1. Louisa Mursell Projects Director Phone: 416-827-2774 / 1-866-701-2774 Email: lmursell@transportationoptions.org www.transportationoptions.org www.welcomecyclists.ca © 2013 Transportation Options CYCLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT GREY COUNTY

2. Cycle Tourism Development - Grey County Key factors: Partnerships Transportation Options Services & Businesses – Welcome Cyclists Network Infrastructure – New Routes Info & Marketing – Next Steps

3. SERVICES & BUSINESSES Accommodations Food Services Attractions Bike Stores Certified Bicycle Friendly

4. What is the Welcome Cyclists Network? Goal is to create a network of cycle friendly businesses that together enhance the regions cycle tourism product Comprehensive program Individual business profile / collective profile Economic development Target end users – visiting cycle tourists and local cyclists Promoting cycle tourism & bicycle friendly businesses in Ontario 36 workshops – 1060 attendees 775+ participating locations - 26 regions

5. Network Participants Benefits Workshop & Tool Kit Product knowledge Access to growing cycle tourism market Potential for group marketing opportunities Formation of a larger network in region NETWORK PARTICIPATION Workshop Attendance On-line Registration Criteria Checklist www.welcomecyclists.ca

6. Welcome Cyclists Locations Offer: Secure bike lock-up area Local cycling information Use of basic bicycle repair tool set (accommodations only) Healthy, local food options (where served) Rest area and water (attractions) Certification Criteria Checklist

7. www.welcomecyclists.ca

8. 2 Previous Workshops October 2012: 57 attended Recent outreach Ongoing outreach Total businesses currently participating: 35 Welcome Cyclists Network Grey County Workshops

9. Noah's Inn Ansaku B&B Best Western Inn on the Bay Between The Maples B&B Georgian Manor B&B Hawthorn Cottages & Camping of Lake Eugenia Holly Cottage B&B Maxwell's Cabin B&B Pedulla's Mountainside B&B at Blue Mountain Pretty River Valley Country Inn Red Hills Country House Bed & Breakfast Rob Uffen's Trout House Sea and Ski Vacation Rentals The Guest House at Eugenia Falls The Treehouse Bed & Breakfast Georgian Bay Cycle Tours Pedal Pushers Cycle & Spa Clinics/Tours Ride On Bikes Bikeface Cycling Squire Johns Bruce Wine Bar Kitchen Kimberley General Store McGinty's Cafe The Cheese Gallery - Edible Art The Dam Pub Gastropub Beaver Valley Cidery Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery Georgian Hills Vineyards Blue Mountain Village Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain Town of The Blue Mountains Town Hall Grey County Tourism Meaford Chamber of Commerce Owen Sound Tourism Certified Bicycle Friendly Locations In Grey County

10. “We congratulate you on this venture, will most definitely be part of this.” Guest House Eugenia Falls Ride on Bikes – Back of business card ‘Proud Member of Welcome Cyclists’. Listing assisting with on-line SOE Many businesses enthusiastic – used to welcoming cyclists and would like to see more Welcome Cyclists decals and signs displayed Outreach to additional businesses Review to TripAdvisor and on Welcome Cyclists September 2013 – Pretty River Valley Country Inn "We do an annual cycling trip with roughly 15 guys. We've been to Colorado, Lake Placid and North Carolina and this year to Southern Ontario. We stayed a night at the Pretty River Valley Inn... it was exceptional. A very welcoming group that even went to town to get us a cake for a birthday celebration and gluten free bread for some with dietary sensitivities. Very very friendly. They were incredibly accommodating and the rooms were perfect. The facilities are nice and clean with a pool and hot- tub to loosen up the muscles after a long ride. On that point, the out and back that we did from the Inn was superb. It was one of the best rides I've done. Starting the ride with the Scenic Caves hill is tough, but once you're up there, the riding is world class. I highly recommend this Inn for your next cycling trip. Feedback From Participating Locations

11. Recreational Cycling Routes & Itinerary Development Project Overview Grey County Create 5 new cycling itineraries 20-30km in length Geared to new target market

