Dec 3/25 - Millbrook Valley Trails hike

 On a brisk overcast wintery day we met at the Millbrook Mill Pond for a hike on the linear 3.0 km Baxter Creek Trail & the 1.4 km Grand Trunk pathway. The Baxter Creek trail starts at the edge of the woods on the SE corner of the pond park. The trail had a cover of hard-packed snow as it winds it's way thru deciduous & cedar woods, wetlands & beside the creek eventually crossing the 4th Line to The Grand Trunk pathway that leads to the 1865 GTR bridge. On our return we walked around the small pond to the path on the eastern side of the fishing pond thru the parking lot & across the 4th Line to the Baxter Creek Trail & a return to Millbrook for lunch at Moody's. In the wetland areas there are many boardwalks & 2 bridges over the creek. We recommend walking thru the parking lot to access the trails south of the 4th Liner rather than the continuation of the Baxter Creek trail

 Peter Hamley, Barry Diceman,George Post, Frank Marett, Dave Messervey, Gordon Powell

                                                                      Baxter Creek

Railway bridge over Baxter Creek

Wed Nov 19/25 - Sylvan Glen Ganaraska Trail Hike

 We met John Ambler at the Sylvan Glen Conservation Area on Sylvan Glen Rd off of Dale Rd. The Ganaraska Trail starts over the bridge on the other side of the Ganaraska R from the conservation parking lot. This a well maintained trail with benches, boardwalks & bridges on private property but maintained by Ganaraska Trail volunteers. The trails pssses thru a forest of huge cedar trees as you wind your way down to the river & eventually passes thru a meadowlike area. After walking this section we walked on the conservation trail which is along the south side of the river & is not as well maintained with difficult gullies to cross. A few of us then drove to Richardson's Lookout which is west of Garden Hill off Cty Rd 9 that has panoramic views of the Oakridge Moraine & south towards Lake Ontario where we could see the Wesleyville stack.  

                                      Richardson's Lookout view south towards Lake Ontario 

  Richardson's Lookout - view north towards the Oakridge Moraine

                  From the left: Blake Frazer, Geoge Post, Barry Diceman, Pete MacLoghlin

                                        Ganaraska River with our shadows on the shoreline

                                

Hikers on a Ganaraska Trail bridge

October 29/25 - Barry's ride from Beavermeade

 On a sunny but cool fall day Barry led 8 cyclists on a 26 km rolling ride thru Otonabee Twp. From Beavermeade we cycled east on Ashburnham Dr across Landsdowne St, over Hgw 7 & on to Crowley Line past 100 Acres Brewery, across Assumption Rd to Base Line which has a few challenging hill climbs as we cycled east across Keene Rd then beside Pinecrest Golf Club to a drumlin with the steepest climb before reaching Drummond Line where after a break we continued cycling east to a private bush lane which took us north to the TCT & a return ride to Beavermeade.  

                                                Arndt & Barry on Assumption Line

                                                  Base Line at Crowley Line

Dale approaching Drummond Line

Oct 15/25 - Ride from the Airport

 Barry led us on a 45 km ride thru the rolling Cavan-Monaghan countryside. It was cold, cloudy & breezy when we arrived at the airport but it did warm up when the sun came out to highlight the fall colours. From the airport parking lot we cycled on Mervin Line to Airport Rd over Cavan Creek to Bartlett Rd & south to Whitfield Rd for a short ride down to Whitfield Landing on the Otonabee R before returning to Atchison Rd for a ride to the 6th Line & Hyw 28 & a short ride south on a paved shoulder past Baxter Creek Golf Club to Cedar Valley Rd then west to Hutchison Dr & north to Larmer Rd, west for a short but steep hill climb, followed by a 6 km ride over Hgw 115 to Tapley 1/4 Line & north to Syer Line for a ride west with a jog up & over Hgw 115 to continue west across Hgw 28 to Whitfield Rd to Bartlett Rd, Airport Rd & a return to the airport terminal for lunch at The Good Baker YPQ restaurant  

