Climb about the Miss Marie Sault Lock Tours Boat a take a beautiful 90 minute cruise up and down the picturesque St Marys River.
Enjoy the downtown sights of both Canadian and US Sault Ste. Marie, then pass through both set of historic locks and underneath the spectacular International bridge. Wave to Lake Superior ‘lakers’ as well as pleasure boat riders on this famous waterway, or just can sit back and relax and take in the many sights of this beautiful boat ride.
The Agawa Canyon Tour Train is one of North America’s iconic train rides. See the boreal forests, rivers, and waterfalls that inspired Canada’s most iconic artists – the Group of Seven. If traveling in latter part of summer, witness some of the most incredible colours as the maple forests create a stunning palette of reds, oranges and yellows.
This year’s tour season will be from Aug. 1 through Oct. 19. More details on pricing and purchasing tickets can be found on the Agawa train website.
Sault Ste. Marie is the best destination for mountain biking in Ontario. Discover trails for every age, ability or style from jump and flow trails to enduro-style trails carved out of the Canadian Shield.
Hiawatha Highlands, with over 65km of trails, is just a short ride from downtown. Visit in July and take part in the Salty Marie Trails Fest, happening July 25-27.
Visit out Mountain Bike page for more info or check our out post on spending a weekend mountain biking in the city.
Sault Ste. Marie has some of the best sandy beaches in Ontario. Our beaches are incredible! All around our city you’ll find perfectly beautiful, long sandy beaches with crystal clear water that are perfect for a swim, a play in the sand or just to relax and soak up the sun. Great beaches are just one reason Sault Ste. Marie is the perfect place for a summer vacation.
Click here to check out 6 of the best sandy beaches in Ontario, all just a short drive from Sault Ste. Marie.
Sault Ste. Marie has so many fun events happening all through the summer. From the three mountain biking races to Rotary Fest and the much-loved Queen Street Cruise. Looking for a show or musical performance? Check out all the events listed at the Sault Community Theatre website.
As well as three biking races, we also have a number of running events happening in June; Run The Great Lakes as well as the Community Strong Festival – a series of races over a weekend in June, including a Boston Marathon qualifier!
We also have the Fringe North Festival and an Italian Festival, which are very popular with locals and visitors alike. Stay up to date by visiting our Events page here!
Lake Superior is wild, rugged and beautiful. It can be angry and violent, it can be calm with glassy water reflecting a perfectly clear blue sky. The sunsets can be some of most beautiful anywhere, and the maple forests that hug the coastline put on a fall colour display of bright reds, oranges and yellows so spectacular you’ll be telling your friends for years.
A drive along the coastline from Sault Ste. Marie will let you experience all of this. Get out of your car, RV or motorbike at any of the many stops along the way. Fill your camera up with countless shots of this beautiful coast. Visit in spring, summer, fall or winter for a different experience each season. Be inspired by the incredible Lake Superior coastal drive from Sault Ste. Marie.
The Bushplane Museum, or the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre to give its full name, is one of Sault Ste. Marie’s top attractions. Perfect for kids to learn about bushplanes, women in aviation, forest fire prevention, plus, kids can run around, climb into planes and have fun exploring. For adults, it’s a museum full of beautiful and fascinating aircraft that shows the important history of bushplanes in Ontario.
Check out Entomica while inside the museum; a wonderful Insectarium where you can meet and hold some pretty interesting creatures!
Other cultural attractions include: Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, The Sault Ste. Marie Museum, Art Gallery of Algoma and Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site
Traditionally known as Bawating (“the place of the rapids”), Sault Ste. Marie is a place of cultural importance. Follow this long weekend itinerary to experience and learn about Anishinaabe culture in our city.
Thrive Tours offer interpretive eco-tours offering a guided experience of vibrant celebrations of Indigenous life. Metis Tours offer walking and paddling tours that connects historic and community points of interest between the Sault Ste. Marie and and the St. Marys River. Walk Among The Trees specializes in simple, 3 hour walking tours Through an Anishinaabe cultural lens, participants will learn about the natural and cultural history, experience ceremony, storytelling, teachings and cuisine for creating important long-lasting memories
Visit our Indigenous Tourism page for more info.
