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

Nov 9 New Route from Beavermeade

On a cold but clear sunny morning 5 intrepid cyclist met in Beavermeade cycling north on Ashburnham Dr to the canal trail & north under the McFarlane bridge across Parkhill Rd continuing on the canal trail  across the earth dam for a ride beside the golf club fairways & beyond to Trent then Lakefield. From Lakefield west to Cty Rd 23 (Buckhorn Rd), south to the 7th line ), west to the Bridgenorth Trail  to Hilliard St & a return to Beavermeade.                                                             

                                                               Burton's photos

                                     

                                                      Canal trail across from the golf course 

                                   

                                                           

July 20 2022 - Ride from Omemee - July 20 2022

10 cyclists met in the Omemee Riverside Park for a 40 km ride thru The City of Kawartha Lakes countryside. There was a Heat Advisory in place but cycling conditions were fine thanks to a cloud cover & a mild breeze. We cycled west on the KTCT thru Reaboro to Post Rd (gravel) for an 8 km ride north across Cty Rd 17 to Cheese Factory Rd, 3 km east to Heights Rd, south across Cty Rd 17 to St Lukes Rd (gravel) & east to Esker Rd (gravel) south to Beaver Rd, (gravel) east to Sibley, south to the KTCT for a ride back to Omemee & a picnic lunch in Riverside Pk. Blake Frazer & myself missed the Esker Rd turn ending up in Downeyville & cycling south on Sturgeon Rd (Cty Rd 7) on pavement into Omemee so not a bad option. Before the ride we met Bob Penny, Bill McKnight & John Crawford enjoying a freshly baked bagel from Michael's, view in Burton's photos.

                                                               Burton's photos

                                                                          Post Rd

                                                    view over Cty Rd 17 from Post Rd

Cheese Factory Rd

          

June 22 - Oshawa Ride to Newcastle

On a warm summer day 13 cyclists met Peter Hamley in Lakeview Park for a 60 km ride ride on the Waterfront Trail to Newcastle. The route combines paved roads, most with bike lanes, between parklands such as Darlington Provincial Pk & the Wilmot Creek Conservation Area thru a variety of landscapes such as wetlands, wood lots & the lakeshore. The new paved section between Darlington & Bowmanville has moderately long hill climbs both ways compensated by great views of the lake. Unlike the trail towards Whitby most of this section is a bit inland but we still felt a welcome breeze from the lake. The route is well signed, on the return ride after a ride thru a heavy downpour Peter led us on a few shortcuts back to Lakeview Pk. From the farmhouse Bob Penny, Bill, John & Frank left us for Boston cream pie at Teddys!

Directions: from Peterborough drive down Hgw 115 to the 401. In Oshawa, take the Ritson R & Simcoe St exit  & drive south on Ritson Rd, turn left onto Simcoe St (at the Bobby Orr school) & drive south to Lakeview Park Ave, right on to Kluane Ave & west to the parking lot. 

                                                    Peter's grandparents farmhouse

                                                   Waterfront Trail - Newcastle

                                        Jon describing his whitewater canoeing adventures!

Oct 27 2021 - Bewdley to Camborne & Beyond

12 cyclists met in the Bewdley municipal parking lot on another gorgeous fall day. From the parking lot we cycled east on Cavan Rd crossing Cty Rd 9 to Plainsville, a 6 km gradual but steady uphill ride. Then south on Cty Rd 18 for a continuous long but moderate hill climb to Upper Coldsprings followed by the reward of a a long downhill ride thru Lower Coldsprings to Camborne where we split in to groups. From Camborne Pete led one group on Kennedy Rd  which has a couple of short but steep climbs on the way uphill to Vimy Ridge Rd. West on Vimy Ridge thru a couple of small dips to Little Rd which has a final steep climb to a panoramic view of Rice Lk before continuing downhill to Cavan Rd & a return into Bewdley, a 30 km route. The other group continued their ride downhill thru Camborne to Dale Rd then west to McClelland Rd for a challenging uphill ride north to Bethel Grove Rd followed by more climbs cycling west to Vic Lightle Rd, north to Vimy Ridge & a short jog over to Little Rd for a return to Bewdley, a 40 km route. After the ride we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the Bewdley lakeshore park. This scenic route is the most difficult ride we do with long moderate climbs interspersed with steeper climbs that demand respect requiring frequent short rest breaks, especially for our "elder statesmen" like me! For many years we only did the Camborne loop with everyone turning on to Kennedy Rd.

                             

                                                  Cty Rd 18 - 1/2 way up to Upper Coldsprings

                                                      View of Rice Lake from Little Rd

View of Vimy Ridge Rd area from Kennedy Rd

Barry's Note re Donations to P-HTCT Association

Fellow ‘Dudes’

Peterborough-Hastings Trans Canada Trail Assoc. Inc. is the manager for the Lang Hastings Trail.  In the past, the group has been very supportive of the trail and I thank everyone for that. Now that we have charitable status, any donation over $20 will receive a tax receipt.

Donations can be made on the trail web site http://langhastingstrail.ca through Canada Helps  

or by direct donation by cheque payable to P-HTCTAssoc., which you can give to me.  

Thank you.

Barry,      Pres. P-HTCTAssoc.

  

                                                 Keene Station Shelter - a recent project

Suggestions for Safe Cycling

Robin recently sent me an email suggesting ways we could make our rides safer. We decided to recommend these safe practices . #1- limit the group size to 10 when cycling on roads which prevents a long strung out line of riders. #2 Do not stop at the top of a hill for eg select a driveway where we can safely take a break. This applies to any stops for eg at intersections. #3 ride single file giving cars space to pass. #4 - Make sure that we take short breaks at reasonable intervals to hydrate & "catch our breath". #5 Sweep & Leader use cellphones to connect when there is a delay. #6 maintain a safe space between bikes.