MINDEMOYA – Mindemoya’s own Twin Peaks Bed and Breakfast and co-owners Cheryl Cashman and Ron Perreault were recently named Northern Ontario’s best bicycle friendly business and have been so acknowledged for their efforts by Ontario By Bike.
As many tourism businesses and destinations ready to open for the busy summer season, paired with an increase in cycling and travel plans closer to home, Ontario By Bike says people should expect to see more cycle tourists on the trails, roads, in communities and businesses around Ontario.
Recent survey data collected by Ontario By Bike and partners in May 2020 shows that 62 percent of cyclists are planning on day trips, with a growing interest in resuming multi-day trips. Seventy-five percent of respondents said they planned on cycling closer to home this summer and 41 percent said they cancelled international travel that includes cycling activities.
The Bicycle Friendly Business Awards are presented by Ontario By Bike, whose network of certified bicycle friendly tourism businesses is over 1,500 strong. The certification program has criteria that helps ensure cyclists are welcomed at businesses they choose to stop at whether it be as a cycle tourist, on a longer trip, or while biking closer to home. The network is free for businesses to participate in and the information on each location plus cycling trails and road routes in each region is easily accessible online.
The awards are given to showcase the efforts of all those businesses out there that are working hard on keeping Ontario a top destination for cyclists.
“The level of service and enthusiasm that these 2020 award winning businesses welcome cyclists with surpasses our bicycle friendly certification criteria and truly is beyond exceptional,” Louisa Mursell, executive director of Ontario By Bike/Transportation Options, said in a press release about the awards. “Cyclists are taking note and spreading the word. We are pleased to recognize their efforts serving the cycling community, both locals and cycle tourists.”
“We know that cyclists love Twin Peaks Bed and Breakfast for many reasons—great hosts, spacey lovely rooms, wonderful breakfast and its central location near Mindemoya,” Maja Mielonen, president of Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates (MICA), told The Expositor. “Many of Manitoulin’s cycle routes can be started right from Twin Peaks’ doorstep. The nearby town of Mindemoya offers all amenities within easy cycling distance. MICA is very pleased to see our MICA business members reaching this best in practice cycling award. Cheryl and Ron are gracious deserving hosts. Twin Peaks serves the cycle tourism community as a MICA business member and reaps the benefits that membership offers. MICA would like to encourage businesses to become a MICA business member to best reach the cycle community. Congratulations to Cheryl and Ron at Twin Peaks B&B for this well-deserved award. We wish you a great 2020 season.”
Ms. Cashman told The Expositor that since Twin Peaks’ opening in 2017, they made sure to be signed up with the Ontario By Bike website. “We started getting business from it right away,” she said.
Ms. Cashman said that she and her partner didn’t intend on being cycle-focused, but said it was more of a happy accident—one they’re pleased to have made.
Ms. Cashman said the bed and breakfast’s central location just off Highway 551, relaxing and peaceful scenery, quality rooms and hearty breakfast make their accommodations appealing for the cycling community. The on-site barn also houses bicycles in a safe and secure location when they’re not in use.
Twin Peaks Bed and Breakfast will be open for business on July 1, operating at half-capacity during the pandemic.
For a full list of 2020 winners visit OntarioByBike.ca/2020awardwinners. For more information about Twin Peaks Bed and Breakfast visit TwinPeaksBedAndBreakfast.com.
