B4UW Thunder Bay to Toronto 2024 Route

The route, as presented here, starts at the Thunder Bay City Hall and, after 10 days of riding, ends at the Toronto City Hall. Both of the start and end locations can be changed as well as some portions of the route that are not on either Hwy 17 (Thunder Bay to Massey) or Hwy 6 (Espanola to South Baymouth and Tobermory south towards Owen Sound).

When can the ride occur? The ride starts from Thunder Bay at their United Way kick off event on Friday September 6th and goes every day until we reach Queen’s Park in Toronto on Sunday, September 15th, 2024.

Bike route from Thunder Bay to Manitoulin Island.
Bike for United Way T2T – Day 1 to Day 8 from Thunder Bay to Manitoulin Island
Bike for United Way Tobermory to Toronto Day 8 to Day 10
Bike for United Way 2024 Tobermory to Toronto – Day 8 to Day 10

Route Notes

  • Day 1 – Friday, September 6th – Hwy 17 Thunder Bay to Nipigon
  • Start: Thunder Bay City Hall
    End: Nipigon Marina Campground
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057407
    Distance: 115km
    Elevation: 689m
    Notes: Thunder Bay does have bicycle lanes and bike friendly roads but not many in the direction we want to go. Hwy 17, from Thunder Bay, for about 50km, is divided and 4-lane. It is possible to avoid most of this but not all of it: there are no other options for the last 5km other than to ride it. For this reason, it would be nice to have police escort through Thunder Bay, along the route and for the 5km of 4-lane highway.
  • Day 2 – Saturday, September 7th – Hwy 17 Nipigon to Neys Provincial Park
  • Start: Nipigon Marina Campground
    End: Neys Provincial Park
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057517
    Distance: 160km (to the park entrance)
    Elevation: 1955m
    Notes:
  • Day 3 – Sunday, September 8th – Hwy 17 Neys Provincial Park to White River, (Unofficial Cyclists Campground – White River Tourist Information Centre)
  • Start: Neys Provincial Park
    End: White River, unofficial cyclists’ campground
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057503
    Distance: 115km
    Elevation: 1199m
    Notes:
  • Day 4 – Monday, September 9th – Hwy 17 White River to Lake Superior Provincial Park
  • Start: White River, unofficial cyclists’ campground
    End: Agawa Bay Campground, Lake Superior Provincial Park
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057523
    Distance: 177km
    Elevation: 1623m
    Notes:
  • Day 5 – Tuesday, September 10th – Hwy 17 Lake Superior Provincial Park to Sault Ste. Marie KOA
  • Start: Agawa Bay Campground, Lake Superior Provincial Park
    End: Sault Ste Marie, KOA
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057532
    Distance: 196kms
    Elevation: 1195m
    Notes:
  • Day 6 – Wednesday, September 11th – Hwy 17 Sault Ste Marie KOA. to Blind River
  • Start: Sault Ste Marie, KOA
    End: Blind River
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057557
    Distance: 151km
    Elevation: 587m
    Notes: Not known where to camp/stay overnight
  • Day 7 – Thursday, September 12th – Hwy 17 Blind River, to Hwy 6 to Little Current
  • Start: Blind River
    End: Little Current
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057573
    Distance: 144km
    Elevation: 1183m
    Notes: Most of the hills are for about 20km just south of Espanola but relatively flat afterwards. Lengthening this day a bit will make tomorrow’s rush to the ferry a bit easier
  • Day 8 – Friday, September 13th – Little Current  Hwy 6 South Bay Mouth 73 kms, Take Ferry to Tobermory and then cycle to Hope Bay Campground 52 kms or Owen Sound plus 30.
  • Ride to ferry, take ferry, ride from ferry to Owen Sound
  • Start: Little Current
    End Midpoint: South Baymouth (ferry terminal)
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057576
    Distance: 64km
    Elevation: 417m
    Notes: Easy ride, just one significant hill but no big deal, paved shoulder bike lane the whole way to the ferry
  • MS Chi Cheemaun Ferry from Manitoulin Island to Tobermory (11:00 departure; arrives at 12:45) ferries to South Tobermory
  • Ride Part two: Tobermory (ferry terminal)
    End: Harrison Park Campground, Owen Sound
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057593
    Distance: 112km
    Elevation: 612m
    Notes: One one route from Tobermory until closer to Owen Sound, Hwy 6 is reportedly busy.
  • Day 9 – Saturday, September 14th – Owen Sound Hope Bay to Orangeville
  • Start: Harrison Park Campground, Owen Sound
    End: Earl Rowe Provincial Park
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057609
    Distance: 113km
    Elevation: 909m
    Notes:
  • Day 10 – Sunday, September 15th – Orangeville  to Toronto Queen’s Park
  • Start: Earl Rowe Provincial Park
    End: Toronto City Hall
    Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45057613
    Distance: 82km / 107 kms
    Elevation: 343m
    Notes: Lots of discussion to be had regarding this portion of the route but maybe, given the “short” distance and it being the final leg, police support might be beneficial.