October 11 2023 - Warsaw Colour Ride

 8 cyclists met in the Warsaw Lions Park on a cool breezy fall day for a 37 km ride, quite a contrast in temperature from last week's ride. The ride starts with a long gradual uphill ride on Rock Rd (paved) past Douglas Rd to the Warsaw Caves trail leading to the viewpoint overlooking the Indian R gorge. After the break we cycled uphill east on Cooper Rd (gravel) to the 4th line for a rolling ride (gravel) south to Centre Rd, also gravel, & a 4 km ride east to the start of the bushtrail on the 6th line road allowance for a 2 km a rough ride thru woodlots to the 6th Line (gravel) & a rolling ride south across Webster Rd to Cty Rd 8 for another 4 km rolling ride on pavement east to the 8th Line (gravel) & a 4 km uphill ride north to Webster Rd. West on Webster & Cty Rd 8, paved, for a 7 km ride to the 4th Line in Cottesloe & an uphill ride north (paved & gravel) to Douglas Rd  (paved) & a long uphill ride as we cycled west towards a welcome downhill ride to Rock Rd & a return to the Lions Park. After the ride 5 of us enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the Canoe & Paddle pub in Lakefield. Note: the Lions Park is usually closed because of vandalism so in the future we will meet in the Back Dam Park on Rock Rd

                                   

                                                                6th Line bushtrail

                                                           6th line bushtrail

                                                   Dan navigating the 6th Line bushtrail

Indian R gorge

October 4 2023 - Garden Hill Ride

On a summer like day 14 cyclists met in the Garden Hill Conservation Park. We cycled east on Cty Rd 9 thru Garden Hill to Grist Mill Rd for 4 km rolling ride south to the 5th Line for a short ride west to Cty Rd 10 & a long downhill ride thru Canton to the 4th Line where we split into 2 groups. The main group (viewed in Burton's photos) cycled our regular route of 44 km turning south off the 4th line onto Deer Park Rd for a ride across Cty Rd 2, over Hgw 401 to Donaldson Rd & south to Lakeshore Rd for a ride west on the Waterfront Trail beside Lake Ontario thru Port Britain to the big stack at the Wesleyville Rd. From there it is a long uphill ride north over Hgw 401, across Cty Rd 2, north on Morrish Church Rd to the 4th Line. The other group did a shorter ride of 32 km by continuing to cycle west on the 4th Line past Morrish Church Rd to Cty Rd 65. Everyone rode this section cycling north on Cty Rd 65 thru Osaka & 2 ravines to the 7th line for a ride east ending in a long steep climb before reaching Mill St & north to Garden Hill. After the ride we enjoyed pub grub at Rhino's in Bewdley on their patio overlooking Rice Lake   

                                                                     Burton's photos

                 

                                                   Cty Rd 65 ravines north of Osaka

                              Chatting with a cyclist from Courtice at the 4th Line & Cty Rd 65

  4th Line between Deer Pk Rd & Cty Rd 65. Here on a break we were told that the remains of the Midland Railway bed can be found just north of the 4th Line on Kellogg Rd

                                       Group photo on the 5th Line at Grist Mill Rd

Sept 27 - Beavermeade to Hope Mill

 On another ideal day for cycling we met in Beavermeade for a 38 km ride. From Beavermeade we cycled east on Ashburnham Dr past the Liftlock for a gradual uphill ride to the Old Norwood Rd, than east across Television Rd for a short but steep climb followed by more climbs to Harold Town Pk before continuing to Sweeney Line for a short ride north to Division Rd & a another hill climb before crossing Hgw 28 & east to Jermyn Line, gravel, south to Hgw 7 & a short ride east to David Fife Line, gravel. across the Indian R to River Rd, gravel, for a 3 km ride to Hope Mill Rd. where Dave Messervey & Dan Volman led us on a tour of the Hope Mill, a restored pioneer water powered sawmill. From there we cycled thru Lang to Heritage line for a ride south to the TCT & a return to Beavermeade. After the ride we had a late lunch at a new pub The Railyard Cafe & Taphouse on Hunter st E across from Ashburnham Ale. Another option is to cycle on the TCT to Hope Mill & back as we did in 2022. This is a much easier route avoiding hill climbs, Hyw 7 & gravel roads.                      Burton's photos

  

                                     Hope Mill - Dave Messervey in the power plant area

                                    Hope mill - Dan Volman in the carding room

                                                               Indian R bridge

                                                     Jermyn Line - gravel surface

Sept 20 2023 - Rice Lake Ride

On a gorgeous fall day 13 cyclists met in Bewdley for this 34 km ride on the southwest side of Rice Lake before heading inland. From Bewdley we cycled out Cavan Rd, a gradual climb, to Cty Rd 9 for a daunting 3 stages climb, as shown in Burton's photos, to Lander Rd & a welcome long downhill ride into Gore's Landing. From Gore's we cycled east on Rice Lake Scenic Dr, a much easier rolling ride, to Harwood. From Harwood we cycled north on Cty Rd 15 an easy but long uphill ride across Cty Rd 9 to Beavermeadow Rd W. West on Beavermeadow to Cty Rd 18 then north to Plainsville for a ride east on Cavan Rd back to Bewdley. After the ride we enjoyed lunch on the patio of The Lakeview Restaurant overlooking the lake. This is one of our more challenging rides but is fine if you take the time to enjoy the scenery!

