With Glowing Hearts We See Thee Ride
As Canada turns 150 years young this year, one organization is asking citizens to celebrate by getting on their bikes. The Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council (MMIC) is hosting the Ride Canada 150 Contest, calling for riders to submit their favourite photo for a chance to win a $10,000 voucher toward the ride of their choice (or a $150 prepaid credit card).
The contest is a way to honour both Canada’s scenic beauty and the passion of the country’s riders according to Jo-Anne Farquhar, the director of communications for MMIC. “What better way [to celebrate] than to ask riders, and those who might want to become riders, to submit pictures of their rides throughout our great country,” she says.
With more than 5,000 photos submitted so far from all across Canada, the contest is off to a great start—so be sure to take part and add your own pics to the “motosaic.” “The diversity of the entries is what makes all of this so much fun and interesting,” Farquhar notes.
Check out all the amazing photos submitted so far and get inspired to send in your own. Send a snap of your bike, a selfie of you and your friends, or a scenic shot that took your breath away—or a combo of all three! Riders can submit one photo a week up until the contest closes in October.
Where in Ontario?
To help get you started, here are some of our favourite spots to ride.
Georgian Bay Coastal Route
For big vistas, we love the Georgian Bay Coastal Route. Breathtaking beauty and clear blue waters will work great as a backdrop to you and your ride.
Cruise the Coast in Ontario's Southwest
For options closer to home there is a plentitude of routes and events in Ontario's Southwest. Check out the Cruise the Coast website for attractions and little-known roads that'll keep you busy all season.
Ontario's 400-Year-Old Route
History buffs will love riding in Samuel de Champlain’s footsteps on the Champlain Route (just think how much faster he’d have been able to explore Ontario if he’d had a bike instead of a canoe).
Ride the Edge
If you're heading up to cottage country this summer, you've got to check out the Explorers' Edge Big Loop. Almost 1000 kilometres (620 miles) of curving, high-quality roads that take you through Algonquin Park and beyond.
Ride the Highlands
A 2-3 day ride in the Ottawa Valley should offer up some great snaps. Check out the intense Deep Valley Run or any of the other handcrafted routes of Ontario's Highlands.
Around the world's biggest lake
The truly adventurous should check out the Lake Superior Circle Tour. Make sure to bring your wide-angle lens for this epic journey.
Getting Dirty in Algoma
If an adventure off the beaten path is more your game, blaze up the Algoma ADV route this October—the colours can't be beat!
Ontario's Northeast
Another beautiful ride that we never tire of is the Temiskaming Loop. It's just one of 5 well-loved Northeastern Ontario motorcycle routes that'll make you proud to be Canadian.
The Grandest
Or grab some buddies and check out the frequent choice for number one spot on our Top 10 Motorcycle Routes in Ontario, the Grand Algoma.
Plan Your Shoot
With so many scenic routes to choose from in Ontario, you’ll want to enter the contest more than once—so get out and ride, take some photos, and when you’re done, send them to Ride Canada 150. And remember, the best way to plan your epic trip in honour of Canada’s birthday is with the Go Tour Ontario trip planner.
Tag #ontariomotoroads whenever you post pics of your rides this season and we'll see you on the road!