12. Opportunity More experienced cyclists already finding area Many training rides pre Centurion Demand from recreational riders New draw to new market Added activities to extend stay Shoulder season potential Economic impact – businesses impacted by cyclists spending

13. Target Market Family / Leisure & Recreational Riders Leisure Secondary activity Off road paths or routes Prefer loops and flat rides Less frequent riders Less than 20km May be more likely to rent bikes Recreational Riders Primary or secondary activity More likely to have own bikes and experience riding Off road paths or routes Ride distances 30-80km Experience destination All ages – Variety of abilities – Safe ride – Experience destination Variety of classification systems used to categorize cyclists. The above also includes touring cycling, race and competitive, mountain biking markets all of which are not primary target markets for these routes.

14. Route Selection Criteria  Route length  Easy terrain  Wayfinding complexity  Road quality & infrastructure  Existing routes  Road safety  Amenities (washrooms, bike racks etc)  Parking  Start/finish access points  Tourism businesses including accommodations  Services (bike repairs, ATM, refuel)  Bike rental options & guided tours  Destination attractions  Communities  The experience

15. Key Areas Beaver Valley Owen Sound Meaford Thornbury Blue Mountains South Grey

16. Neustadt Country Road Loop 6 riders

17. Features / Attractions 1 - Suphur Springs Conservation Area 2 - Neustadt Springs Brewery 3 - Neustadt Village 4 - John Diefenbaker Home 5 – Farms & countryside Feedback: Hwy #10 - busy Gravel roads – Bike type Limited stops enroute Brewery & village – hours of operation

18. 8 riders Eugenia Lake Circuit

19. Features / Attractions 1 - Hawthorn Cottages & Camping / Cedars Resort 2 - Eugenia Lake Causeway 3 - Eugenia town and cafes 4 – Guest House at Eugenia Falls 5 - Eugenia Falls Conservation Area Feedback: Quiet country roads Limited gravel Lake views Attractions in/near Eugenia Businesses open various hours Natural heritage

20. Thornbury Heathcote Loop 5 riders Thornbury

21. Features / Attractions 1 - Heathcote Village bakery and boat rentals on Beaver River 2 - Farmers Pantry 3 – Clendenan Conservation Area 4 - Clarksburg Village & art galleries 5 - Thornbury town centre 5 - The Cheese Gallery - Old Mail Road Feedback: Reroute to avoid longer hills Frogs Hollow hill & #7 hill – challenging but views Old Mail Road heritage - gravel Some paved shoulders Good shopping options Good add on adventures

22. Owen Sound East & Town Centre 6 riders

23. Feedback: Quiet Bayshore Road Great waterviews Conservation areas – free entry for bikes? Bay River Café – only refreshments Thomson grave & church Tom Thomson trail hard to locate entry Map recheck – back roads - gravel Features / Attractions 1 – Hibou Conservation Area 2 – Bayside River Café 3 - Ainsley Woods Conservation Area 4 – Tom Thomson Memorial / Grave 5 - Owen Sound Town Centre 6 –Owen Sound Marine and Rail Museum & Visitor Information Centre

24. Blue Mountain Loop TODAY – 14 riders

25. Features / Attractions 1 – Blue Mountain Village 2 – Blue Mountain Summer Gondola 3 – Loree Forest Trails 4 – Georgian Hills Vineyard 5 - T&K Ferri Orchards and others farm stops 6 - Council Beach 7 - Craigleith Provincial Park 8 – Georgian Trail

26. Next Steps – Route Development Finalize routes Prepare maps and route directions Include businesses Provide lure/text information Grey Tourism upload to website Increase participation in Welcome Cyclists Network Cycle tourism development Grey Tourism next steps

27. Louisa Mursell Projects Director Phone: 416-827-2774 / 1-866-701-2774 Email: lmursell@transportationoptions.org www.transportationoptions.org www.welcomecyclists.ca © 2013 Transportation Options CYCLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT GREY COUNTY