MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Fall 2020

24 Continue west on the Georgian Trail, make a stop for an espresso and dolce at the Surf Café (Apple Pie Trail Stop #6), check out some outdoor gear at Blue Surf Paddleboard & Kayak or choose from a selection of antipasto at Surf & Turf Blue Mountains for your bike après (backpack required). Backtrack about 200 m and you will find the Nipissing Ridge Trail entrance. This trail will take you on an uphill journey along a creek and through the woods towards Arrowhead Road. Ride the base of the ski hills back to the Village via Craigleith Road and Grey Road 19. If you want to expand your Tour de South Georgian Bay, then check out a few of the route options below. Note that some routes are a combination of road and gravel riding. E-bikes are a good option for those longer distances or to give you a boost up the hills. Bike route options are also available from Cycle Simcoe (cyclesimcoe.ca ) and the Georgian Trail (georgiantrail.ca ). THE TOWN TOUR: Thornbury and Meaford (30–50 km round-trip, half- to full-day trip) With time and energy to spare, the quaint harbour towns of Thornbury and Meaford are worth a visit. Continue west on the Georgian Trail from Arrowhead Road. Take in the varied landscape around you: Escarpment, forest, wetlands and semirural communities.The Georgian Trail conveniently leads you along the Apple Pie Trail—download the app to easily navigate the countryside to find these hidden gems—right to the Thornbury Village Cider & Brew House. (This is Apple Pie Trail stop #20.) Stop at the Thornbury Farmers Market*(#22) or take some time for quiet reflection at Cedar Grove Labyrinth. Keep a leisurely pace to town centre via Bayview Park and the waterfront trails for a bite to eat at the Thornbury Bakery (#17) or The Cheese Gallery (#18). If you still have some fuel in the tank, or charge on your e-bike, head onwards to Meaford. The waterfront is picture-perfect and Meaford Farmers Market* (#25) is well-worth the stop. If you have the time, go the distance to Good Family Farms (#26),Windswept Orchard Cider (#27) or Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery (#28). UP THE ESCARPMENT (40–50 km round-trip, half- to full-day trip) No matter what route you choose, the bike up the Escarpment will be a haul. Options here would be to load your bike in your vehicle and drive or use the turbo setting on your e-bike to propel you up to the top. Some great stops in and around the Beaver Valley include Spy Cider House & Distillery (#12), Ravenna Country Market (#7),T&K Ferri Orchards (#9), Georgian Hills Vineyards (#8), Grey & Gold Cider (#10) and Beaver Valley Orchard and Cidery (#15). Whatever adventure you choose, end your day with a good stretch, lots of water and perhaps treat yourself to a beverage at one of the Village restaurants such as Copper Blues Bar & Grill, Kaytoo Restaurant, Firehall Pizza or Rusty’s at Blue. —Laura Raimondi. *Not open daily BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT