Winnipeg to Sault Ste. Marie – Stage 3

Winnipeg was at the heart of the country’s fur trade and instrumental in developing Canada’s Gateway to the West before Europeans arrived. It is also our gateway into the Canadian Shield.

Some describe the route from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay as the most nerve-racking part of the journey because there are narrow shoulders and speeding trucks. We will ride safely as a group and avoid busy sections wherever possible. From Winnipeg, there are a few alternate routes to avoid Highway 1 but at the Ontario border, we have limited choices.

Ontario’s license plate motto is, Yours to Discover, and that we will do! It’s a long ride through Ontario with many changing landscapes. At Kenora, we will head south to Sioux Narrows through wilderness and lake country. The TransCanada #11 heading east will take us through the western edge of the Canadian Shield country with many hills, pine forests and lakes. There are few services and towns on our way to Thunder Bay but plenty of opportunities to cool off in refreshing lakes and streams. From Thunder Bay, we will follow the northern shore of Lake Superior to Sault Ste. Marie. The hills along this section are some of the most challenging climbs in Canada, but it is also one of the prettiest parts of the tour as you ride along the north shore of Lake Superior. Small towns, beautiful lookouts and beaches along Lake Superior are highlights for this section.

The day-to-day route below is for planning purposes. Bike travel requires some flexibility for weather, road conditions, suitable camping and other factors outside our control. As much as possible we will stick to this itinerary, but please use the information below only as a general guide. Frequent updates will be available for each stage of the tour as we travel along the route. If you are planning to join us, please allow a few days on either end of the date range when making plans.

We have 13 Community Action Events planned over the summer.

The over-reaching goals for each event are to restore a sense of community, heighten visibility and support the ConnecTour movement, which is all about learning how to be good neighbours in a post-pandemic world. We’ll seek out and engage with people, and share their stories with the rest of Canada. We will invite Canadians to tell their own stories in unique and compelling ways. We will also seek out new Canadians and members of the Indigenous communities in our ongoing effort to support Truth and Reconciliation.

These events will take form over the next few months. We are reaching out to each of the communities listed below to help us organize and deliver these special events. Ideas for events include:

• Bike clinics. These could be pop-up repair stations for basic repairs, or we might ask citizens in advance to donate old bicycles which we can fix up on the spot and give away.
• Presentations at community centres or local businesses: about our trip and why we’re doing it, by local immigrants on their experience in Canada, or on Indigenous or environmental issues.
• Discovery tours with “local” ambassadors.

Community Action Events and Locations for this stage.

July is a moderately hot month along the Canaidian Shield and northern shore of Lake Superior. The average temperatures in this region range between min 11°C and max 30°C.  July is the warmest month in Sault Ste Marie. The great lakes act like heat sinks and keep the surrounding area a moderate temperature. As well, the lakes create a lot of moisture in the air. Daytime temperatures can allow for shorts, short-sleeved shirts, and dresses. But, be sure to pack for a range of temperatures and potentially cool or wet days. Always be prepared to dress in layers. Expect some long hot days with exposed sun and mosquitoes. We will search out cool and refreshing swims along the way. Don’t forget your sunscreen and bug spray. 

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