After a day of adventuring you’ll want to refuel and recharge, and we have some great restaurants serving some fantastic food for any taste. From Syrian Shawarma to spicy Indian, delicious Italian or sizzling steak, the Sault has so many great restaurants.
We also brew our own beer! Northern Superior, Outspoken and the Canal District’s Soo Falls offer craft beers with names including ‘Rabbit’s Foot’, ‘Maglia Rosa’ and ‘Gitche Gumee’. Great beers, great atmosphere equals great times!
From the stunning Lake Superior coast to the rugged mountains of the Canadian Shield, Sault Ste. Marie has easy access to a vast network of hiking trails. Our mixed hardwood and conifer forests provide a vibrant canopy of colour in the summer and fall months, and are starkly beautiful and perfectly quiet in winter.
The Voyageur Trail is a public hiking trail consisting of almost 600km of wilderness style trails in Northern Ontario. The Hiawatha Loop (which goes past the stunning Crystal Falls), Odena Loop, Beaver Loop and Mabel Lake Loop make up around 20km of trails in this area.
Lots of information is available on the Voyageur Trail Association website here. With maps of the trails at Hiawatha here.
This there-and-back trail in the Algoma Highlands takes you past one of best lookout hikes in Ontario, on the way to one of the higher mountains in Ontario. The trail begins at Robertson Cliffs road and takes you to three incredible south and west facing lookouts. From there you head through beautiful maple forests of the Algoma Highlands to King Mountain.
The trails are owned and cared for by Algoma Highlands Conservancy, a not for profit organization that is run by local volunteers. To access maps of the trail system click here.
The Edmund Fitzgerald lookout trail is another trail with a spectacular lookout. This one overlooks Pancake Bay Provincial Park (in which the trail is situated), Lake Superior and even as far as place where the Edmund Fitzgerald ship tragically sunk in 1975.
The trail system has 3 hikes available; 6km, 10.5km and 13.5km, with the latter hikes taking you to waterfalls and the inland Tower Lakes. For further information click here.
For those seeking true adventure, consider this spectacular and rugged coastal trail. It extends from Agawa Bay in the south to Chalfant Cove just north of Warp Bay in the north and will give you a true experience of Lake Superior. Local experts recommend taking 5-6 days because many sections require climbing over rocky headlands and cobble beaches, which can be technically challenging and require a steady pace for safety.
There are various spots for beach camping along the trail; you’ll enjoy incredible coastal scenery during the day and perfectly dark starry skies from your beached down tent at night.
Nestled between the Great Lakes, Sault Ste. Marie has wild rivers, majestic channels, hidden coves, stunning waterfalls and, of course, more freshwater lakes than you could ever count. Here are 4 mouthwatering paddling routes to wet your appetite.
There are a number of entry points to the river including Pine St. Marina, Bondar Marina and the Waterfront Adventure Centre (which has rentals). A paddle west will take you to the historic canal, rapids and International Bridge. East will take you towards Bellevue Park and Topsail Island. Keep an eye out for the formidable Lake Superior ‘Lakers’ who use this waterway daily.
Lake Superior is a huge draw for paddlers, and the Water Trail maps out the 1,000km Canadian route from the Bobbi Bennett Memorial Park in Gros Cap to Lorne Allard Fisherman’s Park in Thunder Bay. Paddling west from Gros Cap’s entry point provides an immediate glimpse of Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline; you’ll see spectacular cliffs, gravel beaches and a vast, open horizon along the 10-km section to Red Rock.
A backcountry paddler’s dream; 70km of winding river from Witchdoctor Lake in the heart of Algoma to Lake Superior’s Goulais Bay just north of Sault Ste. Marie. The full route can take up to 5 days with numerous portages to get past some pretty lively waterfalls. A logging road leads to the Witchdoctor Lake, though there are of course many other entry points. For a half day paddle consider starting at Mountain View Lodge and paddling to Kirby’s Corner in Goulais. This section includes Class I and II rapids, as well as plenty of swift water, making it suitable for novice whitewater paddlers. Paddling in spring or fall is best when water levels are high.
The Jarvis Circle Route is a perfect inland-lake paddling route, and with all the shore-lined maple trees, a great route to paddle in the fall. The full loop is 30km long, with fifteen rugged portages along the way varying from 50 to 750 metres. You start and end at Northland Lake then take a clockwise or anticlockwise route through numerous small lakes including Jarvis, Reserve and Clearwater.
