Manitoulin is literally an island of cycling opportunity. At more than 2,700 square km, this isle of Lake Huron is the largest freshwater island in the world. Almost half of the island’s 13,000 residents are Indigenous, with Manitoulin roots stretching back thousands of years. With a fertile mixture of history, culture, community and scenic beauty—all linked by a series of bike-friendly routes—Manitoulin Island is a unique Northeastern Ontario cycling destination.
My introduction to biking on the island comes as a photographer, shadowing a group of cyclists as they experience a fraction of the more than 800 km of road biking routes. Although our time in the saddle is limited, it doesn’t take long to pick up on the island vibe.