Over the Loon
By the Numbers
Distance: 380 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 4500 metres
Unpaved/Paved: 65%/35%
Non-pavement surfaces are in the form of gravel roads, unmaintained roads, forest doubletrack, and rail trail
Over the Loon is a bold bikepacking route in central Ontario. A playground of dirt riding in a flat-out gorgeous landscape riddled with copious forest and lake views. Spend a night or two and you'll be serenaded by the loon.
Highlights Include:
A trip through the vast gravel playground of the Haliburton Forest Reserve.
A chance to forest bath in the Barnum Creek Nature Reserve.
A good chance to witness local wildlife including moose, bear and beaver.
All the backcountry-style riding you can handle.
An opportunity to spend nights camping alongside tranquil lakes listening to the haunting calls of the loon.
Dozens of beautiful dirt riding miles through the south of Algonquin Provincial Park. A side of the vast park that very few others will see.
Hamlets like Wilberforce and Whitney provide plenty of small town charm.
Navigation
The link below is the route file you need to navigate this route. It would be a challenge to properly navigate with a paper map.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48222350
You can use this file to navigate the route using a navigational device such as Garmin and Wahoo, and on your mobile phone using the Ride with GPS app. The benefit of having the file on the Ride with GPS mobile app is that you will be able to see the points of interest (POIs) during your trip. These include accommodation and food options. Zoom in on a particular area of the route as some POI’s overlap and some of them are not visible when zoomed out.
Use this link to download the Ride with GPS mobile app. https://support.ridewithgps.com/hc/en-us/articles/17499515359643-Import-GPS-files-in-the-app
To download the route to the mobile app, go to the BT 700 Route Library using this link (https://ridewithgps.com/clubs/8322-bt-700-bikepacking/routes?) and click on the Over the Loon route. From here, click on the Save tab at the bottom and choose Download for Offline. This will let you access the route while on course even when not connected to the web. Note: you can also download the route to Garmin devices using this method.
Additionally, in the route file map displayed on the top of this web page, you'll see a "send to device" tab on the top. Clicking this while using your mobile device will let you directly upload the route to the Ride with GPS app. More info on this process here.
If needed, here is a tutorial from Ride with GPS on how to import a route that you have saved in your Ride with GPS route library from the mobile app directly to your Garmin or Wahoo using bluetooth.
If you become a BT 700 Bikepacking Club Member (no cost) you'll be able to download the route using the Ride with GPS mobile app and access its navigational features including voice prompts free of charge. Normally this is only available for Premium Account subscribers. All you will need is to sign up for free Ride with GPS account. Anyone with a free or paid Ride with GPS account who clicks this link will be added to the club and automatically approved. Here is some more info about the benefits of being a club member.
Here is a good article about the pros and cons of using a smartphone to navigate with the Ride with GPS app.
When navigating with the mobile Ride with GPS app, it’s best not to rely solely on voice prompts as sometimes they can steer you in the wrong direction. The line on the map remains the best navigation tool.
If running the Ride with GPS mobile app as you ride you can enable Live Logging so friends and family can follow your journey in real time. This is available for Basic and Premium members. It uses only a small amount of data.
If downloading a .gpx file DO NOT click on ‘Reduce to 500 Points’. This will result in poor navigation. Here is some additional information on downloading the route to your navigation device.
Some GPS navigation devices, including the Garmin eTrex, have a track-point limit to the .gpx files they can store. And some devices just don't function optimally when working with a lengthy route and large route file. For this reason, breaking up the route file into smaller segments might be necessary. Here is a tutorial on how to break up a route into two or more segments. Note: you'll need to save the route to your route library on Ride with GPS before splitting the route into shorter segments.
The route can be updated or modified at any time, so it's best to review the route file in advance for trip planning purposes but only download the file shortly before your ride so you have the most up-to-date route.
If you run into issues downloading the route onto any of your devices or navigating it let me know and I can try to provide assistance.
Trip Start
The launching point for the route is the town of Haliburton. But riders can start and finish at any other point along the route. The route can be completed in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, with no clear advantage to either direction.
Difficulty
The Over the Loon route should be considered a fairly demanding route with a number of rugged sections and also a sizable amount of elevation gain. There is very little flat terrain to be found on this route. There are also some areas, notably the ride through the south of Algonquin and the trip in the Haliburton Forest where cell service is non-existent and self-sufficiency is key. For the most part, there are resupply and accommodation options at regular intervals of the route.
Trip Duration
It should take most riders between 3 to 4 days to complete the route. Over the Loon was designed to be a touring route and not a racing route. But nothing is stopping a keen endurance cyclist from gunning for a time goal and blasting through the route in a couple of days. Like most demanding bikepacking routes, it's best not to overestimate how fast you'll get through the ride.
