2023 Mountain Bike Events & Races in Ontario

After a long Covid absence, bike events are coming back. It’s a chance to see familiar faces or meet new friends in a supportive and friendly community who love to ride bikes.

From ski hills that transform into epic cross country singletrack trails to long slabs of Precambrian rock and rooty technical routes, mountain biking in Ontario has a variety of terrain. Add to that some downhill, cross country and enduro, and you can certainly find something to challenge your skills, regardless of your ability level. Pair this diversity of mountain bike opportunities with some of the most dedicated trail builders and community groups and you have a fiesta of races, festivals and events.

April 8–9

Turkey Point Beach

Choose your bike—road, cross, gravel or mountain bike—and discover a new type of cycling race in Canada at the Ontario Beach Race Championships p/b Cannondale. In this event you’ll pedal in the sand on the north shore of Lake Erie, then back through the town roads and up a short climb before plunging back down to the beach to do it all again. Choose from a gentler 11 km in the morning; or, opt for six laps of 6 km followed by a romp through the beach, road and a final climb.

Affix your race number and hit the trails. Photo: Brian Chard Photography

April 22–23

Woodnewton

If you want to get into the Ontario mountain biking scene, the Woodnewton – Ontario Cup Series race series is the way to do it. Do one or all three. Meet regular competitors and test yourself. It’s open to all levels from sport to expert; the season kicks off at Woodnewton, which includes loads of climbs and twisty singletrack.

May 6

Hardwood Hills, Oro

Whether you race or ride, the classic Hardwood SingleTrack Classic MTB Marathon offers 21 km (one loop, half marathon), or 42 km (two loops, full marathon). There are lots of prizes, food and bike demos, making the Hardwood SingleTrack Classic a great season opener. The route is always a surprise mix of routes, in different directions, so expect the unexpected if you’re a regular.

Race the Eager Beaver.

May 13

Mansfield, Ontario

The Mansfield 8 Hour Enduro is a big event with up to 800 riders. The first of the races, it’s a good race to kick start your summer fitness regime. With onsite cabins and camping, you can also make it an overnight event and hang out with your friends.

June 10

Hardwood Hills, Barrie

The Women’s four hour relay race is determined by time not distance so you’ll never feel like you’re racing neck to neck with someone. It’s a fun and supportive ride to do solo, or in teams of two, three or four.

June 16–18

Collingwood, Blue Mountain Village

Come to Blue Mountain Village for the Sea Otter Canadian Bike Festival, a three-day extravaganza of mountain bike races and demos at some of Ontario’s finest trails.

Find a mixture of gravel and dirt roads and trails in these races and events.

June TBD

Sault Ste. Marie

The Sault Cycling Club hosts its annual Trails Fest Weekend in mid- to late-June, featuring fun events for all levels of mountain bikers, including families. This long-standing event includes beginner group rides, backcountry adventure rides and tours of the new and improved Sault Cycling Club trails at the Hiawatha Highlands. Stay tuned for dates.

June 24–25

Albion Hills

The Albion Hills 24 Hours of Summer Solstice is a weekend event, complete with camping, firepits and kids’ races. The festivities date back to 1994 and have been an Ontario favourite ever since. This race through the rolling hills of Albion is open for teams of one to ten. Website has a forum to find team members before you arrive.

Partake in the Summer Epic 8 Hour MTB Relay.

July 22

Hardwood Hills

On the Summer Epic 8 Hour MTB Relay riders from solo up to a team of six ride for fun along a flowing, not-too-technical course. The winner is determined by the most laps completed. It’s a fun-spirited and challenging day with prizes and a great community.

August 26

Mansfield

Choose from 30 to 60 kilometers of rolling single track through the Dufferin Forest and Mansfield Outdoor Centre in the Eager Beaver XCMarathon. Also, this race is part of the Eager Beaver Weekend; the previous day is a gravel race. So you can register for one, or challenge yourself with racing both days!

