Vive le Nord; a Roadie’s Cycling Tour with a wilderness Adventure
Discover this 178 km self-guided smooth road ride celebrating the Francophone history and culture of the West Nipissing and French River area.
By Jennifer McCourt
Jennifer McCourt is the Executive Director of Discovery Routes, a trails and cycling advocacy organization based in North Bay.
February 6, 2023
What is the Vive le Nord cycling route?
Cycling, hiking and paddling in Northeastern Ontario is the best!
Discover this 178 km self-guided multi-adventure celebrating the Francophone history and culture of the West Nipissing and French River area.
What is the Vive le Nord cycling route?
The Vive le Nord loop is a 178 km self-guided smooth road ride paired with wilderness adventures and celebrating the Francophone history and culture of the West Nipissing and French River area of Northeastern Ontario. With bridges over tiny inlets, the water is never far from view. Riding along quiet country roads with few cars, hiking wilderness trails and paddling the quiet waters of Lake Nipissing’s West Arm, it’s a place to recharge.
Check out more cycling tours to discover in Northeastern Ontario
Riding country roads near Cache Bay Photo: Discovery Routes
what are the roads like on the vive le nord cycling route?
Get a strong tailwind, and you can road cycle the first 75 km stretch in a morning. Know that some sections have jagged shoulders so bring a spare tire or patch kit. Or, if you really get stuck, there are multiple bike fixing stations: Noëlville, Sturgeon Falls, St. Charles and Lavigne! From a cycling perspective, there are a mix of elevations with false flats and sweeping hills.
what is there to see on the vive le Nord cycling route?
1. historic towns
Cycle or stroll around downtown Sturgeon Falls to see colourful community art murals. There are over a dozen located on King and Main St. If you want to know more about them, the Balado Découverte tells the stories of each artist and their inspiration.
Colourful Murals in Sturgeon Falls Photo: Discovery Routes
The ride through Cache Bay is full of thriving farmsteads lush with fields of corn and wheat. Keep an eye out for barns bearing the symbol of a Quilt--it means it’s one of the dozens of barns that make up the Barn Quilt Trail.
Further up the road, around some elegant swoopy bends in the road, the town of Lavigne has barbeques in the park, and the largest food selection on the route. Bring your own picnic (coal barbeques) to cook on top of the hill, or, buy local cheese curds, pepperettes and poutine at Chez Courchesne. The Lavigne Tavern serves up local ale.
The famous Lavigne Tavern in Lavigne Photo: Discovery Routes
2. Scenic byways
Highway 64 meanders alongside the western edge of Lake Nipissing. The quiet highway with wide shoulders traverses beautiful bridges with expansive views of the lake, deciduous forests, as well as boating and fishing life. The lake is renowned for its walleye, pike and bass. Many of the farms and homes still use wood burning fireplaces so expect fresh earthy wafts of wood smoke everywhere you ride.
Secondary highways with little traffic Photo: Discovery Routes
3. Mashkinonje Provincial Park
On Highway 64, Mashkinonje Provincial Park is a gorgeous (non-operating) wilderness oasis with 30 km of hiking trails through marshes, bogs, swamps, and ponds spread through giant granite ridges along the West Arm of Lake Nipissing. Loudon Peatland Trail maintained by the Friends of Mashkinonje has an accessible lookout over the expansive wetland. Launch a canoe and paddle Muskrat Creek as it meanders through Mashkinonje’s serene waters. A few of the hiking trails can even be accessed from the water.
Hiking trails at Mashkinonje Provincial Park at a wonderful stop along the ride Photo: Discovery Routes
where can i eat on the vive le nord cycling route?
Need to caffeinate or grab a quick bite to eat? Café Caravan in Noëlville is the place for baked goods and homemade soup! CJ’s Pies N More in Warren has tons of sweet and savoury treats baked fresh each day to grab and go.
Caffeinating in Noelville photo: @TheSpokedTraveller
Visit the Riverview Market in the village of Field to check out local arts and crafts. Refuelling with anything from their menu will have you feeling nothing but ready to get back on your bike and continue your ride through these charming towns.
The Riv in Sturgeon Falls Photo: Discovery Routes
Back to the beginning. Sturgeon Falls’ chip stands are also famous. The Globe and Mail newspaper wrote about the healthy rivalry that began with Larry’s, family owned and run since 1953; then came The Riv after the restaurant burnt down (circa 1973) followed by newcomer, Monique’s. We are sad to report that Larry’s suffered a fire in May 2022. Fingers crossed that this popular Sturgeon Falls establishment re-opens soon so you can once again eat pogo sticks and poutine from all three and decide which reigns supreme.
But the best is saved for the last - Minnehaha Bay Municipal Marina is located on a tiny bay on the Sturgeon River —Twiggs Café is a northern institution is on site and has been roasting beans since 1995. Sitting on the dock of the bay, sipping a fine cup of Joe is a zen way to end this glorious tranquil and unique adventure.