When to Ride
The route can be enjoyed from May to October. Perhaps the ideal season for riding Over the Loon is late summer and fall when the peak of bug season has passed. Fall can bring a riot of colours to the route.
What to Ride
Over the Loon was designed as bikepacking route with an emphasis on rugged terrain, so the recommended format is a drop bar bike with 650b or 29-inch wheels. If using 700 wheels, it’s advised to use 45mm tires or larger for improved comfort. Skinny rubber will make the ride less fun, especially on the rougher unmaintained road and rail trail sections that can be chunky in spots. Tires in the range of 1.9 to 2.5 will work well on 650b or 29-inch wheels. A rigid or hardtail MTB would also be perfectly suitable for the route and a good option on some of the more rowdy stuff. Good gear ratios will make it easier to tackle some of the punchy inclines when loaded down with gear. You really can’t have enough gears for this route. Run tubeless if possible to mitigate the chances of flats in some of the rockier areas.
Tough Stuff
Depending on the time of year, bugs can be a serious nuisance, including the dreaded dear fly.
Bring your climbing legs, you’ll need them.
The summer months can bring steamy conditions, especially on some of the exposed roads and trails. Make sure to take appropriate precautions including carrying enough water to beat the heat, or to combat the cold in the late season.
Some areas including Algonquin Provincial Park can experience heavy tourism during the summer months so plan ahead if needed.
Occasionally, the route must veer onto paved roads with heavier traffic flow. Ride with awareness during these times.
Some sections of unmaintained roads and paths can be rough and require a greater degree of bike handling skills. Dismount and hike with your bike when needed.
Don’t expect universal cell service.
Route Updates
The route will be updated as needed. However, if you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should know about please contact me about this.
Lastly
It must be stressed that the route is entirely unsupported and unsanctioned with no insurance provided. All riders are responsible for their well-being on the Farmers Folly route and ride at their own risk. The route developer takes no responsibility for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other circumstance that might happen to individual riders cycling the Over the Loon route. There is no guarantee of route conditions at any given time and the route developer takes no responsibility for disrupted route conditions. You are entirely responsible for your safety and decisions that are made including accommodation and necessary detours. It is advised to study the route map and make note of your supply options as well as some possible detours (these are marked with a Control Point symbol). If you are not comfortable riding a section of the route take any necessary alternatives. Planning and due diligence is imperative as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
Distance: 380 Kilometres
Total Ascent: 4500 metres
Unpaved/Paved: 65%/35%
Non-pavement surfaces are in the form of gravel roads, unmaintained roads, forest doubletrack, and rail trail
Over the Loon is a bold bikepacking route in central Ontario. A playground of dirt riding in a flat-out gorgeous landscape riddled with copious forest and lake views. Spend a night or two and you'll be serenaded by the loon.
Highlights Include:
A trip through the vast gravel playground of the Haliburton Forest Reserve.
A chance to forest bath in the Barnum Creek Nature Reserve.
A good chance to witness local wildlife including moose, bear and beaver.
All the backcountry-style riding you can handle.
An opportunity to spend nights camping alongside tranquil lakes listening to the haunting calls of the loon.
Dozens of beautiful dirt riding miles through the south of Algonquin Provincial Park. A side of the vast park that very few others will see.
Hamlets like Wilberforce and Whitney provide plenty of small town charm.
Navigation
The link below is the route file you need to navigate this route. It would be a challenge to properly navigate with a paper map.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48222350
You can use this file to navigate the route using a navigational device such as Garmin and Wahoo, and on your mobile phone using the Ride with GPS app. The benefit of having the file on the Ride with GPS mobile app is that you will be able to see the points of interest (POIs) during your trip. These include accommodation and food options. Zoom in on a particular area of the route as some POI’s overlap and some of them are not visible when zoomed out.
Use this link to download the Ride with GPS mobile app. https://support.ridewithgps.com/hc/en-us/articles/17499515359643-Import-GPS-files-in-the-app
To download the route to the mobile app, go to the BT 700 Route Library using this link (https://ridewithgps.com/clubs/8322-bt-700-bikepacking/routes?) and click on the Over the Loon route. From here, click on the Save tab at the bottom and choose Download for Offline. This will let you access the route while on course even when not connected to the web. Note: you can also download the route to Garmin devices using this method.
Additionally, in the route file map displayed on the top of this web page, you'll see a "send to device" tab on the top. Clicking this while using your mobile device will let you directly upload the route to the Ride with GPS app. More info on this process here.
If needed, here is a tutorial from Ride with GPS on how to import a route that you have saved in your Ride with GPS route library from the mobile app directly to your Garmin or Wahoo using bluetooth.