Check out this great video below:
Sault Ste. Marie has world-class mountain biking trails on newly machine-built flow trails as well as challenging cross country climbs over the Canadian Shield. For gravel riders we have flat open gravel roads where you can burn through the kilometres while enjoying picturesque Northern Ontario countryside.
More than 40km, over three unique systems; Crystal, Red Pine and Pinder. A mix of newly machine built trails, and older traditional single-track trails, alongside (and over) beautiful creeks, waterfalls and towering forests. Trails are available for all skill levels, plus there is a new skills park!
Get all the info including trail maps and videos on our Mountain Bike page here.
This 7km out-and-back trail through the stunning Canadian Shield will take you to the beautiful Farmer Lake. Navigate the technically challenging Climb to Canyon section, climbing almost 50 metres, then take on the many berms and hairpin turns of Farmer Lake trail. On the way back advanced riders may want to test their skills on the new Crazy Train trail; an adventurous and aptly named downhill trail which has enough vertical to keep any adrenalin junky interested.
Just east of the city is the relatively flat and fertile Sylvan Valley, with almost endless kilometers of picturesque and winding gravel and backcountry roads. One popular day ride, at around 140km is the Rock Lake loop. The route threads through Sylvan Valley road, south along McCarrel Lake, circles Otter Lake then back north past Rock Lake, before returning to Sault Ste. Marie. Of course, Google maps and the many plan-your-route apps means you can tailor any version of this route to your own tastes.
Sault Ste. Marie has expert guides to help you get the most out of your adventure. Visit our Tours & Guides page for more info.
Needing to get outfitted? We have plenty of stores with the latest and best equipment to help you out. Visit our Outfitters page for more info.
When the Salty Marie Trails Fest launched in the summer of 2023, it was clear Sault Ste. Marie had something special spinning in the woods. With salty race names, a welcoming community vibe, and a killer trail network, the inaugural and second-year editions punched way above their weight. In 2025? It’s leveling up once again.
We caught up with organizer Graham Atkinson, of Red Pine Tours, to talk about what’s new, what’s big, and what to expect for this year’s edition of Salty Marie — happening this July in the heart of Northern Ontario’s rugged trail country.
Question: Salty Marie years one and two got a lot of buzz — how has it evolved going into year three?
Atkinson: We were honestly stunned by the response in years one and two — over 600 participants (total) and a ton of folks from out of town. This year we’ve really leaned into that momentum. We’re growing the number of races, bringing back vendors, introducing different food options and music, and just really building out that festival atmosphere. It’s still all about the trails, but it’s starting to feel like a full-blown summer celebration.
Question: Where were participants coming from last year?
Atkinson: We had people from across Ontario, which was amazing — but what really surprised us were the long-haul visitors. We had folks come in from Michigan, Wisconsin, even Kansas City. That was a huge confidence boost. It told us we weren’t just putting on a fun local event — we were tapping into something bigger. Sault Ste. Marie is starting to land on the radar as a mountain bike destination, and that reach is only growing.
Question: What are you hoping to see this year in terms of turnout?
Atkinson: We’re aiming for 350+ participants, and we’re making a big push to get more regional and out of province riders involved this year. Last year showed us we have a community that’s hungry for this kind of thing, and the trail running scene here is really strong too. The vibe we’re after is “race hard, hang out harder” — bring your friends, bring your family, and soak up the day.
Question: The dates for this year’s event are July 25-27, what does each day look like?
Atkinson: Friday is race-setup day for the organizers, for the racers it’s the day to grab your race packs, maybe head up to Hiawatha and check out the location if you’re new to the area. Friday is also when the ‘Sultra 200’ begins. Saturday is race and festival day all day long. Sunday is a day for casual group riding, which we’ll be organizing closer to the date, and also just a day to hang out and enjoy a more casual day of riding, while we, the organizers, tear down the event.
Question: We heard there’s a new ultra-distance event being added — tell us more.
Atkinson: Yeah, this year we’re piloting a 200 km ultra-distance route — we’re calling it the ‘Sultra 200’. It’s a beast. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it showcases the region’s long-haul potential in a way that shorter courses can’t. We’re launching it with a Grand Depart from the Downtown Plaza the night before the main festival, right after packet pickup. It’ll be a great moment to bring everyone together — riders, spectators, the whole community. That downtown energy is something we want to build on in the future too.
