Photo Credit: Waterfront Regeneration Trust
We made cycling history! From August 16-21 the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure: Greenbelt Edition (GWTA) ran the length of the new Greenbelt Route. Last week's ride not only marked the first time ever that the GWTA left the shores of Lake Ontario, it also marked the official launch of the 475-km cycling route.
After three years of planning alongside the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and in collaboration with 27 partner communities, the official launch of the Route is a spectacular milestone. More than 1,100 signs are up, the Route is mapped, the website is live, and all in time for last week's inaugural six-day ride celebrating 10 years of Ontario's Greenbelt.
The Greenbelt Foundation team not only joined the more than 120 cyclists who participated in the ride end-to-end, we also spent those six days chatting with everyone we could - from residents, to business owners, to local politicians. We talked about the joys of cycling, the joys of the Greenbelt, and the economic and tourism benefits that emerge now that the two have been formally intertwined. The community excitement for the initiative was energizing: we fielded hundreds of questions about the Greenbelt, saw Greenbelt Route decals emerging in the windows of local business, and joined the throngs of satisfied cyclists filling up the many cafes, fruit stands, and markets dotted throughout the Route.
It was great fun - and the local media took notice. In case you missed it, see below for an overview of what Greenbelt communities have been saying about our 6-day adventure and the launch of the Greenbelt Route!
General
The Greenbelt Route
- New Greenbelt Route boasts nearly 500km of cycling trail in Ontario [Global News]
- Over 1,000 new road signs pop up in Ontario, here's why [theweathernetwork.com]
- The Greenbelt Route a path to discovering Ontario [Toronto Star]
The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure: Greenbelt Edition
- Ontario’s Greenbelt Route Officially Launches Aug. 16 – New 475km Cycling Trail [Pedal Magazine]
- Ontario’s new Greenbelt Route to launch Sunday in time for the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure [Canadian Cycling Magazine]
- The 2015 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure rolls in [Canadian Cycling Magazine]
Northumberland
Trailhead Signs
- Cobourg joins province-wide cycling route [northumberlandnews.com]
- Sign touts Northumberland tourism spots [The Peterborough Examiner]
- Greenbelt Route sign assists cyclists in Northumberland (video) [CHEXTV]
- Sign touts Nothumberland tourism spots [Northumberland Today]
The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure: Greenbelt Edition
- Ontario’s Greatest Cycling Adventure Heads to the Greenbelt [Northumberland Review]
Halton/Hamilton
- Cycling tour makes stop in Georgetown this week [the IFP.ca]
- Cyclists make Hamilton stop on inaugural Greenbelt Route tour [Hamilton News]
Durham
- Great Waterfront Trail Adventure rolls through Uxbridge [durhamregion.com]
Niagara
Trailhead Signs
- Greenbelt route trailhead sign unveiled in Queenston [Niagara this Week]
- Greenbelt Route for cyclists includes Queenston [Niagaraadvance.ca]
The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure: Greenbelt Edition
- Cyclists complete new Greenbelt Route [Niagara Falls Review]
- Cycling event closes in Niagara [bullet news Niagara]