Plan your cycling trip to Northeastern Ontario now
Cycling, hiking and paddling in Northeastern Ontario is the best!
Discover this 178 km self-guided multi-adventure celebrating the Francophone history and culture of the West Nipissing and French River area.
What is the Vive le Nord cycling route?
The Vive le Nord loop is a 178 km self-guided smooth road ride paired with wilderness adventures and celebrating the Francophone history and culture of the West Nipissing and French River area of Northeastern Ontario. With bridges over tiny inlets, the water is never far from view. Riding along quiet country roads with few cars, hiking wilderness trails and paddling the quiet waters of Lake Nipissing’s West Arm, it’s a place to recharge.
Check out more cycling tours to discover in Northeastern Ontario
Riding country roads near Cache Bay Photo: Discovery Routes
what are the roads like on the vive le nord cycling route?
Get a strong tailwind, and you can road cycle the first 75 km stretch in a morning. Know that some sections have jagged shoulders so bring a spare tire or patch kit. Or, if you really get stuck, there are multiple bike fixing stations: Noëlville, Sturgeon Falls, St. Charles and Lavigne! From a cycling perspective, there are a mix of elevations with false flats and sweeping hills.
what is there to see on the vive le Nord cycling route?
1. historic towns
Cycle or stroll around downtown Sturgeon Falls to see colourful community art murals. There are over a dozen located on King and Main St. If you want to know more about them, the Balado Découverte tells the stories of each artist and their inspiration.
Colourful Murals in Sturgeon Falls Photo: Discovery Routes
The ride through Cache Bay is full of thriving farmsteads lush with fields of corn and wheat. Keep an eye out for barns bearing the symbol of a Quilt--it means it’s one of the dozens of barns that make up the Barn Quilt Trail.
Further up the road, around some elegant swoopy bends in the road, the town of Lavigne has barbeques in the park, and the largest food selection on the route. Bring your own picnic (coal barbeques) to cook on top of the hill, or, buy local cheese curds, pepperettes and poutine at Chez Courchesne. The Lavigne Tavern serves up local ale.
The famous Lavigne Tavern in Lavigne Photo: Discovery Routes
2. Scenic byways
Highway 64 meanders alongside the western edge of Lake Nipissing. The quiet highway with wide shoulders traverses beautiful bridges with expansive views of the lake, deciduous forests, as well as boating and fishing life. The lake is renowned for its walleye, pike and bass. Many of the farms and homes still use wood burning fireplaces so expect fresh earthy wafts of wood smoke everywhere you ride.
Secondary highways with little traffic Photo: Discovery Routes
3. Mashkinonje Provincial Park
On Highway 64, Mashkinonje Provincial Park is a gorgeous (non-operating) wilderness oasis with 30 km of hiking trails through marshes, bogs, swamps, and ponds spread through giant granite ridges along the West Arm of Lake Nipissing. Loudon Peatland Trail maintained by the Friends of Mashkinonje has an accessible lookout over the expansive wetland. Launch a canoe and paddle Muskrat Creek as it meanders through Mashkinonje’s serene waters. A few of the hiking trails can even be accessed from the water.
Hiking trails at Mashkinonje Provincial Park at a wonderful stop along the ride Photo: Discovery Routes
where can i eat on the vive le nord cycling route?
Need to caffeinate or grab a quick bite to eat? Café Caravan in Noëlville is the place for baked goods and homemade soup! CJ’s Pies N More in Warren has tons of sweet and savoury treats baked fresh each day to grab and go.
Caffeinating in Noelville photo: @TheSpokedTraveller
Visit the Riverview Market in the village of Field to check out local arts and crafts. Refuelling with anything from their menu will have you feeling nothing but ready to get back on your bike and continue your ride through these charming towns.
The Riv in Sturgeon Falls Photo: Discovery Routes
Back to the beginning. Sturgeon Falls’ chip stands are also famous. The Globe and Mail newspaper wrote about the healthy rivalry that began with Larry’s, family owned and run since 1953; then came The Riv after the restaurant burnt down (circa 1973) followed by newcomer, Monique’s. We are sad to report that Larry’s suffered a fire in May 2022. Fingers crossed that this popular Sturgeon Falls establishment re-opens soon so you can once again eat pogo sticks and poutine from all three and decide which reigns supreme.
But the best is saved for the last - Minnehaha Bay Municipal Marina is located on a tiny bay on the Sturgeon River —Twiggs Café is a northern institution is on site and has been roasting beans since 1995. Sitting on the dock of the bay, sipping a fine cup of Joe is a zen way to end this glorious tranquil and unique adventure.
Plan your cycling trip to Northeastern Ontario now
Jennifer McCourt is the Executive Director of Discovery Routes, a trails and cycling advocacy organization based in North Bay. She lives in Callander, Ontario and is always keen to explore and discover new trails with her family.
