Cycling in Waterloo Region

[danbrotherston]

I definitely wouldn't recommend that red route from Balzer Road to Manitou in its current state. I realize you have it marked as aspirational, just noting it for people who only glance at the map.

My preference through that area is Wilson, but I certainly can understand that not everyone is comfortable on a road like that.

Yeah, it's probably good to make it clear that route doesn't exist yet, especially given how promising it looks, before you're dumped into a storm water pond.

I use Wilson sometimes on weekends, even then I find it uncomfortable, I'm only guessing that it's much worse on weekdays/rush-hour.

Another option from Courtland, although it is a bit hilly, is to take Carwood/Dixon to the pedestrian bridge over the expressway and the use a combination of Vanier/Massey/Shelley/Wilson park trail to get near Manitou.

That is another route I hadn't thought of. I've walked over that overpass once, but never biked, it is rather...hidden, but it probably makes a good route. I've marked on the map where I think you're meaning.

Unfortunately, you're still stuck trying to get across Courtland. It is notable, and rather frustrating, that the biggest problems with biking in this area lie on the road that was just rebuilt from scratch, as well as the intersection with a road with a huge cycling project.