There’s nothing like riding a motorcycle two up. Two people flying down the highway without a care in the world, holding on to each other in a symphony of twists and turns, experiencing the beauty of nature and the thrill of the ride together. There are so few moments in life when a couple can experience something so direct at the exact same time.
To make the most of your couples ride, we’ve put together a short list of things to consider when heading out together.
The Route
Crucial to setting the stage for an intimate trip is choosing a route close enough to home that you can spend most of your time enjoying the route, rather than too much time on superhighways just to get there.
There are a number of routes throughout Ontario that are well suited for riding two up; routes that aren’t overly technically complex and include inspiring sights and relaxing resort and lodges, with perfect spots for romantic dinners.
For couples coming from Minnesota and Wisconsin, we highly recommend the Nor’Wester loop. Michiganders should consider Ride Lake Superior or The Grand Algoma, and riders from Ottawa, Toronto, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and the greater Detroit area should look at the Ride The North routes (specifically the Temiskaming Loop) in Northeastern Ontario.
Each route has accommodations that are guaranteed to be motorcycle-friendly—we’ve added a short list of the most romantic places at the end of this article.
The Length of The Ride
Making sure you have a memorable experience includes keeping a comfortable pace and not trying to put too many miles on in a day. Depending on the route and how much time you have, we recommend no more than 400 km (250 miles) a day. This ensures that you’ll have plenty of time to smell the roses together.
Where You Stop
Making memories along the way with a stop at the Rushing River Provincial Park
The best part of your ride will be the time spent together on your bike, but where you stop will make the memories of your trip much sweeter.
Choosing the right places to eat, stop, and play can be difficult when you’ve never ridden an area before. So we’ve listed the most couple-friendly stops on each of our recommended routes.
On the Nor’Wester
- Rushing River Provincial Park on Highway 71
- Lone Pine Motel in Ignace
- Kakabeka Falls outside Thunder Bay
- Lake of the Woods Brewery in Kenora
- Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Centre
- Uptown Cut in Thunder Bay
On Ride Lake Superior
- Katherine Cove in Lake Superior Provincial Park
- Old Woman Bay in Lake Superior Provincial Park
- The Watertower Inn in Sault Ste. Marie
- Rossport in Superior Country
- Silver Islet at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park outside Thunder Bay
- Copper Harbor in Michigan
- Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota
On The Grand Algoma
- Potholes Provincial Park
- The Mississagi Valley and River on Highway 129
- Young’s General Store in Wawa
- Agawa Rock Pictographs
- Carolyn Beach Inn and Restaurant in Thessalon
- The Mill Steakhouse in Sault Ste. Marie
On The Temiskaming Loop
- The Waterfront Inn
- Fort Temiscamingue
- La Bannik in Duhamel-Ouest
- Downtown Mattawa
- Algonquin Canoe Company
- Cafe Meteor in Temiskaming Shores
- Presidents' Suites in Temiskaming Shores
- Arugula Restaurant for lunch in North Bay
Planning Your Trip
It's always best to plan out your days before you hit the road. The GoTourOntario.ca trip planner includes all of the routes above, and allows you to customize the length of the days, as well as your stops along the way. It lets you focus on spending time together, rather than spending too much time navigating and researching, only to have to make last minute decisions that don’t enhance the mood.