For the love of cycling.

September 10

Kingston

Cannondale XC Marathon #2 Kingston Trophy starts with a ride through a barn. Then racers navigate a half-mile pump track, followed by epic rock gardens and bridges. Stick around after for an equally epic barbeque and good time. Choose from 15-, 30- or 75 km.

September TBD

Thunder Bay

The Shuniah Forty Miner is a classic mountain bike event in northwestern Ontario. Come to Thunder Bay and catch the spirit of the local Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club, which has crafted some of the province’s best trails at Shuniah Mines. Events are available for novices to pros; stay tuned for dates.

September 16

Albion Hills

Formerly known as the Albion Enduro, The Great Albion Fall Mountain Bike Challenge invites riders to make it a day or a weekend. Based from a campground, you can bring the family and have a holiday. Choose from 40 km Hammer, or two laps for 80 km called the SUPER Hammer. There is also a shorter 25 km option. The ride includes an after barbeque and local Caledon Hills beer, for those of age.

Get in the zone.

September 30

Woodnewton

Part of the Ontario Cup series, the Fall Mountain Challenge season finale will have the local winners and more showing off their stuff. The race is open to all with more details to follow in the spring.

October 1

London

The mountain bike Fall Classic race at Boler Mountain in London is a great way to enjoy the amazing fall colours riding on some tight and twisty trails. With a new club house and facilities, this one-day race event is a family favourite.

October 14

Turkey Point

Lake Erie hosts the Cannondale XC Marathon #3, with 12-, 30- and 60 km of fast flowing single track and no major climbs. Stay the weekend at the nearby lodging and have a refreshing brew from the local Hometown Brew Company in Port Rowan.

October 15

Turkey Point

Want a group ride with your friends or a mountain bike race? The Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club invites you to ride some epic trails with timed sections, which are added up for your total race time. Race includes a lunch break. There will be an overall champion of the weekend with the best combined XCM and Enduro times.

Edited Body Text

After a long Covid absence, bike events are coming back. It’s a chance to see familiar faces or meet new friends in a supportive and friendly community who love to ride bikes.

From ski hills that transform into epic cross country singletrack trails to long slabs of Precambrian rock and rooty technical routes, mountain biking in Ontario has a variety of terrain. Add to that some downhill, cross country and enduro, and you can certainly find something to challenge your skills, regardless of your ability level. Pair this diversity of mountain bike opportunities with some of the most dedicated trail builders and community groups and you have a fiesta of races, festivals and events.

April 8–9

Turkey Point Beach

Choose your bike—road, cross, gravel or mountain bike—and discover a new type of cycling race in Canada at the Ontario Beach Race Championships p/b Cannondale. In this event you’ll pedal in the sand on the north shore of Lake Erie, then back through the town roads and up a short climb before plunging back down to the beach to do it all again. Choose from a gentler 11 km in the morning; or, opt for six laps of 6 km followed by a romp through the beach, road and a final climb.

Affix your race number and hit the trails. Photo: Brian Chard Photography

April 22–23

Woodnewton

If you want to get into the Ontario mountain biking scene, the Woodnewton – Ontario Cup Series race series is the way to do it. Do one or all three. Meet regular competitors and test yourself. It’s open to all levels from sport to expert; the season kicks off at Woodnewton, which includes loads of climbs and twisty singletrack.

May 6

Hardwood Hills, Oro

Whether you race or ride, the classic Hardwood SingleTrack Classic MTB Marathon offers 21 km (one loop, half marathon), or 42 km (two loops, full marathon). There are lots of prizes, food and bike demos, making the Hardwood SingleTrack Classic a great season opener. The route is always a surprise mix of routes, in different directions, so expect the unexpected if you’re a regular.

Race the Eager Beaver.