Question: Beyond racing, what can people expect at the festival?
Atkinson: Even if you’re not racing, there’s a lot to do. Music all afternoon, local craft beer, good food, gear demos, all kinds if things — we’re creating something that’s fun whether you’re a hardcore rider or just want to hang out in the woods and watch bikes fly by. This year we’re putting more focus on making the venue really interactive. There’ll be a few surprises too — we like to keep it fresh.
Question: Any advice for first-timers thinking of checking it out?
Atkinson: Don’t be intimidated. We’ve got everything from a 2 km kids’ loop to the full 50 km and now the ultra. You can race it, ride it, run it, or just cheer people on. You don’t have to show up with the fanciest bike or the best fitness — just come ready to have a good time. That’s what the Salty Marie is all about.
Question: Final thoughts going into year three?
Atkinson: We’re excited — and really grateful. This event wouldn’t exist without the support of the local community, the businesses, and the volunteers who stepped up last year and are coming back in full force. We’ve got big dreams for where this could go, but at the end of the day, it’s still about getting people out on the trails, making memories, and celebrating the wild beauty of this part of the province. That’s the magic.
This year the Salty Marie Trails Festival is July 25-27, with Saturday being the main race day. There are multiple mountain bike race options, ranging from the beginner friendly 2km ‘Saltine Shred’, to the epic 50km ‘Big Brine’. There are also mid-distance races, the 10km ‘Low Sodium’ and the 25km ‘Saline Short’ events. In addition, there also 10km and 25km running events happening during the Salty Marie Trails Fest.
Sunday is a day for casual group riding, which we’ll be organizing closer to the date, and also just a day to hang out and enjoy a more casual day of riding, while we, the organizers, tear down the event.
Register online for the Salty Marie Trails Festival, hosted by Red Pine Tours and the Sault Cycling Club at the Hiawatha Highlands
Come for a races, stay for the weekend! Enjoy a 90-minute river cruise on the Miss Marie Soo Locks Tour boat! If you are just looking to relax and enjoy some local drinks, check out our own microbrewery Northern Superior.
Check out our famous Bushplane Museum featuring 24 real Bushplanes to explore! Inside the Bushplane Museum you’ll also find Entomica Insectarium, complete with a host of real life insects and bugs you can actually hold!
Have you ever tried axe throwing? Check out one of our newest and most fun indoor activities! Missing golf and still need a fix? The Up and Down Lounge has state of the art golf simulators, which can be booked by the hour.
Get info about hotel stays or any other info by visiting the respective page on our website… and enjoy the races!
Just a short drive north of the Mackinac Bridge lies one of Canada’s best-kept secrets — Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Nestled on the banks of the St. Marys River and directly across from our American twin, the Soo is a vibrant city of 78,000, known for our natural beauty, friendly charm, and uniquely Canadian experiences.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a spontaneous day trip from down south, the Soo offers something for everyone — iconic train rides, epic waterfalls, delicious treats, and four-season outdoor adventures.
Grab your passport and come say hello, because Canada is calling!
Set against the backdrop of the Great Lakes and the rugged Canadian Shield, Sault Ste. Marie is where nature meets city life. Paddle crystal-clear waters, hike through maple and pine forests, or explore rich local history and culture.
You’ll find:
And the best part? We’re just 45 minutes north of the Mackinac Bridge and easily accessible.
Crossing the Border: It really is easy. All you need is a passport, Nexus or enhanced driver’s license. Canada does not require visa for visitors staying under 180 days.
For details on what you can bring with you, visit the CBSA website.
Currency Exchange: As of May 2025, $1 USD = $1.40 CAD.
That means your dollar goes further here — shop more, spend less, and yes, U.S. currency is accepted at many businesses.
This bucket-list train ride starts and ends in Sault Ste. Marie, taking you deep into the untouched beauty of Northern Ontario. Enjoy views of tranquil lakes, endless forests, and breathtaking canyon scenery—especially stunning during fall foliage season, from mid-September to early October. 🚂
Don’t miss:
You haven’t truly been to Canada until you’ve tried these iconic comfort foods! 🍴
Poutine – A delicious mix of French fries, cheese curds, and rich gravy. Try it at Blockhouse Pub, Burger Don, Chummy’s Grill and Wacky Wings.
