The Great Northern Bikepacking Route (GNBR) spans over 14,300 km, crossing 10 Canadian provinces and three states in the US, stretching from Victoria, British Columbia to St. John’s, Newfoundland.

In Manitoba, the route takes in a wide range of terrain, from the fast flowing single track of the Northgate Trail network near Dauphin, the East Escarpment in Riding Mountain National Park and the forested areas of Sandilands Provincial Park to the superb gravel backroads that bob and weave between towns, stretch out along the riverways and crawl beside bright canola fields.

The GNBR is a bikepackers dream, offering up miles of scenic, seldom traveled, dirt roads which are often lined in summer by nature's bouquets of bright wildflowers like blazing orange prairie lilies, pretty, pink milkweed and soft, white yarrow.

For those traveling with a tent, community and private campgrounds are plentiful along the route, with great offerings in Duck Mountain Provincial Park, Riding Mountain National Park, Kelwood, Neepawa, Arden, Gladstone, Portage la Prairie and Richer.

Cyclists in search of a bit more luxury will find bike-friendly accommodations such as hotels, motels, or glamping options in most mid to large sized communities and cities, as well as in the National and Provincial Parks.

Foodies fear not, for satiating restaurants and grocery store resupplies are abundant in even the most remote feeling regions, with a special mention going to the scrumptious, belly filling burgers at the Farmer's Daughter restaurant in the quaint, unassuming town of Kelwood.

Of course, a cycling trip through Manitoba wouldn't be complete without dipping into the cultural hub of Winnipeg on well-manicured cycling paths.

Winnipeg gives GNBR riders first rate access to great bike shops and camping gear resupply, out-of-this-world international cuisine and top notch accommodations for proper rest and relaxation -- like the Mere Hotel located near the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, better known as The Forks’

Adventurous riders can choose to tackle the entire Provincial segment of Manitoba in one go, or break the route down into smaller, multi-day trips and consider spending more time in the various locations.

For more information on the Great Northern Bikepacking Route or to download free GPX files of the route, visit GreatNorthernBikepacking.com

This is a guest blog contributed by two bikepackers travelling across Canada on the GNBR, follow their journey on Instagram @trip.longer
Words by Ali Becker
Images by Mathieu Leblanc