                                           Otonabee R @ Whitfield Landing

                           Peter Hamley on the Larmer Rd hill climb from Hutchison Dr

 Cty Rd 10 at Syer Line

October 8 -Lang to Hastings on TCT

 On a cool but gorgeous fall day Barry led us on a ride of 42 km on the TCT from the soccer fields in Lang to the Hastings swing bridge & back. We cycled out of Lang on Allendale Rd to Nelson Rd & south to the PHTCT. The trail winds thru farmlands, drumlins, woodlots & wetlands until it reaches the Trent R. where it overlooks the water before crossing the river on the swing bridge. After the ride we had lunch at Muddy's Pit BBQ in Keene, a classic roadhouse.

                                                  TCT at Settlers Line

                                                      TCT at Birdsall Line

                                              Trent R swing bridge at Hastings

Dave Messervey at Birdsall Station with the Cty Rd 2 underpass behind him

Oct 1/26 - Garden Hill Ride

We met in Garden Hill at the Conservation Park for this 45 km rolling ride thru the Northumberland countryside, cycling east on Cty Rd 9 thru Garden Hill to Grist Mill Rd for a ride south to the 5th Line & a short ride west to Cty Rd 10 & a welcome long descent thru Canton up to the 4th Line where we found the old Midland -Port Hope Railway bed (which became part of the Grand Trunk Railway then CNR)  on Kellogg Rd. This is the sane raikway that built the stone bridge south of Millbrook that we se hiking the Baxter Creek Trails south of Zion Line. From Kellogg Rd we continued west on the 4th line to Deer Park Rd for a ride south 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 Wesleyville stack. From there we cycled north on Morrish Church Rd for a long uphill ride over Hgw 401, across Cty Rd 2, to the 4th Line & west to Cty Rd 65 & a ride north thru Osaka then 2 big gullies to the 7th line for a ride east to the infamous steep climb followed by a downhill ride to Mill St & north thru Garden Hill for a picnic lunch in the park. Arndt & Dale rode 34 km by cycling west on the 4th Line past Deer Pk Rd to County Rd 65, bypassing the ride down to Lake Ontario.  

                                                          Deer Park Rd

                                           Barry on Grist Mill Rd at Cty Rd 9

                                        Morrish Church Rd view towards the Oakridge Moraine

7th Line hill summit 

Warsaw colour ride

 We met in Back Dam Park on Rock Rd just outside of Warsaw for a 35 km ride thru the Dummer countryside.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  east on Cooper Rd (gravel) to the Dummer 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 ride thru the woods to the 6th Line (gravel) & a rolling ride south across Webster Rd to Cty Rd 8 for a 4 km ride on pavement east to the 8th Line (gravel) & a 4 km ride north to Webster Rd. West on Webster to Cty Rd 8, paved to the 4th Line in Cottelsloe & an uphill ride north (paved & gravel) to Douglas Rd (paved) to Rock Rd & a return to the park for a picnic lunch beside the Indian R. 

                                                   Indian R gorge lookout

                                                               Dummer 4th Line

                                        Cottlelsole - Cty Rd 8  &  4th Line intersection

Dan & Dale on the 6th Line bush trail

Sept 3 - Barry's ride from Omemee

Barry led us a new longer route thru the City of Kawartha Lakes eastern countryside, 55 km vs 40 km. From Omemee we cycled on the TCT to Reaboro but instead of continuing on the TCT we cycled north on Settlers Rd (paved), west on Slanted Rd (paved) to Post Rd (paved) & north across Cty Rd 17 past the red barn to Cheese Factory Rd (paved) east to Height's Rd for a short ride north to Kings Wharf Rd (paved )& a 6 km ride east across Cty Rd 7 to Centreline Rd (Cty Rd 10) (paved) for a ride south thru Amish farmlands across Cty Rd 17 to St Lukes Rd (paved) & east to Downeyville on Cty Rd 7, From there we had 2 options, shorter south on Cty Rd 7 into Omemee or as we did continuing east on St Lukes Rd to Esker Rd (gravel) for a long ride south across Tracey's Hill Rd to Beaver Rd (gravel ) & a short ride east to Sibley Ave, south to the TCT for a return to Omemee & a picnic lunch in Riverside Pk. Starting on St Lukes Rd the route passes thru rolling countryside & combined with a strong winds & length made for a challenging ride especially on regular bikes! This is another lovely route mainly on paved roads that could possibly be combined with the TCT into 2 rides, one from Omemee & another from Reaboro.

