Say Cheese!
Mixing your passion for the open road and today's selfie quest can be a challenge, particularly if your passion is found behind the bars of a motorcycle. We are blessed here in Ontario with an abundance of superb touring roads, from the twists and turns of Muskoka, to the wealth of options in the Ontario Highlands region, to the northern treats of Algoma.Â
As good as the ride is, that experience is best recorded to your memories. So what about all your followers? They will just have to settle for the next best thing. Luckily, along with the road options, there are plenty of points of interest where selfies are not only possible, but encouraged. Here are just a few for your rest stop pleasure.
Wawa and its famous Goose's association goes back 53 years. In fact, both of the above goose photos are from Wawa, just from different eras. If either one of these giant birds make it in to your photo archive, that means that you got to experience perhaps the most picturesque moto road in Ontario, Highway 17, as it skirts the north shore of Lake Superior.
Recommended Route: Algoma North Tour
Located in Marten River, just 30 minutes north of North Bay on Highway 11, Rock Pine Motel and Restaurant is famous for having the best chicken clubhouse sandwich in Northern Ontario, and a bus-sized fish in their front yard. Both the sandwich and the fish are well worth a stop.
Recommended Route: Lake Nipissing Circle Tour
Nothing says summer in Ontario like spending time along the shore of the Georgian Bay. If you’d like to share that time with your motorcycle, there’s a tour for that. The most memorable experience from the Georgian Bay Coastal Route’s 1,400-km length is as much from the seat of your bike as it is from the deck of the MS Chi-Cheemaun Ferry.
Recommended Route:Â Georgian Bay Coastal Route
Ride a hog to meet the cow. Located at the top end of the Lake Temiskaming Circle Tour, the Little Claybelt Homestead Museum in Temiskaming Shores is home to Miss Claybelt, a supersized replica of a Holstein cow that looks good with any make of bike.
Recommended Route:Â Lake Temiskaming Circle Tour
This CF-100 in Haliburton is a welcome rest stop from the boundless expanse of road options that is Ontario's Ride The Highlands.Â
Recommended Route: There’s just too many options; grab a Ride The Highlands map and start planning.
As impressive as this 275-ton, 95-feet long CPR steam locomotive is, getting here is an equal treat. Where is here? Chapleau, Ontario. Highway 129 is often referred to as the Tail Of The Dragon of the north thanks to its numerous curves.
Recommended Route: Grand Algoma Motorcycle Tour
Capture a bit of history before it’s gone. Yes, there is talk of replacing the century-old swing bridge that spans the North Channel between mainland Ontario and Manitoulin Island, in the town of Little Current. While the bridge makes for a memorable backdrop for your photo, it’s Highway 6 north from here that will make you smile as it twists and turns through white quartz walls of the La Cloche Mountains.
Recommended Route: Manitoulin Island Tour
When it comes to bears in Northern Ontario, there’s a good chance you can spot the real deal; if not, then the Three Bears Statue in Hornepayne is the next best thing. And they make for a much more cooperative and safer selfie opportunity.
Recommended Route:Â Algoma North Tour
On the outskirts of Burk’s Falls along Midlothian Road, you will find the 310-acre canvas of artist Peter Camani, known as the Screaming Heads. Visitors are welcome to wander amongst 100 or so 20-foot concrete sculptures that adorn the landscape.
Recommended Route:Â Explorers' Edge Big Route
Sault Ste. Marie is the gateway for many Northern Ontario motorcycle touring opportunities, from the five official tours that Algoma offers, to the epic Ride Lake Superior tour. It’s also home to one of the biggest bush plane collections anywhere in the world, a worthy stop.
Recommended Route: Grand Algoma Tour
All that riding and photo-taking makes for a tired crew. No better way to kick back and relax than a giant Muskoka chair. This one is located at the Sawdust City Brewery in Gravenhurst, and yes it’s selfie-worthy.
Recommended Route:Â Explorers' Edge Big Route
You, your bike, and the open road: the experience might be all about the ride, but keeping your virtual friends happy is all about the stops, and these will definitely leave an impression.