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Grey County CP Rail Trail Information

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OSCC member, Brian Low has maintained communication with the County of Grey – Natalie Mechalko, Trails and Forestry Coordinator, and the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority – Morgan Barrie, Operations Manager, regarding the conditions and status of the Grey County CP Rail Trail.

The CP Rail Trail offers 12-month multi-use trail access for both motorized (ATV and snowmobile) and non-motorized users from Dundalk to Owen Sound, with certain restrictions for the motorized uses. Currently, the CP Rail Trail from Grey Road 18 to Owen Sound does not permit ATV use and is designated as a non-motorized multi-use trail during the spring, summer, and fall. The trail can only accommodate ATVs up to 54 inches wide.

Links providing further information on the trail are found here:

https://www.visitgrey.ca/business/grey-county-cp-rail-trail
https://www.trailforks.com/trails/grey-county-cp-rail-trail-n/
https://www.trailforks.com/trails/grey-county-cp-rail-trail-s/

Over the past few years, the trail has been graded and resurfaced in sections. Natalie Mechalko, provided an update on the trail this spring:

“In terms of the resurfacing, in 2022 the trail was resurfaced north of Thistlewood Road at the south side of Bridge 42 – approximately 200 metres south of Sideroad 80.  The remainder of the work (Sideroad 180 to Dundalk, approximately 12 kilometres remaining) is anticipated to be completed summer of 2023.  In terms of trail maintenance, the County and Grey Sauble have been having discussions with the ATV club and determining what requirements are needed for the club to be able to do this maintenance.  Additionally, we are working on an Adopt-a-trail program that would allow individuals, groups or clubs to participate in trail stewardship.”

More recently on May 24th, Ms. Mechalko provided the following in response to our inquiries:

“The gates have been left open as part of a pilot project to see if the open gates reduce the instances of vehicles traveling around the gates and causing trail erosion.  We have notified police contacts and clubs of this project and requested that they note in their trail reports instances of vehicles over 54” accessing the trail.  Thank you for providing the feedback on the increase in larger side-by-sides – if you have additional details around the approximate section of trail and date, I can include that in a trail report.

The ATV club coordinates with police to patrol the trail and check for compliance with membership and trail rules.  The club submits monthly trail reports to the County noting trail maintenance and safety concerns.

County forest and trail properties are closed to all users from sunset to sunrise.  I will look into whether there would be any circumstances that would grant users permission to use the trail between sunset and sunrise.”

The Grey County CP Rail Trail is a popular recreational ride for OSCC members and visitors to the area. If you become aware of trail deterioration, unsafe practices, or have information that can assist this to be the tremendous cycling asset to the County it has the potential to be, please share with Brian Low, at brian.low@lowdirect.ca. He will share information with the County and Conservation Authority as appropriate.

When cycling on the trail, please observe proper etiquette. Slow down and notify walkers on the trail as you approach. Slow down for oncoming ATVs and encourage oncoming ATVs to slow to walking speed when passing. When ATVs are overtaking, slow or stop when able to safely do so and allow ATVs to pass. Encourage overtaking ATVs to slow to walking pace when passing.

Group Rides – Safety

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SAFETY:

Helmets MUST be worn at all times while riding on a bicycle during OSCC activities.

Earbuds, headphones, hands-free phones, portable sound systems, etc are NOT permitted on any club rides including time trials.

Working front and rear lights are STRONGLY encouraged on all bicycles.

Brightly coloured clothing is recommended – being visible to drivers and other cyclists means improved rider safety. 

Group Rides

Aerobars, extensions, time trial or triathlon bikes are not permitted on group rides

Time Trials

Tri and TT bikes are permitted.  You may use aerobars and/or extensions in time trials. 

Greg’s Cycle For Kids

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I would like to bring to the attention of the club membership an upcoming cycling event taking place on June 4 in Milton Ontario. The event is Greg’s Cycle for Kids which is put on by Share the Road Cycling Coalition (STR) every year in memory of OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart who was killed on the road while on a training ride. STR is a provincial cycling advocacy organization working to build a bicycle-friendly Ontario. It works in partnership with municipal and provincial governments, cycling clubs, the business community, road safety organizations and other non-profits to enhance access for bicyclists on roads and trails, improve safety for all those who share the road – cyclists and drivers and educate citizens on the value and importance of safe bicycling for healthy lifestyles and healthy communities.

There are three fully supported routes of different lengths –  50, 100 and 140km – to appeal to all ages and skill levels. Event details and registration can be found online at  Cycling Event | Greg’s Cycle for Kids (gregscycleforkids.com). This is a fun, low key event and an important fundraiser for STR. If you can, I would encourage you to sign up. And I look forward to seeing you on the road.

2023 Registration Now Open

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Owen Sound Cycling Club 2023 registration is now open. You can use the button on the home page or this link.

Individual OSCC membership for 2023 is $66.88 ($10.00 to the OSCC and $51.00 + tax for insurance coverage through the Ontario Cycling Association).

If you are registering more than one person, please consider registering all parties in one transaction online. We (the OSCC) lose less of each individual membership to cover the processing fees and taxes if multiple registrations are done at once.