Beaver Rd

                                    

Post Rd

Dan's sunrise photo of the red barn on Post Rd 

August 28/25 - Barry's Ride thru Cambray

On an ideal day for cycling Barry led us on this 47.5 km ride thru the western part of The City of Kawartha Lakes countryside. From the parking area on Ken Reid Rd we cycled west up to Angeline St then south to Thunderbridge Rd for a ride west across Hgw 35 to Cty Rd 18 & north to Cambray, west  thru Cambray on Cambray Rd continuing west on The Glen Rd Rd to Cty Rd 6, north to Cty Rd 9 (Woodville Rd), east to Cambray Rd south then east thru Cambray, to Cty Rd 21(Killarney Bay Rd), north to Chamber's Rd, east to Cty Rd 34 & south into Cameron for a short jog north on Hgw 35 to Long Beach Rd & east to the Victoria Rail Trail for a return to Ken Reid Pk & a picnic lunch overlooking Sturgeon Lk. This a lovely ride on paved roads up & down the occasional gentle rollers.  

                                                                          Cambray

                                                                     Cambray Rd

Chamber's Rd at Cty Rd 21

 

Wed August 20/25 - Oshawa Trails ride

 We met at Peter Hamley's home for this 50 km ride, cycling on side streets to access The Harmony Creek Trail a beautiful city linear park that took us south to Hgw 401 which we crossed over to Farewell St for a ride south to Harbour Rd & west thru a new park to Simcoe St & south to Lakeview Park & the Waterfront Trail cycling west around Whitby Harbour to the Ontario Shores Mental Health complex where we started the return ride on the trail to Lakeview Pk. From there we cycled north on The Oshawa Creek Trail, another intercity green oasis, for lunch at Teddy's. From Teddy's we cycled on streets & thru parks back to Peter's home. It had rained overnight & was drizzling on the drive from Peterborough but fortunately we had no rain on the ride however it was quite windy forming interesting wave & cloud formations on the lake. 

                                             Waterfront Trail in Lakeview Pk

                                   Peter in Lakeview Park with the waves in the background

Intrepid Park from the Waterfront Trail

Wed Aug 13/25 - Beavermeade to Hope Mill & Lang

Bill Hardwick led 9 cyclists from Beavermead on another hot day. We rode north on the trail to Trent U. & took Pioneer Rd East to Warsaw  Rd, turning right on Cty. Rd 4 to Douro. We then turned south on Douro 4th line to Hwy 7 & did a slight jog left, continuing south to River Rd , turning  right & continuing to Hope Mill Rd, where we stopped for a break at the mill.We continued thru Lang & rode the TCT back to Beavermead, having ridden 44 km.. Photos by Dave Messervey

                                                             group photo at Hope Mill

Rob Gardner with Hope Mill & the dam in the background

Wed August 6/25 - Young's Pt Ride

We met in the Lock 27 parking lot for a 31 km ride thru the rolling Selwyn countryside. We cycled west on Young's Pt Rd, to Miller Rd, to Preston Rd north to the 12th Line for a ride west across Buckhorn Rd to Birch Island Rd & down to The Selwyn Conservation Area for a break before returning on Birch Island Rd to the 12th Line & back to Preston Rd, south to Young's Pt Rd & a ride beside Lake Katchewanooka to Young's Pt. After the ride we enjoyed pub grub at Lock 27 Tap & Grill overlooking Clear Lake 