Buttertarts – A classic Canadian dessert with a flaky crust and gooey center. Choose from 50 varieties at The Queen’s Tarts.
Beavertails – Deep-fried, sweet dough shaped like a beaver’s tail and topped with your favorite fixings—only in Canada! Grab one by the waterfront near the Miss Marie Tour Boat.
Also worth tasting: brunch at The Breakfast Pig, fresh-caught fish at Fluid, and ice cream from The Big Moose or Holy Cows.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful forest walk or a waterfall-worthy photo, Sault Ste. Marie has hundreds of miles of trails waiting to be explored. 🥾
Just 10 minutes from downtown, Crystal Falls is an 80-foot stunner nestled in Kinsmen Park. A short, scenic trail leads you to incredible views — whether at the base, halfway up the stairs, or the bridge at the top.
If you are looking for further hiking adventures, visit our blog post ‘12 Hikes In and Around Sault Ste. Marie‘.
Step aboard the Miss Marie for a 90-minute cruise through the St. Marys River, traveling through two international locks and under the iconic International Bridge. Wave to your friends as you pass through the American and Canadian lock systems. 🚢
You’ll enjoy:
Step into the fascinating world of aviation and entomology at two of our most unique attractions.
The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre (Bushplane Museum) features 24 real bushplanes, hands-on exhibits, flight simulators, and more. 🛩️
Entomica Insectarium, located inside the museum, lets you hold live insects from around the world and learn about nature’s tiniest superheroes. Great for families and science lovers! 🦋
🪲 Fun fact: Entomica is home to beetles that can lift over 100 times their body weight, and walking sticks longer than your hand!
Discover Sault Ste. Marie in style aboard “Big Ben,” the iconic red double-decker bus! Operating Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this all-day pass lets you explore the city at your own pace. With 11 convenient stops, including the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, Agawa Canyon Train Station, and the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, there’s something for everyone. 🚌
You’ll Enjoy:
No trip to the Soo is complete without a few take-home treasures: 🛍️
Ontario Travel Information Centre sells postcards, magnets, hats keyrings. Outfitters has a good range including train-themed merchandise. There is also The Trading Post at the Frontier Village, The Canadian Carver and The Voyageur Lodge north of the city.
As well as souvenirs the Soo offers everything from locally-made maple products to Indigenous crafts, quirky Canadian souvenirs, and stylish boutiques. You’ll find a great selection in the downtown core at SOO MRKT, as well as and along Great Northern Road.
Sault Ste. Marie has some of the best sandy beaches in Ontario. Our beaches are incredible! All around our city you’ll find perfectly beautiful, long sandy beaches with crystal clear water that are perfect for a swim, a play in the sand or just to relax and soak up the sun. Great beaches are just one reason Sault Ste. Marie is the perfect place for a summer vacation.
Click here to check out 6 of the best sandy beaches in Ontario, all just a short drive from Sault Ste. Marie.
Lake Superior is wild, rugged and beautiful. It can be angry and violent, it can be calm with glassy water reflecting a perfectly clear blue sky. The sunsets can be some of most beautiful anywhere, and the maple forests that hug the coastline put on a fall colour display of bright reds, oranges and yellows so spectacular you’ll be telling your friends for years.
A drive along the coastline from Sault Ste. Marie will let you experience all of this. Get out of your car, RV or motorbike at any of the many stops along the way. Fill your camera up with countless shots of this beautiful coast. Visit in spring, summer, fall or winter for a different experience each season. Be inspired by the incredible Lake Superior coastal drive from Sault Ste. Marie.
An epic trail network and incredible terrain is rapidly making Sault Ste. Marie a hub for mountain biking. Ontario cyclists are buzzing about the new trails in the Hiawatha Highlands, only a few minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie’s city centre. Hiawatha has it all: Over 50 km of trails include a mix of impeccably-built, flow trails with fun tabletops and banked corners; old-school, lovingly handbuilt trails with steep drops and rooty climbs; a pump track; and a challenging and scenic backcountry route that blends machine-built features with handmade technical sections.
