The Voyageur 200: Ontario's Most Challenging Gravel Race Awaits in North Bay, Ontario
The Voyageur 200 is billed as Ontario’s most difficult gravel race, but what people need to realize is that this isn’t just a race. It’s a founder led movement to inspire those to achieve more than they thought possible, while keeping community support at the forefront of it all. It’s an example, to me, that life will always give us obstacles, but it’s ultimately how we respond to those obstacles that will define our story.
Raw, rugged Northern Ontario wildnerness. That’s the beauty of the V200. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
We’re wired, in many ways, as human beings to take the path of least resistance. However, at times, it’s worth asking whether that path is indeed the most meaningful path.
After all, how can we truly know what we’re capable of, if we never take the time to push the envelope?
For some, the moniker for the Voyageur 200, or V200, for short, as Ontario’s “most difficult gravel ride” pushes them away from the event, as if someone else might excel in an event like that, but not them. But I’d urge you to ask two questions — why not you? Why not now?
I’ll get into the technicalities of it all below, but what I want to make abundantly clear is that this race is, in fact, designed for everyone. If you’re keen to see as much beautiful Northern Ontario scenery as you can, and to truly test your limits, then you can aim to do the whole 200. But if you simply want to support a good cause, and rock a 30 kilometre route amongst your peers, that’s fantastic as well.
It’s not just about the ride itself, it’s about what the ride represents — to its founder, to North Bay and the surrounding communities, and to the riders themselves.
As Jeffrey Miller, the founder of this race, has noted, “one of the most rewarding impacts of the Voyageur 200 has been watching people accomplish things they never thought were possible.”
How Did the Voyageur 200 Come to Be?
Jeff Miller, cruising along ahead of me on the initial paved sections of the route we took on the V200. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
The idea for the Voyageur 200 came to Jeff while he was recovering in the hospital after a stroke. Once he bought his first gravel bike shortly thereafter, he began to realize that this was an activity that was not only building strength for him in his recovery, but also confidence.
“As I began planning bikepacking trips along what would eventually become the Voyageur 200 route, I realized the terrain, scenery, and experience were something special. During that first bikepacking trip, it really clicked for me: this could be a race. From there, the vision evolved into creating an event that combined adventure, endurance, community, and giving back through support for cardiac and stroke care.”
And that’s what the event has become. Ultimately, this event is a fundraiser for the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation. Each year, the donation to the NBRHCF has grown, with last year’s donation being nearly $10,000.
I know from talking to Jeff, and riding right alongside him on large portions of this route, that he’s dreaming big when it comes to this race because he wants to give back even more, and that’s because of the gratitude he feels for the care he recieved from the North Bay Regional Health Centre. I couldn’t shake the feeling that each kilometre we covered wasn’t just for him, it was for anyone who felt like they couldn’t do a ride like this, or for anyone struggling with their own health challenges.
It’s not just about raising money either, but also raising awareness about cardiac and stroke care, and the dedicated professionals who devote themselves to caring for those in need.
Perhaps, lying in that hospital bed, all of this felt like a distant reality, but here we are, thanks in large part to those professionals, who reminded him that his struggles were not a reason to give up, but rather to get back up.
It reminds of the well known quote from the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu — “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Everything You Need to Know About the V200 in North Bay
Preparing for the race
For those based in Northeastern Ontario in particlar, it’s worth noting that last year, the event introduced their training and conditioning program. It’s called the “Couch to Voyageur Series” (and, really, how fantastic is that name?), and it’s all about helping riders build the confidence and skills they need to participate in the race.
Jeff and the team realized that a lot of people were new to gravel cycling, so in this program they started with pavement, and then shifted toward more challenging terrain, including rolling hills, mountain bike trails, and gravel roads. I know from speaking with Jeff that all of this was done in a highly supportive environment — an environment which encourages riders to believe in themselves.
“One participant, in particular, stands out,” Jeff told me.
“She was very nervous about taking on the Voyageur 100 and wasn't sure she could complete it. Despite the challenging conditions and the summer heat, she crossed the finish line of the 100-kilometre event — an incredible personal achievement that she wasn't sure was possible when she started. Seeing that transformation is exactly what the Voyageur 200 is all about. Even more rewarding is that she's coming back this year with the confidence to challenge herself again and see what she's capable of.”
They had to pause the program this year largely due to volunteer capacity (please consider volunteering, if you’re able), but I know that Jeff is very committed to bringing the program back next year.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you never bet against Jeff if he’s driven towards a goal.
a Ride to Remember
Firstly, the ride is taking place this year on August 15th, 2026. You can register here.
When you’re riding the Voyageur 200, you’ll have 4 different distances to consider. There’s the 200km race, the 100km race, the 60km race and the 30km race. You’ll be riding on everything from old logging roads to scenic rides with the mighty Mattawa River at your side, and it all takes place in and around North Bay.
The idea is to have a gravel race “that isn’t just a flat gravel road.”