                                                              Burton's photos

                    Burton on Cty Rd 9 @ the 2/3 point of the climb, note the wide paved shoulder

                                                        Gore's Landing

Harwood

August 23 2023 - Bevermeade to Douro

 13 cyclists met in Bevermeade for a ride in the hills & valleys of the Douro countryside. We cycled north on the RGWT crossing over the canal to Pioneer Rd & east to Cty Rd 4 then south to Cty Rd 8 & a ride into Douro where we split in 2 groups. 4 cyclists decided to do a shorter route (34 km) by cycling south on the Douro 4th to Division Rd. The others did a 41 km ride by cycling east on Cty Rd 8 to the Douro 2nd Line & a scenic ride south over the Indian R to Division Rd. Everyone cycled north on Division for an uphill climb across Hgw 28 before a welcome downhill ride to Sweeney Line & a ride on gravel east to Old Norwood Rd. West on Old Norwood Rd for a break at Harold Town Pk where the 2 groups met before continuing to cycle west into the city across Television Rd to Beavermeade where we had a picnic lunch beside Little Lake.    Burton's photos                                  

                                                            Harold Town Park

                                                                   Douro

                                               Jon Roslaniec on Pioneer Rd

                                              Blake overlooking the the Indian River 

August 2 2023 - Lakefield to Young's Pt

19 cyclists met in the Lakefield Arena parking lot on an ideal day for cycling. This 32 km route on paved roads with a rolling terrain takes you thru the picturesque Selwyn Twp countryside to Young's Point. Unfortunately Robin Maughan had a flat tire as we were cycling thru Lakefield. From Lakefield we cycled east on Youngs Pt Rd for a 4 km ride single file to Preston Rd & north for 3 km to Cty Rd 20 (12th Line) & a short jog west to Northeys Rd. & a gradual 3 km uphill ride to the 14th Line for an easy 2 km ride east to Jopling Rd & a short ride north to the 15th Line for a 4 km up & down ride east to North School Rd & south on Hgw 28 to Young's Point where a few cyclists continued their ride to Lakefield.We took a break beside the locks before cycling on the old bridge back to Hgw 28 for a 1 km ride south on a wide paved shoulder to the Douro 4th Line south for 2 moderate uphill climbs to Cty Rd 6 & a ride west across Hgw 28 into Lakefield. After the ride we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park beside Katchewanooka Lake. Pat Towns arrived on his bike as we were having lunch

                                                                  Burton's photos

                                    

                                                                 Young's Point

                                          George Post & friends enjoying a picnic lunch                                                                               This was George's 1st ride with us after his hip surgery

July 26 - Ride from Baxter Creek Golf club

 14 cyclists met in the upper parking lot of the Baxter Creek golf Club on a hot, muggy summer day. We ended up cycling a 26 km route avoiding more hill climbs & the heat. From the club we cycled west on Cedar Valley Rd which has a few rollers as you cross Baxter Creek to Hutchison Dr. & long gradual uphill ride north to Larmer Line for a short but steep climb before continuing  to cycle west over Hgw 115 to Tapley 1/4 Line where we decided to shorten the ride by cycling north to Syer  Line for a ride east on rolling terrain to Cty Rd 10 & an uphill jog over Hgw 115 to Syer then east to Hutchison Dr, south to Cedar Valley Rd & a return to the the Golf club. Unfortunately John Higgisson suffered a serious head injury caused by his front wheel being caught in loose gravel as he cycled down a steep gradient on Syer. The rapid response of the emergency services was impressive & John had been admitted to Sunnybrook Hospital within an hour of his injury. After the ride a few us decompressed by having lunch on the golf club patio where we were joined by Bob Hawker from Port Perry who has cycled & skied with us. We had a report from John's wife Joan that he had been admitted to ICU for treatment. I will send further updates on John's condition by email. 

                     

                                                      Syer Line hill - site of the accident

                                                           Syer Line west of Cty Rd 10

                                                   Cedar Valley Rd at Hutchison Dr

PHTCT 10th Anniversary Sat May 6

 On a gorgeous spring day we had a good turnout of Cycling Dudes to help Barry celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening PHTCT at the Keene Train station shelter. After the ceremony we were treated to a delicious lunch including a hot beef sandwich, salad, cookies & refreshments served on top of the foundation of the old water tower. Anyone that would like to make a donation to the PHTCT can go to their website https://www.langhastingstrail.ca

                                                      Burton's photos