Bikepacking in Kawarthas Northumberland

woman standing in front of Hope Mill with a bike bikepacking

There are so many good reasons to go bikepacking! For some endurance athletes the day comes when a desired ride is so long that it simply can’t be done in one day, which is a good reason to consider a multi day cycling adventure. For others, the appeal of bikepacking is that a trip can be savored at a leisurely pace, while taking the time to sample a region’s hospitality and scenery. Whether wilderness adventure or luxurious leisure appeals to you, carrying just what you need on your bike gives a sense of freedom that many of us have not experienced since childhood.

Top 5 Fall Fishing Locations

Silhouette of people fishing from a powerboat, with bright orange sun over lake

The angling opportunities available year round are simply astounding. The fall is a special time of year, however, and the scenery is simply breathtaking. With so many fishing destinations with over 350 lakes and rivers to choose from, here are my top 5 fall must-fish locations.

Fall Is For Friends

Couple walking with a golden retriever on a trail with the sun setting

Fall is for friends—best friends of the furry kind, that is. Our poor pooches get exhausted in the summer heat and favor an air-conditioned home over an adventurous hike. If the trails are paved heat can be detrimental to their paw pads, and there’s been more than one occasion I’ve been chased out of the woods with my pup by an intense wall of mosquitoes in the summer.

Fall Ales and Trails

A bed of yellow fall leaves in a park

Every beer drinker knows a brew tastes better when you’ve earned it. Preferences also change by season—a crisp lager is never better than in the high heat of summer, and cooler weather makes a rich flavour like porter especially appealing. These fundamentals combine beautifully in Kawarthas Northumberland, where an abundance of hiking trails meets a range of craft breweries. If you’d like to work up a thirst on a trail or bring home a sampler after exploring the region, here are some recommended pairings.