Hello Great Canadian Bicycle Tours, This summer has been a scorcher, but the G2G Rail Trail is looking cooler than ever!
From shady green tree tunnels to wide-open vistas, the trail is in fantastic shape thanks to the hard work of our amazing volunteers and community partners. Along all 132 km, they’re out there mowing, trimming, and leveling so you can enjoy a smooth, beautiful ride or walk every time you visit.
Here’s to everyone who keeps the trail in tip-top shape. We couldn’t do it without you! - The G2G Rail Trail Team |
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 | Dave Richmond captured this warm sunset outside Linwood. |
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The G2G is now comprised of previously existing trails, and one of these major sections is the original Kissing Bridge Trail. The local Elmira Lions Club plays a significant role in the support and maintenance of the Kissing Bridge Trail, particularly in the section near Elmira, Ontario. Their support is multifaceted and includes: |
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- Trailway Advisory Board: The Elmira Lions Club is one of the five steward groups that make up the volunteer Trailway Advisory Board, which coordinates the operations of the entire Kissing Bridge Trailway.
- Trail Maintenance: Members of the Elmira Lions Club are actively involved in the day-to-day maintenance of the trail, including projects like mowing and general upkeep.
- Memorial Forest: The club established a memorial forest along the trail in 2001, where trees are planted in memory of loved ones. The club maintains this area, which includes gazebos and benches for visitors to rest. A notable donation allowed the club to acquire a utility vehicle and a custom trailer to transport people and equipment for maintaining the memorial forest and the trail network.
- Lions Ring Trail: The Elmira Lions Club also developed the Lions Ring Trail, a separate but connected trail that provides a loop around Elmira and links to the Kissing Bridge Trailway. The club and the Township of Woolwich continue to work on extending this trail.
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Guardian Membership Discounts |
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Our Guardian members have the opportunity to receive over 35 discounts from supportive businesses along the trail. We are happy to announce the addition of 4 restaurants from the Neighbourhood Group in Guelph. |
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Each Guardian member will receive a 10% discount on their meal at each of these fine restaurants in Guelph. We thank the Neighbourhood Group for their support of the G2G. |
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| Thank You For Supporting Trail Maintenance |
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Why do we cut grass on the trail shoulders?
The G2G Rail Trail is created with a 3-metre wide stone dust surface with 1-metre grass shoulders on each side — designed for accessibility, safety, and durability. But without regular maintenance, nature starts to take over.
That's why you've seen us clearing and trimming the trail edges. This work helps: - Keep the full 3-metre trail width intact
- Prevent grass and weeds from creeping into the trail bed
- Reduce future resurfacing needs
- And yes — our volunteer operators say it’s one of the most satisfying parts of the job!
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Some Current Maintenance Costs Include: |
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Flail Mower Repair: ⟶ Tractor Rental: ⟶ Insurance Costs: ⟶ Fuel Cost: ⟶ Operator cost: ⟶ |
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$742.37 Every other Year $1,000.00 Per Month Premier Rentals 2025 Sponsor $200 Per Month $2.50 Per KM (132 KM Trail) $0.00 Thanks to Our Volunteers! |
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Many users want to track their use of the trail, and they will use apps like Strava to calculate how many kms they travel on the trail. The benefit of an app like Strava is that not only does it track your distance, you also can build a community with the social networking aspect of the app. - Strava uses your phone or smartwatch to record your physical movement. This includes many details such as your route, distance, pace/speed, time, elevation, and other metrics like heart rate and power data if you have compatible sensors.
- You can track your progress and see how you are improving in distance or time.
- Strava was initially popular with cyclists and runners, but you can now track hiking, swimming and skiing as well.
