MANITOULN—Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates (MICA) is partnering with app developer Driftscape to offer new and innovative ways for visitors to discover the Island through a series of story driven tours called the Manitoulin Outdoor Digital Experience Museum (MODEM).
MICA tours have primarily provided experiences for cyclists during the non-profits 10 plus years of operation, however these new excursions will expand their offerings to all visitors including hikers and motorists alike.
“Manitoulin is known for being the largest freshwater island in the world, but I think we are probably also going to be the largest tours in the digital world as well,” said Maja Mielonen, president of MICA. “MODEM will continually evolve and grow and we will be able to maximize its potential by adding more to it, ideally the stories that you (members of the public) want us to tell.”
The tours are an in-depth collection of writing, images and videos, comprising over 180 points of interest (also called ‘stops’) that can be instantly accessed on a smartphone through the app. Even better, the tours boast audio recordings that auto play after starting a tour and when you are near a stop, which allows cyclists and motorists to safely enjoy a hands-free experience while exploring Manitoulin. The routes highlight the Island’s multicultural history, local stories, its wide variety of fauna and flora as well as geological facts and quirky anecdotes. MODEM tours are currently available in English and French, both in written and audio format, and will eventually be translated into other languages to provide inclusivity to the broad range of visitors that MICA attracts to the Island each year.
There are currently 11 cycling tours of varying distance that start in seven different Island locations, with some more suitable for leisurely riders and others ideal for hard-core adventurers. There are also two vehicular itineraries that make for perfect cross-Island road trips. Future plans and expansions to MODEM include walking tours and scavenger hunts, as well as opportunities for local businesses and organizations to put themselves on the map.
MODEM tours can be accessed by downloading the Driftscape app, which is free and available on Android and iOS devices, but they can also be browsed on www.manitoulincycling.com. However, the app is highly recommended for the best possible experience as it is intended to be your guide while exploring Manitoulin.
Ms. Mielonen will be reaching out and seeking new opportunities to work with more groups such as municipalities to further highlight and promote the region of Manitoulin and the Islands. MODEM is and will continue to be free for all to access for the next two years while developing a sustainable strategy that can be inclusive and beneficial to those it serves. This project was made possible with funds from FedNor’s COVID Tourism Recovery Fund, Destination Northern Ontario and MICA.
For more information, or if you have a story you would like to tell, please email manitoulincycling@yahoo.ca
