What our clients have asked:
Why would I want to join a professionally guided tour?
Trillium Motorcycle Tours has a unique origin in that your tour is based off the research of tens of thousands of miles of riding in Ontario by your tour guides. An organized tour such as the ones we offer, maximizes your riding time and overall enjoyment. Because we do so much riding in and around Ontario, we’ve become very familiar with the best roads, great food stops and out of the way places you can easily miss. We enjoy visiting unique, more personal establishments - the hidden jewels - whenever possible. We believe that experiencing the local flavor makes your ride more personal and provides character. Sharing our expertise with you and planning all the details like routes, accommodations and meals, means you can just sit back and enjoy the ride, knowing that it’s all looked after. Safety and fun are what it’s all about.
Here’s the reasons our clients have told us:
- Attention to safety
- Small group sizes are safe and personal
- Comfortable speeds – right around the speed limit
- Manageable distances in a day
- Guides are experienced in leading and managing group rides
- Planning is taken care of - you only schedule your ride, don your riding gear, get on your bike and follow
- Attentiveness to individual riders
- Networking with other riders
- No politics
- Discovering scenic treasures, lookouts, unique stops along the way
- Accommodations are there – even if you get distracted during the day (and who doesn’t?) and are late arriving, you’re guaranteed a cozy stop
- Overnight destinations are carefully chosen so we can usually walk to dinner
- Routes and accommodations are checked out prior to the ride
- Destinations have options on how to spend your time
- We even get a list of what to pack
- Trillium is a Registered Travel Retailer and as such, bound by the rules of professional conduct
We can even put you in touch with our clients and you can ask for yourself!
Why are there 2 guides?
This is a Guided Tour – one leads and one “sweeps”. All you need to do is show up on the departure day. We’ve taken care of all the planning, lodging, routing, you name it. All you need to do is enjoy the ride, marvel at the scenery, and be in awe of our Ontario Roads!
What is a typical tour day like?
We start with breakfast together and then head out for the day. We’ve scouted and planned the route well ahead of time so you just need to gear up and enjoy the ride! We stop at strategic times throughout the day for breaks, a relaxed lunch, to enjoy the scenery and get to know each other a little better. Later in the evening, a hearty meal and optional activities will be waiting.
Group riding makes me kind of nervous.
Actually this is a very common thought- so you're not alone. At least one guide – and usually both – are CSC Certified Motorcycle Instructors so we’re well aware of safe riding methods and established group riding rules. We often get riders who regardless of their experience, have not done much group riding; in any case, they have not ridden together as this particular group. At the beginning of every ride, we review group riding rules and communications so that everyone is riding under the same expectations.
What kinds of motorcycles do people ride on your tours? All kinds. We’ve had Hondas, Harley Davidsons, Kawasakis, Suzukis, BMW’s, Yamahas – and styles ranging from Goldwings and Electraglides to sportbikes and all sizes of cruisers, including 250cc’s. All makes and models are welcomed!
How fast do you travel on your rides?
This is also a common question particularly with newer riders. You can be confident no one is left behind- the sweeper will ride with you no matter how slow you go. We expect you to ride at your own pace and not attempt to keep up with the more experienced faster riders in our group. As a rule, we move along at a steady relaxed pace with pre-determined stops. Safety is our first priority.
How much riding experience should I have?
You must have an M2 or equivalent license. We’d prefer if you’d have at least a year’s motorcycling experience. If you have less than a year, you should have ridden your motorcycle enough to get used to the bike, the basics of riding, cornering ability, and handling the motorcycle in varied conditions.
What weather conditions should we expect?
Spring, summer and fall in Ontario are all beautiful for riding. We do need to be prepared for a variety of temperatures and weather conditions, particularly as we’ll be riding through different areas. The weather is usually warm or hot in summer and rain is possible. We’ll send you a list of what to bring.
How many people are there on a tour?
We normally ride with 6-8 motorcycles to keep our tours small, personal and safe. You’ll get to know each member of your touring party as our time together progresses and you’ll enjoy the camaraderie of others who share the same passion for riding as you.
How far do we ride each day?
Our tours average about 250 to 400 kilometers a day depending on the tour, sometimes less. Overall, every day is a full day of relaxed riding. There’s a lot to see along the way, and the photo opportunities occur one after the other. You can stop as often as you like. On the other hand, if you’ve come all this way to rack up the miles and see as much as you can, your tour guides have already explored the area’s roads so they’ll be able to help you with exciting routes that’ll extend your riding experience.
Is there a chase vehicle?
Not in the classical sense. We have discovered that we don't need or want a chase vehicle on most of our rides. Having a qualified lead and sweep rider accompanying every groups works best. There are exceptions, especially on custom group tours. Riders can travel lightly for 3 and 4 day tours. If you purchase large items along the way, we can assist in making arrangements to have it shipped back.
What kind of places do we stay in?
Our nights are spent in carefully selected local accommodations wherever possible. We’ve found them to be the most hospitable casual atmospheres we like to look forward to after a day of riding. We’ve also found that we get to savor the local experience and it enhances our overall experience. Finding and selecting these places is part of the service we provide.
What type of riding gear should I bring?
Gloves, jacket, chaps, or riding pants are normal riding apparel of the motorcyclist on tour. We strongly recommend you wear appropriate motorcycle specific protective gear for the duration of the tour. Our rental partners can offer a helmet with the cost of the rental bike, however we would recommend you bring your own helmet for its familiarity and comfort.
Where do the rides depart from?
Most of our rides will depart from the Orangeville area, unless otherwise specified. For riders arriving from out of town, we can recommend local accommodations. We’ll also send you directions on arriving at our departure point.
Can I join a trip part way?
Yes. Sometimes riders wish to join for only part of the ride and we can make accommodations for this. On some of our trips, riders wish to camp or stay with friends or relatives at some of our overnight stops. We can accommodate this also – we just need to know. We can adjust the pricing accordingly.
Do you rent motorcycles?
At Trillium Motorcycle Tours, we specialize in providing incredible tours; we do not rent motorcycles. We however direct you to two local rental organizations. It’s important, particularly in peak season to book early to make sure you get the make and model you prefer. .