In this post, I will give you romantic stops, dining suggestions, bike rentals, and accommodations to help you book a cycling getaway in Grey County!

When was the last time you took off leaving the kids with a sitter?

I hear it all the time from mom’s “I’ve never been away from the kids.”

YIKES!

I know your juggling all the balls and trying to be the best parents you can be, but you need to give your relationship the oxygen mask first. That person you started life with, is the person you’ll end life with. Wouldn’t it be a complete shame if you didn’t get to really know each other during your prime time in life? We all love our kid’s, and we’re all doing the best we can to raise them to be the best humans they can be. Please, don’t forget to focus on your relationship. This shows your children the importance of the bond, and respect deserved in a healthy relationship.

That’s one of the best lessons you can teach your children.

Sure, book a night at the movies, or local hotel whatever you can make work with your budget and time. Before you start planning, I have to tell you all about our recent getaway without the kids — a cycling getaway where we enjoyed the ride together in Grey County.

You may like this recent article: Grey County Cider Tour Itinerary.

Cycling Getaway: Enjoying the Ride Together in Grey County

Accommodations in Grey County

Grey County is bursting with accommodations to suit your travel wishlist. The well-known Blue Mountain Resort has hotels, condos & resort homes; check out my recent stay in Blue Mountain Resort Home Rivergrass in this article.  Blue Mountain is a one-stop for your romantic getaway, but you’d be missing out on a lot of what Grey County offers by not renting a bicycle and discovering the surrounded area.

If you’d like unique accommodations, I suggest you give one of Grey County’s Bed and Breakfast accommodations a try. I highly recommend The Resting Place at Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery. The only option is to rent out the whole house, but trust me, it’s worth it. The stunning sunset set over the rolling hills on top of a vineyard is very romantic. Read more about The Resting Place at Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery in this article.

The Irish Mountain Bed & Breakfast in Meaford and the Pretty River Valley Country Inn are also both suggestions from Grey County; however, I haven’t stayed at them yet.

Cycling Getaway on the Georgian Trail

The Georgian Trail is 34 km weaving in and out through the shorelines of Georgian Bay. It’s relatively flat, smooth, and has many resting stops along the way. During our cycle day in Grey County, we rode over 50 km up and down the Georgian Bay trails. We are not avid cyclist, and 50 km was tough for me to complete, but I have to say it was so worth every push on the way back. Now I have bragging rights too. 😉

During our cycle, we stopped numerous times for spontaneous swims in Georgian Bay.

We had a romantic picnic on a grassy patch that we had previously packed in our backpack. And the town of Thornbury has become one of my favorite small cities in Ontario. It was the destination point of our cycle, and I’m so glad I pushed myself through it.

Five Foodie Stops in Thornbury During Your Cycling Getaway

What’s to Love about Thornbury, Ontario? 

I’m so glad you asked – what’s not to love about Thornbury? 

Foodie Stop #1

Let’s start with the most recent opening in Thornbury ‘The Grey’ Restaurant.

The Grey is Thornbury’s newest restaurant overlooking the beautiful Thornbury Harbour and Georgian Bay.  The patio filled with couples, families, and friends enjoying the sunny sunshine, delicious food, and incredible views. 

We started with the Tuna Ceviche and the Beed Tartare (without yoke). Both were the stars of the evening, I could have doubled up and enjoyed these as my main.

I indulged in the whole grilled trout, which was a fresh dish paired with fennel salad. The salad was simple and my tastebuds felt it was missing a flavor. I would have enjoyed a slice of lemon on the dish to drizzle around.

Hubby went for the Striploin with chimichurri it was cooked to perfection, but I felt it needed some S&P. If you’re like me and prefer leaner red meat you should pick alternative on the menu the piece hubby received wasn’t trimmed. I’d like to give The Grey credit as they just opened their doors, I’m sure a couple of months into opening all the kinks on the menu will work itself out!

Foodie Stop #2

Frozen treats at the Pom Pom Treat Hut is a fun and creamy stop for dessert after your lovely meal. 

Most of their ice creams are homemade if not all. They even have 100% unique vegan options made with coconut milk – YUMMY!

Have you tried a donut ice cream sandwich? Or a wheelie pop? 

Pom Pom also has a community garden for visitors to help themselves too. I was so impressed with the energy I felt when I was there. They have ping-pong, toys, they have everything covered in an enjoyable and delicious environment. 

After dinner, we took a stroll over to the harbor to watch the sunset. There are no words required; this picture speaks for itself. 

Foodie Stop #3

A cheese tasting for two including charcuterie is a must-stop during lunch at The Cheese Gallery. 

This gourmet cheese shop is featuring cheeses from Ontario, Canada and around the world. Our favorite cheeses at The Cheese Gallery are The Golden Blyth, Bleu D’Elizabeth, and Grey Owl, which we brought home with us to enjoy. The staff is extremely helpful in helping you find the perfect cheese, and they pair everything so perfectly on the patter. 

Foodie Stop #4

After all that delicious cheese, a cold refreshing cider will hit the spot. We took in a cider, beer and wine tasting at Thornbury Village Cider House. They have a vast selection of unique freshly brewed craft cider and beer. Plus, a wine tasting option as well. 

My favorite cider is Thornbury Craft Wild Blueberry Elderflower Apple Cider. It’s very refreshing poured over ice and goes down very smooth on a hot summer day.  We brought a case home to share with friends and family, and overall, it was a hit! 

Foodie Stop #5

Whether it’s to start the day or to fill that afternoon energy dip you must have a cuppa joe or latte at Good Grief Coffee Roasters.

A young hip couple who are doing things right. From the Modbar giving you a clean, unobstructed view of the talented work of the barista to the homemade donuts and chocolate chip caramel cookies.  It takes quality ingredients to leave an imprint on the taste buds of a foodie, and this quaint, unique coffee shop is doing just that! 

That’s not all; Thornbury has many more foodie must-stops. Check out www.visitgrey.ca for more. 

Cycling Getaway Bike Rentals 

We brought along our bikes, but if you’re renting bikes, there are a few locations you can do that from in Grey County. In Thornbury from Smitty’s Bike Shop, in Meaford from Ride on Bikes and you can rent all your equipment at Blue Mountain Resort. 

Lora Bay

Before we headed home on Sunday, we took a little drive along the coast of Georgian Bay with a large Milkadamia latte from Good Grief Coffee in our hands. We found the beautiful community of Lora Bay between Thornbury and Meaford. No one was at the peak of the coast we found, and it felt like we just arrived in the Caribbean. 

We had an absolutely memorable time in Grey County. Our cycling getaway was something we’ve never done before as a couple. We always related our cycling getaways as a family adventure. But you know what, we both loved it, and I would definitely do it again with or without the bike, Thornbury grabbed my heart! 

Email: tourism@visitgrey.ca | Website: visitgrey.ca | Instagram @visitgrey

Thank you for reading In R Dream Canadian Blog.

Thank you, Grey County, for your warm welcome, hospitality, and a well planned out Cycling Getaway in Ontario! As always, these are our opinions and this, and all reviews are written with honesty from our heart.