In terms of timing, you might want to check race results from previous years, so you have an approximate idea of how long each route can take. Experienced riders were able to finish the 200 in around 10-12 hours, the 100km route in about 4-6 hours, the 60 kilometre route in 2-4 hours and the 30 kilometre route in about 1.5 - 2.5 hours.
Keep in mind, your finish time will depend on your average riding speed, but that should give you some base numbers to work with to consider what route might be perfect for you.
Here are a few things worth knowing for the ride itself:
You’ll be supported throughout the ride. There are start and finish line drinks and snacks, aid stations every 30-50km with drinks and snacks, bike repair stations, signage throughout, and they’ll be snapping photo and video in case you’re looking to showcase the experience.
You want to ensure you’ve got the right bike. Most gravel bikes will do the trick, but generally speaking, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got a 29 inch (700) wheel size, and a 40mm tire width. I ride a Trek ALR5, for what it’s worth, and it certainly did the trick. If you are going for the full 200 kilometres, you’ll be starting early (around 5am), so you may want to have a headlight.
There are some bike repair stations, but the terrain can be a bit rough, so you’ll want to carry your won repair kit/bag.
It’s not just distance, you’re also dealing with elevation. If you’re aiming for 200km, it’ll be about 1500 metres of elevation. For 100km, it’s about 1000 metres, and for 60kms, it’s roughly 500 metres of elevation.
The race starts and finishes at The Corbeil Four Seasons Club.
This is more than just a bike ride, though. It’s a weekend experience that’s centred around community, adventure, and celebrating the region. It’s also always evolving. This year, they’ll be offering things like on-site camping, live music, beer on offer from Gateway City Brewing, a complimentary BBQ, and they’ve partnered with the Canadian Career College to provide complimentary post-ride massages on a first come, first served basis. There’s also the first ever kids’ race this year!
Truly, I feel like this race is only just getting started. It’s becoming a staple in the community for all the right reasons and, as I said, it’s so much more than a race.
“It's not just about riding 30, 65, 100, or 200 kilometres,” Jeff noted. “ It's about bringing people together, showcasing everything that makes Northeastern Ontario special, supporting local businesses and sponsors, creating lasting memories, and building a community that people want to return to year after year. We want every participant to leave feeling like they were part of something much bigger than a cycling event.”
Why is North Bay the Perfect Place for This Race?
North Bay - Ontario’s “Gateway to the North.” Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
In preparation for putting this all together, I rode a little under 100 kilometres of the route alongside Jeff, and his pal Travis, both of whom are fantastic riders.
What I loved about the ride, and cycling in general, is that you’re forced to be present. The worries of tomorrow and next week and replaced by a dedicated focus to overcoming the next hill, working your way through some shifty sand, or navigating the rugged terrain of a gravel road or mountain biking trail.
In today’s world, that’s a gift. I’ve also always said that when you walk, you can’t quite see enough of a destination, and when you drive you’re moving a little too quickly, but when you cycle, you can cover a lot of ground, but you’re moving at the perfect speed to take it all in.
As Jeff told me, “the North Bay and Nipissing region offer something that's truly unique in Ontario. We have an extensive network of gravel roads and snowmobile trails that naturally connect communities like Corbeil, Bonfield, Mattawa, and many others. You can ride from one community to the next almost entirely on gravel, forest roads, and trail systems, experiencing the beauty of the Canadian Shield, countless lakes, and remote wilderness along the way.”
And yet, it’s not just the landscape, it’s the people that have been shaped by this landscape.
“The people make North Bay and Northeastern Ontario the perfect destination for the Voyageur 200,” Jeff told me.
“This region has an incredible culture of community involvement, where people genuinely rally around great causes. That spirit has been instrumental in building the Voyageur 200.”
Why We Need to Support and Be a Part of Initiatives Like This
Travis and Jeff in the distance. You too can ride with them, though you’ll have to be quick to keep up! Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
It’s easy to see problems as something someone else will solve. But that’s not the way Jeff sees it.
The first couple of years of this race weren’t easy. Much of the organization fell on his shoulders, but his family (especially his wife Kayla, and their kids) stepped up to support him, and then friends, volunteers, sponsors, folks like Jennifer with Discovery Routes, and eventually the whole community at large.
Once you speak to him, it’s easy to see that his mission is a pure one.
I always find myself thinking in terms of creating “positive ripples” for those around me, and I feel like this event is precisely that. The net positive impact of an event like this is astounding, and it’s also inspiring.
One comment that Jeff made that I loved, and I believe sums this up so well, is that the event no longer just became his idea, but rather a shared vision. It’s a vision that I see with clarity, and every word I’ve written is in support of that mission, and to let you know that, wherever you’re reading this from, you too can be a real, genuine part of that vision, and this movement.
“it’s no longer just my journey,” Jeff noted. “it’s our journey, and that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
I want to sincerely thank North Bay Tourism, Northeastern Ontario Tourism, and the Voyageur 200 for hosting me as media in preparation for this article.