s Inn Bed & Breakfast (40 First St. W.)
FILL ‘ER UP Three of our fave downtown refuelling stations. Esca Gourmet Pizza + Bar (317 Pitt St.), Truffles Burger Bar (155 Pitt St.) and Schnitzel’s European Flavours (158 Pitt St.)