                                                     Lock 27 Tap & Grill lunch

                                                    12th Line @ Preston Rd

Chemung Lake - Selwyn Conservation Park beach

                                                  

July 16/25 - Beavermeade ino Cavan-Monaghan Twp

On a steamy hot morning Bill Hardwick led this 40 km ride from Beavermeade over Lock 19  to Lock St then winding our way on side streets to Monaghan Rd, up Crawford Dr to Fisher Dr crossing Fleming Dr to Airport Rd & around the airport to Whitfield Rd across Hgw 28 to Syer Line continuing west to Hutchinson Rd & south to Cedar Valley Rd, east past Baxter Creek Golf Club across Hgw 28 to the 5th Line & Frenchman's Creek Rd to Wallace Point Rd for a return to Peterborough for a picnic lunch in Beavermeade 

                                                 Wallace Point bridge over the Otonabee R

Ron, Bill, George & Peter, missing Pete Gardner, Barry & Burton

July 9/25 - Pete Gardner's ABC Ride & BBQ Lunch

We met Pete in the Bridgenorth Lions Park for a 32 km ride around Bridgenorth & Chemung Lake (ABC) . From the ballpark we cycled thru Bridgenorth on side streets for a ride across the upgraded causeway & an uphill ride on Yankee Line past The Quarry Golf Club to McAuley Rd to Irish Line & west to Perdue Rd, south to Clonakilty Rd for a steep hill climb before descending thru a subdivision to Gifford Dr & a ride beside Chemung Lk to Dalhaven Rd for a ride up to Peregrine Rd before cycling down Yankee Line & a ride across the causeway onto Kelly Blvd then up East Communication Rd to the 7th Line & a ride on the Rotary Bridgenorth Trail to the 5th Line, west across Chemung Rd to Pinehill Rd which winds its way down to Westlake Rd & Pete's home on Westlake Dr where Jon Rosoniac met us for lunch. Jon is still recovering from a complication following hip surgery in May 

                                                    Pete's home on Chemung Lk

                                            Chemung Causeway - new bike/pedestrian lane

                                                      Clonakilty Line hill climb

Rotary Park - on the Ennismore side of the causeway

Wed June 18/25 - Ride from Beavermeade

 On a hot humid day we met in Beavermeade for a cycle on the RGWT up to Nassau where we divided in 2 groups. Bill Hardwick led a ride thru Trent U to Woodland Dr for a long gradual uphill climb across Centre Line to Hilliard St & back down to the RGWT

The 2nd group continued to ride on the RGWT to the Lakefield trails for a ride thru the town to the Marina on Water St & a ride beside the lake to Queen St then west over the dam to Clementi St which takes you past the trailer park to The Selwyn Conservation Area & a trail beside the lake to a tower overlooking the Lake Katchewanooka Marsh. From there we returned to River Rd for a return to Peterborough for a ride of 40 km   

                                                        RGWT Trent U shelter

                                                 Barry & Dan beside the marsh

Dan, Dave, & Barry on the tower overlooking the marsh

Wed April 30 - Port Hope Waterfront Trail walk

 Pete MacLoghlin, Gordon Powell, Blake Frazer & Bill Hardwick met John Ambler in the Caldwell St parking on yet another gorgeous day for a 7 km walk. From the parking lot we walked east on the pedestrian Waterfront Trail for 3 km along the Lake Ontario shoreline that has a long boardwalk beside the Sculthorpe Marsh before ending at Gage Creek where we took a trail north beside the creek to a side trail for a walk on Lake St west past the wetland then north crossing over the railway tracks & Cty Rd 2 to continue north on Rose Glen Rd to a trail that borders the TCS property & west to Francis St then William St where we stopped for coffee & cookies at the Ambler home before walking south on King St past many beautiful heritage homes to the car.  On the way home we couldn't resist stopping at Doo-Doo's for buttertarts.  Photos by Blake.

                                                                     Gage Creek

                                                      Coffee time at Ambler's

Waterfront trail