The EC Way 100 is the classic route of the Essex Centurion. It's a 100 mile (160k) loop, scouted carefully for its raised comfort level, in Canada’s southernmost region of Windsor-Essex. It travels through eight municipalities, connects three major waterfronts (Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River), the ferry to Pelee Island and branches to Point Pelee National Park. It's a nice mixture of multi-use trails, comfortable/low-intensity backroads & streets and roads with some form of cycling facility. It is a selection of the best of what the County and the eight local municipalities have to offer cyclists – combined into a continuous 100 mile loop.
The EKG Tour (Essex-Kent Grand Tour) is a 300k mile loop around Ontario's two southernmost counties - Essex & Kent. It covers pretty much the same territory as the EC Way 100 but extends to Amherstburg, LaSalle, Tilbury, Chatham, Wheatley (where's there's a Provincial Park for camping) and enjoyable waterfront sections along the River Canard, Jeannette's Creek and the Thames River as well.
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BE PREPARED:
The EC Way 100 and EKG 300 are unmarked bike routes of exceptional distance. Orienteering and map reading skills are important. Follow the map! Have a plan for breakdowns, flats and let others know about your plans. This is not an organized guided tour or sanctioned event in any way. It is simply a plotted route with a suggested timeframe (May - September) for a solo or group ride. The route is also open to ride at any other time of year.
Both routes are flat and scenic and loaded with amenities and things to see & do. But a note of caution. Flat rides of these dimensions are no walks in the park. (Although there are many parks to be found along them!) Flatland means you must pedal every inch and the winds can be brutal - pushing you along nicely one way - then facing you later when you circle back!
