Collingwood’s Jewel in Hiding – Our Bike Trails.

Our bike trails really are Collingwood’s Jewel in Hiding.

This is now my third full year of riding the trails daily for our groceries, a fun little challenge I gave myself in an effort to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise and lead a more sustainable life. 

Over those three years, I have logged just about 12,000 kilometres on my bike, which translates into a reduction of my carbon footprint by 3.25 tons of carbon dioxide (we emit about one ton of CO2 for about every 3,750 kilometres of driving). That makes me feel like I am a part of the solution and living in alignment with my values towards our planet.

Once again this year, I am completely impressed with the work the Town of Collingwood does in keeping the trails well maintained in general and clear of debris after storms, particularly of how responsive they are when notified of fallen trees. On three occasions this year, after a storm, I came across fallen trees twice and a broken lighting wire which was dangling, sent along photos and GPS locations to the Town and within three days each time, the issue was cleared.

These are things that most people who live here don’t get to see on a daily basis like I do and it’s something that is underplayed when thinking about the quality of life residents have the opportunity to enjoy in Collingwood. And it’s important to cyclists because getting around on the streets of Collingwood is not very welcoming. 

Being retired and not in a hurry on most days for anything other than having myself a good day now, I can honestly say that the simple daily routine of using our bike trails as the pathways to our grocery stores not only shelters me from the ever increasing traffic in our small town, it also provides me with a sense of peace and gratitude and keeps me grounded – just an hour a day along these trails is invigorating.

Nature unfolds throughout the seasons along these trails, thanks to good planning and Mother Nature. In the earlier springtime, Canadian Anemones, Forget Me Nots and Stars of Bethlehem burst into bloom. and young Snapping Turtles emerge from their nests. On several occasions, I have come across them along the Black Creek Trail and give them a little helping hand over to the creek. Not to mention the majestic arrival of our Swans in Collingwood Harbour.

By June, Queen Anne’s Lace begin to unravel themselves into displays of white lace and if you pay very close attention, you will see that they have a single purple flower directly in the centre. It’s worth stopping to see for yourself and they are abundant on our trails for much of the summer.

Then, in the late days of September, Chinook Salmon migrate upstream from Georgian Bay into the Pretty River to spawn and if you are paying attention, you will hear them splashing along, determined to lay their eggs in the gravel beds and large deep pools found upstream along the river and its tributaries. On one particularly beautiful afternoon, Yim and I stopped to spend an hour watching, while photographing and filming their determination, as they leapt up and over the shale rock-bottom steps upstream to spawn. It’s pretty incredible to watch and even more special knowing that we are just minutes from our home.