This past September, four of us set out from the shores of Lake Huron to ride the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail — in reverse, starting in Goderich and winding our way east over three warm, golden days. None of us were hardcore cyclists. Between us we had two touring bikes, a gravel bike, and a hybrid. What we shared was curiosity — to explore, to move, and to see what would unfold on the trail.

The first morning felt like an awakening. The legs were unsure, the body adjusting to the rhythm of riding. But the trail itself offered ease — flat, well-packed, and inviting. Early autumn had just begun to brush the leaves with colour, and the air carried that mix of warmth and change that makes late September so beautiful.

As the day stretched on, something began to settle. The steady hum of tires, the cadence of breath, the focus on the path ahead — all of it started to feel familiar, meditative. Cycling has always been that way for me: a form of moving meditation. It draws the mind into rhythm, steadies the breath, and softens the mental chatter until only awareness remains — the same spacious stillness I find on my yoga mat.

That first night, we camped at Family Paradise Seasonal Resort Community in Walton, Ontario, where the owners were incredibly attentive and welcoming. Their kindness and care made for an easy and comfortable night after our first full day on the trail.

Our second night was spent at the Kuepfer Family Rest Area, right on the G2G and booked through Hipcamp — another amazing stay. The property was quiet, scenic, and perfectly convenient for cyclists, with hosts who made us feel completely at home. I slept in my hammock both nights — and I can honestly say it was the best outdoor sleep I’ve had. The gentle sway, the cool night air, the open sky — it all felt effortless, as if the land itself was holding us.

By the second morning, the ride felt different. The body was awake, the mind quieter. What had begun as a physical challenge had softened into ease. That’s the beautiful bridge between yoga and activities like cycling: yoga teaches us presence and awareness, but it doesn’t replace the need to move, to strengthen, to breathe deeply through effort. Regular exercise keeps the body vibrant, and yoga refines how we move through it — with steadiness, attention, and grace.

Arriving in Guelph on the third day, dusty and content, we rolled to a stop with the simple joy of having travelled under our own power. The journey had been both outward and inward — a reminder that mindful movement, whether on a mat or on a bike, is less about where we’re going and more about how we travel along the way.

If you’ve been thinking about exploring the G2G, I can’t recommend it enough — not just for the scenery, but for the practice it invites: to move, breathe, and be fully present with the trail beneath your wheels.