Two events scheduled for this spring and summer promise to showcase Sault Ste. Marie mountain biking and reveal why this bustling city in Northern Ontario is emerging as one of Ontario’s best cycling destinations.
You may have heard that June is mosquito season in Northern Ontario, but for mountain bike competitors at the Skeeter Slam – Ontario Cup #4 races in Sault Ste. Marie, it’s the mosquitoes that’ll be chasing them as they zoom through Ontario’s most exciting network of single-track trails at the Skeeter Slam. Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled ride along the rugged and thrilling Hiawatha Highlands, where racers will leave biting insects in their dust during the fourth stage of the Ontario Cup series!
The Skeeter Slam – OCup #4, presented by Ontario Cycling and the Sault Cycling Club, is set for June 28-29 and promises a weekend of action-packed events that will leave riders and spectators alike buzzing with excitement. Whether you’re an experienced racer or a newcomer, this event has something for everyone! Here’s what you can expect:
“We want this event to be something for everyone,” says Travis Anderson, one of the event organizers. “We’re hoping to draw in those who’ve never raced before alongside some of the province’s most promising up-and-coming racers—the future World Cup and Olympic stars. We’re positioning this as a fun, family-friendly weekend that highlights our world-class trail system. It’s not your typical Ontario Cup event—it’s a celebration of everything mountain biking should be.”
So, whether you’re aiming for the podium or just looking to have an incredible time on your bike, the Skeeter Slam is the event you won’t want to miss! Register today and join us for an unforgettable weekend of racing, camaraderie, and adventure. This is your chance to be part of one of the most exciting mountain biking events in Ontario, and we can’t wait to see you there!
Mark your calendar, spread the word, and get ready to ride the best trails in Ontario at the Skeeter Slam! Register online here.
Welcome to Year 3 of the Salty Marie Trails Fest, where we rise and brine to celebrate all things “trail” in Sault Ste. Marie! Hosted by Red Pine Tours Canada, this festival is a vibrant homage to the expanding cycling infrastructure, particularly the development at Hiawatha Highlands.
While races are a highlight, the Salty Marie is more than just a competition; it’s a gathering for both serious racers and casual cruisers alike. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply out to enjoy the trails, there’s something for everyone at this fun-fueled event.
But the excitement doesn’t stop with the races. For those not hitting the trails, the festival offers a bustling expo filled with local vendors showcasing an array of food, drinks, wares and live entertainment. It’s a perfect opportunity to sample delicious local fare, sip on refreshing drinks, and peruse unique offerings from talented artisans and vendors.
This year, the Salty Marie Trails Festival is July 25-27, with Saturday being the main race day. There are multiple mountain bike race options, ranging from the beginner friendly 2 km Saltine Shred to the epic 50 km Big Brine. Mid-distance 10 km and 25 km events are also available so anyone can test their limits while having fun. What’s more, you don’t need to be a mountain biker to participate, with 10 km and 21 km trail running events also on the schedule.
Sunday is a day for casual group riding – details nearer the time – and for mountain bikers to enjoy a more casual day of riding, while the organizers tear down the event.
Come for a races, stay for the weekend! Enjoy a 90-minute river cruise on the Miss Marie Soo Locks Tour boat! If you are just looking to relax and enjoy some local drinks, check out our own microbrewery Northern Superior.
Check out our famous Bushplane Museum featuring 24 real Bushplanes to explore! Inside the Bushplane Museum you’ll also find Entomica Insectarium, complete with a host of real life insects and bugs you can actually hold!
Have you ever tried axe throwing? Check out one of our newest and most fun indoor activities! Missing golf and still need a fix? The Up and Down Lounge has state of the art golf simulators, which can be booked by the hour.
Get info about hotel stays or any other info by visiting the respective page on our website… and enjoy the races!
By Conor Mihell
Crank the Shield is a 3-day mountain biking event held in the Algoma Highlands just north of Sault Ste. Marie. With the city having some of the best mountain bike trails in Ontario, bringing the race back is in 2022 is a perfect fit for the community. Registration for this year’s event, being held from July 29-31, is now open. Sault Tourism spoke to event organizer Sean Ruppel about this year’s installment.