May 13

Mansfield, Ontario

The Mansfield 8 Hour Enduro is a big event with up to 800 riders. The first of the races, it’s a good race to kick start your summer fitness regime. With onsite cabins and camping, you can also make it an overnight event and hang out with your friends.

June 10

Hardwood Hills, Barrie

The Women’s four hour relay race is determined by time not distance so you’ll never feel like you’re racing neck to neck with someone. It’s a fun and supportive ride to do solo, or in teams of two, three or four.

June 16–18

Collingwood, Blue Mountain Village

Come to Blue Mountain Village for the Sea Otter Canadian Bike Festival, a three-day extravaganza of mountain bike races and demos at some of Ontario’s finest trails.

Find a mixture of gravel and dirt roads and trails in these races and events.

June TBD

Sault Ste. Marie

The Sault Cycling Club hosts its annual Trails Fest Weekend in mid- to late-June, featuring fun events for all levels of mountain bikers, including families. This long-standing event includes beginner group rides, backcountry adventure rides and tours of the new and improved Sault Cycling Club trails at the Hiawatha Highlands. Stay tuned for dates.

June 24–25

Albion Hills

The Albion Hills 24 Hours of Summer Solstice is a weekend event, complete with camping, firepits and kids’ races. The festivities date back to 1994 and have been an Ontario favourite ever since. This race through the rolling hills of Albion is open for teams of one to ten. Website has a forum to find team members before you arrive.

Partake in the Summer Epic 8 Hour MTB Relay.

July 22

Hardwood Hills

On the Summer Epic 8 Hour MTB Relay riders from solo up to a team of six ride for fun along a flowing, not-too-technical course. The winner is determined by the most laps completed. It’s a fun-spirited and challenging day with prizes and a great community.

August 26

Mansfield

Choose from 30 to 60 kilometers of rolling single track through the Dufferin Forest and Mansfield Outdoor Centre in the Eager Beaver XCMarathon. Also, this race is part of the Eager Beaver Weekend; the previous day is a gravel race. So you can register for one, or challenge yourself with racing both days!

For the love of cycling.

September 10

Kingston

Cannondale XC Marathon #2 Kingston Trophy starts with a ride through a barn. Then racers navigate a half-mile pump track, followed by epic rock gardens and bridges. Stick around after for an equally epic barbeque and good time. Choose from 15-, 30- or 75 km.

September TBD

Thunder Bay

The Shuniah Forty Miner is a classic mountain bike event in northwestern Ontario. Come to Thunder Bay and catch the spirit of the local Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club, which has crafted some of the province’s best trails at Shuniah Mines. Events are available for novices to pros; stay tuned for dates.

September 16

Albion Hills

Formerly known as the Albion Enduro, The Great Albion Fall Mountain Bike Challenge invites riders to make it a day or a weekend. Based from a campground, you can bring the family and have a holiday. Choose from 40 km Hammer, or two laps for 80 km called the SUPER Hammer. There is also a shorter 25 km option. The ride includes an after barbeque and local Caledon Hills beer, for those of age.

Get in the zone.

September 30

Woodnewton

Part of the Ontario Cup series, the Fall Mountain Challenge season finale will have the local winners and more showing off their stuff. The race is open to all with more details to follow in the spring.

October 1

London

The mountain bike Fall Classic race at Boler Mountain in London is a great way to enjoy the amazing fall colours riding on some tight and twisty trails. With a new club house and facilities, this one-day race event is a family favourite.

October 14

Turkey Point

Lake Erie hosts the Cannondale XC Marathon #3, with 12-, 30- and 60 km of fast flowing single track and no major climbs. Stay the weekend at the nearby lodging and have a refreshing brew from the local Hometown Brew Company in Port Rowan.

October 15

Turkey Point

Want a group ride with your friends or a mountain bike race? The Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club invites you to ride some epic trails with timed sections, which are added up for your total race time. Race includes a lunch break. There will be an overall champion of the weekend with the best combined XCM and Enduro times.