Our E2E challenge has Strava built right into the platform, so you can track and share your progress. You can use the free version of Strava or purchase a more comprehensive version on a monthly fee. |
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 | After 10 years, the makeshift bridge has been replaced. All that is needed is the top layer of stone dust. Thank you to the landowner who allowed us to use his lane for the last 5 months. |
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The G2G is built on a rail bed that was completed in 1907. Because of its solid construction, it will last the test of time as a recreational trail. However, along the 132 kms of trail we have drains and bridges that will now need updating and renovations. Thank you for your continued support of the G2G as we keep it upgraded and safe for all to use into the future. |
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An E2E Experience for the Health of It |
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Here I am sharing my experience with the world – okay a slight over exaggeration there, but all the same sharing a very personal story about why a ride on the G2G meant so much to me. Over the last 30 years I have had health issues from having a stroke at 21yrs old to blood clots, being diagnosed with Lupus and other health issues in between, I guess you could say health issues from head to almost toe over the years. |
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In 2021, finally I had enough, I wasn’t happy with me, so if you don’t like something – you fix it and that’s what I did. I started to walk every day; it didn’t matter if the sun was shining or it was a snowstorm, I walked. My journey began on a snowy cold day. Then summer came and walking turned to riding alongside my husband, (I was not a big fan of riding at this point) but I did it. Then suddenly, I started enjoying riding wow this was fun, single track through the trees was amazing – and the pounds started falling off! I was ecstatic 60 lbs lighter, loving life, a new level of confidence, I felt like a new me and loving myself, loving life & best of all loving riding! In the Spring of 2022, I was in great shape, excited and planning to participate in the Paris to Ancaster Race, then it happened, another blood clot, this time it was in my lung and one in my leg. In less than a week I went from riding fast on my bike to using a walker just to get across the room. Breathing was very difficult. I felt so deflated no race for me that year. I was determined to be back on my bike that year. Day by day step by step I was able to walk a bit further. Fast forward to my bike, the day I was able to ride 2kms I was over the moon! Breathing was hard but I did it, then 2kms turned to 4kms turned to increasingly kms, I was truly on the mend. I never did participate in the race My stubborn determination brought me to setting a different goal for myself one day I would ride the G2G end to end. And this year was the year! With my biggest supporter (my husband) by my side we did it. It took me 3 days starting in Guelph, staying at BnB’s along the way I rode the trail from end to end, I was so proud of myself for being able to do this ride, even the very hilly detour at Auburn did not deter me - I’m still smiling 3days later as I write this, because I never gave up and I won my own race. Jokingly I told my husband, next year I’m going to ride the trail in one day, he laughed, but was it a joke? I’m not sure if it was…. Joy Bartels
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 Consider a Monthly Donation
Your generous support helps us maintain and enhance the G2G Rail Trail, creating a safe, accessible, and inspiring recreational space for all. Every donation goes directly toward: - Trail surface improvements
- Bridge repairs
- Community engagement projects
- Year-round maintenance
Monthly donors are the backbone of our operations. A contribution of $10 or $20/month helps ensure the G2G Rail Trail remains a vibrant connector of communities across Southwestern Ontario. Your support keeps the trail open, beautiful, and better every year.
Become a monthly donor today and be part of every step forward. |
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A Splash of Baltimore Colour for the Trail This bird's distinctive black and orange plumage reminded early colonists in Maryland of the heraldic colours of Lord Baltimore's family crest. It is more related to the blackbird family than the Old Word Orioles. The brilliant orange and black plumage is a characteristic of the adult male. Females and young males are less flashy, typically having more olive-brown and yellow-orange feathers. The female Baltimore Oriole is an expert nest builder. She weaves a hanging, pouch-like nest from various plant fibres, animal hair, and even string, often taking a week or more to complete the intricate structure. This bird has a sweet tooth and has a unique eating method whereby they stab their closed beak into a soft fruit and then open it to lap up the juices with their tongue. One of their less-sweet tastes is that they are one of the few birds that will eat spiny or hairy caterpillars, such as gypsy moth caterpillars and tent caterpillars. The birds will spend their summers in Canada, but in the winter they migrate to Central and South America. This fellow was captured by Merri-Lee Metzger on the G2G. |
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Great Canadian Bicycle Tours, The G2G is not just a weekend excursion. Take the time to explore on an evening as it cools down and pick a spot to catch a special sunset. Some of the best sunsets in Canada happen looking over Lake Huron from a perch in Goderich. Enjoy all of the colours that the trail has to provide.
Happy sunsets,
Willow Hall
Executive Director
G2G Rail Trail Inc.
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