The value of time varies considerably between activities, but when it comes to motorcycle touring in Ontario, time might just be the most valuable commodity. Here you are dealing with a land area that is larger than many countries; here you can expect to tick through 1,000 km on your odometer just getting anywhere.
Take the District of Algoma, for example. It contains some of my favourite moto roads, including the famed Grand Algoma, but from my home in Toronto, this gem of a destination located along the north shore of Lake Superior will eat up a two-day weekend just getting there and back. So what’s one to do? Beg, borrow, and save time anywhere you can get it!
We managed to secure a five-day window courtesy of employers and family and, without letting any of it go to waste, we planned to ride and see it all.
Day One - GTA to Elliot Lake - 600 km
Day one begins with decision time right of the bat. Typically my preferred way to make my way north is via the Bruce Peninsula and the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry. Today the ferry schedule and our departure time do not jibe, so it’s option two. Using the Georgian Bay Coastal Route, we follow the eastern shore the bay and hug the North Channel as we head west. Under a blue sky and on a Monday, it’s an easy and pleasant two-coffee-stop experience. Turning north on to Highway 108 marks the beginning of Algoma’s Deer Trail Tour and the official start to why we’re here.
The reason for the Deer Trail’s moto touring popularity instantly becomes evident as the big swiping curves put smiles on our faces. We stop to stretch our legs at the Miners' Memorial in Elliot Lake. The memorial is engraved with the names of miners who died of workplace accidents or occupational illnesses, and it pays tribute to the area’s mining history. Then it’s onto our final destination for the day, as the road narrows and the sun dips behind the trees.
The Laurentian Lodge greets you with an impressive log cabin and a truly serene Northern Ontario setting. Offering accommodation options to suit all, from cabins to cottages, or in our case a lakeside room. As impressive as the setting is, after a long day in the saddle it's food we are after, and we are in luck as a spectacular dining room and the skills of the chef do not disappoint.
A couple of things to keep in mind. The kitchen hours vary, so call ahead; as for gas, a chance to refuel is 40 km back or 80 km ahead, so come prepared.