In the three years that have passed since the last installment of the Crank the Shield mountain bike stage race, organizer Sean Ruppel has had plenty of time to reflect on what makes this three-day event so special to him. “It’s always been about the type of riding,” says Ruppel, the Muskoka-based owner of Superfly Racing. “It’s all about backcountry adventure riding, out in the wilderness with real mountains and pristine rivers. There’s no better mountain biking anywhere else in the province.”
The long, pandemic-caused wait for the next Crank the Shield event has built up a lot of enthusiasm in Ruppel and race participants. Ruppel’s business plans, coordinates and hosts adventure races across Ontario. In the inaugural, 2018 Sault Ste. Marie event, Ruppel felt like he was sharing a secret treasure with the broader mountain biking community. Ruppel envisioned an epic 230-km route on many of the rugged Algoma trails he had been exploring all his life from a family cottage on Lake Superior. “Make no mistake—this is as ‘real’ as mountain biking gets!” he wrote in the race prospectus.
Ruppel’s mission was accomplished: 180 participants were awestruck (and seriously exhausted) by the expansiveness of the terrain, which included grinding climbs to some of Ontario’s highest peaks, obscure logging roads, multiple river crossings, and swooping single-track. Crank the Shield starts with a wilderness train ride aboard the famous Agawa Canyon Tour Train, and includes overnight stops at Stokely Creek Lodge and Searchmont Resort before wrapping up in Sault Ste. Marie’s Hiawatha Highlands. The 2019 sequel only added fuel to the fire. “It’s like suddenly mountain bikers from elsewhere in Ontario were aware of how epic the off-road riding is up here,” Ruppel notes. “People were starting to look north.”
Then, of course, came all the confusion and uncertainty of Covid-19, which put Crank the Shield on pause. Now, as pandemic restrictions are lifted, Ruppel is equal parts thrilled and refreshed to return to organizing the event July 29 to 31, 2022. Besides the personal pleasure of returning to his own favourite landscape of Canadian Shield mountains, wild rivers and labyrinthine trails, Ruppel believes lockdowns revealed the sense of freedom and great adventures available in Northern Ontario. “So many people have had an awakening,” he says. At the same time, Sault Ste. Marie made huge investments in mountain biking trail infrastructure, expanding the network of single-track at Hiawatha Highlands and investing in new machine-built flow trails for riders of all levels. “The Soo has always been super welcoming and friendly,” Ruppel notes, “but now it’s an even cooler vibe. The city has embraced cycling and the local community of riders is growing rapidly.”
Ottawa-based cyclist Rob Parniak was pushed to his limits by previous installments of Crank the Shield. “The route was harder than I expected,” recalls Parniak. “The first stage with rough trails, river crossings and lots of climbing was one of the most challenging days I’ve ever spent on a bicycle. Getting through it felt like a commendable accomplishment.”
For Parniak, a Sault Ste. Marie native, Crank the Shield was a reunion. He always recognized the city’s outdoor potential, and was blown away when it was put on full display. “I see a sort of scrappy pride in a lot of Sault people of my generation,” says Parniak. “It’s as if they’re determined to defy the stereotypes. They’re creating their own happiness by building their own place. The cycling scene–the bike shops, the trails, the club, this race–are tangible examples.”
Ruppel says the 2022 Crank the Shield race, (July 29-31) will fall back on what made it so successful and impactful in the past, including great hospitality at Stokely Creek and Searchmont and a vibrant after-party at the Bushplane Museum on the waterfront in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. But mostly, Ruppel insists Crank the Shield is all about the riding. “It’s a niche event,” he says. “You have to be a serious off-road rider to take on three days of this type of distance in this kind of terrain.”
Tweaks to the route bring the cumulative three-day distance to 200 km. Upgrades include: an optional climb to the summit of Batchewana Mountain, capped at 20 participants, for those seeking a high-adventure, quad-pumping climb to Algoma’s highest point that won’t be counted in total race time; improved single- and double-track segments in the Algoma Highlands and Searchmont portions of the race; and a velvety smooth, fast finish on 35-km of purpose-built mountain bike trails at Sault Ste. Marie’s Hiawatha Highlands on day three.
“This event has made such an impact on everyone who has ridden it,” says Ruppel, “and after the few years away, I’m excited to get back at it. This is my opus, my dream race. I can’t wait to provide riders with an introduction to my favourite place on earth.”
Visit the Crank the Shield website for more information including how to register.