If you become a BT 700 Bikepacking Club Member (no cost) you'll be able to download the route using the Ride with GPS mobile app and access its navigational features including voice prompts free of charge. Normally this is only available for Premium Account subscribers. All you will need is to sign up for free Ride with GPS account. Anyone with a free or paid Ride with GPS account who clicks this link will be added to the club and automatically approved. Here is some more info about the benefits of being a club member.
Here is a good article about the pros and cons of using a smartphone to navigate with the Ride with GPS app.
When navigating with the mobile Ride with GPS app, it’s best not to rely solely on voice prompts as sometimes they can steer you in the wrong direction. The line on the map remains the best navigation tool.
If running the Ride with GPS mobile app as you ride you can enable Live Logging so friends and family can follow your journey in real time. This is available for Basic and Premium members. It uses only a small amount of data.
If downloading a .gpx file DO NOT click on ‘Reduce to 500 Points’. This will result in poor navigation. Here is some additional information on downloading the route to your navigation device.
Some GPS navigation devices, including the Garmin eTrex, have a track-point limit to the .gpx files they can store. And some devices just don't function optimally when working with a lengthy route and large route file. For this reason, breaking up the route file into smaller segments might be necessary. Here is a tutorial on how to break up a route into two or more segments. Note: you'll need to save the route to your route library on Ride with GPS before splitting the route into shorter segments.
The route can be updated or modified at any time, so it's best to review the route file in advance for trip planning purposes but only download the file shortly before your ride so you have the most up-to-date route.
If you run into issues downloading the route onto any of your devices or navigating it let me know and I can try to provide assistance.
Trip Start
The launching point for the route is the town of Haliburton. But riders can start and finish at any other point along the route. The route can be completed in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, with no clear advantage to either direction.
Difficulty
The Over the Loon route should be considered a fairly demanding route with a number of rugged sections and also a sizable amount of elevation gain. There is very little flat terrain to be found on this route. There are also some areas, notably the ride through the south of Algonquin and the trip in the Haliburton Forest where cell service is non-existent and self-sufficiency is key. For the most part, there are resupply and accommodation options at regular intervals of the route.
Trip Duration
It should take most riders between 3 to 4 days to complete the route. Over the Loon was designed to be a touring route and not a racing route. But nothing is stopping a keen endurance cyclist from gunning for a time goal and blasting through the route in a couple of days. Like most demanding bikepacking routes, it's best not to overestimate how fast you'll get through the ride.
When to Ride
The route can be enjoyed from May to October. Perhaps the ideal season for riding Over the Loon is late summer and fall when the peak of bug season has passed. Fall can bring a riot of colours to the route.
What to Ride
Over the Loon was designed as bikepacking route with an emphasis on rugged terrain, so the recommended format is a drop bar bike with 650b or 29-inch wheels. If using 700 wheels, it’s advised to use 45mm tires or larger for improved comfort. Skinny rubber will make the ride less fun, especially on the rougher unmaintained road and rail trail sections that can be chunky in spots. Tires in the range of 1.9 to 2.5 will work well on 650b or 29-inch wheels. A rigid or hardtail MTB would also be perfectly suitable for the route and a good option on some of the more rowdy stuff. Good gear ratios will make it easier to tackle some of the punchy inclines when loaded down with gear. You really can’t have enough gears for this route. Run tubeless if possible to mitigate the chances of flats in some of the rockier areas.
Tough Stuff
Depending on the time of year, bugs can be a serious nuisance, including the dreaded dear fly.
Bring your climbing legs, you’ll need them.
The summer months can bring steamy conditions, especially on some of the exposed roads and trails. Make sure to take appropriate precautions including carrying enough water to beat the heat, or to combat the cold in the late season.
Some areas including Algonquin Provincial Park can experience heavy tourism during the summer months so plan ahead if needed.
Occasionally, the route must veer onto paved roads with heavier traffic flow. Ride with awareness during these times.
Some sections of unmaintained roads and paths can be rough and require a greater degree of bike handling skills. Dismount and hike with your bike when needed.
Don’t expect universal cell service.
Route Updates
The route will be updated as needed. However, if you ride the route and come across any route issues or services that I should know about please contact me about this.
Lastly
It must be stressed that the route is entirely unsupported and unsanctioned with no insurance provided. All riders are responsible for their well-being on the Farmers Folly route and ride at their own risk. The route developer takes no responsibility for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other circumstance that might happen to individual riders cycling the Over the Loon route. There is no guarantee of route conditions at any given time and the route developer takes no responsibility for disrupted route conditions. You are entirely responsible for your safety and decisions that are made including accommodation and necessary detours. It is advised to study the route map and make note of your supply options as well as some possible detours (these are marked with a Control Point symbol). If you are not comfortable riding a section of the route take any necessary alternatives. Planning and due diligence is imperative as is riding within your means. People "racing" the route do so at their own risk.
