NORTHEAST TOWN—For the first time in its 16-year history, those participating in the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA, hosted by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust [WRT] and Destination Northern Ontario) included Manitoulin Island, culminating in a dinner celebration at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre in Little Current on August 19. About 110 enthusiastic cycling tourists aged 18 to 85 and travelling from three Canadian provinces and five US states took part in the ride from Chippewa Falls to Little Current.
“I would like to congratulate all of you for an incredible week of cycling the North Shore and Lake Huron, and experiencing what the trail has to offer in terms of being welcoming and demanding,” said Marlaine Koehler, executive director, WRT. “This is an incredible legacy tour.”
“But we are celebrating the trail adventure because of the fact that the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is celebrating the expansion of the trail on Manitoulin Island and including Georgian Bay Cycling Route,” Ms. Koehler. “Maja Mielonen is someone some of you met last night as you enjoyed a meal with her last night at her home in Mindemoya. She is the founder of Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates (MICA), the Manitoulin Passage Ride, spearheaded the Georgian Bay Cycling Group and several other initiatives. She is a powerhouse, an energetic visionary and put Manitoulin Island on the cycling map. She and I have been working together since 2013 and it is through our visions coming together that this expansion has taken place.”
“We are presenting a trail directional sign to Maja for all her contributions to cycling,” said Ms. Koehler.
Ms. Koehler then presented a trail sign to Al Boyd, deputy mayor of the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands in celebration of the expansion of the trail onto the Island. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) had designated Highway 6 as part of the province-wide cycling network in 2018 and part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in 2019. The implementation of the signage plan along Highway 6 is to take place later this year.
Mr. Boyd welcomed everyone to NEMI. “Thank you very much, Marlaine, it is a real honour to be here and to celebrate these accomplishments and expansion for bicycling in Ontario and Manitoulin Island.”
Mr. Boyd noted that NEMI Mayor Al MacNevin was unable to attend the dinner as he was attending the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in Ottawa. “Mayor Al called me a couple of weeks ago and asked me if I would be interested in attending here this evening. I said I would love to. Cycling is near and dear to my heart. On behalf of our mayor and council welcome to NEMI and Manitoulin Island.”
“Manitoulin Island is one of the best kept secrets in Ontario,” said Mr. Boyd. “It appears we have been discovered, which is wonderful.” He listed many different sites, events, activities and communities the bicyclists could enjoy on a tour of Highway 6.
“As I had mentioned cycling is near and dear to my heart,” said Mr. Boyd who pointed out he is a retired officer with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), having served his whole career (starting in 1981), 35 years on Manitoulin Island. “I have to admit when I first got to the Island I thought, ‘where have they sent me?’ I learned quickly Manitoulin is one of the best kept secrets around. It is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.”
“I hope all of you will return to our community in the future and we will welcome you with open arms,” said Mr. Boyd. “And if there is anything we can do just ask us. The trail directional signs will be prominently displayed in the community.”
Established in 2008, the annual GWTA cycling event showcases a different section of the 3,600 kilometres Great Lakes Waterfront Trail which includes the Quebec/Ontario border and takes in Ontario to Sault Ste. Marie.
David MacLachlan, executive director of Destination Northern Ontario (DNO) said, “DNO is a long-term partner with WRT in the development and marketing of Northern Ontario provincial cycling trails. We are excited to be hosting the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail adventure in the north once again and will continue to work with WRT in the continued development and marketing of cycle tourism.”
“Events like the GWTA encourage many to hop on their bikes to explore Ontario’s waterfront in an enjoyable and safe way,” said Michael Stewart, community relations consultant with CAA south Central Ontario. “As long-time supporters of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, CAA is proud to see these impacts these efforts are having in connecting communities and supporting travelling by two wheels across the province. This includes the expansion of the Great Waterfront Trail along Lake Superior, and our team is excited to experience part of this route on this year’s GWTA. I want to summer, vacation, and retire here on Manitoulin Island. It is incredible.”
