North Bay, Ontario—nicknamed the “Gateway of the North”—straddles Lake Nipissing’s southern shore, where rail history, lakeside promenades, and a surprisingly rich trail network meet. The heart of paved riding here is the Kate Pace Way and the Kinsmen Trail, two well-marked, multi-use paths that stitch together the waterfront, downtown, and green corridors.

September brings cool mornings, warm afternoons, and early hints of fall color—ideal for cycling. Expect daytime highs around 15–20°C and crisp evenings. The city stays relaxed after Labour Day, and waterfront sunsets over Lake Nipissing are worth planning your dinner time around.

Practical notes: You’ll have your own folding bikes (great for flights and hotel rooms), and this plan keeps you primarily on paved multi-use paths, with occasional short connectors on quiet, paved streets or marked bike lanes. North Bay’s cafes, breweries, and mom-and-pop spots are concentrated near the waterfront and downtown—perfect for rewarding miles with memorable meals.

North Bay

Start by getting acquainted with the lake. The paved Kate Pace Way traces the shoreline and neighborhoods for roughly 12 km, while the Kinsmen Trail follows Chippewa Creek into downtown’s heritage district and the waterfront carousels and mini-railway (weekend operations often continue into September—check hours locally). The North Bay Museum at the old railway station anchors the waterfront, and boat cruises on the Chief Commanda II offer a relaxing off-bike option.

Food and drink orbit the waterfront and Main/Fraser streets. For coffee, Twiggs Coffee Roasters (a North Bay original) pours strong espresso and bakes cinnamon knots; Opera Bakery Café is your spot for quiche and flaky pastries. Evenings bring choices from casual lakeside at The Boat and Average Joe’s (Trout Lake) to steaks at Churchill’s, pints and pub fare at The Station Tap House & Steak Co., local pizza at Greco’s, and brewery flights at Gateway City Brewery or New Ontario Brewing Co.

Where to stay: For easy path access and mid-range pricing, look near the waterfront/downtown or along Lakeshore Drive. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotel deals on Hotels.com. Aim for properties near the Marina, Memorial Drive, or Lakeshore Drive—steps from the Kate Pace Way and lakeside sunsets.

Getting there from Calgary on WestJet: WestJet doesn’t fly directly to North Bay. The simplest routing is WestJet to Toronto (YYZ) or Ottawa (YOW), then drive ~3.5 hours to North Bay or take an Ontario Northland coach (Toronto–North Bay typically 4.5–5.5 hours; Ottawa–North Bay ~4.5 hours). Search and compare WestJet flight times and prices via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical flight time YYC→YYZ is ~4 hours nonstop; add your ground transit.

When to snag the best WestJet prices in September 2026

• Best-value dates: Historically, the two weeks after Labour Day (roughly Sep 8–25) see softer demand. Tuesdays/Wednesdays usually price lowest; Saturdays can also dip.
• Booking window: For September Canada flights, good sale fares often appear 2–5 months out. Start tracking by late April 2026; aim to buy by late May–July for the best shot at deals.
• Price range: YYC↔YYZ roundtrip on WestJet in mid-September often lands around CAD $250–$450 per person (Basic/Standard), before baggage and bike-related fees.
• Bike note: Folding bikes packed within standard checked dimensions may avoid “bike item” fees. If checked as a bicycle/sports item, WestJet typically requires a hard-sided case/box and advance reservation; fees and size/weight limits apply—confirm specifics when you book.

Compare fares across days with the calendars on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, then lock in once you see a fare in your target range.

Day 1: Arrival spin—Waterfront, Kinsmen Trail, and downtown bites (10–18 km)

Afternoon: Arrive (YYZ/YOW → North Bay), check in near the waterfront. Build and quick-check your folding bikes, then roll an easy loop: Marina → Marathon Beach → North Bay Museum plaza → Kinsmen Trail along Chippewa Creek (smooth, paved), then back lakeside. Coffee and a snack at Opera Bakery Café or Twiggs Coffee Roasters.

Evening: Dinner at The Boat—casual comfort fare aboard a moored ship with big sunset views. Prefer pubby? Try The Station Tap House & Steak Co. in the historic rail station building (burgers, steaks, local taps). Stroll Memorial Drive post-supper for golden-hour lake vistas.

