No Winter Maintenance Bikepacking Route
The No Winter Maintenance bikepacking route is an off-road cycling route is southwestern Ontario that was designed to allow riders to explore some of the region’s best long forgotten roads. Riders can expect a mix of glorious gravel roads, rowdy unmaintained paths, thrilling singletrack and plenty of challenging inclines. The route is impregnated with a collection of no winter maintenance roads that will make you feel like you’re well of the beaten path. The greatest hits of Mulmur Township and Beaver Valley. The views are glorious, the nature is abundant, the elevation gain (and loss) is significant and the riding terrain is rough in a good way.
By the Numbers
Distance: 282 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 3,900 metres
Unpaved/Paved: 85%/15%
Rowdy score: High
To obtain the route file, go here.
Route Detour: There is bridge construction on River Road (43km of the route) and might be impassible. The bypass is taking Centre Road north to 20 sideroad. Take this road west (turn left) to where it meets back up with the route.
Highlights
Exhilarating downhills through Boyne Valley Provincial Park and Noisy River Provincial Park
Big views in the Beaver Valley
Flowy singletrack in Mansfield Outdoor Centre, Mono Provincial Park and Kolapore Nature Reserve
Riding on some of the region’s most picturesque gravel roads, some of which are less maintained than others
Fueling up on tasty butter tarts from Kimberly General Store and Rosemont General Store
Brag-worthy climbs with testy inclines (perhaps a lowlight for some riders)
Trip Start
The launching point for the route is the city of Orangeville. But riders can start and finish at any other point along the route. The route is best completed in the direction plotted.
Difficulty
The NWM route should be considered a fairly demanding route with a number of rugged sections and also a sizable amount of elevation gain. There is very little flat terrain to be found on this route. The route can be considered an intermediate to advanced ride and best tackled by those with experience cycling on rougher terrain. You can expect some rocks, roots, and puddles. There are also some single tract sections, but these are mostly non-technical in nature. This not a smooth sail on rail trail, but instead something to consider as a hilly adventure ride with a chance for the occasional periods of hike-a-bike.
Cycling Tips put together this excellent grading system based on riding surfaces and it can be said that the No Winter Maintenance route wanders predominantly between Grade 2 and Grade 4, with a few good sections of Grade 5 tossed in to spice things up. Here is some additional information about the route difficulty.
Trip Duration
For most riders, the trip length will be 2 to 3 days. Certainly, a single-day push will be a serious challenge.
Bike Set-up
Both drop-bar gravel bikes and mountain bikes can be used on the NWM route. There is plenty of saucy terrain on this route so those using 700 wheels should make sure to ride 45cc tires or larger. 650b (27.5)and 29-inch wheels with 1.9-2.5 inch tires are a very good choice. This is a route well-suited to a hard-tail mountain or a monster cross like a Salsa Cutthroat. Some even ride a full suspension bike on the route. And because there are no shortage of testy inclines, a wide range of gears is recommended.
When to Ride
The route can be enjoyed from May to October. In the early spring, some sections of the route can be in worse shape than normal. Fall colours can be spectacular on the route.
Route Updates
The route will be updated as needed. However, if you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should know about, please contact me about this.
By the Numbers
Distance: 282 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 3,900 metres
Unpaved/Paved: 85%/15%
Rowdy score: High
To obtain the route file, go here.
Route Detour: There is bridge construction on River Road (43km of the route) and might be impassible. The bypass is taking Centre Road north to 20 sideroad. Take this road west (turn left) to where it meets back up with the route.
Highlights
Exhilarating downhills through Boyne Valley Provincial Park and Noisy River Provincial Park
Big views in the Beaver Valley
Flowy singletrack in Mansfield Outdoor Centre, Mono Provincial Park and Kolapore Nature Reserve
Riding on some of the region’s most picturesque gravel roads, some of which are less maintained than others
Fueling up on tasty butter tarts from Kimberly General Store and Rosemont General Store
Brag-worthy climbs with testy inclines (perhaps a lowlight for some riders)
Trip Start
The launching point for the route is the city of Orangeville. But riders can start and finish at any other point along the route. The route is best completed in the direction plotted.
Difficulty
The NWM route should be considered a fairly demanding route with a number of rugged sections and also a sizable amount of elevation gain. There is very little flat terrain to be found on this route. The route can be considered an intermediate to advanced ride and best tackled by those with experience cycling on rougher terrain. You can expect some rocks, roots, and puddles. There are also some single tract sections, but these are mostly non-technical in nature. This not a smooth sail on rail trail, but instead something to consider as a hilly adventure ride with a chance for the occasional periods of hike-a-bike.
Cycling Tips put together this excellent grading system based on riding surfaces and it can be said that the No Winter Maintenance route wanders predominantly between Grade 2 and Grade 4, with a few good sections of Grade 5 tossed in to spice things up. Here is some additional information about the route difficulty.
Trip Duration
For most riders, the trip length will be 2 to 3 days. Certainly, a single-day push will be a serious challenge.
Bike Set-up
Both drop-bar gravel bikes and mountain bikes can be used on the NWM route. There is plenty of saucy terrain on this route so those using 700 wheels should make sure to ride 45cc tires or larger. 650b (27.5)and 29-inch wheels with 1.9-2.5 inch tires are a very good choice. This is a route well-suited to a hard-tail mountain or a monster cross like a Salsa Cutthroat. Some even ride a full suspension bike on the route. And because there are no shortage of testy inclines, a wide range of gears is recommended.
When to Ride
The route can be enjoyed from May to October. In the early spring, some sections of the route can be in worse shape than normal. Fall colours can be spectacular on the route.
Route Updates
The route will be updated as needed. However, if you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should know about, please contact me about this.
If you have any additional questions about this route feel free to use the contact form to get in touch.
It must be stressed that the route is entirely unsupported and unsanctioned with no insurance provided. All riders are responsible for their own well-being on the No Winter Maintenance route and ride at their own risk. The route developer takes no responsibility for personal injury, damage to personal property or any other circumstance that might happen to individual riders cycling the No Winter Maintenance route. There is no guarantee of route conditions at any given time and the route developer takes no responsibility for disrupted route conditions. You are entirely responsible for your own safety and decisions that are made including accommodation and necessary detours. It is advised to study the route map and make note of your supply options as well as some possible detours. If you are not comfortable riding a section of the route take any necessary alternatives. Planning and due diligence is imperative as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
If you enjoyed your time on the NWM bikepacking route consider making a donation to help support future route development. Building and maintaining these routes takes a huge amount of time and dedication. If you prefer not to use Paypal, other donation methods can be arranged including e-transfer. Of course, no donation is required to ride the NWM.
It must be stressed that the route is entirely unsupported and unsanctioned with no insurance provided. All riders are responsible for their own well-being on the No Winter Maintenance route and ride at their own risk. The route developer takes no responsibility for personal injury, damage to personal property or any other circumstance that might happen to individual riders cycling the No Winter Maintenance route. There is no guarantee of route conditions at any given time and the route developer takes no responsibility for disrupted route conditions. You are entirely responsible for your own safety and decisions that are made including accommodation and necessary detours. It is advised to study the route map and make note of your supply options as well as some possible detours. If you are not comfortable riding a section of the route take any necessary alternatives. Planning and due diligence is imperative as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
If you enjoyed your time on the NWM bikepacking route consider making a donation to help support future route development. Building and maintaining these routes takes a huge amount of time and dedication. If you prefer not to use Paypal, other donation methods can be arranged including e-transfer. Of course, no donation is required to ride the NWM.