Mountain bikes and microbrews are the perfect combination

Great mountain biking, then tasty local brews

Timmins

Hersey Lake Conservation Area, just northeast of town on Highway 655, offers 25 kilometres of easy-to-intermediate riding along 34 marked trails. The forest is filled with glorious-smelling jack pine, and the trails are mostly on sand, so will keep speedy riders on their toes. Well-marked trails also lead into the Timmins Recreation Trail System for an additional 45 kilometres.  

Local bike shop: O’Reilly Sports

Back in town, Full Beard Brewing uses four locally grown hops. Favourites include the Bearded Prospector Cream Ale, the Banks of the Mattagami Brown Ale (named after the river that cuts through town) and Goldbelt Barrel Series, in honour of Timmins' first brewery. To ease the post-ride aches, head brewer Andrew Easthope loves a refreshing Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Eh, Eh, Eh!, an Australian sparkling ale. 

Sudbury 

Sandwiched between two lakes, Lake Laurentian Conservation Area’s mostly moderate trails have climbs and vistas aplenty. If you’re a climber, the Around the Lake Trail (west), can hit grades of 15.6% along its five giant climbs. Walden Trails Park, managed by the Walden Mountain Bike Club, is a great destination with marked trails for all levels where you can ride on top of smooth, whaleback-sized granite rocks. 

Local bike shop: Session Ride Company 

Award-winning Spacecraft Brewery makes a Citra IPA with Riesling wine that is out of this world. Big on local, the menu includes famous perogies from Perogy Princess, sourdough bread from Regency Bakery, and meatballs from Giamcomo’s. Employee Chris Carnovale loves the Citra post-ride: “The wine really balances out the hops!” 

Thunder Bay 

Once a silver mine, the area known variously as Shuniah Mines or Trowbridge Forest, now managed by Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club, has 17 kilometres of singletrack and 14 kilometres of double track. Located in boreal forest with rolling hills and a few rocky outcroppings, trails are both technical and old-school flowy, with newly built berm banks. The Kinsmen Park campsite even has waterfalls for swimming.  

Local bike shop: Fresh Air and Petrie’s Cycle and Sports 

Northern Ontario’s largest brewery, Sleeping Giant Brewery is a must-stop hub for riders touring across Canada and a fun-loving brewery that promotes everything Canadiana. When Justin Trudeau wore their Northern Logger T-shirt on social media their website crashed from all the orders. Post-ride, co-owner Matt Pearson drinks White Out Pale Ale or their award-winning Northern Logger.

Sault Ste. Marie 

The Hiawatha Highlands in Algoma Country is the epicentre of all “Soo” mountain biking. It’s loaded with 31 intermediate to advanced paths. Well-drained, firm trails run through northern hardwood forests that lead into over 100 kilometres worth of nearby backcountry trails. Ride up King Mountain for an amazing view of Lake Superior near Stokely Lodge. Park at Kinsmen Club and dip into Crystal Creek for a waterfall swim. Post-ride, grab an ice cream and snacks at the park store.  

Local bike shop: Vélorution    

Since 2014, Outspoken specializes in comfy and inviting. Play Yahtze or Crokinole while sipping Deadfall Lagered Ale, named for the region’s rugged terrain. Or cozy into the couch to enjoy live music. Co-owner Graham Atkinson loves Cattle Run Ale in the summer (named after a local trail) and Maple Breakfast Stout in winter. 

North Bay 

Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area is growing its mountain biking trail system, with almost seven kilometres of moderate to difficult hilly climbing on a giant granite ridge. Several trails overlook the north section of downtown. The conservation area is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mountain biking in North Bay. With a 70 metre escarpment rising up from Lake Nipissing development is restricted, but there is no shortage of epic rides.  Park at 15 Janey Street; washrooms on-site.  

Local bike shops: Cycleworks; Wheelhouse Bike Shop 

Three North Bay-loving friends opened a vegan brew pub, Gateway City Brewery in 2018. Every beer name honours the town, such as 137 Rye Pale Ale. 137 is the number of minutes it takes to portage the nearby watershed between the St. Lawrence and Georgian Bay basins. Come for the beer and stay for the retro pinball machines. Post-ride, part owner Sully Sullivan loves a light, but hoppy, 626 Pilsner.

What better way to end a great mountain bike ride in Northern Ontario than by grabbing hold of a frosty mug of locally-made beer?