Day 2: The full Kate Pace Way + campus spur (25–35 km, mostly flat)

Morning: Breakfast at Twiggs (breakfast wraps, power bowls). Ride the Kate Pace Way end-to-end: waterfront → downtown connectors → north to the Airport Rd terminus. Surfaces are paved and well-marked; expect gentle grades.

Afternoon: Add a paved campus spur via low-traffic connectors to Nipissing University/Canadore College (quiet, wide roads; short climbs). Loop back to the waterfront for a late lunch: grab salads, bowls, and smoothies at gd2go (great for riders).

Evening: Post-ride tasting at Gateway City Brewery (rotating small-batch ales) or New Ontario Brewing Co. (classic North Bay craft). Dinner at Churchill’s for prime rib or seafood; reserve if it’s a weekend.

Day 3: Lakeside ride to Callander (35–45 km out-and-back)

Morning: Cappuccino and pastries at Opera Bakery Café. Head south on the Kate Pace Way as far as it runs, then continue on Lakeshore Drive using paved bike lanes/shoulders to reach Callander’s waterfront. It’s a scenic shoreline cruise with minimal elevation.

Afternoon: Lunch on the Callander side (picnic by the pier if the weather’s fine), then ride back the same way. If you want a shorter day, turn around at Sunset Park—a peaceful lakeside green space that’s perfect for a mid-ride lounge.

Evening: Casual dinner at Greco’s Pizza & Pasta (locals swear by the sauce) or wings at Moose’s Cookhouse downtown. Treat yourself at Ivan’s Restaurant for old-school soft-serve after dinner.

Day 4: City loop—waterfront, murals, museum, and brewery finish (25–30 km)

Morning: Start with a waterfront sunrise spin past Marathon Beach, then meander into downtown for coffee at Twiggs (Main St). Seek out a few downtown murals and heritage facades before rolling back to the lake.

Afternoon: Visit the North Bay Museum (compact, well-curated) for a sense of the area’s rail and aviation roots. Continue an urban loop on paved connectors, mixing in the Kinsmen Trail again. Lunch at The Station Tap House (shareable apps and solid mains) or healthy wraps at gd2go.

Evening: Toast the day with a sampler flight at New Ontario Brewing Co.. For dinner with a view, head to Average Joe’s on Trout Lake—dockside ambiance, hearty mains—and linger until twilight paints the water.

Day 5: Easy roll, pack up, and departure (8–12 km)

Morning: Do a gentle farewell loop along the waterfront and out to Sunset Park or Lee Park on immaculate pavement. Grab one last latte at Opera Bakery Café or Twiggs.

Afternoon: Pack the folding bikes and transfer back to Toronto or Ottawa for your WestJet flight home. If time allows in Toronto, plan a midpoint lunch stop before the airport.

Evening: WestJet back to Calgary. On board, jot down any favorite segments—you’ll likely be back for late-September foliage rides.

Ride logistics and tips

• Surfaces and difficulty: The itinerary emphasizes paved multi-use paths (Kate Pace Way, Kinsmen Trail) with short connectors on paved, low-traffic streets or marked lanes. Daily distances are adjustable.
• Bike shops: East Side Cycle (Cassells/Main area) and Cheapskates (downtown) are reliable for quick fixes, tubes, or last-minute accessories.
• What to pack in September: Light layers, windbreaker, fingerless gloves, front/rear lights (for dusk), compact lock, spare tubes, and a mini-pump/CO2.
• Safety: Expect cooler evenings near the lake and occasional northwest breezes. Mornings can be damp—wipe chains and check tire pressure daily.

Where to book

• Hotels and vacation rentals in North Bay: Hotels.com | VRBO
• WestJet flights (YYC→YYZ/YOW) and return: compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com

Optional pre- or post-trip add-on from Calgary (if you want one big alpine day before flying)

Since you’re based in Calgary, you could treat yourselves to a Rockies day before or after North Bay. Two highly rated small-group options:

• Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Tour from Calgary/Canmore/Banff — An award-winning full-day circuit of the Rockies’ greatest hits, with photo stops and local insight.

  

• Moraine Lake & Louise & Banff Day Tour From Calgary-Canmore-Banff — Smaller groups, sunrise-quality viewpoints, and extra hidden-gem stops.

  

With its lakeside paths, friendly food scene, and mellow traffic, North Bay makes a perfect 5-day cycling escape. September’s clear light and calmer crowds sweeten the deal—and your folding bikes make travel and storage effortless. Enjoy the paved rides, the waterfront sunsets, and the easy-going Northern Ontario vibe.