(Group Shot - 2019 Ride)

Carbon Cycle is back! Join us this year in 2023 for a two day (overnight) supported bike ride to support local climate action in the City of Hamilton!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN - CLICK HERE!

We are offering 3 registration options this year:
- ADULT NON-FUNDRAISER = $225
- ADULT FUNDRAISER = $125 + commitment to fundraise at least another $100 from others
- YOUTH 14 AND UNDER = FREE! (must have adult guardian registered and join them)

This is a supported ride.  Your gear (one bag) will be transported to and from the overnight campsite.   There will be support vehicles on the ride and a repair crew to help with any bike issues.   We encourage cyclists of all abilities to consider doing the ride.  We welcome all bikes including e-assist bikes, adaptive bikes, recumbents, and adult trikes.  

THE RIDE - SOME BASIC INFORMATION

THE ROUTE: We will be cycling along the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail, travelling briefly through Brantford, and then getting onto the L.E. & N Trail to Waterford.  This is a beautiful ride on a gentle grade up the Niagara Escarpment, through the Greenbelt, and through beautiful natural and agricultural areas south of Brantford.  The majority of the ride is along rail trails separated from vehicular traffic.  Rail trail surface varies along the way - with some gravelly stretchs.  The route is ~ 70km each way. 
*Note that riders who prefer a shorter distance can opt to start the ride in Brantford.  

CLICK HERE to access a detailed ride route map. 

We are camping at Waterford North Conservation Area (228 Concession 6,Townsend, Waterford ON) in a group campsite. *NB that Carbon Cycle Registration covers the cost for riders to camp overnight at Waterford.  Campers must bring their own camping gear - which we will transport to the site and back.   
CLICK HERE to access Waterford North Conservation Area's website.  

FOOD: Lunch on Saturday & Sunday in Brantford is up to you. Multiple restaurants are available at our Brantford stop or you can opt to pack a lunch. Supper on Saturday (tbd), fruit, hot tea/coffee and hot chocolate. Note that cool drinks and snacks will also be available before dinner as riders arrive at the campground.
Breakfast on Sunday: Hot oatmeal, fruit, bagels, fresh coffee and tea
Off-site Purchase Options: The campground is a short distance from the Town of Waterford where there are a variety of food options available.
                                                             

GETTING READY FOR THE RIDE - SOME TRAINING ROUTE SUGGESTIONS FOR YOU!
Here are some resources to help you to get out there and do some local riding in preparation for our Carbon Cycle weekend! 

Everyone Rides Initiative's 'Healthy Loops'
Our friends at the Everyone Rides Initiative have created a great on-line resource called 'Healthy Loops' that shares information about routes you can cycle in a number of different wards across the city.  Their route maps can be downloaded to your phone via a handy app they make available through their site.  

CLICK HERE to access the Everyone Rides Initiative's Healthy Loops.

Steeltown Tours
These tours are hot off the presses and profile some of EH's work!  They are designed to be done by bike but, stay tuned, as there are some walking 'Steeltown Tours' coming soon!

CLICK HERE to access route maps and details for Steeltown tours.

The Rambling Hamiltonian's Bike Route Videos
This is an informative collection of videos showing various cycling routes around the city.  The videos are narrated with helpful tips for moving through the city on a bike.  Some of the routes covered are also traversable via means other than bike.  

CLICK HERE to access the Rambling Hamiltonian's YouTube Channel.  

EH Team's Suggestions
Here are some suggested routes from the EH team.   

Confederation Park to Lift Bridge out-and-back (just over 12 km) - this is a beautiful route along Hamilton's lakefront.  Note that the entire trail is paved and reasonably flat, making this a great choice for anyone using a mobility device.  It's also a great choice for walkers, runners, and rollerbladers too.  Note that this locatin is accessible via foot, on bike, via public transit, and by car.   Parking at Confederation Park and any lot along the Hamilton lakefront is FREE.  




Gage Park Loop (1 km)  - This route is a great for families with small kids.   It's also a good choice for walkers and runners.  Note that the entire loop around is not paved - it does include some gravely surfaces - so it could pose some challenges for anyone using a mobility device. 



Bayfront and Princess Point out-and-back (8 km) - This is a wonderful route to take along the Hamilton Harbourfront and into Cootes Paradise.  The trail is paved and reasonably flat, making it another great choice for anyone using a mobility device.  This trail is also accessible by bike, on foot, via public transit, and there is FREE car parking at the Bayfront end of the trail.  

Corktown Park to Albion Falls Rail Trail out-and-back (16.5 km) - This rail trail takes you from Corktown Park in downtown Hamilton up to beautiful Albion Falls - at the top of Red Hill Valley.  The route is scenic, taking you up and along the Niagara Escarpment.   This trail is mostly gravel and it is inclined so it is best suited to cycling or hiking.  Anyone using a moblity device might find it challenging.   




ABOUT OUR CLIMATE CAMPAIGN
Environment Hamilton has made the climate crisis the central focus of the work that we do.  For almost a decade now, we have been engaged in advocacy and public education and outreach regarding the climate crisis and what needs to happen locally to transform Hamilton into a sustainable, climate resilient, inclusive community.  

Back in March of 2019, Environment Hamilton led the successful campaign to see the City of Hamilton declare a CLIMATE EMERGENCY.  Hamilton was the second municipality in Ontario to do so.   We have continued since then to pressure the municipality to follow through on that declaration with meaningful action to realize the significant greenhouse gas emission reductions we know we urgently need to achieve.  

Our current efforts include:
- Advocating for better public transit in Hamilton, working with the Hamilton Transit Riders Union, the Hamilton Transit Alliance, and the national Keep Transit Moving initiative.  
- Advocating to stop urban sprawl and build climate resilient urban neighbourhoods - in collaboration wtih Stop Sprawl HamOnt, and as part of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance
-Engaging people in our Hamilton Community Climate Action Network which is focused on providing people with knowledge and network-building capacity to take climate action in their own neighbourhoods. 
- Auditing the urban forest, giving away native trees, and engaging people in community tree planting events in partnership with Hamilton Naturalists' Club & City of Hamltonn Forestry Division. 
-Engaging Black, Indigenous & Racialized communities in conversation & action to make our streets safer for active transportation through our Friendly Streets Project, in partnership with Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion & the Afro Canadian Carribean Association.