Water Cycles Expeditions

Massive thanks to Substance Projects Peppermint Cycling Cannondale Bicycles and all of those involved in running the first Grand River Gravel, starting from Water Cycles HQ in Belwood on August 1st. A glittering day to bring community together by cycling along and across the Grand River, an adventure that brought 250 riders to the Source region of the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to Six Nations of the Grand River six miles on either side of the Grand River. This new event has deep roots, and we are deeply grateful for the chance to welcome so many “eager beavers” to this special place. Three years ago Water Cycles launched its first Bikes and Blues Festival in Belwood as part of our mission to connect communities and water through cycling, building on a long tradition of community rides in the area. The event was meant to be our launch in the Grand River and it included rides from 15k to a 100k gravel epic. By popular demand we brought it back in 2024 with the help of wonderful volunteers like Valentina Steve Shikaze Paulo LaBerge Sean P Carson B.F.A, Hon. and more. But our mission focuses on environmental education and community driven science about the rivers and water, such as our Water Cycles Adventure board game and our recent reconciliation-focused bike tour of the Grand River co-created with Six Nations Tourism, Spring Carter, Two Row On The Grand and a wonderful crew from Six Nations and University of Waterloo's Faculty of Environment. Given our mission, we simply did not have the ability to develop the Grand River bike ride for 100s of riders coming from across Southern Ontario. So, we took a leap and reached out to Substance Projects (see picture #2), and the rest is history. Dan and his dedicated team brought professionalism and joy to this event, and we are so grateful. Welcome to Belwood, . We are already so excited for next year and cannot wait to help this event grow. A portion of the proceeds will support Water Cycles and its partnership with members of Six Nations, expanding access to bike-powered learning and progress toward reconciliation.

A last call to the Water Cycles community! The Grand River gravel ride in Belwood is tomorrow, run by Substance Projects, a great race organizer that will donate a share of its proceeds to Water Cycles. It’s not too late to register and should be great for spectators to watch nearly 250 riders connect with the river and build community. Check it out and also would be great if we had a couple of more volunteers to help fill in a few last minute gaps. And don’t forget the butter tarts!

Grand River Gravel | Substance Projects Water Cycles reconnects communities and water through cycling. Led by volunteers around the world, Water Cycles rides celebrate natural wonders, cultural heritage, and the powerful connections that humans have to water - and each other.

Dig into our summer newsletter! Link in bio.

1. Two Row by the Grand starts July 12th, co-created with Six Nations Tourism Two Row On The Grand (with Spring Carter gregahill Leah Sault Bubba Courtney Fridah Silas Dustin Garrick Six Nations Police Service )
2. Two Row by the Grand pilot crew. Photo credit gregahill
3. A short summary of the Two Row by the Grand journey from Dundalk to Port Maitland
4. The draft route for Two Row by the Grand for the section from Cambridge to Chiefswood Park Chiefswood Park with stops including Mohawk Chapel and Kayanase Greenhouse 🌿🌲
5. Join for Paddlestock on July 19th - a free concert with family friendly activities Chiefswood Park (the Water Cycles Adventure game will be there!)
6. Teyethinonhwerá:ton Ne Ohné:kanos Festival – Let Us Give Thanks to the Water On July 21st Chiefswood Park (the Water Cycles Adventure game will be there!)
7. A Water Cycles Thanksgiving on October 3rd in Belwood - ride, food, & community (sign up details to come; rain date of October 4th)

Major thanks to our supporters
🚲 Heron Heads
🍪 Bex Baked Goods
🚓 Six Nations Police Service

Luther Marsh. The magic never fails. Hope you had a good one! What is your favourite water cycle?

📣 Be a part of the ripple effect by joining the Two Row By The Grand bike tour! 🚴‍♂️🚴🏼‍♀️🚴🏽

Six Nations Tourism is excited to offer this 10-day bicycle tour traveling with the Two Row On The Grand from Cambridge to Port Maitland, July 15-24! 📆

Designed in partnership by the University of Waterloo Faculty of Environment, Water Cycles Expeditions and Deyohahage Gihę' gowahneh/Two Row On The Grand, this reconciliation‑focused learning experience connects communities in the Grand River watershed.

Honour the Two Row Wampum and the Silver Covenant Chain as we paddle & pedal along the Grand River in the Spirit of Peace, Friendship and Respect. 🛶🚴🏼‍♀️

🤚🏽 Visit the Two Row By The Grand link below to register as:
• A rider
• A volunteer
• Community event participant

https://www.sixnationstourism.ca/two-row-by-the-grand-university-of-waterloo

To learn more about the ride, email [email protected]

✅ To contribute to the Two Row By The Grand scholarship, helping Six Nations community members and students experience this ride, please visit the University of Waterloo Two Row By The Grand scholarship link at:

https://imodules.uwaterloo.ca/s/1802/21/form.aspx?sid=1802&gid=2&pgid=4047&cid=10372&dids=1095&bledit=1&appealcode=26-ALL-ENV:N.1

Big news! What an important and meaningful journey - please consider getting involved and supporting Two Row by the Grand. Photo courtesy of Paulo LaBerge

📣 Be a part of the ripple effect by joining the Two Row By The Grand bike tour! 🚴‍♂️🚴🏼‍♀️🚴🏽

Six Nations Tourism is excited to offer this 10-day bicycle tour traveling with the Two Row On The Grand from Cambridge to Port Maitland, July 15-24! 📆

Designed in partnership by the University of Waterloo Faculty of Environment, Water Cycles Expeditions and Deyohahage Gihę' gowahneh/Two Row On The Grand, this reconciliation‑focused learning experience connects communities in the Grand River watershed.

Honour the Two Row Wampum and the Silver Covenant Chain as we paddle & pedal along the Grand River in the Spirit of Peace, Friendship and Respect. 🛶🚴🏼‍♀️

🤚🏽 Visit the Two Row By The Grand link below to register as:
• A rider
• A volunteer
• Community event participant

https://www.sixnationstourism.ca/two-row-by-the-grand-university-of-waterloo

To learn more about the ride, email [email protected]

✅ To contribute to the Two Row By The Grand scholarship, helping Six Nations community members and students experience this ride, please visit the University of Waterloo Two Row By The Grand scholarship link at:

https://imodules.uwaterloo.ca/s/1802/21/form.aspx?sid=1802&gid=2&pgid=4047&cid=10372&dids=1095&bledit=1&appealcode=26-ALL-ENV:N.1

Water Cycles is thrilled to join the SDG expo . A wonderful opportunity to support the next generation of sustainability leaders and to get everyone to connect to water and community through bikes 🚲. We will once again play our board game (a water cycles adventure - developed by the amazing and !) to take a journey through the Grand River and learn about its rich cultural and natural heritage. Of course a bit of candy helps too.

The call of the tundra swan 🦢 on can only mean one thing: the start of a new season of water cycling and community building. A big announcement and partnership launching soon. For now just a warm greetings to the expanding water cycles community. 2026 will be our most important and meaningful year yet. More soon…!