In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Dave Valente, President of the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club in Thunder Bay. He makes a case for why he thinks cycle tourism is a growing trend, what travelling cyclists are doing, and what amenities they’re looking for. Dave also shares the challenges bike clubs face and what tourism organizations and government funding agencies could do to help them attract more visitors.

• 00:59 Meet Dave Valente and the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club
• 03:55 Programming and Events at Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club
• 09:15 Membership and Fees
• 11:23 Cycle Tourism Growth, Appeal, and Needs
• 13:55 Challenges and Best Practices in Cycling Tourism
• 15:08 Emergency Planning
• 17:23 Importance of Amenities and Facilities for Cycle Tourism
• 20:14 Challenges of Operating a Mountain Bike Club
• 22:06 Funding and Grants
• 25:23 Events: Opportunities and Spinoffs
• 27:59 Final Thoughts and Volunteer Opportunities
• 30:05 Next Episode Preview

About the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club

• Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club website - blacksheepmtb.com
• Facebook - facebook.com/BlackSheepMTB
• Instagram - instagram.com/officialblacksheepmtb

About the podcast

Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores.

For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario:

• Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca
• Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario
• Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario

If you like podcasts, DNO has another one called Destination: Northern Ontario. Season 1 is for people thinking about buying a tourism business, and Season 2 has helpful advice for new tourism operators. 

 Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.