This is our yearly share of a newsletter from Ontario Bikepacking Guro / Registered Dietician and ‘friend of the pod’ Matthew Kadey
Check out past episodes and posts with Matt Kadey here and enjoy his yearly update on all things BikePacking in Ontario and Canada (and beyond!)
Matt’s 2026 Bikepack Ontario Newsletter
It’s time for the annual Ontario bikepacking newsletter. It’s been a busy 2025 season for BT 700 Productions, so let’s dig in.
The number of routes in Ontario created by BT 700 Productions has ballooned to a lucky number 13. There are now rides of various lengths and difficulties, and also those that are more gravel-heavy and those that are more trail oriented. All route files can be obtained here: http://www.bt700.ca/routefiles.html
New Ontario Bikepacking routes in 2025 are:
High Five
http://www.bt700.ca/high-five.html
This bikepacking route made for mountain bikes contains roughly 100km of sweet singletrack using some of southern Ontario’s premier trail networks. A route designed for full-squish bikes.
The Frontier Lake Loop
http://www.bt700.ca/frontierlake.html
This route that wanders between Hastings and Frontenac Counties is blessed with some of the best gravel riding of any route in the province. When scouting this route, we were blown away by the quality of the dirt roads in the region. Plus, so many wonderful lakes that beckon for a plunge.
Bruce on the Loose
http://www.bt700.ca/bruceontheloose.html
The much-anticipated route up and back down the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula. Participants will experience a side of this region that few tourists get to enjoy. And, yes, plenty of dramatic Georgian Bay views.
Existing Routes
BT700
The Grand Depart for the BT 700 is slated to run on Sunday June 7th from St. Jacob’s. At this time, participants can choose to ride either the BT 700, BT XL, or BT Light route. A great chance to ride with a crowd on the route. You can sign up here: http://www.bt700.ca/bikepacking-grand-depart.html
No Winter Maintenance (NWM)
There will be no organized bikepacking group ride on the No Winter Maintenance route in 2026.
Log Driver’s Waltz
My friends at the Log Driver’s Waltz are once again running their grand depart in 2026. It seems to get more attendees every year. It’s slated to commence on August 29 beginning in Almonte, Ontario. More details here: https://www.logdriverswaltz.ca/2026-grand-depart.html
Golden Horseshoe Bikepacking Race
Did anyone catch the amazing coverage of the inaugural Golden Horseshoe bikepacking race this past September? Wow, that looked like a wild ride. I believe organizer Theo Kelsey-Verdecchia is ready to offer the race again in 2026. @goldenhorseshoerace
Canadian Shield Bikepacking Summit
Canada’s sole bikepacking summit takes place once again in 2026 in Wakefield, Quebec. I always hear amazing things about this event that promises to be filled with excellent speakers and educational seminars. Details of the Canadian Shield Bikepacking Summit can be found here: https://bikepackadventures.ticketspice.com/2026-canadian-shield-bikepacking-summit
The Great Northern Bikepacking Route
This Route witnessed a few more completions in 2025. From Victoria to Cape Spear, Newfoundland, the GNBR is a mega-route spanning more than 13,000km across 10 provinces and 3 U.S. states. A route with a lifetime worth of dirt riding. For anyone who wants to spend many weeks on the saddle, a Grand Depart is slated for May 23, 2026, from Victoria.https://www.greatnorthernbikepacking.com/granddepart.html
But it’s certainly possible to ride shorter segments of this route. The full length of Ontario (https://www.greatnorthernbikepacking.com/ontario.html) is a ride promising many rewards.
BIG GRIZ Bike Packing Route
Born out of the GNBR, is The Big Griz. This bikepacking route is a 2,325km journey across British Columbia that offers up a fantastic mix of riding terrain and huge scenery. Plus, running into a few bruins along the way is almost a guarantee. Having (mostly) completed the route from Victoria to Banff, I will confess it’s not a ride to take lightly, but certainly one that is stellar from start to end. Put this on your bucket list. Route details here: http://www.bt700.ca/biggriz.html
Le Grand Gaspésie
Also emerging from the GNBR is Le Grand Gaspésie, a rugged route that circumnavigates the Gaspésie Peninsula in Quebec. An area of spectacular sea, river, and mountain landscapes that rewards bikepackers for their efforts, which at times is very high. Route details here: http://www.bt700.ca/gaspe.html
The Biggest Bike Packing Route Possible in Ontario = ONXL
Looking for the ultimate Ontario bikepacking adventure? The ONXL links many of the routes in the province, providing more than 10,000km of connecting riding. http://www.bt700.ca/onxl.html
Bike Packing Route Updates Outside of Canada
For those eager for something a little more exotic, there is the La Gira de Costa route in Costa Rica. In a matter of days, you can go from deep jungle riding to cruising on a pristine beach. Pura Vida, indeed. I’ve been blown away by the number of bikepackers this route has sent to the steamy country. Route details here: https://bikepacking.com/routes/gira-costa/
Even more grand is the El Camino de Café in Colombia. This 1,500km route strikes out into three branches of the Colombian Andes and takes riders on a roller coaster of a journey through some of the country’s most varied terrain, dominated by looming mountains, rushing rivers, verdant jungle and sleepy pueblos. And don’t forget the binoculars to spy on the world class bird life. To be blunt, some of the best riding I have ever done. Route details here: http://www.bt700.ca/colombia-bikepacking.html
Bikepacking Resources
Ready to take your bikepacking cuisine up a notch and ditch the expensive freeze-dried stuff? I have produced the Bikepacker’s Cookbook with recipes designed to be enjoyed for breakfast, during the ride, and dinner. New recipes were added for the most recent edition of the book. You can get a free copy of the e-book here: http://www.bt700.ca/bikepacking-cookbook.html
I’ve been working on a gear list to highlight some of my most precious bikepacking materials. You can go shopping here: http://www.bt700.ca/gear.html (Insider tip: I may have now found the ultimate tent for two-wheel adventures.)
Registered Kinesiologist Peter Glassford with Consummate Athlete is offering bikepacking specific training programs. It’s never too early to start training properly and efficiently for those testy inclines and big days in the saddle. More information on this program along with a discount code can be found here: http://www.bt700.ca/bikepacking-training.html
I am always eager to hear from individuals interested in being trail angels who can provide tenting space, a bed for an evening, water bottle refills, or any other services for riders. If you live in the proximity of any of the routes, including the GNBR, and would like to join this growing community, please let me know.
I have Facebook and Instagram accounts for both the BT 700 and the GNBR.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bt700bikepacking
https://www.facebook.com/groups/greatnorthernbikepackingroute
https://www.instagram.com/bt700bikepacking
https://www.instagram.com/greatnorthernbikepacking
Happy Riding!
Matthew Kadey MSc., RD
Dietitian, Nutrition Writer, Recipe Developer, Adventure Cyclist
